After breakfast, Navies left the mansion, pedaling his bike with a steady rhythm, savoring the freedom that felt like the morning breeze brushing against his face. The city streets were starting to bustle, cars crawling between pedestrians rushing to their respective destinations. The aroma of toasted bread and coffee from roadside cafes mingled with the lingering freshness of the air before the sun fully claimed the sky. The towering buildings surrounding him stood as silent witnesses to his daily journey, making him feel small yet simultaneously igniting a burning ambition within him.
Suddenly, the sharp screech of tires shattered the tranquility. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a cyclist speeding toward him too fast. His reflexes kicked in before his thoughts could process the danger. Swiftly, Navies yanked his handlebars to the side, nearly losing his balance. The rear wheel of his bike lifted momentarily before slamming back onto the asphalt with a sharp squeal.
The cyclist halted right in front of him. A modified bike with a sturdy frame and oversized tires signaled that this person was no ordinary rider. With an unhurried motion, the cyclist removed their helmet, revealing a pair of piercing eyes that held him in a gaze laden with unspoken intent. There was something there not just a random encounter, but a calculated move.
"Navies." The person's voice was deep, almost a whisper, yet heavy with hidden meaning. "Check your pocket. Come to the place. We'll be waiting."
Without waiting for a response, they extended a crumpled slip of paper before pedaling away, vanishing into the traffic like a shadow swallowed by the morning light.
Navies reached into his jacket pocket. His brows furrowed as he pulled out another slip of paper. His fingers traced its rough surface, and his eyes locked onto the writing. The same address.
A chill ran down his spine. When did this get into his pocket? He hadn't felt a thing.
His gaze darted back toward the mysterious cyclist, but the figure was now just a speck in the distance. The corners of his lips curled into a faint smile.
"Them again… Is this an invitation from Mike?" he mused.
At the school gate, Balqis stood tall. Her demeanor remained as cold as ever, as if erecting an invisible barrier. Perhaps she still remembered yesterday's incident and didn't want a repeat of it. Her sharp eyes swept the surroundings, ensuring Navies had arrived safely without trouble.
As he stepped into the classroom, Rendra immediately approached him with a knowing smile. His eyes conveyed more than just a casual greeting.
"You got the invitation, right? We'll go together later. I'll let you know when," he whispered, as if afraid someone else might hear. His voice was friendly, yet there was an undertone of caution.
Navies merely nodded without saying much and continued toward his seat. Even before opening the classroom door, he could already anticipate the atmosphere inside—a room filled with students from the most powerful families in the country. The dominance of wealth and influence was palpable, making the air inside feel heavier than outside. The walls might have been adorned with classic engravings, but the cold reality of social hierarchy made every interaction even more piercing.
As soon as he sat down, Huang approached him. His face showed a mix of concern, yet his stance indicated he wasn't used to waiting.
"Navies, how's my homework from yesterday?" he asked without preamble.
Navies frowned, trying to recall. But his head still felt heavy from last night's events. The wounds on his body were hidden beneath his uniform, but the lingering pain served as a reminder of his unpleasant encounter with Lily's henchmen.
"Which homework?" he replied flatly.
For a moment, silence hung between them before Huang's expression turned sharp.
"What do you mean? Don't mess with me!" he snapped, his tone rising.
Navies only gazed at him calmly. "I really forgot." There wasn't the slightest hint of guilt in his voice, and that was enough to make Huang's face flush with anger. Without warning, he grabbed Navies' uniform collar, yanking it roughly. The force caused several buttons to pop off, hitting the floor with soft clinks.
The classroom fell into an abrupt silence. The students who had been chatting moments ago now wore tense expressions, anticipating what would happen next.
"Don't mess with me! I'm the Finance Minister's son, you hear me?!" Huang's voice trembled—not from fear, but from the sheer fury boiling inside him.
Yet, Navies remained unmoved. He didn't flinch, nor did he show any sign of retaliation. He simply stared at Huang, his dark eyes devoid of any emotion.
Suddenly, a voice rang out from outside. "The teacher is coming!"
Chaos turned into perfect order within seconds. Students scrambled back to their seats, pretending to be engrossed in their books. Huang released his grip with a jerk, but before stepping back completely, he leaned in slightly and whispered to Navies,
"That watch of yours looks nice. I don't know if it's real or not, but I'm taking it. Consider it punishment for disobeying me."
Then, he smirked before turning away.
Navies remained silent, his gaze still fixed on Huang without emotion. But deep inside him, something stirred a quiet anger that did not explode but smoldered, waiting for the right moment to ignite.
Just then, an unexpected voice shattered the tension. "Stop it!"
Mei, the usually quiet girl, now stood with clenched fists. Her face was slightly pale, but her eyes carried a rare courage.
Huang turned to her, his glare sharp. "What? Stay out of this, you stupid girl!" He slammed his hand against a desk near Mei, making a few students flinch in surprise.
But Mei didn't back down. With slightly trembling hands, she reached into her bag, pulling out a notebook and a sheet of paper. "This is your homework, Huang," she said softly. "Navies asked me to give it to you."
Huang froze for a moment before snatching the paper from her hand. He cast a brief glance at Navies, then scoffed and returned to his seat, as if he had lost interest in the situation.
Navies looked at Mei, slightly taken aback by her actions. She wasn't the type to invite trouble, let alone challenge someone like Huang.
A few seconds later, Mei rummaged through her bag again and pulled out a small safety pin. She hesitated for a moment before looking at Navies. "Sorry," she murmured softly, before carefully pinning his loose buttons back into place.
Navies said nothing, allowing Mei to fix his uniform. His expression remained calm, but in his mind, one question kept repeating.
Why would Mei do this for him?
Balqis stepped into the classroom. Her steps were firm, authoritative, yet nearly soundless. Her black shoes met the polished marble floor, reflecting the dim glow of the chandelier above. The moment she stood at the front, the atmosphere in the room froze. No more chatter, no more hushed whispers. It was as if the very air held its breath, unwilling to disturb her presence.
Eyes that had once darted around now fixed straight ahead, feigning indifference. The students sat upright, motionless like carefully sculpted stone figures not out of respect, but out of deep-rooted fear. In this class, no one truly cared about each other. Not because they couldn't, but because they understood the consequences.
Interfering in someone else's business meant opening the door to their own downfall. The students from lower backgrounds learned to remain unseen, while those at the top acted as if the world was their personal playground. Silence was a survival weapon, and invisibility was the best protection.
Navies sat at his desk, observing the atmosphere with keen eyes. His gaze was sharp, reading the room without rushing. He knew that beneath these identical school uniforms lay a world far more dangerous than it appeared. These weren't just the children of the wealthy. They were the offspring of high-ranking officials, heirs to power who had been taught from a young age to manipulate, deceive, and dominate.
Their aura was distinct calm, calculating, and quietly menacing. Their eyes were sharp, scanning every movement with an unnatural precision for kids their age. There were secrets they hid, things only they understood. Navies wanted to know. He wanted to understand the kind of game they were playing.
But he also knew that stepping too far into their world was not a wise choice. Once trapped, there was no way out. In this place, it wasn't just academic grades at stake, but one's very survival.
And Navies wasn't sure if he was ready for that.