The Grand Hall was louder than usual.
Whispers. Glances. Phones under tables recording discreet shots of him.
Damon Black didn't speak much during the orientation dinner. He didn't need to. His presence spoke louder than kings.
Then the air shifted.
Chairs scraped. Voices lowered.
A shadow walked through the hall — tall, lean, draped in elegance and bloodline arrogance.
Lucien Black Jr.
Perfect suit. Frosty expression. Diamond Black family crest pinned to his lapel.
He walked right up to Damon's table.
Stared.
Then smiled like a blade.
"Didn't think you'd crawl out of the mud looking this… polished."
Damon didn't move.
Didn't blink.
"Didn't think they'd let you keep the name," Damon replied.
The table went cold.
Even Kai tensed behind him.
Lucien's eyes narrowed. "I was born into it. You're trespassing."
Damon leaned back casually, pouring wine.
"Funny. I was told I was forgotten. Seems like you're the one feeling replaced."
[Hostile Bloodline Encounter Detected]
Reputation Clash Initiated: Lucien Black Jr. vs Damon Black
Current Standing: Campus Buzz Spike (+32%)
Public Perception: "Who is Damon Black?"
Passive Bonus Triggered: "Unwritten Royalty" — You are viewed as an unpredictable threat by all major legacy heirs.
Lucien gave a sharp smile.
"This place eats people like you alive."
Damon grinned back.
"Good. I skipped breakfast."
Across the Room — She Watched
Vera Santiago leaned against a marble column, swirling champagne.
Tall, curves carved from power and precision, caramel skin wrapped in black silk. Tattoos laced one hand — a jaguar swallowing a rose.
She hadn't looked at a man twice since she was fifteen.
But this one?
Damon moved like he wasn't part of their world — like he came to take it.
She raised an eyebrow. Smiled.
New Character Logged: Vera Santiago
– Status: Top 5 Legacy Student
– Background: Dual bloodline — cartel heiress + media empire CEO
– Traits: Genius-level strategist, seductive, manipulative, lethal with both words and blades
– Interest in Damon: 74%
– Future Romance Flag: "High-Stakes Obsession"
She whispered to herself, "Oh, you're going to ruin everything."
And then she raised her glass to him.
He raised his back — eyes locked.
War had never looked so good.