**Oakridge Academy — Dawn**
Morning arrived without warmth.
The sky was the color of dull steel. No birds sang. No chatter filled the courtyards. The campus that once felt alive now stood frozen, as if the rebellion of last night had drained the world of sound.
Aarvin woke to the vibration of his phone.
**No Signal.**
He frowned, stepping to the window. Outside, black security vans lined the main gates. Armed guards stood at every entrance. Students were being escorted in silent lines toward the assembly hall.
Riyan pushed open the door, still half-asleep.
"Bro… tell me I'm dreaming."
Adrien walked in behind him, already dressed, already alert.
"This is a lockdown," he said. "Not a punishment. Not yet."
John entered last. He didn't speak. His face said enough.
They moved together toward the hall.
No one stopped them. That was the first warning.
**The Assembly Hall**
The hall was full, but silent. Phones had been collected in baskets. Bags checked. No whispers. No defiance. Only watchful eyes.
On stage stood Lucien Crowe.
He wore a simple black suit. No guards beside him. No notes in his hands. Just calm authority — the kind that didn't need to raise its voice.
Behind him, a projection screen glowed white.
When he spoke, his voice carried without effort.
"Last night," Lucien said, "Oakridge crossed a line."
A murmur stirred, but died quickly.
"You believe you broke a system," he continued. "But systems do not break. They adapt."
The screen changed.
**PROTOCOL SEVEN — INSTITUTIONAL SECURITY DIRECTIVE**
Aarvin's jaw tightened.
Lucien paced slowly.
"Protocol Seven is not a punishment," he said. "It is a cleansing process. For the protection of Oakridge. For the protection of every future student who walks these halls."
Another slide appeared.
**IDENTIFIED AGITATORS — SUBJECT TO IMMEDIATE REVIEW**
Names began appearing.
One by one.
Aarvin.
Riyan.
Adrien.
John.
The hall inhaled sharply.
Riyan whispered, "Of course."
John's fists clenched at his sides.
Lucien's voice never changed tone.
"These students will face disciplinary review. Pending verdict, they are suspended from all campus activity. Any attempt to resist will be treated as criminal obstruction."
Aarvin looked up at Lucien.
Lucien looked back.
Not angry. Not threatened.
Amused.
**The Silent Cut**
Another name appeared.
No Nairi.
Aarvin noticed instantly.
Adrien noticed too. His eyes narrowed.
Lucien lifted a remote and the list vanished.
"Everyone else," Lucien said, "will return to class. Obedience ensures stability. Stability ensures success."
He turned to leave.
But before he stepped off stage, he paused.
"One more thing," Lucien added.
"Leadership is lonely, Mr. Aarvin."
His eyes met Aarvin's again.
"Soon, you will understand that completely."
**After the Assembly**
Students were dismissed row by row under guard supervision.
No one spoke to Aarvin's group.
Not out of hate.
Out of fear.
Nairi stood near the exit. She didn't approach. Didn't smile. Only watched — trapped in a role she never asked for.
Riyan exhaled slowly.
"So… we're officially enemies of the system."
John laughed without humor.
"At least they're honest about it."
Adrien looked toward the stage doors where Lucien had disappeared.
"Protocol Seven," he said.
"Isolating leaders. Controlling narrative. Legal warfare."
Aarvin's voice was quiet.
"He wants me alone."
Adrien glanced at him.
"And now we decide," Adrien said, "whether we play his game… or rewrite the board."
Aarvin looked back at the empty stage.
The storm was no longer raging.
It was calculating.
**To be continued…