The classroom smelled faintly of expensive perfume and printer ink.

The topic; shear boredom.

Rain tapped softly against the massive windows of Class A-3, though no one paid attention to it. The students of Helios Academy rarely paid attention to anything that didn’t directly benefit them.

Future politicians sat beside heirs to billion-dollar companies. Children of celebrities laughed quietly near the back. At least three students in the room had bodyguards waiting downstairs. At the center of it all sat Lucien Arden.

Perfect posture.

Perfect grades.

Perfect face.

The kind of person people lowered their voices around without realizing it. The teacher continued writing equations across the board, explaining concepts Lucien had already memorized three weeks ago through audio diffusion during sleep. His gaze rested lazily on the rain outside while his fingers tapped lightly against his desk in precise rhythm.

Three taps.

Pause.

Three taps again.

A pattern.

Everything had patterns.

People especially.

“Emotional response is often caused by environmental pressure—” The teacher’s voice blended into background noise.

Two rows ahead, a girl was pretending to take notes while secretly watching luxury bag auctions on her tablet.

A boy near the window had been trying to hide his shaking leg for the past twelve minutes. Another student was cheating during an online test using reflections from a smartwatch. Predictable. All of them. Lucien exhaled quietly. Boring.

Then the classroom door opened. The teacher stopped speaking immediately.

Interesting.

Not because interruptions were unusual. Because teachers at Helios Academy hated interruptions.

Yet this teacher straightened his tie nervously before speaking. “We have a transfer student joining us today.” Whispers immediately spread across the room. Almost everyone in this academy was addicted to gossip. Lucien ignored them at first.

Transfer students usually lasted less than a month before breaking under Helios Academy’s social hierarchy. But then footsteps echoed across the classroom floor.

Slow.

Confident.

Lucien finally looked up.

And paused.

The boy standing near the front desk wore the academy uniform perfectly despite clearly wearing it for the first time. Black hair fell slightly over sharp eyes filled with effortless amusement.

Not nervous.

Not intimidated.

Smiling.

That alone was unusual.

“Introduce yourself,” the teacher said.

The transfer student glanced at the class briefly.

One look.

That was all.

Yet somehow it felt like he had already categorized everyone in the room.

Useful.

Forgettable.

Annoying.

Threats.

Lucien narrowed his eyes slightly.

Interesting.

“My name is Kieran Vale,” the boy said smoothly. “Please take care of me.”

Half the class was already staring. Of course they were. Beautiful people were treated like natural disasters at elios Academy. Everyone noticed when they arrived. Unfortunately, or fortunately, Kieran was the architect of the storm to came after the calm.

The teacher awkwardly cleared his throat. “You can sit ne—”

“No.”

The word left Lucien’s mouth before the teacher finished speaking. Silence dropped across the room.

Several students looked horrified. The teacher blinked. “Excuse me?”

Lucien rested his chin against one hand calmly.

“He talks too much,” he said lazily.

A few students nearly choked trying not to laugh.

Kieran tilted his head slightly before smiling wider.

“And here I thought Helios students were welcoming.”

His voice carried amusement so naturally it almost sounded genuine.

Almost.

Lucien studied him carefully.

That smile was deliberate.

Measured.

Weaponized.

Then suddenly—

Apple slices.

Lucien’s expression darkened almost invisibly.

A memory surfaced from years ago.

A charity gala overflowing with fake smiles and expensive champagne.

Small hands reaching into a lunchbox.

Young Lucien silently offering imported apple slices to another child sitting alone beneath a staircase.

The child had stared at him coldly before saying:

“Why would I eat food from strangers?”

Then he stole Lucien’s juice box greedily and walked away.

Lucien had never forgotten.

His eyes sharpened slightly.

Impossible.

The teacher nervously laughed. “Lucien, don’t be difficult.”

Kieran’s gaze shifted toward him again.

This time more carefully.

Recognition flickered faintly in his eyes.

Then—

“Oh.”

Lucien immediately knew.

He remembered.

Unfortunately, Kieran smiled right after.

Not apologetically.

Mockingly.

“You’re the apple boy.”

Several students looked confused.

Lucien felt something rare crawl into his chest.

Irritation.

Pure irritation.

In his thoughts: “oh, this irritating creature survived?”

“You stole my juice.”

