The cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunch-hour chaos.

  Contrasting with the news anchor’s calm voice, almost too gentle in the way it delivered catastrophe.

  “Last night, the Victorian Library became the site of a coordinated attack carried out by a group identifying themselves as the Worker’s Association.”

  The screen showed footage taken from street level. Emergency lights washing the old stone facade in red and blue. The library’s tall windows were dark, some shattered, glass glittering on the pavement like frost.

  “According to officials, the group seized control of the building shortly after closing hours, taking staff and late-night researchers hostage. They issued a ransom demand within the hour, citing labor exploitation and corporate negligence.”

  Eugene didn’t blink while the glow of his thinker reflected faintly in his eyes. His bowl of soup cooling in his hands.

  Around him, lunch hour roared on as usual. Chairs scraped. Trays clattered. Voices overlapped in careless waves.

  None of it reached him.

  The news shifted to shaky footage. Armed figures moving through marble halls. Banners hung between columns, their slogans harsh against the quiet dignity of the place.

  “Your breath stinks.” He sighed,

  Nikolai had somehow materialized inches from his shoulder, leaning far too close, eyes openly fixed on the screen.

  “Your eyes have been glued to that thing since we walked out of class.” Nikolai lean back in his chair as his hand darted out, stealing a piece of chicken from Eugene’s tray. “Do you even heard a thing I just told you?"

  Eugene didn’t put his thinker away. “I’m sure whatever it is you’re talking about,” he said, eyes still locked on the news footage, “it’s far less important than this.”

  Nikolai followed his gaze back to the screen.

  “Are you looking for the people who killed Cycloneman?” he asked, a little too loudly.

  Thump.

  “Shut up!” Eugene hissed, leaning in close. “I told you no one can know about this.”

  “Argh, seriously?” Nikolai lowered his voice, rubbing his foot under the table. “What’s taking them so long to tell everyone? Is it they don't want people to know The Tyrants are still alive?”

  Eugene let out a sharp exhale. “The Tyrants are long dead. That hasn’t changed. We confirmed the Worker’s Association staged the whole thing.”

  He poked at his rice, jaw tight. “As for Cycloneman, they’re working on a cover story that’ll make it seem like he went down as a hero instead of…” He trailed off, unwilling to finish the thought.

  “An old pervert?” Nikolai offered.

  Eugene nodded. “Exactly.”

  Nikolai stirred his vegetables with his fork, slower now. “Makes you think, huh? Imagine having everything in Utopia just to die like that. It's terrifying.” He nodded as if sharing something profound. “We really need to stick together from now on, just to be safe.”

  “Nice try. I still wouldn't come to today's training,” Eugene replied instantly, already knowing where this was going.

  “Come on,” Nikolai groaned, slumping forward so dramatically his chicken nearly slid off the tray.

  “Why don’t you invite Miss Pagoda?” Eugene tilted his head toward another table.

  Nikolai followed Eugene’s gaze

  Robin sat alone. She was slumped over her tray, arms folded like she’d given up on the very idea of posture. Her food sat untouched, steam fading as she stared blankly at the table’s surface.

  A sharp smirk crept across his face. “Huh. That’s actually a great idea. Thanks, dude.”

  “Hey, wait—” Eugene tried to stopped him.

  Too late.

  Nikolai grabbed his tray, stood, and marched straight toward Robin’s table. He dropped into the seat across from her like he belonged there, plopping the tray down with practiced ease. Almost immediately, he started eating, relaxed and unbothered, as if this had always been his assigned spot.

  Eugene shook his head. “Unbelievable.”

  The moment Nikolai heard her name, Eugene had stopped existing to him entirely.

  Robin remained slumped over the table, her face buried in her folded arms.

  Nikolai pointed at her tray. “You gonna eat that?”

  “You can have it,” Robin mumbled without lifting her head.

  “Sweet.” Nikolai dragged the tray closer, but didn’t touch the food yet. He had expected that would get some reaction from her.

  “Hey… don’t feel too bad about what happened." He leaned forward slightly. “You manage to stumped Professor Truman. That’s something.”

