Up until that moment, Adrián Valmont had walked across the campus as always: straight back, measured steps, the controlled expression of someone who knows exactly where they're stepping. On the surface, nothing had changed.
Inside, though, everything had.
It wasn't a voice.It wasn't some absurd revelation.
It was understanding.
For the first time, Adrián had seen clearly the place the world seemed determined to assign him.And he didn't like it.
From a young age, some are born with obvious advantages: family, resources, education, connections. Others aren't. That difference alone usually suffices to determine destinies. Or at least, that's what most people believed.
Adrián had always thought life boiled down to three things: information, preparation, and cold blood. Whoever had the most of them won.
But what had happened the day before had shattered that logic.
Three against one.
And yet, they lost.
Not by force.Not by luck.
By judgment.
That student at the bottom of the rankings—a meaningless name, a presence no one took seriously—hadn't fought like a bully or a desperate man. He had measured distances. Waited for mistakes. Advanced only when the risk was minimal.
That was not normal.
Adrián felt a faint pressure against his temple.
This doesn't fit, he thought.
If someone advanced without resources or backup, it wasn't by chance. It was because they saw things others overlooked.
And if that someone posed a threat…
Then they needed to be understood, not crushed blindly.
"Boss…"
Adrián stopped.
"Hey, sis-in-law! Good morning!"
Leo's voice carried far too loudly.
Adrián followed the sound and saw her.
Tall, elegant, long dark hair falling naturally over her shoulders. Her fair skin contrasted with the school uniform, which failed to hide the youthful energy radiating from her. Even among the crowd, she stood out effortlessly.
Astrid Roche.
Member of the academic committee. Exemplary student. Admired by much of the institute.
Adrián observed her with serene distance, almost analytically.
At another time, many would have called them the perfect pair. And perhaps, once upon a time, he himself would have accepted that without question.
But not anymore.
Astrid frowned at the remark.
Around her, several students slowed their pace. Some whispered. Others pretended not to look—unsuccessfully.
"Leo, don't say nonsense," she said firmly. "Adrián and I are just classmates. Don't call me that."
"Come on, it's only a matter of time," Leo laughed. "Boss, tell me you don't—"
"Shut up."
The order was calm. Precise.
Leo immediately fell silent and lowered his head.
Adrián walked a few steps and stopped in front of Astrid, keeping an appropriate distance. Neither intrusive nor cold.
She instinctively stepped back, tense.
Adrián tilted his head slightly.
"Apologies," he said. "For the misunderstandings. It won't happen again."
Astrid blinked, puzzled.
"We're classmates. Nothing more."
She said it clearly. No hidden meaning.
Then she stepped aside, as if the scene didn't deserve any more attention.
Astrid watched him walk away, a strange feeling settling in her chest.
Not relief.Not anger.
Uncertainty.
Adrián, for his part, had already made a decision.
If that game existed…
He wouldn't play it by someone else's rules.
And, of course, he wouldn't make anyone the center of his world.