Emery's POV 
My father’s office was cold and sterile, just like him. The walls were a bland gray, and the only thing that stood out was the massive window behind his desk that overlooked the academy grounds. I sat across from him, trying to keep my composure, though every part of me wanted to snap.
He leaned back in his leather chair, his fingers laced together as he watched me, that calm, calculating look on his face. “How’s the academy’s progress?”
I didn’t hesitate. “It’s fine. Everything is moving as planned.” My words were clipped, professional. No way I’d let him see any cracks in my armor, especially when it came to the mess with Xioron. That was a situation I’d handle on my own terms, no thanks to him.
He nodded slowly, as if weighing my answer. His eyes lingered on me for a moment longer than I liked before he spoke again. “And how is my youngest doing?” 
The question hit me like a slap. My blood boiled instantly, but I forced myself to keep my face neutral. I didn’t answer right away, letting the tension build in the silence between us. Then, I laughed—low, sarcastic, bitter. The sound echoed in the room, and I saw my father’s eyebrow twitch, just slightly. 
“Since when do you care about that?” I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Since when did you grow the guts to be concerned about ‘me’?”
He didn’t react outwardly, but I could feel the shift in the air. His calm facade cracked just a little. For a moment, I thought he might actually show some emotion, but no. He remained as cold and distant as always.
“You’re my daughter,” he said, his voice steady but carrying a weight that made me sick. “I have always been concerned.”
“Yeah, sure,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “You’ve always been concerned… about your reputation, your legacy, your precious academy. But about ‘me’?” I let out another bitter laugh. “Don’t make me laugh.”
We stared at each other, the tension between us growing thicker with every second. Neither of us spoke, but the silence was louder than any words we could’ve exchanged. This was the dance we always did—the cold war of glares and silence, neither of us willing to give in.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he broke the silence. “I’ll be joining the ceremony program tonight,” he said, his voice casual, as if we hadn’t just been at each other’s throats. “I want it to be held in the arena.”
I closed my eyes for a brief moment, trying to keep myself from exploding. When I opened them again, I gave him a short, blunt answer. “No.”
The air between us shifted, the temperature in the room seeming to drop. I could feel the anger radiating off of him, even if he didn’t show it on his face. He hated being told no, especially by me.
“You’re being unreasonable, Emery,” he said, his voice sharper now. “Your attitude is showing.”
“And whose fault is that?” I shot back, my voice just as sharp. “You can’t control everything. Not anymore.”
For a moment, he didn’t respond. He just stared at me, his face unreadable. Then, finally, he spoke again, his words slow and deliberate. “It’s not just me who wants to see you make your speech tonight.”
I narrowed my eyes, the weight of his words sinking in. “We?” I repeated, my voice low. “What do you mean by ‘we’?”
Before he could answer, I felt a small but tight hug press against my back. The sudden warmth startled me, and I stiffened, my mind racing to figure out who it was.
“Emery.”
I looked up, and there he was. Noah. My older brother, his arms wrapped around me, a small smile on his face.
I stood up, pulling away from him, confusion written all over my face. “What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice a little sharper than I intended.
Noah just smiled softly and repeated what my father had said. “We want to watch your speech tonight.”
I stared at him, then at my father, my mind spinning. The two of them together? Wanting to see ‘me’ make a speech? Something wasn’t right. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was some kind of setup, some twisted game they were playing, and I was the pawn in the middle of it all.
Noah walked over to my father, standing beside him, the same calm expression on his face that my father always wore. They were a pair—two men who had always been in control, always pulling the strings.
But not this time.
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I stared at them both. “I don’t need an audience,” I said, my voice cold, defiant.
Noah tilted his head slightly, his smile never fading. “You’re part of this family, Emery. Whether you like it or not.”
“Family,” I scoffed, shaking my head. “Don’t talk to me about family. Family doesn’t abandon each other. Family doesn’t play mind games.”
The room went silent again, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. I could feel both of their eyes on me, waiting for me to crack, to give in.
But I wouldn’t.
“I’ll give my speech,” I said finally, my voice steady. “But not for you. Not for anyone.”
Noah’s smile faltered just a little, but my father didn’t react. He just nodded, as if he’d expected this outcome all along.
“Very well,” he said. “We will see you at the ceremony.”
