The massive hall was filled with energy as students packed into rows of sleek, metallic benches that spiraled upward like theater seats. Floating lights hovered near the ceiling, casting a cold, sharp glow over hundreds of heads. The Academy had really been built for grandeur—glass walls, polished stone floors, and a dais that seemed to hang in the air without support.
Beatrix found herself wedged between Leo and Reina, her gaze flicking uneasily to the stage where whispers had already started about the man everyone was waiting for.
"Why's it taking so long?" Reina muttered, crossing her arms.
"Patience," Leo drawled. "He likes to make an entrance."
"Who?" Beatrix asked.
Leo's grin widened. "The Dean."
The murmurs in the crowd grew louder, and then—he arrived.
He didn't walk.
He descended.
The air shifted, a subtle pulse of power radiating through the room. Beatrix's breath caught as she watched him float down from above, his feet hovering inches from the stage before settling onto it without a sound. A tall man with silver-streaked hair and broad shoulders, his presence was magnetic. His uniform was black, marked by intricate silver filigree that glimmered like stars.
"Such power," Leo whispered, leaning close. "He's still active. Most retire when they take this job, but his power's too important for them to sideline him."
Beatrix raised a brow. "Why?"
"Anti-gravity," Leo said. "Flight, force manipulation. If you've ever seen buildings suspended midair in a disaster zone, that's probably him."
The Dean's sharp eyes swept the room, and when he spoke, his voice was calm but commanding.
"Students," he began, his words carrying effortlessly. "Apologies for my previous absence, it's been an unusual year for us all."
The room hushed, every whisper dying instantly.
"You may have heard rumours," he continued. "About instability. About new supers emerging under…questionable circumstances."
The tension thickened.
Beatrix could feel eyes turning in her direction—dozens of them. She shifted in her seat, her pulse quickening.
The Dean didn't look at her. "Let me be clear. We have evaluated every student here with the most advanced technology available. No one poses a danger."
"However," he continued, his tone shifting, "we must be vigilant. And strength comes from pushing ourselves beyond our limits. Which brings me to…" His lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile. "The annual Freshers vs. Year 2 competition."
Excited murmurs rippled through the room.
"For the first-years," he said, "victory will mean more than pride. The winners will receive customized super suits tailored to their abilities, as well as a full month of one-on-one guidance from any instructor of their choice."
Gasps and murmurs of excitement followed his words.
"For the second-years," he added, his smile sharpening, "it's simple: Don't lose to children."
The room erupted into laughter and scattered cheers.
The next morning
Beatrix woke to the shrill buzz of her phone vibrating on her pillow. She groaned, rubbing her eyes as she swiped at the screen. Notifications flooded her lock screen—dozens of them, all flashing the same dreaded name.
Whisper.
Her stomach twisted as she opened the message.
WHISPER POST
Good morning, my darlings.
Did you sleep well? No? Don't worry—you'll be wide awake after this.
A picture says a thousand words, but I'll keep it brief. Trust is fragile. So is fabric. And when the latter slips…well.
A small snack before today's main course: scandal, shame, and a girl with nowhere to hide. The full meal drops at noon. Bring your appetite.
Love you.
Below the text, a picture stared back at her.
Her picture.
Naked. Vulnerable. Completely exposed.
Beatrix's breath hitched. Her chest clenched painfully as heat crawled up her neck. Her mind raced, but her body felt frozen—a sharp, jagged stillness gripping her as her heart thundered.
"No." The word came out broken, barely a whisper. "No."
A gasp escaped from across the room.
"What the hell—"
Leo stood near his bed, phone clutched in his hand, his eyes wide as they flicked between Beatrix and the screen. "What—"
"Did you do this?" Beatrix's voice cracked, her body trembling as the heat in her chest ignited into a blaze.
Leo's head snapped up. "What?"
"You—" Her breath came faster, her fists clenching as her vision blurred with tears. "You took that picture, didn't you?"
"Are you serious?"
"You were the only—" Her voice rose, sharp and raw. "Who else would—"
Leo's expression twisted, anger flooding his face. "I didn't do anything!"
"Liar!" Beatrix took a step forward, her hand instinctively twitching as a ribbon of blood swirled faintly at her wrist. "You think this is funny? That it's a joke?"
Leo raised his hands, his own fury boiling over. "You think I'd betray you like that? Me?"
"You're the only one who—"
"I'm not the only one in this room!" Leo shouted, his voice cracking with frustration. "There's Reina. There's Vivienne. Why the hell are you looking at me?"
"Because they wouldn't—"
"Oh, really?" He laughed bitterly. "You sure about that?"
Beatrix faltered, her chest heaving. She turned sharply, her eyes flicking between Reina and Vivienne. Reina held her gaze, her mouth tight with unspoken words, but Beatrix didn't trust herself to believe her.
Vivienne sat rigid, her fingers clenching her blanket. Her eyes, hollow and distant, remained fixed on the floor.
"You think one of us—" Reina started.
"I don't know what I think," Beatrix hissed. Her voice trembled, the heat of betrayal making her feel like she was suffocating. "But I trusted him."
"I didn't do it." Leo's voice dropped, low and dangerous. His eyes burned as he took a step forward. "You think I'm lying? After everything?"
Beatrix clenched her fists tighter. "I see how you look at me."
"I would never do this to you!" Leo's voice cracked,
The blood around her wrist tightened.
"Beatrix," Reina warned softly.
"Leo, just go," Vivienne whispered, her voice shaking.
He stared at her, incredulous. "You too?"
She looked away.
Beatrix's jaw clenched. "Get out."
"You're making a mistake," he growled.
"Get. Out."
For a moment, the room was so still that Beatrix could hear her own pulse pounding in her ears. Then Leo turned, his shoulders stiff with fury and hurt, and slammed the door behind him.
In the silence that followed, Beatrix sank to her knees, her breath coming in shuddering gasps.
Elsewhere
Vivienne gripped her phone tightly, her knuckles white as she stared at the screen.
Vivienne: Why did you do it?
Jason's response was immediate.
Jason: I got bored.
Her breath hitched.
Vivienne: You promised.
Jason: And you trusted me. That's on you.
Her heart raced.
Jason: Remember how you begged last time? How desperate you were? I'm still giving you more than you deserve.
Vivienne: Please don't do this again.
Jason: You don't give orders. If you want another fix, you keep your mouth shut. Or we're done.
Her fingers trembled as she typed one word:
Vivienne: Okay.