Mira adjusted the collar of her uniform, willing herself to ignore the weight pressing down on her. Vermillion Crown Academy—an institution built on prestige, where wealth, nobility, and power dictated everything. A place she had no right to stand in.

She pulled her phone from the pocket of her coat and tapped it open.

To: ☘︎

I got it.
The only full scholarship to Vermillion.
I hope you’re still walking your path. Maybe we’ll cross again.
-M.

Across the great hall, seated among the upper-tier guests, Adrian Vale looked down at the phone glowing quietly in his palm.

Even in silence, he commanded attention. There was something about him—an effortless authority, an untouchable brilliance. It wasn’t just the Vale name. His father, Lucian Vale, had revolutionized bioengineering and cognitive science, shaping industries, shaping this university.

But Adrian was a genius that even his father’s shadow couldn’t contain.

Mira studied him—his sharp profile, the unreadable coolness in his pale eyes.

The thought barely had time to settle before the Dean’s voice rang out again.

“Now, we honor the recipients of our highest merit scholarships, those who have demonstrated extraordinary academic excellence and vision.”

A ripple of anticipation spread through the hall. These were the names that truly mattered.

“Elara Fontaine.”

Beside her, Elara inhaled sharply before composing herself. She moved with practiced grace, the embodiment of effortless elegance.

Then—

“Mira Larkspur.”

For a moment, the world narrowed.

The applause blurred into a distant roar. The stage, impossibly grand, stretched ahead.

She forced her legs to obey. Each step felt magnified under thousands of watching eyes. Heat prickled her skin beneath the stage lights.

Then—

“Adrian Vale.”

Adrian moved with the kind of presence that didn’t ask for space—it took it. Unapologetic. Unshaken. The spotlight only amplified his presence, but he remained unaffected, as if none of this mattered.

And yet—he owned the moment.

Mira swallowed.

They stood side by side. A camera flashed.

Their first picture together, frozen in time.

As the other students remained behind, participating in the student welcome session after the opening ceremony, Adrian walked straight past them, heading for the gate.

The crowd parted instinctively, the weight of his presence enough to clear a path. Cameras followed, journalists pressed forward, voices overlapping as they threw questions at him. He didn’t slow down. He didn’t even acknowledge them. The whispers followed him just as persistently as the cameras.

“They say he barely does interviews, just gives the bare minimum.”

“Did you see how he walked out? No hesitation. Like he owns the place.”

“Well, he kind of does. The Vale family could probably buy the university if they wanted.”

As he stepped past the flashing cameras and the sea of eager voices, he slipped into a sleek, dark car without a single glance back. The doors shut, sealing him away from the chaos outside.