With that, he turned and left the room, Noah following close behind. The door closed softly behind them, but the tension in the air remained, heavy and suffocating.
I stood there for a long moment, staring at the door, my heart pounding in my chest. My mind raced with a thousand thoughts, each one more tangled than the last. 
They were planning something. I could feel it in my bones. But I wouldn’t let them control me. Not now, not ever.
This was my academy. My world. And I’d be damned if I let them take it from me.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself, and walked out of the office, ready for whatever came next.
As I walked out of my father’s office, my thoughts were a storm, spinning faster than I could keep up. The weight of the conversation hung over me, pressing down on my chest. But something was off. The atmosphere in the hallway wasn’t right—too still, too quiet. My senses sharpened, and I came to a halt, listening closely.
Then I heard it, soft, hurried footsteps from the distance. Someone was running, and they weren’t trying to be noticed. My instincts kicked in, telling me to stay alert. I stood my ground, my body tensing as I focused on the faint sound echoing through the long corridor. Whoever it was, they weren’t supposed to be here. This was the Black Elite building, restricted to anyone outside of that rank.
Without thinking twice, I followed the sound, my footsteps silent against the cold floor. The hallway stretched endlessly ahead, the dim lights casting eerie shadows against the walls. My heart was steady, my mind clear. This wasn’t a random student messing around; this was something deliberate.
The footsteps led me deeper into the building, to the document storage area, the most classified part of the academy. This was where the files of every student were kept, every secret, every detail. And only a Black Elite had access to these halls. My blood ran cold with suspicion. 
I moved silently, keeping close to the walls as I approached the corner that led to the most important document halls. I peeked around, careful not to be seen. My eyes scanned the space, searching for the intruder, and then they landed on her. 
Abigail.
She was wearing her Black Elite uniform, blending in as if she belonged here. But I knew better. She wasn’t alone either. Lucas was with her, crouched by the door, working on some wires, trying to hack into the secured room.
I wasn’t surprised. Not one bit.
I watched them for a moment, my mind piecing everything together. I knew why Abigail had transferred here. I’d known from the moment she stepped foot in this academy. Every move she made had been predicted. And Lucas… well, he wasn’t so different from her now, was he? I let out a quiet, bitter laugh. Traitors. Both of them. Playing their little game, thinking they were clever, thinking they could outsmart me.
But they had no idea. 
I turned around and walked away without a sound. There was no need to confront them. Not yet. Let them think they’re getting away with it. Let them believe they’re outsmarting the system. It would only make my victory sweeter in the end. This was just the beginning of a much bigger game—a game I controlled, a game where they were merely pieces on the board.
I let my thoughts simmer as I walked back down the hall. Abigail and Lucas weren’t just playing around; they were after something. But what? What did they think they’d find in those files? I had a feeling they didn’t even know the full extent of what they were dealing with. And that’s where they’d fail.
Every student who transfers here isn’t just here for the education. They’re here because their parents sent them as pawns, tools to gain something from the academy. And Abigail? She was no different. She thought she could outsmart the system, but she was just another piece in the puzzle, just another player in a game far bigger than she realized.
I wonder what's Finn goal to this Academy, why he transfer. And even Nathalie.
I couldn’t help but laugh softly to myself, a sarcastic, bitter sound that echoed in the empty hallway. “How pathetic,” I whispered to no one. “Careless. Stupid.” 
They had no idea what they were up against. Let them keep playing their little game, sneaking around like they’re untouchable. But when they level up? That’s when I make my move. 
And Lucas? He’s already in too deep. He’s crossed the line from being just another student to becoming a traitor. Special little Abigail and her partner in crime. They’ll see soon enough that I’ve been watching their every step. Their every misstep.
The deeper they go, the closer they get to their own downfall. And I’ll be there, waiting. Waiting for the moment when they realize that they’ve walked straight into my trap.
Let them think they’re winning. Let them enjoy their false sense of victory. Because when my game begins, there’s no escape. No way out.
My footsteps echoed louder now as I walked away, my mind already turning over the possibilities, already planning my next move. 
This was my academy. My world. And no one, ‘no one’ was going to take that from me. Not Abigail. Not Lucas. Not Noah. Not even my father.
They just didn’t know it yet.
