The morning sun filtered through St. Alaric Academy's tall windows, casting warm streaks across the polished hallways. Students hurried to their classrooms, chatter bouncing off walls in the usual chaotic rhythm of a new day. Yet a subtle tension lingered, unspoken but palpable. Yesterday's confrontation with Theo had left ripples. Whispers and sideways glances followed Jace, though no one dared approach him directly.
Jace walked calmly, Liam and Mira flanking him, their nerves apparent in every step.
"Well… this feels like trouble," Liam muttered, eyes darting to the elite classroom doors ahead. "I mean… we're not supposed to be here. They'll—"
"They'll notice," Jace interrupted, his voice calm, almost teasing. "Good. Let them. Just act like we belong."
Mira shook her head. "You make it sound so easy, but you know how they are. They'll stare. They'll whisper. They'll—"
"Whispering is harmless," Jace said, smirking faintly. "What matters is keeping your composure. Watch and learn."
The Hallway Moment
As they approached the elite classroom, a few students paused to stare. Some whispered among themselves:
"Are they seriously going in there?"
"Who let the scholarship kids near the elites' room?"
"Do they know who they're messing with?"
A small knot of curiosity and unease followed them as they reached the door. Liam's hands were clammy, and Mira's heart raced. But Jace simply stood in front of the classroom, exuding calm confidence, and opened the door.
Inside, the room went quiet for a beat. Elite students glanced up, startled. Some smirked. Others frowned, whispering to each other. And then Allison's voice cut through:
"Well, well," she said, smirking, leaning casually in her seat near the window. "Look who finally decided to join the grown-ups' class. You're late, Mr. Scholarship."
Jace blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "I… wasn't late," he said carefully, stepping inside, trying not to show his amusement.
"All of five seconds," Allison replied, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Should I have sent a search party?"
The class stilled, their attention flicking between Jace and Allison. Some of the elite students whispered under their breath: Who let them in? Are they serious? Do they even know the rules?
Theo, seated with his usual group at the front, noticed immediately. His sharp gaze locked onto Jace, his jaw tightening imperceptibly. He leaned back in his chair, observing, calculating. The smirk that flickered across his face didn't reach his eyes—they were cold, measuring, simmering.
Finding Their Seats
Jace moved toward a desk near the back, Liam and Mira following silently. He sat carefully, straight-backed, exuding a quiet confidence that was impossible to ignore.
Allison leaned back in her chair, smirking knowingly. "You walk in like you own the place, but you're about to discover how rules work around here. And they don't like outsiders."
Jace raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Noted. But I'm not here to follow rules. I'm here to learn."
The elites whispered among themselves again. Some looked impressed. Some annoyed. A few shared subtle smirks, exchanging bets on whether Jace would survive the lesson without an incident. Theo's eyes never left him. He studied every movement, every slight tilt of the head, every expression—looking for weakness.
The Lecture Begins
The teacher entered—a composed woman whose presence commanded immediate attention. She paused slightly at the sight of the newcomers but quickly regained her calm.
"Ah… we have guests today," she said lightly, arching an eyebrow. "Welcome. Take your seats."
Jace, Liam, and Mira complied. Allison leaned back, still smirking, eyes flicking toward Jace occasionally.
The lesson began—history today—but the air was charged. Elite students whispered quietly, trying to maintain control, while Jace remained calm, attentive, and subtly confident.
During the discussion, Jace answered a question with clear, thoughtful reasoning. The teacher's eyes widened slightly, impressed. Several elite students shot sharp looks at him, annoyed that their unspoken authority was being challenged. Theo's gaze lingered, cold and calculating, as if mentally noting each move, each word, each subtle challenge to his unshaken dominance.
Allison leaned forward and whispered: "Don't answer everything, genius. Let them think they're winning sometimes."
Jace smirked faintly, replying under his breath: "Noted. But the truth doesn't wait for approval."
Subtle Ripples
By the middle of the lesson, small ripples were noticeable even outside the classroom. Rumors already circulated: Who let the scholarship students into the elite classroom? Who is that boy who doesn't bow to Theo?
Even in passing, students stole glances, whispered, or fidgeted nervously. Jace, Liam, and Mira moved quietly through the lesson, absorbing knowledge, exchanging glances, and occasionally smirking at the subtle discomfort they caused.
No one noticed the invisible threads being pulled elsewhere. Scott was quietly managing matters behind the scenes—ensuring Jace's protection, keeping potential dangers in check. The students had no idea the world outside the classroom was quietly shifting.
By the end of the day, a quiet truth had taken root: St. Alaric's hierarchy had been subtly disturbed—not by confrontation, but simply by existing in the wrong place at the right time.
Closing Moments
The bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Whispers followed the group out of the room. Elite students exchanged uneasy glances, subtly questioning the established order.
Jace, Liam, and Mira walked together toward the hall, leaving a quiet ripple of curiosity behind them. Allison caught Jace's eye and grinned: "You know, for someone who's supposed to be invisible, you're making a lot of noise."
Jace smirked faintly. "Noise is only a problem if they can hear it clearly."
And today, they had made it very clear indeed.