  Robin groaned, pressing her face deeper into her arms. “That isn’t worth being known as the Pagoda Girl for the rest of the semester.”

  Nikolai chuckled and finally took a bite of chicken. “We aren’t in high school anymore. People here have better things to do than call you names.”

  “I hope that’s true,” Robin muttered, unconvinced.

  Nikolai tapped his fork against the edge of his tray. “Speaking of better things to do, are you free after class?”

  Robin lifted her head just an inch, one eye peeking out to glare at him. “That depends on where this is going.”

  “I was supposed to train with a friend of mine,” Nikolai said, rolling his eyes dramatically, “but that friend is a dick and bailed on me.”

  “Taking Eugene’s place?” Robin asked flatly. “Pass.”

  “Come on.” Nikolai nudged her tray. “It’ll be fun. You’ll get to meet the rest of the class. Make new friends”

  The word lingered in Robin mind, heavier than it should have been.

  Her gaze dropped back to the table.

  Robin been so busy with the academy preparation that a social life had never really crossed her mind. The Tyrants certainly didn’t count. She didn’t trust them. Hellena was cool, Robin isn't sure what they are. Acquaintances? Allies? Something strange and undefined?

  What about Nikolai? Was he a friend?

  She’d only gotten close to him by circumstance. He was the only person who had bothered talking to her. And unlike Eugene, Nikolai wasn’t intense or cryptic. He was stupidly chill.

  Warm, even.

  Maybe having friends wasn’t such a bad idea.

  “Sure,” Robin said at last, lifting her head fully to meet his eyes.

  Nikolai’s grin spread, bright and boyish. “Nice. Then it’s a date—uh, not a date-date. You know what I mean.”

  -----

  Robin followed Nikolai through the winding hallways toward the arena. She had come here to uncover her past, nothing more, yet the idea of meeting someone new tugged at her anyway, persistent and unwelcome.

  When they stepped inside, the first thing that hit her was how female the space is.

  Nikolai was the only guy there.

  Four women waited near the court, already warming up. Robin recognized them immediately from class.

  Fiona was lean in a way that screamed supermodel, long-limbed and effortless, like she never had to try.

  Lola was built like a wall, imposing strength written plainly into her posture.

  Their leader Taylor Vaughn sat neatly between them, athletic and balanced. Her long light blonde hair paired with her golden skin tone makes her look sharp without being intimidating.

  They clustered together easily, laughing, voices rising in carefree bursts that echoed off the arena walls. Looking like they could walk straight off a runway and into a magazine spread

  Then there was Aubrey.

  She stood apart, leaning against the back wall, arms crossed. Her red ponytail was stark against the gray concrete. There was a detachment about her, but also a quiet certainty, the kind that came from knowing exactly who you were and not needing anyone else to confirm it.

  Robin slowed her steps.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  She couldn’t help wondering who these people were to Nikolai. Was he the type who surrounded himself with beautiful women without thinking twice about it?

  She shot him a sideways glance, one eyebrow lifting in silent question.

  “What?” Nikolai caught it, looking genuinely confused.

  “You have a lot of girls around you,” Robin said, her gaze flicking back to the group.

  Nikolai laughed it off. “I know them from high school. That’s all.”

  Robin wasn’t convinced, but she let it go. He’d already invited her here, and the thought faded as quickly as it had come.

  That was when Fiona noticed them.

  Her eyes lit up, sharp and appraising, and a mischievous grin spread across her face. She leaned slightly forward, gaze locking onto Robin like a spotlight.

  “Oh wow, Niko,” Fiona drawled, her tone dripping with condescension. “You actually brought the Pagoda Girl here.”

  The nickname landed like a verdict.

  Robin felt the room tilt, just slightly. Fiona’s sneer made it clear enough what they thought of her.

  She isn't welcome.

  Nikolai, completely oblivious to the tension tightening the air, turned to Robin with an easy smile. “Don’t mind her. She’s like that to everyone.”

  Lola spoke up, her voice cutting cleanly through the tension. “Is she the only one you could find?” Her bluntness landed like a challenge.