“And you cried about it.”

“I was seven.”

“You still look upset.”

The classroom had gone completely silent now.

No one had ever seen Lucien Arden argue over apple juice before.

One girl discreetly started recording under her desk.

The teacher looked seconds away from resigning.

Kieran finally walked toward the empty seat beside Lucien anyway before sitting down casually.

Close enough for Lucien to notice the faint scent of expensive cologne and rain.

Dangerous.

That was the first thought that crossed his mind.

Not because of appearance.

Because Kieran’s eyes moved constantly.

Observing.

Calculating.

Controlling.

Like a puppeteer checking invisible strings.

Kieran leaned back in his chair comfortably.

Then, without looking at him, he said quietly:

“You’re staring.”

Lucien replied just as softly.

“You survived.”

A pause.

Then Kieran laughed.

Soft.

Genuine.

Terrifying.

For the first time in months—

Lucien wasn’t bored anymore.

By lunchtime, half of Helios Academy already believed Lucien Arden and the new transfer student were secretly fighting over inheritance rights, blackmail material, or each other.

Rumors spread faster than viruses inside Helios.

Especially attractive ones.

Lucien sat near the window, ignoring the noise around him while students pretended not to stare. Rain still painted the glass in soft grey streaks, turning the elite classroom strangely muted.

Across from him, Kieran Vale looked perfectly comfortable despite arriving less than two hours ago.

That alone was suspicious.

Most transfer students spent their first week trying to survive Helios Academy’s hierarchy.

Kieran had entered it like he owned shares in the building.

The teacher clapped her hands nervously. “Since everyone seems energetic today, we’ll be doing presentations in groups.”

The entire class immediately looked exhausted.

Lucien didn’t react.

Kieran smiled.

Dangerous combination.

“No volunteers?” the teacher asked after several painful seconds of silence.

Kieran tilted his head thoughtfully before speaking.

“I think Daniel would be perfect for it.”

A blond student near the back froze mid-drink. Apparently snacking in class was a common phenomenon, its either you are a brain-dead zombie trying to survive the apocopes of sleepy lectures or snacking your way out of it.

“What?” Daniel blinked. “Why me?”

Kieran looked genuinely surprised.

“You mentioned yesterday that public speaking was one of your strengths.”

“You weren’t even here yesterday!”

The room went silent.

Kieran smiled softly.

“Oh.”

Lucien finally looked up from his book.

Interesting.

The teacher awkwardly cleared her throat. “Well… confidence is important, Daniel. Why don’t you begin?”

Daniel looked seconds away from collapsing.

Around the room, students snickered quietly.

Lucien observed Kieran carefully.

No hesitation.

No visible manipulation.

Yet somehow the room had obeyed him naturally.

Like water adjusting around a stone.

Kieran noticed the stare immediately.

“You’re doing it again,” he said lazily.

“Doing what?”

“Analyzing me like a crime scene.”

Lucien turned another page calmly.

“You seem experienced with those.”

For the first time, Kieran laughed quietly.

Not loudly.

Not dramatically.

Just enough to sound real.

The teacher suddenly sighed. “Actually, before presentations, I’ll rearrange the seating plan.”

Several students groaned.

Lucien calmly moved his chair before she even reached for the seating chart.

The teacher blinked. “How did you know I was changing seats?”

“You touch your necklace before making uncomfortable decisions,” Lucien replied without looking up.

Silence.

Then someone whispered:

“That’s terrifying.”

Kieran rested his chin against one hand, clearly amused.

“You know,” he said casually, “even people who are completely useless still have the ability to make others smile.”

Lucien glanced sideways at him.

A pause.

Kieran smiled brighter.

“Usually after you push them down the stairs.”

Three students nearly choked.

The teacher looked emotionally exhausted clearly calculating time left before her students take her to early grave.

Lucien stared at Kieran for a moment before the corner of his mouth moved slightly upward.

Tiny.

Almost invisible.

But real.

The classroom collectively lost its mind.

“Lucien smiled.”

“Oh my god.”

“Someone records this.”

Kieran looked genuinely delighted by the chaos he caused.

Lucien immediately decided he was insufferable.

Unfortunately, he was also entertaining.

A dangerous trait.

The classroom doors suddenly slid open.

Three boys entered without permission.