---
I stood on the stage of the arena, staring out at the empty rows of seats that would soon be filled with students. The weight of the moment hung in the air, thick and heavy. I didn’t need to feel it to know it was there, I always felt in control, no matter the pressure. My speech was ready. I had rehearsed it over and over, but not because I feared mistakes. I didn’t make mistakes. I couldn’t afford to.
Finn was crouched near the microphone, checking the sound for what felt like the tenth time. He adjusted it, then tapped lightly to hear the faint thump that echoed through the arena. Behind me, I could hear Lucas, monitoring the lights and the big screen where the students would see my speech broadcasted. Everything had to be perfect. Not just because my father and Noah would be watching, but because I ‘demanded’ perfection. Mistakes didn’t belong in my world. 
Nathalie and Abigail stood at the side, keeping an eye on the student attendance. Students were trickling in, whispering and chatting, as they filled their seats. Their voices hummed in the background, but I didn’t let it bother me. I could hear the nonsense, the rumors, the small talk, but I didn’t care. They were beneath my attention. 
I took a deep breath. The ceremony was meant to celebrate those students who had risen to the ranks of the elites, those who had proven their worth in the Midnight Scavenger event. But for me, it was just another task to complete, another duty to fulfill. There was no thrill, no excitement. Just the cold, calculated execution of my role.
Finn finished adjusting the mic and gave me a nod, moving to his seat beside me. Lucas took his place on my other side. Everything was in place, except for the arrival of my father and brother. And then, as if on cue, the bodyguards started filing in, lining the walls of the arena. 
A chill spread through the air as my father stepped into the room, Noah following closely behind him. They looked imposing, both of them dressed in formal suits, their faces void of emotion. The students fell silent the moment they entered, all eyes on them, waiting, watching. My father didn’t acknowledge anyone, not even me. His eyes were focused straight ahead, looking at the stage.
I closed my eyes for a brief second, grounding myself. “Let’s just get this over with.” This was nothing more than a formality. My speech, their expectations, it didn’t matter in the end. It was just another move in the game.
When I opened my eyes again, the arena was filled. Black Elites sat in their designated section, Nathalie and Abigail among them. Everything was ready. The only thing left was for me to begin.
I stood tall and approached the microphone. The murmur of the students faded as I stepped forward, their attention snapping to me. I cleared my throat, my voice steady and cold as I began.
“Welcome, everyone,” I said, my voice echoing through the arena. “Thank you for your hard work and dedication over the past few days. The Midnight Scavenger event is not just a test of your abilities, but a demonstration of your commitment to this academy.”
I paused, glancing at Finn, who nodded and activated the big screen. The percentage of students who had participated in the event flashed up, showing the breakdown of who had succeeded and who had failed.
The students started to whisper among themselves, murmurs of surprise and concern rippling through the crowd. I let it go on for a moment before raising my hand. “Silence.”
The word cut through the air, and the whispers stopped immediately.
“These numbers,” I continued, gesturing to the screen behind me, “represent those of you who rose to the occasion and those who… fell short.”
I let the weight of my words sink in, watching the students shift uncomfortably in their seats. “To those who succeeded, congratulations. You’ve earned your place among the elites. But to those of you who failed…” I paused again, letting the tension build. “It’s sad. Sad that you didn’t give your best. That you didn’t ‘try’ hard enough.”
The room went cold, the silence so thick you could cut it with a knife. I could see the fear in some of their eyes, the realization that they hadn’t measured up. 
I smiled inwardly, though my face remained impassive. “But there is always next time. For now, take this as a lesson. Hard work and perseverance are the only ways to survive in this academy. Remember that.”
With that, I stepped back from the microphone, my speech finished. There was no applause, just the heavy silence of students processing what they’d just heard. I didn’t care for their applause anyway. I had said what needed to be said.
Before I sat down, I stole a glance toward my father and Noah. They were both looking at me, their expressions unreadable. But then, to my surprise, my father nodded slightly, and Noah followed suit, clapping softly.
I felt nothing. Their approval meant little to me. This was just another step, another move in the game. I returned to my seat, Finn and Lucas beside me, the ceremony moving forward, but my mind already elsewhere.
Because soon enough, it wouldn’t be just the students I’d be dealing with. It would be Abigail. Lucas. And the traitorous path they were walking.
And when the time came, I’d be ready for them.