### **SCENE 31: THE UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM – DIRECTOR SINCLAIR'S SPEECH
After the three activities, all the students are sitting in silence after the intense fights they had witnessed. Director Sinclair, with his penetrating gaze and enigmatic smile, took the stage with an almost theatrical presence. He adjusted the microphone and, for a moment, just observed the faces in front of him, as if he were reading each mind there.
Director Sinclair (with a cool, controlled smile):
— "Congratulations, students. You survived the first day... but I hope you know, this was just the beginning."
He paused, letting the silence settle before continuing.
Director Sinclair (taking a darker, more ironic tone):
— "The ranking is not just any competition. It is not a question of who is the most popular or who can put on the greatest show. This ranking defines... your value. Yes, that is exactly what I said: your value."
Some students exchanged nervous glances, while others remained focused on him, completely absorbed by his presence.
Director Sinclair (in a seductive and rigid voice at the same time):
— "Each activity, each battle, each test is not just a means of entertainment. No... This is to separate the strong from the weak. To show who has potential and who is nothing more than mere shit, dead weight. If you still don't understand this, I suggest you rethink your position here."
He paced back and forth, keeping a stern eye on the students. His voice, however, had an almost hypnotic charm.
Director Sinclair (now with a more threatening tone):
— "You have no choice. Each of you must focus. You must make ranking the priority of your lives. Because, believe me, your life depends on it. Those who fall behind... will simply be left behind . And you don't want to know what happens to those who fail."
There was a somber silence in the auditorium, and Sinclair, with his usual wicked charisma, closed the speech on a final note.
Director Sinclair (with a wry smile):
— "Good luck... to those who deserve it."
He left the stage with a satisfied expression, leaving the students in a mix of nervousness and restlessness. The weight of his words hung over everyone like a heavy cloud.
### **SCENE 32: UNIVERSITY HALLWAYS – THE FOUR FRIENDS ARGUES
Alexys, Ethan, Ema and Jordan walked through the halls while other students were still processing the speech. The atmosphere between them was tense, but Alexys, with her irreverent nature, tried to alleviate the situation with her humor.
Alexys (playful, rolling her eyes):
— "Wow, Sinclair always has to be so dramatic, a complete fucking asshole, right? 'Your life depends on it, blah blah blah'. He just needed to bring some thunder to complete the show."
Jordan (laughing nervously):
— "But he's right. This ranking... it seems like it's a serious thing. Did you see the way he said it? Like, if we fail, we're screwed in the ass."
Ema (shy but brave):
— "I don't like him... He seems to have... ulterior motives. Like he's hiding something."
Ethan (observant, with a watchful eye):
— "Ema's right. This guy isn't just worried about the rankings. There's something more behind this, and I bet it's not good."
Alexys paused for a second, the depraved smile still on her face, but her mind processed what Ethan had said.
Alexys (with a thoughtful look and a mischievous smile):
— "Of course there's something behind it. Do you think a guy with that level of sarcasm and control would just want to see us compete like an emperor and his gladiators beating each other up? He wants more than to see who can punch the hardest. He's... hunting something, something quite diabolical."
Ethan (calculating, crossing his arms):
— "Exactly. And the way he pressures us to focus on the ranking... it seems like he wants to measure something, but it's not just raw power."
Jordan (seriousness mixed with discomfort):
— "Do you think he's using the ranking to... I don't know, select people? For what, exactly?"
Alexys (with a cheeky smile, but her eyes showed suspicion):
— "I don't know what it is, but one thing is for sure... Sinclair has a lot of secrets. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that people like that never reveal their true intentions, especially the stupid ones."
While they were talking, the friends arrived at the cafeteria. Alexys, always the first to break the heavy mood, gave Ethan a wink.
Alexys (laughing):
— "But, come on, Ethan. You're already worried. Relax a little. What's the worst thing that could happen? Him kidnapping us and extracting our powers? Haha!"
Ethan smirked, but the gleam in his eyes indicated he was more worried than he wanted to admit. He knew Alexys was joking, but something about it seemed...possible.
Ethan (laughing, but with a serious tone):
— "You know you're not that far from the truth, right? Something's wrong... And I'm going to find out what it is."
Jordan (shrugs, trying to be more positive):
— "Well, whatever it is, we're in this together, right? We won the first day, and we're going to win the next ones too."
Ema (with a shy but sincere smile):
— "Yes... together, always."
Alexys looked at her friends and let out an exaggerated sigh, but her expression showed that she took this more seriously than she let on.
Alexys (with a mischievous expression):
— "So, what's the plan, guys? Do we focus on the rankings and play Sinclair's game? Or do we find out what this guy is hiding?"
Ethan looked at Alexys with a small smile, but his eyes were serious.
