The halls of the academy buzzed with gossip, and for once, it wasn't about the usual high society drama.
Lucien Falkner.
His name spread like wildfire.
"Seventeenth place? That guy barely even speaks."
"He must be secretly smart."
"I heard he was just lucky."
"Maybe he cheated?"
Evelyn Mercer heard all of it, but she didn't entertain the nonsense. If there was one thing she had realized about Lucien Falkner, it was that he didn't need luck.
He calculated. He measured. He acted.
And that was what made him unpredictable.
She hadn't told anyone about what she saw that night in the alleyway. Not Lena. Not even the authorities. Something held her back.
Perhaps it was curiosity. Perhaps it was caution.
Or perhaps—deep down—she didn't want to be on the wrong side of whatever Lucien Falkner really was.
---
Cafeteria - Lunchtime
Lena slammed her tray onto the table, plopping down beside Evelyn. "Okay, I have questions."
Evelyn barely looked up from her drink. "Do you ever not have questions?"
Lena ignored her sarcasm and leaned in. "So, about Mister Silent but Deadly—"
"Don't call him that."
Lena grinned. "I'm just saying, how does a guy like that end up in the top twenty? He doesn't even take notes."
Evelyn shrugged. "Maybe he's just naturally gifted."
Lena scoffed. "Please. I don't buy that. You grind to stay on top. That guy? He barely looks like he tries."
A thought flickered in Evelyn's mind. What if he was holding back?
Before she could entertain the idea further, a presence loomed behind them.
"Talking about me?"
Lena almost choked on her drink. She turned to see Lucien standing there, his usual unreadable expression in place.
Evelyn, however, didn't flinch.
She met his gaze with an even one. "You're more popular than you think."
Lucien tilted his head slightly, as if the idea was amusing. "I don't care for popularity."
Lena smirked. "That's exactly what someone popular would say."
Lucien sighed and shifted his gaze to Evelyn. "I need a book from the library. You're the top student. Recommend me one."
Evelyn raised a brow. Now he suddenly cares about studying?
She set down her drink and leaned back. "Depends. What's your interest?"
Lucien was quiet for a moment before replying, "Strategy."
Lena blinked. "Strategy? Like... chess?"
Lucien didn't correct her.
Evelyn studied him carefully before nodding. "Fine. Meet me there after class."
Lucien gave a slight nod before walking away, leaving Lena to stare after him with wide eyes.
"Okay, what the hell was that?"
Evelyn exhaled. "What?"
Lena leaned in dramatically. "Are you actually entertaining a conversation with him? This is historic."
Evelyn rolled her eyes. "It's just a book recommendation, Lena."
Lena smirked. "Sure. And next thing you know, you're tutoring him."
Evelyn scoffed. "That'll never happen."
Lena chuckled, but Evelyn didn't miss the way her own mind lingered on the idea longer than it should have.
---
Library - After School
The library was mostly empty by the time Evelyn arrived. She had expected Lucien to be late, but he was already there—seated in the corner, flipping through a book absentmindedly.
Evelyn approached and slid a book onto the table. "This one."
Lucien glanced at the cover. 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu.
He smirked slightly. "Classic."
Evelyn crossed her arms. "You said you wanted strategy."
Lucien closed the book he was holding and picked up hers instead. "Thanks."
She narrowed her eyes. "Are you actually planning to study?"
Lucien met her gaze, his voice calm. "Let's just say... I prefer being prepared."
Evelyn wasn't sure what he meant by that.
But something told her that whatever he was preparing for—
It wasn't just exams.
---
End of Chapter 10