Lucien sat at the back of the classroom, arms crossed, gaze distant. He barely paid attention to the lesson, yet he caught every movement, every shift in the atmosphere. The whispers hadn't stopped since his arrival.
"Did you see how he shut Adrian down?"
"He didn't even flinch. That guy's cold as hell."
"Adrian won't let that slide. Just wait."
Lucien exhaled quietly. He had seen this before—the hierarchy, the power struggles, the fragile egos. It was all predictable. And he had no intention of playing their games.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. As students filed out, Lucien stood, preparing to leave, when a voice called out.
"Hey, new guy."
He turned his head slightly. A girl with dark auburn hair stood near the door, arms crossed. Evelyn Mercer.
Unlike the others, her gaze wasn't filled with arrogance or curiosity. It was sharp—analyzing.
"You're not like the others," she said, tilting her head slightly. "You don't act like someone trying to fit in."
Lucien remained silent, waiting.
She smirked. "And you don't talk much, either. Interesting."
Without another word, she walked past him, leaving the classroom.
Lucien watched her go, then stepped out himself.
---
The hallway was quiet as he walked, but his senses picked up shifting movements behind him. Five people. Following at a distance.
He sighed inwardly. So soon?
At the next turn, he took a different route, leading them toward an empty part of the school—the old gym building.
As expected, the footsteps behind him quickened.
Then—BAM!
Someone slammed the door shut behind him.
Lucien didn't even blink. Five students stood in front of him.
Adrian Cross leaned against the wall, arms folded, smirking. "You made quite an impression today, Falkner."
Lucien didn't reply.
Adrian's smile didn't reach his eyes. "You see, in Blackridge, people know their place. You? You walk in here like you own the damn school. That's a problem."
One of the guys cracked his knuckles. "We're here to fix that problem."
Lucien stared at them, unbothered. His voice was quiet when he spoke.
"This is your only warning."
Adrian's smirk twitched. "What?"
Lucien's silver eyes sharpened. "Walk away. Now."
The air grew heavy. For a split second, something flickered in Adrian's gaze—something uneasy.
Then he laughed. "Alright, tough guy. Let's see how silent you are when we're done with you."
The first punch flew.
Lucien moved.
In a single step, he sidestepped the attack, grabbed the attacker's wrist, and twisted. A sickening crack echoed in the empty gym as the student screamed and dropped to the floor, clutching his dislocated arm.
The others froze.
Lucien let go, his face as cold as ever. "Four left."
A second guy lunged. Lucien ducked under the swing, driving his elbow into the attacker's ribs—hard. A pained gasp escaped as the student collapsed to his knees, struggling to breathe.
Adrian cursed. "What the hell—"
Lucien's gaze flicked toward him. "You're next?"
For the first time, Adrian hesitated.
Lucien took a step forward, and Adrian instinctively stepped back. His hands clenched into fists, but he didn't attack. He was angry—but also afraid.
Lucien stopped, his expression unreadable. "If you want a war, choose wisely."
Silence.
Then, Adrian gritted his teeth. "Tch. Let's go."
The remaining two hesitated but followed him out, dragging their injured friends along.
Lucien watched them leave.
This was only the beginning.
But if they thought he was someone they could intimidate—
They had just made a very dangerous mistake.
---
End of Chapter 2.