The corridor outside Section E was unusually crowded.
Not noisy—just… tense.
Inside the classroom, students were already whispering.
"Why are there so many people outside?"
"Are they seniors?"
"Did something happen?"
No one had answers.
Jay was walking down the hallway like any normal day.
Bag slung over one shoulder. Calm. Unbothered.
Until—
She noticed them.
Standing outside her class.
Not one group.
Not two.
Three.
Her steps slowed… just slightly.
First—Raven and the Obsidian Six. Leaning against the wall like they owned the entire floor.
Then—Aces. Already there, spread out, watching everything carefully.
And then—
The third group.
Midnight Sovereign.
But here's the problem—
They were all looking at each other.
Confused.
Suspicious.
Annoyed.
Raven frowned. "Who are they?"
Benjamin's voice was low. "Not ours."
Across from them, one of the Aces muttered, "Jay didn't mention this."
Midnight Sovereign's leader tilted his head slightly. "Interesting…"
And then—
Jay reached them.
All eyes snapped to her.
For a second, no one spoke.
Even the noise inside Section E died down, students now openly staring through the door.
Jay looked at all three groups.
One glance.
That's all it took.
And she understood.
They all came.
At the same time.
Without knowing about each other.
Raven straightened. "You called us."
Jay raised an eyebrow. "Did I?"
Before Raven could respond—
One of the Aces stepped forward. "You said today. Outside your class."
Jay's gaze shifted. "I said nothing to you either."
Now even they were confused.
Midnight Sovereign's leader let out a soft laugh.
"Well… this is awkward."
Inside the classroom—
"BRO WHO IS SHE??"
"WHY ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE HERE FOR JAY??"
"Is she in trouble??"
The teacher hadn't even entered yet. Everyone was watching.
Outside—
Tension was rising fast.
Xavier's eyes narrowed. "So none of us were called?"
Benjamin's voice dropped. "Then why are we here?"
A beat.
Then—
Jay spoke.
Calm. Cold.
"Because someone wanted you all in one place."
That hit.
Hard.
Silence.
Then shifting.
Subtle movements.
Defensive stances.
Everyone suddenly more alert.
Raven's gaze sharpened. "You think this is a trap?"
Jay didn't answer immediately.
Her eyes scanned all of them again.
Calculating.
Then—
"Not a trap," she said quietly.
A pause.
Then her voice dropped just enough to make it dangerous:
"A message."
Before anyone could react—
A phone buzzed.
Then another.
Then—
everyone's phone.
Same notification.
Same unknown number.
Same message:
"Now that you've all met… let the game begin."
Inside Section E—
One student whispered:
"…Jay… what did you do?"
And Jay?
She didn't even look surprised.
Just slightly… interested.