Athena had already heard enough. The names, the nicknames, the way the girl's eyes sparkled like she was telling her about celebrities instead of classmates, it didn't move her one bit or maybe she was lying to herself, she doesn't care. She pulled her arm free gently, her face calm but firm.
"I don't care about them," Athena said, her voice steady. "Phantom Four or whatever they're called… it doesn't matter. I'm here to study, and that's all."
The girl blinked, surprised, then tried to catch up as Athena started walking ahead. "Wait what? You don't get it. They are the school. Everyone talks about them. Everyone respects them. They're…"
Athena stopped and turned to face her. Her eyes were sharp but not cruel, just filled with quiet certainty. "Why are you here? To study, right?"
The girl tilted her head. "Well… for knowledge?" she answered carefully, almost unsure of herself.
Athena shook her head. "No. Studying isn't just about knowledge. It's survival. It's proof that you're worth something more than what people see. You study because life demands you to be more than average. Because when the world pushes you down, your mind, what you know is what will keep you standing."
The girl's lips parted slightly, her expression softening as she listened. Athena's voice was calm but had that weight that came only when words came from experience.
"That's why I'm here," Athena finished quietly. "Not for friends, not for boys, not for anyone's approval. I don't care about the Phantom Fours, or how important they are. I will study, and that's all."
Silence stretched between them for a moment. The girl finally let out a small sigh and a sheepish smile. "...Okay. Fair enough. You're different from the others, Athena. I like that."
Athena exhaled, ready to finally be left alone. But then the girl leaned closer again, her voice dropping. "So… what class do you have now?"
"Biology," Athena said plainly. "But there was no one in the class."
The girl froze, then burst out laughing before covering her mouth. "Oh no, Athena, you went into the wrong class!"
Athena's face burned hot immediately, the memory flashing in her head, the moment she walked in, the scene she had witnessed, and the shame that still clung to her like a stain she couldn't scrub away. Her cheeks flamed red, and she turned her eyes away.
The girl giggled again, shaking her head in disbelief. "That's why it was empty."
Athena pressed her lips together, her whole face warm.
The girl reached out and grabbed her hand suddenly, her excitement returning. "Don't worry, you're in my class. Come on, I'll take you there."
Athena sighed softly, but her voice was low. "Thanks."
The girl held Athena's hand tightly, dragging her almost hurriedly down the corridor with the energy of someone who'd just made a new best friend.
Athena let herself be pulled, her mind still replaying the embarrassing sight she had stumbled into earlier, the image she knew she would never forget no matter how hard she tried.
As soon as the two girls walked into the classroom, the room shifted. Conversations died down, and every single head turned toward them. No one said a word, but the silence was heavy, like Athena had walked in with an invisible crown commanding attention.
The only thing left was for them to bow and hail her.
"All hail Queen Athena."
But Athena cared less, she lifted her chin slightly, ignoring the stares burning into her skin, and walked straight for an empty seat in the front row. Without thinking too much about it, she set her bag down and pulled out her chair and sat down.
The bubbly girl hurried after her, eyes widening. She leaned closer and whispered urgently, "No, not there… you can't sit there."
Athena paused, looking up at her with calm eyes. "Why not?"
"That's Theodore Argentis' seat," the girl said in a hushed but dramatic tone, like even saying his name too loud could summon trouble. "Frost himself. And trust me, he doesn't appreciate anyone sharing his space."
Athena raised an eyebrow at her, unimpressed. "There's no other seat left. That's the only empty one after you took yours."
The bubbly girl bit her lip, glanced around helplessly, then leaned even closer. "I know, but… I can lap you," she whispered quickly, almost like she was bargaining with her life.
Athena blinked at her, then shook her head firmly. "No."
Her tone left no room for argument.
The girl sighed and pulled back, throwing her hands up in surrender. "Don't say I didn't warn you," she muttered before retreating to her seat.
Athena sat upright, smoothing her uniform and setting her notebook neatly in front of her as if nothing had just happened. But she could still feel the weight of everyone's eyes on her, lingering a little too long, filled with curiosity and anticipation. More like they were waiting for disaster to occur.
