Chapter 16: The Proposal
Quinn knew that time was running out. The whispers about his white hair were only the beginning. He could feel the scrutiny of the students, the shifting gazes from every corner of the academy. But the real danger wasn't in the stares or the rumors. It was in the system—the faceless force that ruled this place with an iron fist, suffocating any resistance before it could grow. If Quinn was going to survive, he needed allies. He needed influence. And to gain that, he would have to do what no one else had the courage to do: make a move.
He had spent the past few days carefully observing Rhea, her interactions, her movements. Despite her cold exterior, she was undoubtedly one of the most powerful figures at the academy, and that made her a crucial ally—or a dangerous enemy. She had the connections, the knowledge, and the drive to make things happen. But she wasn't the type to trust easily, and Quinn knew that getting close to her would require more than just friendly gestures or subtle alliances. It would take something significant, something bold.
That's when he began to form a plan.
He wasn't interested in playing games or beating around the bush. He needed to offer Rhea something that would make her stop, think, and—hopefully—agree to work with him. He didn't have the leverage most of the nobles had, but what he had was a promise: a chance to shake the very foundation of the academy. If he could offer her that, maybe she'd listen.
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Quinn spent the next few days drafting a proposal, refining it, making sure that it was exactly what Rhea needed to hear. He didn't want to come off as desperate or naive, but he also couldn't afford to be vague. He needed to be specific—showing her the advantages of working together, but also making it clear that he had a plan.
The proposal wasn't about personal gain; it was about the system. He knew that Rhea didn't trust the system either—not entirely, anyway. There was something about her, a sharpness to her that told him she understood the game being played here. But whether she would want to upend it was another matter. Quinn had to make her see the bigger picture.
He wrote it all down—his observations, the weaknesses he'd found, the factions he could exploit, and how the nobles, if manipulated correctly, could be brought to heel. It was a blueprint, a map to bring down the academy's rulers. It wasn't going to be easy, but if Rhea saw the potential, it could be the start of something much larger.
Quinn knew the risks. If Rhea rejected him, he'd have no way of knowing just how dangerous she could become as an enemy. But if she accepted... He didn't even want to think about the possibilities, but the potential was there. With her at his side, he could gather allies, manipulate the system's weak points, and eventually strike when the time was right.
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The plan was set. He had all the pieces in place. Now, it was time to present it.
The evening he decided to approach Rhea, he found her in the library, as usual, sitting at one of the large wooden tables buried beneath piles of books and papers. Her silver hair fell over her shoulders, and her eyes flicked over the pages, scanning and absorbing the information in a way that seemed almost effortless. The soft glow of candlelight illuminated her features, but Quinn knew that behind her calm demeanor was a mind sharp enough to slice through any pretense.
Taking a deep breath, Quinn stepped into her line of sight, waiting for her to acknowledge him.
It took a moment before she looked up, her gaze cool and calculating. "O'Reilly," she said, her voice steady but tinged with an air of disinterest. "What is it you want?"
Quinn took a step forward, placing the neatly folded proposal on the table in front of her. "I think we need to talk," he said, his tone serious.
Rhea's eyebrow arched slightly, but she didn't immediately dismiss him. "About what?"
Quinn slid into the seat across from her. "About the system. About the way things are run around here. I think we both know it's not working, and I think we both know there's an opportunity to do something about it."
Rhea's eyes narrowed. "You want to overthrow the system? How cute. You really think you can take down something that's been in place for centuries?"
Quinn leaned forward, locking eyes with her. "I'm not saying it'll be easy, but I think it can be done. With the right people, we could turn the academy on its head. I've outlined a plan here—how we can get the nobles to work for us, how we can infiltrate the core of the system and expose its weaknesses. It's a start, but it requires someone like you to make it happen."
She stared at him for a long moment, her lips curling into a small, almost amused smile. "And what makes you think I'd work with someone like you?" she asked, a hint of challenge in her voice.
Quinn smiled, though there was no warmth in it. "Because I know you don't trust the system. And I know you want more than just the power you've been given. You want to change things. This is your chance."
Rhea took the proposal, flipping through it slowly, her eyes scanning the pages with sharp precision. Quinn watched her closely, trying to gauge her reaction, but she remained unreadable.
When she finally looked up, she didn't say anything right away. Instead, she set the proposal down gently on the table. "You've put a lot of thought into this," she murmured, her eyes gleaming. "But if you want my help, you'll need to prove you can follow through. I don't waste my time on people who can't deliver."
Quinn nodded, feeling a small but definite surge of confidence. "I'm in this for the long haul. I won't back down."
For a moment, Rhea seemed to consider him, her gaze steady. "Fine. But remember, if you fail…" Her voice trailed off, but the implication was clear.
"Then we both fail," Quinn finished for her, his voice unwavering.
Rhea's lips twisted into a small, satisfied smirk. "We'll see how things unfold, O'Reilly. But don't disappoint me."
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As Quinn left the library, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The proposal had worked—Rhea had taken the bait. But he knew that securing her trust was just the beginning. Now, he needed to act quickly. He had a plan, but it was still fragile. There were too many moving parts, too many potential pitfalls. He had no doubt that the system would start to notice him soon.
As he walked down the corridor, his mind racing, he didn't see Lena until he was nearly past her. She stood by the door, her eyes watching him with an intensity that sent a small chill down his spine.
"You really think you can take them down?" she asked, her voice soft but laced with something deeper, something curious.
Quinn glanced at her, his face impassive. "I don't know if I can. But it's the only choice I have."
Lena's gaze lingered on him for a moment before she nodded slowly. "I hope you're right."
Quinn turned away, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Lena's interest in him was more than just casual curiosity. It was something more dangerous. Something that might make this whole endeavor even more complicated.
As the shadows lengthened and the weight of the coming storm loomed over him, Quinn knew one thing for sure: this was only the beginning.