༺ Noah's POV ༻
The room had quieted down after the small lecture I delivered to my peers.
Their faces were mixed with disdain, annoyance, and reluctant respect.
I relished the uncomfortable silence for a moment before stepping down from the podium, maintaining my usual air of arrogance.
It wasn't long before Draven approached me, his stride confident, his ever-present smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
He had that way about him—calculated, steady, yet irritatingly self-assured.
He stopped a few steps away and gave me a curt nod.
"Congratulations again, Noah," he said smoothly.
I didn't respond.
I didn't have to.
His smirk didn't falter. Instead, he crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly, as if sizing me up.
"Tell me, how did you manage to get the final question right this time?
Even after all the implications caused by the exam...
Surely, you couldn't have anticipated the shift in focus."
To be honest, even I didn't know the answer to that.
Not completely.
It was almost as if my mind aligned perfectly with the original Noah Ashbourne's.
Or perhaps, more disturbingly, it felt like the other two other consciousnesses besides mine nestled in this body—merging, whispering, guiding.
The ease with which I solved the problem wasn't something I could take credit for.
But admitting that to Draven would be akin to tearing apart my own carefully constructed facade.
I glanced at him, and for a fleeting moment, I saw something that unnerved me—a tether.
Invisible, perhaps, but undeniably real.
Draven and I were bound by this narrative in a way I couldn't escape.
If he ever surpassed me and became the top student of Ravenwood Academy, the world as we knew it would unravel.
No, not unravel.
Annihilate.
A monstrous being would descend upon the academy, plunging it into chaos and bloodshed.
All because Draven, with his relentless ambition, saw nothing more was left to accomplish.
But if I continued to top every exam, the narrative would progress as it was written.
Smoothly, predictably.
It would culminate in the final battle—me, standing as the ultimate boss in this cursed tale. The thought made my stomach churn.
"Goodbye for now..."
Draven said, turning to leave.
But he paused after a few steps and glanced over his shoulder.
His gaze was sharp, a challenge glinting in his dark eyes.
"It won't be for long though..." he added, his voice brimming with confidence.
"The top position....
I'll make sure I get it."
His words hung in the air like a weight, but instead of pressing forward with his usual jabs, he smiled.
Not a mocking smile, but one that was almost... encouraging.
"Whatever happens, though, don't make it easy for me, Noah.
Keep grinding...
Keep doing what you always do.
You're talented, after all.
Greatly gifted, unlike someone like me."
And with that, he left, his footsteps fading into the corridor beyond.
I stood there, watching his retreating figure, and against my better judgment, a small smile tugged at my lips.
It was brief—so fleeting that anyone observing might have missed it entirely.
But it was there.
Then it was gone, replaced by the all-too-familiar weight of my reality.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Gratham replied, his brow furrowing slightly.
"The Princess' enrollment has been the talk of the court."
Leo's fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest.
"As much as I detest her bratty nature and incessant meddling, there's someone at Ravenwood I'm more concerned about.
A professor.
Do you remember him?
Professor Malric Vayne?"
Gratham's expression darkened, his jaw tightening.
"The name is familiar, Your Highness.
Was he not an instructor at the imperial palace years ago?"
Leo nodded, his eyes narrowing.
"Indeed.
He trained several of the palace guards and the empires royal children...
He left under a cloud of scandal, though it was hushed up for the sake of appearances."
Gratham sneered, his distaste evident.
"And now he's at Ravenwood?"
Leo leaned forward, his tone grave.
"Yes, and while I doubt he'll openly antagonize my bratty sister, his presence is enough to warrant concern.
She's reckless and prone to drawing attention to herself.
The last thing I want is for her to become a target of his twisted games."
Gratham crossed his arms, his voice laced with venom.
"Your Highness, if he poses such a threat, why not eliminate him now?
I could arrange for him to vanish quietly, or perhaps... experience a slow and agonizing death.
Such men deserve nothing less."
Leo chuckled, a hint of admiration in his eyes.
"Your enthusiasm is noted, Gratham, and I admit the idea is tempting.
However, for now, I need subtlety.
Keep an eye on him.
Observe his interactions, especially with my sister.
If he so much as looks at her the wrong way, I want to know immediately."
Gratham bowed deeply.
"Understood, Your Highness.
I will ensure he is monitored closely."
"Good."
Leo said, standing and clasping the knight's shoulder.
"I knew I could rely on you.
Do this well, and your loyalty won't go unrewarded."
Gratham straightened, his resolve evident.
"It will be done, Your Highness.
You have my word."
Leo watched as the knight turned and exited the room, the door closing softly behind him.
Left alone, Leo walked to the window, gazing out at the moonlit academy grounds.
A sly smile curved his lips.
He murmured, placing a hand on his cheek.
"This is going to be one hell of a year, I can already tell.
And on top of that, my dear, stubborn little sister is joining us next month.
How delightful."
"But first... Chapter Discover:
Maya..."
The prince smiled, the sound echoing in the vast room as he turned away from the window and retreated into the shadows.