Ethan (decided):
— "I'd say we do both. But first and foremost... we need to figure out who we can trust."
Alexys laughed, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall.
Alexys (with a mischievous gleam in her eyes):
— "Ah, boy, you know how to say the right things. Let's play the game... but our way, we'll give Sinclair a good kick in the ass."
### **SCENE 33: DIRECTOR SINCLAIR'S OFFICE – MORNING OF THE NEXT DAY
The day was bright, but the atmosphere inside Sinclair's office seemed gloomy. Principal Sinclair, in his usual leather chair, watched the holographic screen that displayed the list of university students and their respective powers. He ran his fingers through the names while his mind worked silently, with that cold, calculated smile, like someone playing complex chess.
The screen glowed with detailed information. Names, skills, performance records. But there were certain names that made him pause longer, and each one elicited a silent reaction.
Sinclair (mumbling to himself):
— "Ryan Black... shadows and teleportation. Relentless. Interesting."
His attention moves to Ethan.
Sinclair:
— "Ethan... aura reader. Always knows what others feel. Dangerous if not well observed."
Then his eyes fall on Ema. He analyzes her skills more closely, as if something about her sparks a slight extra interest.
Sinclair:
— "Ema... plants. Shy, but unexpectedly strong. An intriguing piece."
But when his gaze settles on Alexys' name, his eyes narrow. He opens her profile and looks at the photo, the details of her wind skills. And then something about her image makes your stomach turn slightly. Her eyes...
Sinclair (whispering, almost in a venomous whisper):
— "Those eyes... I know those eyes."
Sinclair leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. Your gaze is lost for a moment, thinking of a time long forgotten. He had met Alexys's father years ago. A man who possessed a presence that was impossible to ignore.
Sinclair:
— "Did she... did he have something to do with it? Interesting, I have to investigate it now."
His smile slowly grows as he considers the meaning of this. But before he can delve deeper into his thoughts, the office door opens softly, and a figure enters.
Annie, a stunning 17-year-old brunette girl, approaches with impeccable posture. She walks with confidence, exuding an aura of perfection in every detail. Intelligent, serious and calculating, Annie was a young woman who knew what she wanted and how to get it. Her power of shapeshifting, however, was what made her unique. Not only could he transform into anyone, but he could also permanently copy their powers.
Sinclair looked at her fondly, almost as if he were observing a masterpiece of his creation. He stood up and walked towards her with that ironic smile he always wore.
Sinclair (soft but sarcastic):
— "Ah, my princess finally appears. What have you been doing today, Annie? Do you need something? Do you want something to eat? Everything is always at your disposal, you know that."
He wraps her in a quick hug, the kind of show he rarely offered to anyone. But with Annie, there was a kind of exaggerated care, almost as if he spoiled her all the time.
Annie (serious, but with a slight smirk, knowing how to manipulate her father):
— "Daddy, you know I take care of my own things. I don't need anything now... But, maybe, later, I'll accept a special dinner. Just don't go overboard with the choice of dishes."
Sinclair laughed, a low, slightly sarcastic laugh.
Sinclair:
— "For my princess, nothing is too much. In fact, I have an idea that might interest you. The activity ranking has started, and I believe it would be interesting for you to participate. You could, who knows, show a little of your... talent. "
Annie arched an eyebrow, her expression curious. She loved to compete, but only when there was something really interesting for her.
Annie:
— "Hmm... you know I like to observe before I enter. But what exactly do you want from me now?"
Sinclair approached her, his eyes shining with a dark idea.
Sinclair:
— "Andrew Star. The boy with the thermonuclear energy. He was... problematic in his disappearance. I want you to transform back into him, to carry out a university activity."
Annie tilted her head, considering her father's request. Transforming into Andrew and copying his powers would be easy, and she knew it would please her father. However, she also liked to set her own terms, even with Sinclair.
Annie (smiling slightly but seriously):
— "I already did it the first time, right, of course. I'll do it again, but I have some conditions, as always."
Sinclair (with a provocative look):
— "Oh? And what are your demands, my dear?"
Annie (playful but cold):
— "First, after this, I want unrestricted access to the labs for a month. I know you have experiments there that would be... interesting. And second, I want tonight's dinner to be exactly as I ordered. No exceptions, and third , I want an increase in my allowance today."
Sinclair laughed again, enjoying the audacity and precision with which his daughter handled him. He never failed to be impressed by how much she had inherited his cunning.
Sinclair (stroking her face):
— "Deal. How could I deny my princess something? You will have everything you asked for. And Andrew Star... or rather, you, will be in the spotlight. I'm sure the students will love seeing you again. "
Annie smiled, satisfied. She knew it would be an impeccable performance, like everything she did.
Annie:
— "Then it's settled. Andrew Star will be back. And I'll make sure everyone watches in awe."
