It was early morning. Birds chirped softly as a black Mercedes-Benz glided through the quiet streets. The faint hum of its engine blended with the rustle of trees swaying in the morning breeze. The city hadn't fully awakened yet — the air smelled of dew and exhaust, of beginnings waiting to unfold.
After a few turns, the car entered a narrow alley and stopped beneath an apartment building — not too big, not too small, just modest, with paint slightly peeling on the edges yet still holding its charm. The faint sound of a scooter passing by and a radio playing an old tune somewhere above made the place feel alive in its simplicity.
From the window, Ashi leaned out, squinting toward the entrance.
Ashi: "Is this the place?"
Tom: "That's what the location shows."
Ashi: "If they had told me earlier, I could've arranged a better one."
Tom (smirking): "Not every friend wants to live on their friend's father's wealth."
Ashi (grinning): "Unlike you."
Without another word, Tom opened the door and stepped out, his face unreadable, expressionless as ever. The crisp morning light touched his hair, making his calmness almost intimidating.
Ashi: "Hey, hey! I was kidding. Don't be angry—come on, sit down, I'm sorry."
Tom: "Who said I'm angry? And seriously, you owe me more than that. What free rides or free treats am I even taking?"
Ashi (sighing): "Okay, okay, fine—don't lecture me this early in the morning."
He checked his phone. 7:05 a.m.
The gate of the apartment creaked open. Two familiar figures stepped out, dragging travel bags behind them — Max and Sam.
Sam: "Sorry for the delay. My brother woke up late."
Max: "Oh shut up, it's not necessary to tell them. You're the one who packed like a lady, and that's why we're late."
Ashi: "Hey, hey! No fighting over five minutes."
Tom: "Exactly. You're barely late."
Ashi clapped his hands dramatically. "Alright, fine. Get in, everyone. Next stop—Moco's apartment."
Sam: "Not needed."
Everyone turned toward him, surprised.
Tom (patting his shoulder): "Hey, look, sometimes fights happen in relationships, but—"
Sam (cutting him off): "Wait, let me be clear. She messaged me last night. Said her father will help her shift, so we don't need to go."
Tom: "Oh. Alright then—keep the advice for the next time."
Max and Ashi burst out laughing.
Sam (annoyed): "What are you two laughing at?"
Neither replied — they just kept chuckling like little kids who'd found a secret joke in someone else's misery. The laughter carried warmth that only true friendship could create — teasing that meant you're one of us.
Their playful banter carried on until the car stopped again.
The man in the driver's seat — dressed neatly in a black suit — turned slightly, his tone calm and respectful. His movements were so precise it was like he'd rehearsed every gesture.
Butler: "We've arrived, young masters."
Sam looked at him curiously. The man looked younger than expected — maybe in his early thirties, with sharp posture and warm eyes. His presence radiated discipline and humility, an odd but comforting mix.
Sam: "Uncle Tang, right? Thanks for the ride."
Tang (smiling): "You're welcome. What's your name, young man?"
Sam: "Sam."
Tang (grinning): "Well, Sam — keep your relationship healthy. Don't get carried away, alright?"
Sam: "Ahh! Not you too, Uncle Tang!"
Tang chuckled as he stepped out, bowing lightly.
Tang: "See you kids next time. Have a good day."
As the Mercedes rolled away, Sam turned to Tom.
Sam: "Why didn't he come with us inside?"
Tom: "Because only students, teachers, and the principal are allowed inside campus grounds — no outsiders unless they're invited."
The car disappeared around the corner, leaving the four of them standing before Indus High's towering gates.
The morning sun painted gold across the ancient stone walls. The academy emblem glinted like a crown, and the breeze that swept through the open gates felt oddly charged — calm yet alive, as if the school itself was observing who dared to enter.
Ashi: "Everyone, go tidy up your rooms, unpack your luggage, and get ready. Let's meet at the cafeteria in an hour."
With that, they split up — Ashi and Tom heading one way, Sam and Max the other.
---
Dorms — 8:40 AM
Max arrived at the familiar dormitory building. The faint buzz of conversations echoed from the lower floors. Near the entrance, a large metal plaque was fixed to the wall, engraved with all the dorm numbers and names.