Expensive watches.

Arrogant expressions.

The leader wore his uniform loosely, tie hanging around his neck like school rules physically offended him.

Seo Minjae.

Rich enough to avoid consequences but not buy manners.

Cruel enough to enjoy it.

His gaze landed immediately on Kieran.

“Well,” Minjae said slowly, “the rumors were true. Helios accepted strays now.”

Several students lowered their eyes instantly.

Cowardice. Predictable.

Kieran smiled politely.

“And yet they still let you attend. Inspiring.”

A few students failed to hide their laughter.

Minjae’s expression darkened.

Lucien quietly closed his book.

The atmosphere shifted.

Subtly.

Dangerously.

Minjae stepped closer to Kieran’s desk. “Careful. Pretty faces don’t last long here.”

Kieran looked thoughtful for a moment. “No wonder you survived this long”

Minjae frowned.

The classroom exploded into shocked laughter.

Even Lucien looked impressed.

Minjae slammed both hands onto the desk violently.

“You think you’re funny?”

“No,” Kieran said honestly. “I think you’re sensitive.”

Lucien added casually “Mr Minjae (pause)look at the mirror (pause) you may not like what you see(pause) but it’s the reality of the matter.’’

One of Minjae’s friends grabbed Kieran by the collar.

Bad decision.

Lucien moved first.

Fast.

Precise.

The boy hit the floor before fully understanding what happened.

A sharp crack echoed through the classroom.

Dislocated shoulder.

Efficient.

Controlled.

Screaming followed immediately.

The second boy lunged toward Lucien only to suddenly stop.

Kieran was smiling at him.

Still smiling.

“Hit him,” Kieran said softly, glancing toward Minjae. “He was calling you pathetic earlier.”

“What?”

Minjae turned instantly. “I never—”

The hesitation lasted less than two seconds.

Long enough.

The second boy punched Minjae directly across the face.

Chaos erupted.

Students screamed.

Phones appeared instantly.

Someone yelled for security.

Meanwhile, Lucien adjusted his sleeves calmly.

Kieran fixed his collar.

Neither looked particularly concerned.

Security finally arrived minutes later, dragging the injured boys away while the teacher tried very hard not to have a breakdown. She urgently need therapy.

As the classroom slowly settled again, whispers spread rapidly.

“They’re insane.”

“Did you see what Lucien did?”

“How did the other guy suddenly switch sides?”

Kieran leaned back in his chair comfortably.

“You attract interesting people.”

Lucien replied flatly,

“You attract blunt-force trauma.”

“That too.”

For a moment, silence settled between them comfortably.

Then the teacher shakily picked up the attendance sheet again.

Her eyes moved down the page absentmindedly.

Until she reached Kieran’s surname.

Vale.

Her face lost colour instantly.

The paper slipped slightly in her hands.

Lucien noticed.

Kieran noticed him noticing.

dangerous.

For the first time since entering the classroom—

Kieran’s smile weakened.

Helios Academy hated scandals.

Unfortunately, scandals loved Helios Academy.

By morning, Seo Minjae had officially vanished.

Not absent.

Not suspended.

Missing.

Students whispered about it in luxurious hallways lined with marble floors and paintings worth more than most people’s homes. Security guards suddenly appeared near every staircase. Teachers smiled too carefully.

Everything looked normal.

Which meant something was terribly wrong.

Lucien noticed immediately.

The academy had a rhythm.

Predictable.

Controlled.

Today, the rhythm felt forced.

Like someone trying too hard to keep a bleeding wound hidden beneath designer clothing.

As Lucien entered Class A-3, conversations immediately lowered in volume.

Interesting.

Fear spread quickly among privileged people.

Mostly because they weren’t used to consequences.

He took his usual seat near the window quietly.

Rain again.

Helios Academy apparently believed weather should match the mood of its crimes.

Across the classroom, Kieran sat casually flipping through a book he clearly wasn’t reading.

Relaxed.

Too relaxed.

Most students avoided eye contact with Lucien today.

Kieran looked directly at him and smiled.

Suspicious creature.

“You’re popular,” Kieran said lightly as Lucien sat down.

“And you’re still alive,” Lucien replied.

“That almost sounds affectionate.”

“It wasn’t.”

Kieran looked pleased anyway.