Sinclair pulled her closer and, with his usual irony, whispered in her ear.
Sinclair (with affectionate sarcasm):
— "My little goddess of perfection. Go and show them what it means to be a Sinclair."
Annie gave a smug smile before walking away. The door closed softly behind her as Sinclair returned to her desk, her eyes still fixed on the roster. His mind was now full of plans. Andrew Star would return.
Sinclair (mumbling to himself, with a mischievous smile):
— "Let's see how they react to Andrew's presence again."
### **SCENE 34: SOLARIS UNIVERSITY CORRIDORS – DAY
Annie walks through the halls of Solaris University with her posture impeccable. She walked with her head high, each step calculated, drawing the attention of some students around her. His eyes scanned his surroundings as his mind worked on how to execute his father's plan. Transforming into Andrew Star wouldn't be a problem, but she always liked to do everything with a touch of perfection, something everyone would notice.
Suddenly, something catches your attention. An 18-year-old Asian boy, with a mischievous expression and a stylish, relaxed posture, leans against one of the lockers in the hallway. His name is Xavier Youn — an intelligent, sarcastic boy known for his trickery and style, especially when it comes to girls. His reputation as a flirt preceded him, but what really made him stand out was his unique power: the ability to dodge anything.
Annie smiles when she sees him. It had been two weeks since she had set foot at the university, and she knew that Xavier would not miss the opportunity to comment on her absence. He spotted her first, and, of course, wasted no time in teasing her.
Xavier (with a mischievous smile):
— "Well, well... If it isn't the star that Solaris lost for two weeks. Where have you been hiding, Annie? I was starting to think you had given up on us."
Annie approaches, with that look of superiority she always had. But before she could respond, a nervous and clumsy student ran down the hall, trying to control his newly mastered power of magnetism. Suddenly, a locker flew towards Xavier.
Without even looking, Xavier dodges with a slight tilt of his head, as if he already knew exactly what was coming. The locker passed him and smashed against the hallway wall, as the student responsible looked on in shock. Xavier just gave the boy a lazy look, without even paying attention to the incident.
Xavier (without losing his sarcastic tone):
— "You know, they should teach aiming classes here... That's pathetic."
The nervous boy ran away, and Annie watched the scene with an amused smile, without hiding her admiration for Xavier's abilities.
Annie (jokingly):
— "Still avoiding everything, even problems, huh?"
Xavier (with a look full of malice):
— "Ah, you know how it is, Annie. Problems love me, but I'm too quick for them. Now, what have you been doing? Disappearing for two weeks... I thought you were tired of us."
Annie:
— "Problems? No. Just busy with more important things than the disputes here. But don't worry, I'm back and I'm going to do something very interesting here. My father already tried to involve me in one of his little games."
Xavier (curious, with an arched eyebrow):
— "Ah, of course, our glorious Sinclair. What does he want now? And don't tell me you're going to get involved in this ranking thing..."
Annie crosses her arms, watching Xavier with a sly smile.
Annie:
— "He wants me to do a little performance. Andrew Star... You know him, right? Well, he wants me to transform into him and appear on the rankings again."
Xavier (laughing):
— "So Sinclair is going to play dirty like that, huh? Making you pretend to be the star kid just to fool these idiots, and who knows what he's going to do after carrying out this plan. I admire the boldness. But you were always his favorite, right? He'll do anything to keep your attention."
Annie rolled her eyes but couldn't help but agree. She knew how much Sinclair spoiled her, and while it was often helpful, other times it was just… exhausting.
Annie:
— "I accept his conditions because I always get something in return. But tell me one thing... are you going to participate today, Xavier? Or are you just going to dodge your responsibilities as always?"
Xavier (with a challenging smile):
— "I'm going to participate, of course. I have a reputation to maintain, you know? I can't let you all outdo me. And besides... I want to see everyone's faces when I dodge their bullshit. It'll be fun."
He leaned a little closer to Annie, with that characteristic smile of someone who is always one step ahead of others.
Xavier:
— "But... I'll tell you, princess. I missed you. This place was boring without you. I hope it makes your return worth it."
Annie smiled, knowing that Xavier always played with words. He might be roguish, but he was no fool. She liked being around him, their sarcasm always made the conversations flow in an interesting way.
Annie:
— "I'll watch you dodge everything today, then. I won't give you the pleasure of winning easily."
Xavier:
— "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Annie. But tell me, after you're done playing Andrew Star, will you give me a chance to see the real Annie in action? Maybe in a duel, who knows."
Annie laughed, shaking her head. The flirtatious tone was always present, but with a touch of rivalry that kept their dynamic alive.
Annie:
— "Who knows, Xavier. Who knows. First, I have to make sure Andrew makes a good appearance. Then, maybe you'll be lucky enough to face me."
