The roof terrace of the East Wing glowed under the Vionican night, its glass railings catching the starlight like liquid crystal.
The triplets, Valentina, Vittoria, and Viviana, leaned against the railing, their black suits sharp against the plush white loungers behind them.
Gold chains glinted at their wrists and ears, and their Obsidian beads pulsed with a deep, molten red, a stark reminder of their unmatched status.
Below, the East Wing's pool shimmered, its gold tiles reflecting the moon like a treasure chest.
Luminara's skyline sparkled in the distance, a city of holographic towers and neon streets, but here, on this terrace, the world felt theirs alone.
Matteo and Lucia, their grandparents, stood nearby, hands linked, their Obsidian beads glowing in sync with the triplets'.
Matteo's charcoal suit was impeccable, his silver hair catching the light, while Lucia's gold dress flowed like a river, her dark eyes warm but sharp.
The air was cool, scented with jasmine from the conservatory below, and the triplets' laughter lingered from their earlier banter.
Now, the conversation turned serious, the weight of tomorrow's return to Academia di Stelle settling over them.
"So, girls," Matteo began, his voice low and commanding, "tomorrow you step back into that school. It's not just a classroom—it's a battlefield. You ready?"
Valentina, the unspoken leader, tilted her head, her dark eyes glinting. "We were born ready, Nonno. The school's full of Gold and Silver kids trying to prove something, but they'll learn fast who runs the show."
Vittoria grinned, her gold earrings swaying as she leaned forward. "Yeah, let them throw their parties and flash their beads. We walk in, and they'll all shut up."
Lucia chuckled, her dress shimmering as she moved closer to the railing. "Don't be so cocky, Vittoria. Confidence is good, but arrogance gets you caught.
The school's got new faces this year, royalty, tycoons, maybe even some Diamond families. You'll need to watch everyone."
Viviana, the quietest, crossed her arms, her gold bracelet clinking softly. "We always do. The teachers are the worst, though. Half of them are after bribes or… other things."
Matteo's eyes narrowed, his Obsidian bead pulsing brighter. "That's true. Some teachers at Academia di Stelle think they can play games with students—gifts, favours, worse. You see anything like that, you tell me. We'll handle it."
The triplets nodded, their faces serious. They knew the school was a glittering trap, where money and status twisted everything.
The residences, Orion, Cassiopeia, and Andromeda, were like palaces, but even there, Bronze and Silver students scrubbed floors or washed clothes to afford their place.
The triplets had never needed to work; their Obsidian status was a shield, but they respected the game.
They'd walk into school tomorrow, heads high, beads glowing, and make sure everyone knew the Vesperas were untouchable.
"What about the parties?" Vittoria asked, her voice teasing. "Every kid with a Gold bead's gonna beg us to show up. If we go, the whole school follows."
Lucia raised an eyebrow, her smile sly. "Choose your moments, girls. Your presence is power—don't waste it on every silly invite. Pick the ones that matter."
Valentina smirked, brushing a strand of dark hair from her face. "We'll pick the ones that make the biggest splash. Let them fight over us."
The triplets laughed, their voices echoing across the terrace. Matteo and Lucia exchanged a glance, pride in their eyes.
The night stretched on, the city's glow a backdrop to their plans.
They talked of school rivalries, the new security measures—cameras, guards, scanners—and the whispers of Diamond girls who might challenge their spotlight.
The triplets didn't dwell on the rumours, but the names Isabella, Aurora, and Sofia lingered in the air, unspoken but heavy.