In a large, futuristic-themed dining hall, students from various factions of VORTEX Academy took their seats at white tables rimmed with blue neon lights.
Typically, the dining system at VA ran smoothly. AI assistants took orders, human chefs and cooks prepared meals with the help of various electronic devices, and robotic waiters delivered food on trays.
Asher walked into the hall with a couple of friends he had made during his six months at the academy: James, a fellow Viper; Azrael, an Ignis; and Sebastian, a Sage. While he wouldn't categorize them as "best friends," their companionship had been significant so far.
Terry took his order, and they found a table. A few minutes later, their AI assistants returned with a waiter who held their trays while the boys chatted about the morning training session they had just completed.
Suddenly, a slender female student clad in a tight Raven uniform walked past them, a group of girls trailing behind her. Her emerald green eyes locked onto Asher's as she tucked her long blonde hair behind her ears. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks as she flashed a smile before taking a seat at the table behind them.
Asher remained oblivious to the moment, gulping down a glass of orange juice as his companions exchanged cheeky grins.
"What?" he asked, glancing between them.
"Hey, Asher," another girl greeted as she walked by.
Asher nodded absentmindedly, then turned his attention back to his friends.
"You're really going to act like nothing's going on?" Azrael questioned, rolling his eyes as Asher returned to his meal. The food was decidedly bland—he'd take Kira's cooking over this any day, even if it were served on expensive silverware.
"What's going on?" Asher asked, and James facepalmed.
"The masquerade ball is coming up soon, and you're the only one without a date. Everyone's waiting to see who the great Asher Prescott will choose," Sebastian said.
"I don't do balls. We're not in the 15th century," Asher replied with a shrug.
"That's the point—it's vintage-themed," Sebastian countered.
"Why don't you give love another shot? Imogen's really into you," James teased, placing his elbow on Asher's shoulder.
Asher shook his head and glanced at Imogen, who waved at him with a smile. He quickly returned his gaze to his meal.
"I belong to someone else," he said, taking a bite of his sandwich.
"Kira? Bruv, it's been six months. What if she's already moved on?"
Asher's heart trembled, but he let out a sigh, swallowing the crushed bread. "As long as she's happy."
"You're just being a simp. Every girl in this hall has their eyes on you, and you'd rather stay loyal to someone who's probably in the arms of another man—"
Before Azrael could finish, Asher threw a ceramic plate at him, the plate colliding with his forehead and shattering into pieces. Azrael crumpled to the floor, groaning in pain as blood trickled from the cut. The sight made Sebastian gag while James rushed to his aid.
"Bruv, you're moving mad!" James seethed.
The peace of the hall was shattered as students murmured in shock and confusion.
Asher rose to his feet, his appetite vanished. Rage burned in his eyes as his breathing quickened. "This is the last time you'll badmouth her. You know nothing about her, so if you want to stay friends, keep your mouth shut," he warned.
He turned to leave with Terry when a Vortex directive entered the hall. The man exuded a commanding aura, his sharp eyes meeting Asher's furious glare. He wore a uniform similar to the students', though his was plain black with the academy's badge on the side.
"Asher Prescott, come with me," he said sharply.
Asher shot a glare at Azrael, who was being helped to his feet by Sebastian and James.
[Please come with Dr. Hireling, Asher], Terry urged.
Asher knew his actions would have consequences, but he'd accept any punishment as long as it taught Azrael a lesson about respecting his personal matters.
With a grunt, he followed Dr. Hireling to his office. As soon as the doors slid shut, murmurs filled the hall as students speculated about what had just transpired, while Azrael was taken to the school's clinic for treatment.
"Who is he talking about?" one of Imogen's companions chimed in.
"He did it right after Imogen walked past. Maybe it's her," another girl suggested.
A third girl clicked her tongue. "Maybe it's his ex—what's her name again? Kira?"
"An ex is an ex, Penny. There's no way he'd fight for his ex-girlfriend," Imogen laughed, trying to mask the brewing anger in her chest.
"I'm just saying. We all remember what happened when he first got here. He wouldn't even eat until they brought her to him," Penny continued.
"That's in the past now. We'll see who he takes to the ball," Imogen grunted.
Meanwhile, in Dr. Hireling's office, Asher reluctantly seated himself in front of the desk, with Terry beside him. Dr. Hireling, the head of the Viper faction, was in his forties but still looked relatively youthful. Rumor had it he was once in the army before being assigned to VA.
"How are you doing today, Asher?" Hireling began, taking a seat opposite him.
"Cool…" Asher replied, puzzled by the man's casual tone.
"Good. I have something important to discuss with you."
Asher raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to punish me for what I did to Azrael?"
Hireling chuckled. "You seem eager for discipline."