  “I expected someone more… capable

  “Don’t worry, Robin’s cool,” Nikolai said quickly, trying to smooth things over.

  “As long as you keep her under control,” Taylor added, her tone steeped in superiority. “We don’t want her causing more trouble with those cowboy antics of hers.”

  Robin bristled. The comment settled on her shoulders like an accusation she hadn’t agreed to carry.

  Nikolai jumped in again. “That was a weird one-time thing. She was just nervous in front of everyone.”

  “Are you just saying that because she’s the only girl you can talk to besides us?” Fiona said lightly.

  “No, she’s not!” Nikolai shot back. “Aubrey talks to me all the time.”

  He said it without thinking, oblivious to the sharp looks exchanged between the others.

  Lola raised an eyebrow. “Aubrey, really?”

  “She’s manlier than half the boys in our class,” Fiona added, laughing as Taylor and Lola joined in on the fun.

  “This is dumb.” Aubrey’s voice cut through the laughter. She pushed herself off the wall and stepped toward the center of the arena, irritation clear in every movement.

  “I’m not here to listen to the three of you giggling like witches,” she said flatly.

  Robin noticed it then, the way the others stiffened. The way Aubrey stood just outside their orbit. Whatever this group was, she wasn’t truly part of it.

  Taylor tilted her head, sarcasm dripping from her words. “What’s the rush, Silva? Can’t wait to get your hands on the school’s money?”

  “That’s why I’m here,” Aubrey replied without hesitation.

  The blunt honesty seemed to irritate them more.

  “If you don’t like it,” Aubrey continued, “ maybe you should get better. Then Nikolai wouldn’t have to keep dragging me here to play with you.”

  Robin blinked. She had no idea what they were talking about.

  “How sincere,” Taylor said with a smirk. “Admitting it so openly.”

  She folded her arms. “Need I remind you, the academy doesn’t take kindly to students using their resources outside of class and training?”

  “I’ll try to keep that in mind,” Aubrey said, glancing sideways at her. “But you should remember, not everyone’s born with all the privileges you’ve got. Mistake happens.”

  Something clicked for Robin then. They weren’t talking about training, or ego, or pride. They were talking about their student funds.

  Aether is everything here.

  Thinkers, matrix, and even Utopia's currency drew from it. In an academy that revolved entirely around Aether, not having enough meant starting every lesson already behind.

  Thankfully, Kingsley academy was generous. Each student received an allowance specifically for study and training. All they had to do was ask—and provide proof that it was being used for its intended purpose.

  In this case, the proof was training.

  Robin’s thoughts drifted briefly to her own financial situation. She had never once worried about Aether. Hellena handled everyone’s finances, and the White House was practically swimming in the stuff. It had never crossed Robin’s mind that others didn’t have that luxury.

  Nikolai clapped his hands together, clearly eager to move past the tension. “So… you guys ready to start the game?”

  He was obviously used to this dynamic.

  No one argued and moved on to filed the necessary forms, fingers tapping across the interface. Moments later, the system chimed its approval.

  500 Ams credited to each student for the training session.

  -----

  The field stretched out ahead of them.

  At the very center, a dozen balls sat in a perfect row. They weren't playing ordinary dodgeball. This was Super Dodgeball, the balls were built to withstand the kind of force that came with concentrated Aether and poorly restrained aggression.

  And as far as Robin understand, there are no rule in this game beside not killing each other.

  BZZTT!

  Robin and Nikolai sprinted forward immediately, feet pounding against the court. Aubrey stayed behind, unmoving.

  Across the field, Taylor’s team also did nothing. They stood with smug, knowing smiles, as if the outcome had already been decided.

  Robin didn’t have time to question it. The priority was simple.

  Get a ball.

  Her fingers brushed against one.

  Suddenly teal Aether rippled across its surface.

  The ball grew instantly heavier, like it had been filled with molten metal. What should have been an easy grab felt like trying to lift an anvil. Her hand strained, barely shifting it an inch.

