The quiz ended, and the students groaned as Mr. Calloway collected the papers. Some complained about the difficulty, while others bragged about their answers.
Lucien? He simply stretched his arms and leaned back, relaxed as ever.
Evelyn kept her expression neutral, but her mind was still racing.
"He's faking his intelligence, just like he fakes being ordinary."
The thought didn't sit well with her. Someone as sharp as him shouldn't be scraping by.
Lena, completely unaware of Evelyn's inner turmoil, nudged her arm with a grin. "Bet Lucien bombed that one. That guy gives off 'bare minimum' energy."
Evelyn forced a small smirk. "Maybe."
But deep down, she knew better.
—
During lunch, the cafeteria was alive with chatter.
Evelyn and Lena found their usual table, where a few classmates had already gathered. Lena immediately launched into a rant about schoolwork, but Evelyn only half-listened.
Her eyes instinctively searched for Lucien.
And there he was, sitting alone near the window, eating at his own pace. No phone, no distractions. Just silent observation.
She wasn't the only one who noticed.
"Why's he always by himself?" one of their classmates, Theo, asked.
Lena waved dismissively. "Some guys just like being mysterious."
Another student, Jason, snorted. "Mysterious or just antisocial?"
Evelyn didn't contribute to the conversation, but she kept watching.
Lucien had a certain presence. Even while sitting still, he seemed in control, as if he had already assessed the entire room.
—
After school, the halls buzzed with students heading home or to after-school activities.
Evelyn was on her way out when she caught a glimpse of Lucien again.
He walked alone, his posture casual, but something about it was too composed.
She had to know.
So she followed.
Not directly, of course—just enough to see where he was going.
He didn't take the usual route home. Instead, he headed toward the quieter part of town, near the parks and empty streets.
Evelyn frowned. What is he up to?
Then she saw it.
Lucien pulled his hoodie over his head and broke into a jog.
At first, it was normal. A regular evening run.
But the longer she watched, the more she realized—this wasn't just exercise.
Every movement was calculated. His steps were precise, his breathing controlled. And then, without warning, he launched into a quick sequence of rapid strikes against the air, his form perfect, his balance unwavering.
Evelyn's breath hitched.
"He's training."
Not just running. Not just working out.
This was something else. Something drilled into him.
And suddenly, she felt very sure that whatever Lucien Falkner was hiding, it wasn't something small.
End of Chapter 5.