> Room No. 51 — Max
Room No. 52 — (Blank)
He stared at the empty space beneath his name for a moment before quietly heading upstairs.
Each step echoed through the hollow staircase. The chatter below faded as he climbed higher — laughter, footsteps, doors closing — until silence consumed the sixth floor completely.
He paused, eyes drifting across the corridor. All the room doors were untouched, their knobs still wrapped in clear protective plastic — except one.
Room No. 52.
The plastic was gone.
"Looks like my new neighbor finally showed up," Max murmured, his voice steady but distant, like he was speaking to no one in particular.
Typing his PIN, the lock of Room 51 clicked open.
The room looked exactly as he'd left it — neat, empty, symmetrical. Every line straight, every corner spotless. His kind of order.
He unpacked with mechanical precision — clothes folded, books arranged by subject, toiletries aligned in an unbroken line. Each action looked rehearsed, more like a ritual than a routine.
By the time he finished, his phone showed 9:00 AM.
He stood still, breathing in the silence. The air was still — too still. It felt like someone, somewhere, was watching. Not physically, but through a presence.
He shook the thought away, slung his bag over his shoulder, and left, locking the door with a soft click that echoed longer than expected.
---
Indus High — Where Knowledge Equals Power
In Indus High, attendance wasn't about marks — it was about presence. The academy demanded 90% attendance, but beyond that, there were no rules. No uniforms, no curfews, no lectures on behavior.
Here, knowledge and power were currency — and everyone was trying to become the richest.
Many students knew more than the teachers.
Some had already represented nations.
Others were prodigies raised for this very school.
Classrooms weren't places of learning; they were battlegrounds — where intellect, influence, and silent rivalry defined survival.
This was Indus High — a place where the line between genius and dominance blurred, and every action had a price.
---
Cafeteria — 9:20 AM
The cafeteria was alive — a low hum of laughter, the clatter of trays, the hiss of coffee machines. Conversations overlapped in multiple languages, blending into a chaotic rhythm that somehow worked.
Max entered, adjusting his tie slightly. "I really shouldn't wear this," he muttered. "Tom and Ashi never bother anyway."
From the corner, Sam waved, his grin loud enough to be heard.
Sam: "Yo, bro! Over here!"
Max joined them at their usual table near the window.
Ashi: "You know you're the last one to arrive."
Just as he said that, Moco walked in — hair tied loosely, headphones still around her neck, looking like she hadn't slept much.
Tom (without looking up from his tablet): "Not anymore."
Moco: "Sorry, I was late."
Sam: "No problem."
Moco (rolling eyes): "Who asked you?"
They all sat down. Between bites of sandwiches and sips of juice, Tom kept tapping on his tablet with one hand — the light reflecting off the screen made his eyes look even sharper.
Max: "What are you doing now?"
Tom: "Nothing much. Just creating a private group — one that includes all the previous-year students."
Max: "Oh, so you're planning to message them all at once?"
Sam: "But how will you even get their contacts?"
Ashi: "From the school's social page, obviously. And who said we'll message them? We'll command them."
Laughter burst out again — careless, youthful, and bright.
But then — silence.
Every head turned toward the entrance.
A figure stepped in — tall, composed, wearing the Captain's Badge of Class 11-B.
The entire room seemed to hold its breath. Conversations froze. Even the clinking of cups stopped. The air itself grew heavier, thicker, charged.
Sam (muttering): "What is this, some kind of superpower — to make everyone shut up like that?"
Moco: "That domineering presence again…"
The Captain's eyes were cold yet focused — not arrogance, but command. He walked straight toward them, his steps unhurried.
Captain: "Are you guys starting to take action?"
Tom: "Not yet. We'll observe for a week — until all the newcomers arrive. Then we move."
The Captain nodded once, setting two metallic badges on the table — engraved 10-C and 10-D — identical to the one gleaming on his chest.
Captain: "Do whatever you want. Only results matter."
Without another word, he turned and left.
The cafeteria remained silent for a few seconds longer, as if everyone was still exhaling the air they'd been holding.
Then —
Crunch.
Sam bit into his sandwich.
Sam: "Well… that just got serious."
Ashi (grinning): "Finally."
---