The next day, Leon Carter entered the school as if he had never left.
The same calm, the same measured steps, and the glances that were bolder than yesterday.
The only difference… his name was now known.
He was no longer "the new student," but "Leon".
A name repeated in whispers along the hallways, on phone screens, and among girls' giggles.
— He's different…
— He doesn't look like anyone here.
— Did you notice how he looks? As if he sees everything.
He listened.
Always listened.
But, as always, his gaze did not seek admiration.
It sought only one thing: Ilara.
He sat in his usual spot beside her.
She did not speak, but he noticed she hadn't moved away, hadn't changed her seat like others do when attention falls on them.
He liked that.
— Good morning — he said quietly.
She lifted her head, smiling faintly.
— Good morning.
A short silence followed. Comfortable silence, neither pressing nor demanding.
Then she spoke, almost to herself:
— School feels different today.
— Because you're looking at it now — he replied softly.
She turned to him, a little surprised, then laughed briefly.
— Do you say this to all the girls?
He looked at her directly.
— No.
He paused.
— Only to those who don't try to draw attention.
Silence fell again. But this time, it was deeper.
At the other end of the classroom, someone was watching: Adam.
A boy used to being the center of attention. His voice loud, his presence harsh, and his smile always carried a hint of possession.
He had been sitting near Ilara for months—not out of love, but habit… and jealousy.
He noticed her glance.
He noticed her different silence.
He noticed Leon.
During the break, he approached, his voice more confident than he felt:
— Ilara.
She turned:
— Adam.
He cast a quick look at Leon, then back at her:
— I didn't know you had a new friend.
— He's my classmate — she replied calmly.
Adam smiled, a smile that didn't reach his eyes:
— Just that?
Leon intervened, his voice low and steady:
— Does that bother you?
Adam turned to him, inspecting him from head to toe:
— And who are you?
— Leon.
— Leon what?
— That's enough.
A faint tension lingered, which Ilara immediately felt.
— Adam, please…
He looked at her, then stepped back:
— Nothing. Just… be careful.
And he left.
Leon followed him with his eyes. He didn't feel jealousy.
He felt something closer to cold curiosity.
— Is he close to you? — he asked quietly.
— We… have known each other for a while.
— Is he important?
A direct question. No adornment.
She hesitated:
— I don't know.
That answer… was enough.
In the evening, Leon returned to his car.
And as the door closed, the real name returned to sit beside him: Kyle Noir.
— There's someone — Raven said as he drove — who's been asking about you at school.
— Name?
— Adam.
Kyle smiled lightly, without warmth:
— Tell me.
— Jealous. Reckless. Watches more than he should.
Kyle looked at the city through the glass:
— The kind who errs because he thinks the world is simple.
— Should we remove him?
— Not yet.
A moment of silence, then he said:
— Leon doesn't touch anything in Kyle's world.
He lowered his voice:
— But if he tries… I'll teach him the difference.
That night, the news played again on screens.
The name "The Ghost Who Rules" echoed once more.
And in a quiet room, Ilara thought about the new student,
unaware that behind his calm voice…
stood a man who, if he wished, could make the entire world fall silent.