He winked at her, the smile never leaving his lips.
Xavier:
— "I'm always lucky, Annie. Always."
Annie then pulled away, her eyes shining with anticipation. She knew the day would be interesting, but most of all, she liked the feeling of always being in control. And seeing Xavier in the rankings would only add more fun to his day.
### **SCENE 35: SOLARIS UNIVERSITY REFEITORY – AFTERNOON
Ryan, Janie, and Emily occupy a table in the back of the cafeteria, away from the crowds. The atmosphere between them is relaxed, but as always, there is a tension of mischief between their conversations. Ryan, with his relaxed posture and that rebellious goth air, chews a piece of food while talking to Janie, who seems to be vibrating with the adrenaline of the last fight. Beside them, Emily, always oblivious to the noise around her, is immersed in her laptop, fingers quick on the keyboard, eyes shining with curiosity as she researches Andrew Star.
Janie (speaking quickly and excitedly, with a wicked smile):
— "That fight of yours was a masterpiece, Ryan. You practically crushed those guys. I mean, that final hit... wow! He never saw where it came from."
Ryan (with a calm, dark smile, adjusting his leather jacket):
— "You know how it is, Janie. I don't joke when it comes to fighting. The others just talk, but when it comes to acting, they're a bunch of cowards."
Janie (laughing, full of energy):
— "Exactly! They're just a filler. But honestly, I love watching you spray those shits. It's almost... therapeutic."
Ryan laughs softly, the expression on his face is one of contempt for the other students. He casts a casual glance at Emily, who is too focused on her laptop to pay attention to anything around her.
Ryan (sarcasm):
— "And our nerd is quiet today. What are you doing, Emily? Playing a logic game, or researching the best method of freezing someone?"
Emily doesn't take her eyes off the screen as she responds, her voice is sharp and disinterested, almost as if she's talking to herself.
Emily:
— "I'm researching Andrew Star."
The name makes Janie roll her eyes, and she immediately throws herself back in her chair with disdain.
Janie:
— "Ugh, that boy again? What's wrong with him anyway? He barely appears... He thinks he's better than everyone just because he has those strange powers and that mysterious air, you're masturbating to his images, right? That's what I'm seeing."
Emily (out of patience, typing quickly):
— "What a hypocrite you are." Why does he barely appear? Nobody knows anything about him. There's something strange about this, and I'm going to find out what it is."
Ryan (raising an eyebrow, curious now):
— "Strange how?"
Emily lifts her head for the first time, her eyes shining with the excitement of someone close to solving a mystery.
Emily:
— "Andrew Star should be an ordinary student, right? But he appears at key events, almost as if he was... programmed. He never gets involved in everyday things, only in important moments. And the most curious thing? There are no records of him before Solaris. It's like he didn't exist until he came here."
Janie grimaces, clearly thinking this is a waste of time, but Ryan listens with interest, crossing his arms and staring at Emily.
Ryan (calm and somber):
— "Do you think he's hiding something?"
Emily (convinced):
— "Absolutely. No one is that invisible for no reason. I'll keep digging, and I bet I'll find something that links him to something bigger. Sinclair has to be involved somehow."
Janie sighs dramatically, clearly bored with all this conspiracy talk.
Janie:
— "Okay, nerd, have fun with your conspiracy theories. Meanwhile, Ryan and I prefer real action. Anything that involves adrenaline and chaos, you know? Much more interesting."
At that moment, they start to hear murmurs around them. A group of students at the next table whisper, clearly excited about some recent news. The words "Andrew Star" are repeated several times. Ryan glances sideways, and Janie, with her typical sharp curiosity, leans in to listen.
Janie (interested now):
— "Wait... they're talking about Andrew again. It looks like he's going to appear in another activity."
Emily stops typing, frowning.
Emily:
— "I knew something was up. He shows up whenever there's something important. Like he's being... controlled."
Ryan narrows his eyes, the dark air around him growing more intense. He rises from his chair with a sinister smile.
Ryan:
— "Looks like our star friend is going to shine again, huh? I can't wait to see what he's going to do this time."
Janie smiles with that energy that always made her ready for chaos.
Janie:
— "I hope it's a good fight. I want to see action, not this nonsense of hiding."
Emily closes her laptop, clearly frustrated that she hasn't figured out everything about Andrew yet, but intrigued enough to keep investigating.
Emily (mumbling):
— "There's something big here... and I'm going to find out what it is."
They get up and start to leave the cafeteria, their presence drawing the attention of everyone around them. As they walk, whispers about Andrew Star continue to echo through the hallways. Ryan, Janie and Emily are ready to see what else is to come — each with their own motivations, but all with the same sense that something bigger is about to happen.