A few minutes later, the teacher walked in, and instantly, the room straightened up.
The teacher placed her books neatly on the desk and turned to face the class with a warm but professional smile.
"Good morning, everyone," she said, her voice sharp in the quiet room.
"Good morning, ma'am," the students replied in unison.
"Good," she nodded with approval. "Today, we are starting an important chapter in Biology, the human reproductive system."
A ripple ran through the classroom instantly. Some students chuckled under their breath, others whispered quickly to their seatmates, a few faces already flushed pink. The word alone was enough to stir their teenage curiosity.
The teacher clapped her hands softly, her tone sharp. "Quiet. This is a serious lesson. Biology is not just about plants and animals, it is about understanding ourselves. And I expect maturity in this class."
The whispers died down reluctantly. Athena kept her face straight, though she could feel the energy in the room shifting, students trying and failing to contain their excitement. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned slightly forward, ready to listen.
But then
The door clicked open.
Every head turned.
The sound of steady footsteps echoed against the polished floor as Theodore Argentis walked in.
The atmosphere changed instantly, as if someone had opened a window to winter itself. The air felt colder, heavier, and the silence sharpened. The teacher paused mid-sentence, her gaze flickering briefly to the tall figure, but she composed herself quickly, clearing her throat and continuing.
"Mr Argentis," she acknowledged simply, her tone professional but laced with caution. "Take your seat."
He didn't answer. He didn't need to.
His presence alone was enough to command the room. His white hair glimmered faintly under the ceiling lights, falling smoothly around his face, and those green eyes, icy and piercing, scanned the room. Students quickly looked down at their books, some biting their lips nervously, others stiffening in their seats. Some girls giggling in excitement.
Athena's hand tightened around her pen as he moved closer, each step slow but heavy with authority.
Then he stopped.
Right in front of her.
The desk that was supposed to be his but was now occupied by an unknown girl with the same hair color as his.
The silence in the room became unbearable. Even the teacher, who tried to continue explaining the topic, faltered slightly before she continued. "As I was saying… the reproductive system plays a vital role in…" her words faded, overshadowed by the weight of the moment.
Everyone was waiting curiously for what's about to happen. They wanted to see what Theodore was going to do to Athena, the new girl.
Athena slowly raised her head. Their eyes met.
Theodore's gaze locked on her, cold and sharp, like ice pressing against bare skin. He didn't speak, didn't make a scene, but his presence alone was enough to make her heart skip a beat.
She held his gaze, refusing to move, refusing to be intimidated.
But the tension was so thick, it felt like the entire class had stopped breathing.
Theodore stood there for a moment, his green eyes locked on Athena, like he was waiting for her to move. But when she didn't, he shifted his gaze and moved instead.
With slow, deliberate steps, he pulled out the chair beside her and sat down.
The class erupted into soft murmurs.
Some students' eyes widened in shock, others leaned close to whisper to their friends, and a few even dared to mutter out loud.
"What the hell…"
"Is she insane?"
"Last time someone sat there, he threw them like a sack of rotten potatoes!"
Athena heard every word, but she kept her head high, staring straight at the board like nothing had happened. Still, her heart was racing.
Even the bubbly girl from earlier looked stunned, her mouth slightly open as she stared at Athena like she had just witnessed the impossible. But she said nothing, only shook her head slowly in disbelief.
Athena tried to focus on the teacher, but it wasn't easy. Theodore's presence was overwhelming. His scent, sharp and chilling like the first frost of winter, wrapped around her, making the tiny hairs on her arms rise. Goosebumps spread down her skin, and her palms suddenly felt icy cold as if the temperature had dropped only where she sat.
Her shoulders stiffened, and she shifted a little in her seat, trying to put some space between them, but it didn't matter. His aura was everywhere, seeping into her bones, heavy and suffocating.
The teacher, however, continued with complete professionalism, pretending not to notice the shift in the classroom's air. She cleared her throat, writing the topic neatly on the board.