"The quicker, the better, don't you think?"
Hireling leaned back in his chair with a smile. "Indeed. So let's get to it, shall we?" He clicked his tongue and sat upright. "As you know, the face of Vortex Academy is Tyler Edwards."
Asher nodded.
"After a board meeting, we want to do something different by the end of the year. Since your enrollment, many people have speculated that VORTEX is an anti-romance organization, assuming that mutants are incapable of love. They wonder if mutants could reproduce with regular humans or other mutants. While we won't be proving anything like that, we plan to introduce new faces of VORTEX—couples." Hireling explained.
"That sounds great for you and the academy… but what does that have to do with my punishment?"
Hireling smiled at Asher's ignorance. "You're going to be part of that campaign alongside Imogen Hunter. You two are the ideal couple for us."
Asher burst into laughter before quickly suppressing it when he saw the raised eyebrow of Hireling. "We are not a couple. I barely know her, and I have a girlfriend."
"Ex-girlfriend." Hireling corrected.
Asher frowned, the 'ex' address didn't sit well with him.
Hireling cleared his throat, "Last I checked, Kira Shawn isn't still a mutant. The announcement will be made at the masquerade ball, and you'll go with Imogen. You both can pretend for the public. Who knows? You might end up falling for her."
Asher's expression hardened as he shot a glare at the man. "I have no interest in her, and I'm not going to pretend that I do."
He couldn't fathom who Imogen even was. Sure, they had shared a few classes together, and she had spoken to Sebastian once or twice, but he had no feelings for her. The idea of pretending felt distasteful; he couldn't bear the thought of touching another woman besides Kira. What if Kira saw those photos? How would she feel?
"If you refuse this offer, Mr. Prescott, you'll be demoted back to level two. Your class points will be reduced by 15,000, placing you at the bottom of the class rankings."
"Go ahead, then," Asher replied sharply.
Hireling's eyes widened in shock.
Class points were like currency; the more points one held, the more resources they could buy during training and the higher their ranking. Asher had worked hard to reach number one, defeating his sworn rival, Duke Elizar. Being demoted back to level two would mean an uphill battle he'd rather confront than play the part of Imogen's boyfriend.
"You must be joking. Do you understand the benefits you would gain, Asher? You'd be among the elite, enjoying exceptional treatment, and yet you'd rather sacrifice that for a woman. You're weak, Asher," Hireling hissed, trying to manipulate him.
Asher removed the gold brooch from his chest and placed it on the table.
"Terry, update my class status."
A holographic report emitted from Terry, displaying Asher's profile.
[Name of Student: Asher Jamin Prescott.
Age: 20.
Faction: Viper
Level: Two (Freshman Year) (-1)
Ranking: 1000 (-900)
Class Points: 500 (-15000)]
"I'll give you time to think this over, Asher."
"There's nothing to think about unless I get another punishment," Asher snapped.
"I hope you won't regret this decision."
"I already regret leaving her for this place."
"You may go." Hireling sighed in defeat after a few tense moments.
Asher stood alongside Terry and headed straight to his dormitory room. Even if Kira were with someone else, he wouldn't become their consolation prize. He had done everything expected of him, and if he had to repeat this level, so be it. When he reached his room, he found Imogen standing at the door. She quickly adjusted her jacket, stretching her lips into a smile.
"I've been waiting for you, Asher," she said as he entered with Terry.
"Why?" he asked, the sharpness in his tone resonating through the empty hallway.
"We need to talk."
"There's nothing to discuss." He turned to Terry. "Terry, open the door."
The door slid open, and he brushed past her to walk inside.
"I can help you move on," Imogen blurted out.
Asher froze, turning to look at her. Her heart skipped a beat—he was undeniably handsome, and from the moment she had first seen him, he had dominated her thoughts.
From his fair, smooth skin, dark brown hair, piercing blue eyes, full lower lip, and gently defined cupid's bow, down to his sharp jawline with a subtle cleft in his chin, he was effortlessly captivating. Imogen's breath hitched as she took him in, certain of one thing—she had to make him hers, no matter the cost.
This campaign was meant to help them bond and get to each other better and hopefully, erase Kira from his memory with her filling that space.
Asher chuckled, revealing a subtle dimple etched into his cheek. "Do I look like I want to move on?"
Though she was usually confident, she fumbled for words, losing his interest completely as he stepped into the room, and Terry closed the door behind him. Imogen gritted her teeth as she stared at the door before leaving. Whomever this Kira girl was she would find her or at least try to find out how she could get a solid grip on a man this way.
Asher sighed as he laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Terry, get the level two class schedule for tomorrow. Aside from classes, what else am I supposed to do?"
[It's Kira Shawn's 19th birthday tomorrow, Asher.]