Location: Riverhall State Gymnasium
Event: Annual Cross-School Academic Tournament
Schools Competing: St. Luthor's Private Academy vs. East Crescent Public High
The gym buzzed with teenage chaos — banners, cheers, the faint scent of popcorn mixed with floor wax. Students from across the district filled the bleachers, their school uniforms clashing like their energy. On the left, rows of polished blazers and red silk ties: the elite from St. Luthor's Academy. On the right, a wild wave of blue-and-white hoodies and secondhand uniforms: the proud chaos of East Crescent Public High.
The final debate was about to begin. And this wasn't just any matchup. This was the kind of face-off that made legends in yearbooks.
Two names. Two reputations.
Alexandra Morningstar — top scholar at St. Luthor's, captain of the debate team and MVP on the basketball court. Half the girls in the district had his picture as a screensaver. None of them had his attention.
Eniya Valedor — East Crescent's golden girl. Sharp-tongued, soft-voiced, with eyes that looked like galaxies and a voice that made even teachers pause. A siren in sneakers. People said she could argue the sun out of the sky and make it thank her on the way down.
The topic on the screen behind them read:
"Should supernatural abilities be regulated by law?"
The crowd hushed.
Eniya stepped up to the mic first.
Her voice was smooth and confident. "Laws were made to protect people. If we allow unchecked supernatural abilities to run wild, we risk turning power into oppression. People with powers aren't gods. They're still human. Or part of humanity. And like anyone else, they need accountability."
Applause broke out across the East Crescent side.
Alexandra walked to the mic like he didn't care who clapped. Like he already knew he had them in the palm of his hand.
"Interesting," he began, his voice lower, darker, like warm steel. "But here's the flaw: You're assuming control means safety. It doesn't. Power always finds a way to rise. The moment you put chains on the gifted, you draw battle lines. That's not peace. That's war waiting to happen."
The St. Luthor's side went wild.
Back and forth they went — fire and ice. Every counter sharper, every reply smarter. The room felt like it was crackling. Even the judges leaned forward in their seats. Eniya moved like she was dancing — elegant, precise. Alexandra stood like a storm about to break loose.
She quoted the Metaphysical Laws of Unified Existence.
He countered with real-world examples from the 2040 Seattle Psy-Wars.
She dropped a quote from Wren Halcyon, the only known elemental to become a judge in the mortal realm.
He threw back a chilling stat about forced registration turning gifted teens into lab rats.
And then it happened.
The buzzer.
The timer hit zero.
Judge Ramirez leaned into her mic. "This round... ends in a draw."
Gasps. Whispers. Cheers and groans. The gym echoed with it.
Alexandra didn't react. He just adjusted his glasses and looked at Eniya.
She stared back. Calm on the outside. Burning on the inside.
---
Later – Boys' Locker Room
She shouldn't be there.
But Eniya wasn't the type to walk away from unfinished business.
The tournament was over. The gym was clearing out. But she slipped through the side door like she belonged there, her East Crescent jacket tied around her waist, her ID still hanging from her neck.
Alexandra was just pulling off his jersey. His back was a map of muscle and faded bruises — no doubt from basketball practice. His hair hung loose, damp from a quick rinse, glasses still perched like a dare.
He turned. "Wrong room, Valedor."
She crossed her arms. "You lost."
He blinked, slow and deliberate. "Did I?"
"A tie's just a coward's way of not admitting defeat."
He smirked, letting the silence stretch. "And what would you call walking into the locker room after it's over? Victory lap?"
She stepped closer. "I came to say you're good. But not better."
"And I came to say…" He trailed off.
Something flickered in his eyes.
Then he moved.
Fast.
His hands gripped her waist, pulling her into him like gravity had given up. No questions. No warning.
He kissed her.
And it wasn't sweet.
It was wildfire. Heavy. Dangerous.
She could've pulled away. Should've.
But she didn't.
Not even a little.