  “Don’t bother,” Lola wiggled her fingers, teal Aether flickering from her tips. “You’ll never lift it with your current skill.”

  While Robin struggled, Nikolai managed to snatch a ball for himself. He retreated quickly to their side of the field, and Robin followed, abandoning the weighted sphere and sticking close behind him.

  “Hey, Aubrey!” Nikolai shouted. “You gonna help or what?”

  “I’m planning something,” Aubrey replied, completely unfazed.

  Nikolai frowned. “You’re not saving your Aether to use it after training again, are you?”

  “Just keep doing what you’re doing,” Aubrey said, waving him off.

  That answer didn’t reassure him at all.

  “Fine.” Nikolai grinned, then glanced at Robin. “Hey, Robin—watch this.”

  Red Aether surged through his arm. Flames erupted, wrapping around the ball in a blazing shell until it became a living fireball, heat rippling the air around it.

  “Booo!” Fiona called from across the court, giving an exaggerated thumbs-down. “We’ve seen that a billion times!”

  “Oh yeah?” Nikolai smirked. “Then let’s see you stop it!”

  Zip!

  “What a brute,” Fiona scoffed.

  She slammed her heel into the floor. A solid wall of ice shot up in front of her just in time. The fireball collided with it in a violent hiss, steam exploding outward. The ice cracked but held long enough for the flames to die out and the ball rolled harmlessly across the court, stopping just short of Fiona’s boots.

  With a smug smile, she bent down and picked it up.

  “Ready, girls?” Taylor finally moved.

  Fiona and Lola nodded in unison.

  Blue Aether sparked around Taylor’s fingers. One of the balls sitting untouched at the center of the field began to glow—then vanished.

  It reappeared instantly in Lola’s hand.

  Robin’s mouth fell open.

  Lola’s arm flared with green Aether. Fiona’s crackled red. They threw in perfect sync.

  One ball streaked toward Nikolai. The other came straight for Robin.

  Fiona’s ball crystallized mid-air, freezing solid as it rocketed toward him. Nikolai swung his blazing fist, batting it aside. The frozen ball bursted into steam as it skidded across the floor.

  Robin didn’t get that luxury.

  Lola’s ball hit her square in the chest and burst on contact. Instead of pain, Robin felt a disgusting wet splatter. Thick, mud-like sludge spread across her uniform and skin, clinging instantly, heavy and sticky.

  “Consider that a warning,” Lola tone soaked in sarcasm. “The next one will hurt.”

  Robin wiped mud from her face, only managing to smear it further. It clung stubbornly, weighing her down.

  “You’re playing their game.” Aubrey’s voice cut cleanly through the noise. She hadn’t moved from her position at the back of the court.

  “Stick to defense,” she continued, calm and precise. “That’s your best shot.”

  “I'm going to kill them," Robin muttered through clenched teeth, brushing clumps of mud from her sleeves.

  “Robin?” Nikolai glanced at her, almost hearing her.

  Without another word, Robin charged toward the center of the arena, ignoring Aubrey’s advice.

  Lola smirked, clearly attempting to repeat the same trick again. She waited for Robin's fingers to graze the ball, but to her surprise, Robin hand didn’t reach out.

  At the last second, Robin shifted her footing and kicked the ball instead, sending it flying straight at Lola with No Aether. No technique. Just raw aim with frustration behind it.

  Pow!

  “Thanks, T,” Lola said with a smirk, “That could’ve ruined my makeup.”

  “Don’t mention it,” Taylor replied coolly. “Now, it’s my turn.”

  She moved smoothly, charging the ball with electricity before hurling it back at Robin with lethal precision.

  The ball moved to quickly , all that Robin could do is braced for impact.

  But at the last moment before it hits her, the ball jerked unnaturally, snapping into a sharp U-turn midair and slamming straight into Fiona’s chest instead. Fiona staggered back with a curse, boots skidding against the floor.

  “What was that?” Nikolai blurted.

  “You made me waste my money, you idiot!” Aubrey snapped. Her hand glowed faintly, teal Aether tracing the arc it had just taken.

