A full week passed since the trial. Whispers filled the school halls—about Mark Velocida, about the downfall of his brothers, and about the growing shadow around Fortress Academy.

Then the principal summoned him.

Mark stood calmly before her desk as she spoke.
“I have selected the new Student Council President,” she announced. “The highest position in the school. And that person… is you, Mark.”

She handed him a golden blazer and a golden tie, symbols of power that only one student in the entire academy could wear.

Mark accepted them with an expressionless nod.

“One more thing,” the principal added. “There is a new student. I want you to escort him to his class.”

“Who is it?” Mark asked.

A figure stepped forward from behind the doorway.
“That would be me,” the boy said, smiling confidently. “My name is Don.”

Mark turned. “Follow me.”

They walked through the halls until they were far from the principal’s office and clear of any listeners.

Mark didn’t slow down.
“Okay… drop the act,” he said. “I know that’s you, Brandon Silver.”

Brandon stopped walking, amused.
“How perceptive,” he replied, clapping once. His eyes sharpened. “Tell me, Mark… have you ever felt fear?”

Mark raised a brow. “Is that a threat?”

Brandon smirked. “No. It’s a love letter. Sarcasm, of course.”

A New Rivalry

Because Mark had been promoted to Student Council President, another student was chosen as Head Boy.

His name was Allen—a confident boy with long black hair that framed his face like a movie star.

As Mark and Allen walked down the hallway, they saw Ariel approaching.

Allen leaned toward Mark. “I’ll make sure you lose her.”

Mark responded coldly. “Try.”

Allen ignored him and walked straight to Ariel, posture confident and bright.

“Hi. You must be Ariel Fortress,” he said cheerfully.

“Yes… do I know you?” she asked, confused.

“No,” Allen said with a small bow. “But I know you. The youngest Head Girl in school history. The strongest in your form. And—” he flashed a charming grin, “—you’re beautiful.”

Ariel blushed faintly. “Thanks.”

They walked away together, heading to class.
Allen turned back with a smirk—but Mark only stared after him, emotionless. His eyes were cold. Unfazed.

The rest of the day, Ariel and Allen spent almost every moment together. Laughter. Conversation. Smiles.

And Brandon Silver watched it all with interest.

The Confrontation

After school, Ariel returned to the dorm she shared with Mark. She looked… happy.

“You look excited,” Mark noted without emotion.

“Mind your business,” Ariel snapped.

Mark didn’t respond to the hostility. Instead, he said, “I made dinner.”

Ariel sighed. “Okay… I’m coming.”

But before she could step toward the table, Mark said quietly, “Do you realize Don is from Iris? He’s manipulating you.”

Ariel froze. Then her anger ignited.
“Shut the hell up,” she said sharply. “I said mind your business.”

Mark stood. His tone remained calm. “No. I’m protecting you. Don’t be ignorant. Don’t ignore the truth.”

Ariel turned on him, trembling with rage.

“You want to protect me now?” she shouted. “Where were you when I needed you?”

Mark’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Ariel—”

“When I needed you most,” she screamed, “you murdered my father!”

Silence.

Mark felt something heavy twist in his chest.

“I know you’re angry,” he said softly. “But that’s not who I am now. Iris controlled me.”

Ariel’s voice broke.
“You abandoned me, Mark. You escaped Iris and left me behind. You used me. Your father used me to kidnap my father… and you killed him.”

Those words stabbed deep.

Something inside Mark snapped.

A terrible, unfamiliar weakness washed over him.
His knees buckled.
His vision dimmed.
The world turned cold.

He opened his eyes and found himself standing in a dark, endless void.

The room was gone. Ariel was gone. Everything was gone.

This… was inside his mind.

Then the memories hit him.
All the memories that Iris had erased.
All the missions.
All the pain.
All the blood.

And then… he saw someone.

A figure stood across the void.

A boy who looked exactly like Mark—same face, same build, same eyes… except his smile was monstrous.

Mark exhaled sharply.

He remembered now.

Project Spike.

An artificially engineered personality.
A living weapon created inside him.
Powerful. Ruthless. Evil.
A persona capable of taking control whenever Mark was emotionally unstable.

And Spike smiled.

“Miss me?” he asked.