Max stood outside the academy's ancient gates as dusk fell over the sprawling campus. His mind churned with the weight of the information Thorn had shared, and the promise of what the future might hold. The man had been vague, but his words had cut deeper than Max cared to admit. It wasn't just about surviving; it was about outsmarting the game itself.
And if Max was going to navigate this treacherous world, he would need allies. But could he truly trust anyone? Even Thorn, who had shown him a glimpse of the power that knowledge could hold, was an enigma. Max had seen enough betrayal and manipulation already to know that people rarely played their cards honestly.
As Max walked through the dimly lit corridors of the academy, his thoughts drifted back to his encounter with Leo. Leo, too, had seemed too confident, too self-assured. But there was one thing that Max knew for sure: Leo was resourceful. If he could use that to his advantage, he might have a powerful ally on his side.
Suddenly, Max's attention snapped to a figure standing ahead in the dimly lit hallway. It was the last person he expected to see: Celia Rugpt. She stood leaning against the stone wall, arms crossed, waiting for him.
"Late-night stroll?" she asked, her eyes glinting with curiosity.
Max hesitated before answering, trying to gauge her mood. The events of the past few days—Jack's sudden death, the growing tension within the academy—had made everyone a little more cautious. Everyone had their own reasons for being here, but not all of them were as transparent as Celia liked to think.
"I was just… thinking," Max said, his voice a little guarded. "I've got some things on my mind."
"Things?" Celia raised an eyebrow. "Like what? More of your strange training techniques?"
Max stiffened. "I wouldn't call them strange."
"Well, maybe not for someone who doesn't have a natural talent," Celia said, her tone teasing. "But for the rest of us, it's a little weird. A 'green' talent, and yet you're still managing to keep up with the rest of us. People are starting to talk, Max."
Max felt his pulse quicken. He had suspected that his rise through the ranks hadn't gone unnoticed, but hearing it directly from Celia made it all the more real. "What are they saying?"
"Oh, just the usual," Celia replied with a shrug. "That you're hiding something. That you've got a trick up your sleeve. It's inevitable, you know? Everyone's trying to figure out why you're different."
Max took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions in check. He had a lot to hide, and the more people talked about him, the more likely it was that someone would eventually figure it out.
"I'm just doing my best," Max said flatly. "Nothing special."
Celia studied him for a moment, as if weighing his words. "Well, whatever it is, just be careful. Not everyone here is your friend. You might think you're playing the game, but there are people who play it better. And they won't hesitate to cut you down if you get in their way."
Max's eyes narrowed. "You're not talking about Leo, are you?"
Celia's lips twitched into a small smile. "Not just Leo. But yes, he's part of the puzzle. He's too ambitious for his own good. And that's a dangerous thing in this place."
Max remained silent. He had learned a lot about Leo during their brief conversation, but Celia was right—Leo's ambition could be both an asset and a liability. And if Max wasn't careful, it could turn on him.
Before Max could respond, Celia pushed off from the wall and began to walk away, her footsteps echoing down the corridor. "Think about it, Max. People like us don't get far without a little help. But the help comes at a price. And you'll have to decide soon what you're willing to pay."
Max watched her disappear into the shadows, her words hanging in the air like a warning. The price of power, of survival—it was a lesson he had already begun to learn.
As he walked back toward his dormitory, Max felt the weight of the decision that loomed before him. The academy was full of secrets, and he was no closer to unraveling them than he had been when he first arrived. But one thing was certain: He couldn't do it alone.
And if he wanted to survive, he would need to make sure he was on the right side of this game. The question was, who could he trust?
[SYSTEM ALERT: New Quest Available – "The Hidden Path"]
Objective: Gain allies, uncover secrets, and navigate the shifting political landscape within the academy.