The payback began quietly that evening, exactly as planned.
Lira had spent the previous days doing what she did best. Sitting in the garden. Listening warmly to students who came to relax or vent. She never pushed. She simply planted seeds with gentle questions and soft, wondering comments. A tilt of her head. A murmured, "Oh, that seems unfair." Nothing more.
By nightfall, the rumors were flowing on their own.
"Did you hear what really happened in the corridor? Three of them on one girl who was already on the ground. That doesn't sound very Purist-like."
"Apparently they only act brave when the numbers are on their side."
The whispers spread through neutral students and even reached a few Purist sympathizers, chipping away at the image of untouchable superiority. No one could trace the source. Lira had not spread anything. She had only asked questions and let the answers do the work.
The sabotage was the fun part.