The classroom doors opened suddenly.

Everyone straightened instinctively.

Not the principal.

Security officers.

Two of them.

Students immediately began whispering again.

One officer approached the teacher quietly while the other scanned the room carefully.

Lucien observed everything.

The teacher’s hands trembled.

Interesting.

After a tense moment, the officer handed her a folder before both men left without explanation.

The classroom remained silent long after the doors closed.

Then someone near the back whispered:

“They still haven’t found Minjae.”

Another student lowered their voice nervously.

“My cousin said police came to his house last night.”

“No one’s allowed to talk about it online.”

“Posts keep getting deleted.”

Lucien’s attention sharpened slightly.

Deleted.

Digital suppression.

Deliberate.

Before he could think further, the teacher suddenly spoke.

“Ms. Evelyn will no longer be teaching at Helios Academy.”

Silence.

A girl blinked. “What?”

The teacher forced a smile that looked physically painful.

“She… resigned unexpectedly.”

Lie.

Lucien knew immediately.

Teachers didn’t suddenly resign from Helios.

Not ones who survived long enough to gain tenure.

Beside him, Kieran quietly closed his book.

His expression remained calm.

Too calm.

Dangerous.

Lucien leaned slightly toward him.

“You don’t seem surprised.”

Kieran didn’t look away from the front.

“Should I be?”

“A teacher disappears after a student vanishes.”

“Technically,” Kieran said thoughtfully, “she disappeared first. We just noticed the student more.”

Lucien stared at him.

That sentence sounded experienced.

The teacher quickly attempted to continue class, though nobody listened anymore. Not listening was already a law anyway.

Fear was more educational.

As students whispered nervously around them, Kieran rested his chin against one hand lazily.

“You know,” he murmured quietly, “schools are fascinating.”

Lucien continued writing notes absentmindedly.

“How so?”

“They’re just tiny governments pretending to teach children.”

A pause.

“Corruption included.”

Lucien’s pen stopped moving briefly.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

“You speak like you’ve seen corruption often.”

Kieran smiled faintly.

“You speak like you haven’t. What can I say, my search history says it all.”

The bell rang sharply before Lucien could answer.

Students immediately flooded out of the room in anxious groups.

Everyone except Lucien.

And Kieran.

Rain pressed softly against the windows while silence settled between them.

Neither moved.

Finally, Lucien spoke.

“Minjae’s disappearance happened too cleanly.”

Kieran leaned back comfortably.

“You sound disappointed.”

“The security footage from yesterday was deleted twelve minutes after the fight.”

That finally got a reaction.

Small.

Almost invisible.

But real.

Kieran tilted his head slightly.

“How do you know that?”

Lucien met his eyes calmly.

“The school network security is embarrassingly outdated.”

A pause.

Then Kieran smiled slowly.

Not playful this time.

Interested.

“Oh,” he said softly. “You’re dangerous too.”

Lucien ignored the comment.

“Ms. Evelyn also accessed restricted student files yesterday evening before disappearing.”

“Suspicious.”

“She contacted someone afterward.”

“And?”

Lucien watched him carefully.

“The message was erased.”

Kieran hummed thoughtfully.

“Maybe she discovered something ugly.”

“Helios Academy is built on ugly things and unfortunately people.”

For the first time in the conversation, Kieran laughed quietly.

Soft.

Genuine.

Brief.

“Now that,” he said, “was almost romantic.”

Lucien looked mildly offended.

“I would rather walk into traffic.”

“That can be arranged.”

Their eyes met briefly.

The atmosphere shifted strangely again.

Not hostile.

Worse.

Curious.

Then—

A phone vibrated nearby.

Both glanced toward the abandoned desk near the front.

Minjae’s desk.

Someone had forgotten to remove his phone from inside it.

The screen lit up faintly in the empty classroom.

Unknown Number:

STOP DIGGING.

Silence.

Neither boy moved immediately.

Rain tapped softly against the windows.

Lucien stood first.

Kieran watched him carefully.

“You think the message was meant for us?”

Lucien picked up the phone calmly.

“No,” he said quietly.

Then his gaze shifted toward the dark security camera in the corner of the classroom.

“I think it was meant to make sure we know we’re being watched.”

For the first time since arriving at Helios Academy—

Kieran’s smile disappeared completely.