Zein's Point of View
I walked out of Principal Carmie's office, dumbfounded. What a jerk of a President! He's given me a massive headache. I didn't take a word he said seriously; he was probably just playing mind games to keep me on edge.
"Ms. Shion!"
I heard someone call my name and spotted him in the distance. I quickly approached.
"Yes, Sir Alvarez?" I asked.
He was holding three books and had a black shoulder bag slung over his arm. He looked to be in his late 20s or early 30s.
"Can we talk?" he asked, his expression grave.
I didn't know what it was about, but since he looked so serious, I agreed. We went to the cafeteria and he ordered two juices. We sat at the far end, tucked away where we wouldn't be easily seen by anyone coming in.
"I need your help," he said.
I bit my straw, staring at him. His eyes were pleading. I had a bad feeling about this—was I about to get into even more trouble?
"With what, Sir?"
"I am not just a teacher, Zein. I am a detective and a secret agent. We were sent here to rescue all of you. Help me."
I was too shocked to speak. I never would have guessed he was an agent. But what did he mean by "rescuing" us?
"Listen, Zein. We've been monitoring this area for a long time, but we couldn't get any inside information. We can't interfere officially because this university isn't under government control, so I'm operating undercover. I've been here a month, but I still haven't found a legal loophole to shut this place down. I'm going to save you all, but I can't do it alone. That's why I'm asking for your help."
I looked into his eyes. Part of me wanted to refuse—I was just a student, after all—but another part desperately wanted to help. "I don't think I can help you," I admitted. "I'm just a newcomer. I don't know anything about this place."
"Actually, Zein, you can help more than anyone. Accept their offer."
My eyes widened as I realized what he meant. "The Secretary position? You want me to take it?"
He nodded firmly. "If you have that position, it will be a huge advantage. you will have access to things others don't. I need you to find their Hidden Laboratory."
"A laboratory?"
He leaned in closer. "Yes. They are hiding a lab where they are trying to recreate the formula Dr. Quizon discovered before he died."
I was confused. "I thought the formula was lost? Celine told me Dr. Quizon died before anyone could get it from him."
"Dr. Quizon didn't just die," he whispered, sending a chill down my spine. "They murdered him to get that formula."
Anger began to flare up in my chest. They were so greedy they were willing to kill for an idea that wasn't theirs. They really are demons.
"They got the formula, but it was incomplete," Sir Alvarez continued. "Dr. Quizon didn't write everything down. They are missing a key ingredient that a specific student has been hiding. They are searching for that student while simultaneously trying to create a synthetic replacement in that secret lab. We need to find it before everyone gets caught in the crossfire. I need your help, Zein Shion."
I walked back to the dormitory in a daze. So much had happened in one day. I had agreed to help Sir Alvarez—I had to. It was for everyone's safety.
"Zein! What did they do to you? Did they torture you? Did you confess?!"
I glared at Vanessa, who was overreacting as usual. I collapsed onto the sofa. "Where are the guys?" I asked.
"They're inside. I stayed here to wait for you." She handed me a glass of water.
I set it aside and sighed. This was too much for an ordinary girl to handle. "What we talked about wasn't about the murder," I explained. "They are forcing me to accept the Secretary position."
"Are you going to do it?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"I... I think I have to."
"Here. This is your new uniform. Put it on, and then I'll show you the office."
I lifelessly accepted the paper bag from Ace. Inside was the Secretary's uniform. I went to the restroom to change and winced when I saw the reflection. The mini-skirt was even shorter than the standard one. The blouse was a deep ocean blue instead of white, and it had a nameplate pinned to it: Zein Shion – Supreme Secretary.
When I came out, Ace was waiting, looking bored. "Nice. Let's go."
I followed him reluctantly. Every student we passed turned away or whispered behind their hands.
"That uniform... is she the new Secretary?"
"How? She's a newbie! That's so unfair!"
"She must have bewitched the President."
I couldn't take it anymore. I marched up to the girls who were whispering. They looked ready to snap at me, but then they saw the red markings on the edge of my uniform.
"N-Number 9?" they stammered, visibly shaking. "We... we're sorry. We didn't realize you were the Ninth."
They bowed their heads, terrified. I stared them down. "All of you, take my command: Get the hell out of my sight!"
They scrambled away instantly. It was so fast I almost wanted to laugh.
"That's my line," Ace muttered, pulling me away.
My smile vanished when I realized he was holding my hand—not just a simple grip, but with our fingers intertwined. I tried to pull away, but his grip was firm. He finally let go as we entered the Supreme Student Government (SSG) Office.
Onel Ty stood up when he saw us. Teacher Kath was at the back, her eyebrows raised. And then there was Fritzy, sitting in the Secretary's chair.
"The new Secretary is here," Onel announced.
"What is that woman doing here?" Fritzy snapped, shrugging. "And why is she dressed like that?"
"Get out of her chair," Ace said, his voice low but dangerous.
"President Ace," Teacher Kath interrupted. "Fritzy is still my chosen Secretary."
Ace suddenly slammed his hand onto the desk next to him. The sound was deafening, and the wood almost splintered under the force.
"All of you, listen to my command. Sit in your respective chairs. And as for you, Ms. Saldivar... get out."
Teacher Kath and Onel sat down immediately. Fritzy glared at me as she walked past, intentionally bumping my shoulder.
"Bitch," I whispered.
Ace made me sit in the chair Fritzy had just vacated. He stood before the group, his aura incredibly intimidating. The number 2 was prominent on his sleeve.
"Never. Question. My. Decisions," he stated. "From now on, Zein Shion is the Supreme Secretary of Hell University. I want no questions. Respect her as you respect me. She holds the 9th Power of the Highest 10. While that is lower than you, Mr. Ty, who is 5th, she is still to be respected. This decision is final."
Later, in the cafeteria, I frowned as I bit into my burger. Ace was eating rice, while Onel and Fritzy were having ice cream.
"I didn't know there was a rule about this," I whispered.
Onel chuckled, while Fritzy just sneered. I had learned that once you become an SSG member, you are required to spend the entire day with the council. I wasn't allowed to talk to my friends.
"Well, now you know," Ace said.
"Screw you."
I ducked my head when Ace glared at me for cursing. It was so annoying! I looked over at my friends' table. Dave and Jerome were glancing at me, while Vanessa and Mia were pouting. Matt wouldn't even look in my direction.
I sighed and put my burger down. I'd lost my appetite.
"Fine!" Ace barked, noticing my mood. "You are allowed to sit with them. But when I call, you come immediately. Clear?"
I smiled and nodded, rushing over to my friends.
"So you decided to join us after all?" Vanessa asked, sulking.
"Of course," I said.
"That's the SSG rule," Matt finally spoke, his voice heavy. "Once you're a member, you're cut off from everyone else unless the President allows it. That's why I didn't want you to take it."
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
Mia and Vanessa hugged me. "It's okay. We're just not used to it yet," Jerome said. Matt grabbed my hand, and I felt a little better.
"Let's go."
I almost jumped out of my skin as Ace suddenly appeared at my side. I stood up to follow him. Suddenly, Ace collided with a student. The boy's orange juice spilled all over Ace's shirt.
The entire cafeteria went dead silent. A wave of fear washed over me for the student, who stood frozen like a statue.
"I-I'm sorry, Supremo," the boy stammered, trembling.
Ace didn't yell. Instead, he pulled out a black notebook. "Name," he said tonelessly.
"F-Ferry Marcos."
Ace flipped through the pages and drew a thick line through the boy's name. My blood ran cold. I knew what that meant.
"Follow us," Ace commanded. "Dark Hell Jail is waiting for you."