  She jabbed a finger at Robin. “And you—get back here.”

  Robin flinched and scrambled back to Aubrey’s side. “Th-thanks,” she muttered, awkward and breathless.

  “Thank me later,” Aubrey said, already shifting into a battle stance. “After I beat their asses.”

  Aubrey, Robin, and Nikolai stood shoulder to shoulder. Awkward, sure. United, probably not. But Aubrey had finally stepped into the fight.

  “You okay?” Taylor glanced at Fiona.

  “Yeah,” Fiona growled, brushing dust from her clothes. “I’m going to kill that bitch.”

  “She’s finally getting serious,” Lola said, squaring her shoulders.

  “No more games, girls,” Taylor voice low and dangerous. “She’s a state champion for a reason.”

  Their gazes locked onto Aubrey, then flicked to Robin and Nikolai beside her.

  The real match was about to begin.

  Six balls rested at the center of the court, evenly spaced. Just enough for each player to grab one.

  Both teams tensed.

  In perfect unison, Taylor, Lola, and Fiona extended their arms. Blue Aether crackled at their fingertips as they prepared to translocate the balls into their hands.

  Three of the balls began to glow blue, one each for them.

  Before they could transport it, teal Aether erupted from the untouched one. Surprising the three.

  The teal ball streaked outward violently, slamming into the ones Taylor’s team was about to claim and knocking them away.

  In the same fluid motion, Aubrey fire the balls at them.

  Thud!

  Thud!

  Thud!

  Three clean hits, one after the other, before they could even react.

  Shock flashing across their faces.

  Robin and Nikolai jaw dropped to the floor.

  The arena fell silent.

  “Well,” Aubrey said, leaning back slightly, eyes flicking over their stunned expressions, “that was easy.”

  A smug smile tugged at her lips.

  It was moments like this that made the title worth it.

  ----

  Nikolai and Robin set a tray piled high with food and a pack of beer on the cafeteria table, presenting it like an offering.

  “Aah…” Aubrey exhaled, cracking open a can and taking a long swig. “Nothing tastes better than free stuff.”

  “I still don’t believe you burned through all your money with that move,” Nikolai muttered, eyeing her suspiciously.

  “Believe it. Totalization isn’t cheap.” Aubrey said, grinning over the rim of her can. “I thought I’d go home with hundreds to spare, but I figured it was better to use it saving your asses.” She leaned back, clearly pleased with herself.

  “You also got to wipe that smug look off their faces,” Robin added at last.

  Aubrey chuckled, her smirk widening. “Yeah. Seeing Taylor frustrated makes it worth every Ams. Your friend gets it.”

  She turned toward Robin and extended a hand. “Aubrey, by the way. Aubrey Silva.”

  Robin took it, shaking firmly. “Robin Richie.”

  “Look,” Nikolai cut in, “I know Taylor and the others can come off as mean, but she’s not really like that. She’s just… protective.”

  Robin raised an eyebrow. “Protective of what? What did I even do to make her hate me?”

  Aubrey leaned forward, eyes lighting up. “Wait. You don’t know?”

  Nikolai shifted awkwardly. “The thing is—”

  “Taylor and Eugene are engaged!” Aubrey cutting him off. "She and her little entourage were trying to act tough because they didn’t like how you treated Eugene this morning.” A smile tugged at her lips.

  “Yeah… that,” Nikolai nodded, rubbing the back of his neck,

  Aubrey laughed. “All that attitude, and you’re completely clueless.” She shook her head. “You really are something else.”

  “Me?” Robin blinked, feigning surprise.

  “Who else?” Aubrey tapped her bottle against Robin’s with a soft clink. “We should do this more often. You and me. See what kind of trouble we can stir up.”

  The small gesture lingered with her. Just a shared moment, a simple clink of bottles, but it grounded something inside Robin.

  She wasn’t just a collection of past mistakes. She wasn’t a pretender or a shadow of someone else.

  A smirk forming on Robin's face “Alright then. Let’s do it.”

  She was here. With real people.

  “I’m here too, you know,” Nikolai said, sounding mildly offended.