"A true king does not merely take the throne - he reshapes the world around it. The path to greatness is paved not with the validation of the masses, but with the iron will to make them bow."
- Lee Sejong
The lunch bell had long since faded, but the courtyard of Hanseong Private Academy remained abuzz with whispers and speculation. Students gathered in clusters, voices hushed as they recounted the shocking events that had unfolded mere minutes ago.
In the center of the maelstrom stood Lee Sejong, his uniform pristine, not a hair out of place. The vanquished form of Song Minjun had been carried off to the infirmary, leaving Sejong as the undisputed victor. Night Shine's new leader.
The king.
Park Minho approached him, his expression a mixture of wary respect and undisguised curiosity. "You know, Sejong, when I invited you to join Night Shine, I didn't expect you to pull a coup d'etat on us."
Sejong regarded him coolly. "I told you, sunbae - I don't fight for a place. I fight for what's mine."
Minho chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, you've certainly got that kingly arrogance down." He jerked his chin toward the main building. "The rest of Night Shine is waiting for you. Time to meet your new subjects."
Sejong fell into step beside the older student, ignoring the awed stares and hushed whispers that followed in his wake. The hallways were mercifully empty, most students still outside for lunch, but he could feel the weight of their eyes upon him.
As they approached a nondescript door, Minho paused, leveling Sejong with a serious look. "Just a heads up - the others may not be as... receptive to your takeover as I am. Some of them have been with Night Shine for years."
Sejong's lips curved into a faint smile. "Then they shall learn their place."
Without waiting for a response, he pushed open the door, entering a spacious room that served as Night Shine's headquarters. Rows of plush couches and armchairs filled the space, and a large table dominated the center, covered in maps, documents, and half-eaten lunches. A dozen or so students, all wearing the distinctive silver pin, looked up as Sejong and Minho entered.
Silence fell, broken only by the quiet ticking of a wall clock. Then, slowly, one by one, the Night Shine members rose to their feet, their eyes fixed on Sejong.
A tall, broad-shouldered boy stepped forward, his gaze hard. "So, the rumors are true. Park Minho has brought us a new king."
Sejong met the boy's stare without flinching. "Indeed. And you are?"
"Lee Donghyun. I've been Night Shine's second-in-command for two years." The boy's lips curled in a sneer. "That is, until you showed up and decided to take over."
"Donghyun," Minho interjected, raising a hand. "Sejong here has earned his place. He defeated Song Minjun in a fair fight."
"Fair?" Donghyun scoffed. "Since when do we care about fairness? This is Night Shine, not some playground scuffle." He turned his attention back to Sejong. "You think you can just waltz in here and expect us to bow down? We've worked too hard to build this organization."
Sejong studied him, expression unreadable. "Then perhaps you should have worked harder to maintain it." He stepped forward, the weight of his presence filling the room. "Night Shine is mine now. Either you fall in line, or you can leave."
Donghyun's face flushed with anger, but before he could respond, a slender girl with sharp eyes stepped between them. "Enough, Donghyun. We all saw what he did to Minjun. He's earned the right to lead us."
The boy shot her a betrayed look. "Yuri-"
"No." She held up a hand, silencing him. "Sejong-ssi, welcome to Night Shine." Turning to the others, she announced, "From this day forward, Lee Sejong is our leader. All in favor?"
One by one, the Night Shine members raised their hands, some more reluctantly than others. Donghyun glared at Sejong, but even he knew when he was outnumbered.
Sejong allowed a small smile to grace his lips. "Thank you, Yuri-ssi. I look forward to working with all of you." His gaze swept over the room, fixing each member with an unwavering stare. "Night Shine has grand ambitions, I'm told. Well, so do I. Together, we shall remake this school in our image."
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the group, and Sejong knew he had them - for now. Maintaining this delicate balance would require all of his cunning and resolve. But he was no stranger to challenges. After all, he was born to rule.
As the meeting adjourned and the Night Shine members dispersed, Sejong caught sight of Minho lingering by the door. The older boy studied him thoughtfully.
"You know, Sejong, you're not at all what I expected."
Sejong quirked an eyebrow. "And what did you expect, sunbae?"
Minho shrugged. "Honestly? I thought you were just some arrogant kid looking for a fight." He paused, then added, "But you're not, are you? You actually believe you're destined for greatness."
"Believe?" Sejong echoed, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I don't believe, sunbae. I know."
Minho held his gaze for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Well then, Your Highness. I look forward to seeing what you do with your kingdom."
As Minho departed, Sejong allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. The first hurdle had been cleared. Now the real work began - forging Night Shine into an instrument worthy of a true king.
He straightened his blazer, feeling the weight of the silver pin that now adorned his lapel. The symbol of his newfound power. His rightful place.
With a sense of purpose, Sejong exited the room, his steps carrying him toward the future he had claimed as his own. The whispers would continue, the doubters would remain. But he no longer cared.
A king does not seek the validation of the masses. He commands it.