The hall of the White House was eerily silent, an unusual tension hanging in the air. The Seven Devils sat around the long stone table, their expressions ranging from unease to outright irritation. Mira, seated between Akira and Rhyshe, could feel the heaviness in the room, but she wasn't sure why—until Kai finally spoke.
"The Grand Competition is in one month." His golden eyes scanned the room, his tone calm but firm. "This isn't just some academy tournament. It's a battle to determine the strongest students in Artemis Academy."
Mira tilted her head. "Isn't that obvious? We are the strongest, right?"
A sharp chuckle came from Ren, who was leaned back in his chair, arms folded. "Oh, little newbie," he drawled. "You really don't get it."
Mira frowned. "I wasn't talking to you."
"Well, I'm talking to you," Ren shot back, smirking.
Akira sighed, cutting in before Mira could snap back. "Ren's annoying, but he's right." She looked at Mira, her expression serious. "Every five years, the Seven Devils change. We replaced the previous generation. But the thing is… they're still here. And they're not the only ones competing."
Mira blinked. "Wait. What?"
Kai exhaled. "The previous Seven Devils are allowed to compete. Some of them stepped down willingly, but that doesn't mean they got weaker. Some might be stronger than us." His voice dropped slightly. "They want their titles back."
A heavy silence followed.
Mira's stomach twisted. She hadn't expected this. She thought the Seven Devils were at the top—but now, it felt like they were the ones being challenged.
Kai leaned forward. "There are a few people we need to worry about. But the biggest problem is Refella Voidwalker."
At that name, Ren, who had been acting smug just moments ago, visibly tensed.
Mira noticed the shift. "Who's that?"
Rhyshe groaned dramatically, resting her forehead against the table. "Ugh. Her."
"Refella Voidwalker," Celvia explained, "was the leader of the previous Seven Devils. She was undefeated. Not once. Not in five years."
Kai's expression darkened. "She isn't just strong. She's ruthless. She will do anything to win."
Mira raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a charming person."
"Charming?" Rhyshe snorted. "Try 'battle-crazed maniac.' She lives for fighting. I heard she used to take on all the Seven Devils at once and win."
Mira's eyes widened. "All of them?"
Kai nodded grimly. "That's not an exaggeration."
Celvia continued, "But she's not the only one we should worry about. Every Gate of Artemis has its own group of warriors. The strongest ones are competing."
Kai's golden eyes flickered toward Ren. "But there's one more problem."
Mira followed his gaze—and saw something rare. Ren actually looked uncomfortable.
"What now?" she asked.
Akira sighed. "That would be Rose Voidwalker."
Ren visibly stiffened.
Mira narrowed her eyes. "Someone actually liked Ren? Are we sure this competition isn't cursed?"
Ren shot her a flat look. "Shut up."
Kai ignored them and continued, his tone serious. "Rose was obsessed with Ren. She tried to force him into a relationship with her. Threatened him, even."
Mira's jaw nearly dropped. "Wait. What?!"
"She bullied first-years in the Outer Court," Rhyshe added with a scowl. "So Celvia and I expelled her for a few days. That only made things worse. Refella never forgot. And now she's coming back for revenge."
Mira folded her arms, looking at Ren. "And you let her do all that?"
Ren scoffed. "You think I just stood there and took it? I rejected her. Over and over. Didn't matter. She didn't like the word 'no.'"
The day Mira joined the Inner Court, I met with the Grandmaster," he said suddenly.
Mira blinked, caught off guard. "What?"
Ren's dark eyes flickered toward her. "You don't remember, do you?"
Mira frowned. The day she joined the Inner Court…? Her mind reeled back to that moment—the suffocating pressure in the Grandmaster's chambers, the overwhelming weight of his presence. She had collapsed. And just before she lost consciousness…
She saw a figure.
It was Ren.
He had caught her.
Mira's heart skipped a beat as the memory surfaced. "You… you were there?"
Ren's expression didn't change. "Yeah. And while you were unconscious, I told the Grandmaster something important." His fingers tapped against the table in irritation. "I said I'd personally handle the Rose situation."
Mira narrowed her eyes. "Then why is she still here?"
Ren let out a sharp exhale, his irritation clear. "Because that mad girl doesn't understand words. I rejected her. I made it very clear. And yet, here we are."
He sat up straighter, his gaze flickering to Kai. "We have no choice. We have to take down Refella."
Kai nodded, his golden eyes serious. "Then we have a month to prepare. No holding back."
Kai sighed. "The point is—Refella will do anything to avenge her sister. And she's not the only one. The previous generation of Seven Devils had powerful warriors. If we don't take this seriously, we're going to lose."
The atmosphere in the room shifted. It wasn't just a competition anymore.
It was a battle for survival.
Miss Veena's Arrival
The doors to the White House swung open, and the temperature in the room dropped.
Miss Veena entered, her long golden robes swaying as she stepped forward. She radiated authority, her gaze sharp as she scanned the room.
"You've all heard the news," she said. "Now listen carefully."
She took another step, the light from the chandeliers casting shadows across her face.
"From this moment on, your training will be intensified. You will no longer train alone. You will fight as a team, live as a team, and learn to survive as a team."
The air crackled with energy.
"Starting this week," she continued, "you will be sparring against the previous Seven Devils."
Silence.
Then—
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Rhyshe blurted out.
"That's insane," Celvia muttered.
Ren groaned, rubbing his temples. "We're going to die."
Akira sighed but didn't argue. She knew Miss Veena wasn't joking.
Mira, however, had one thought running through her mind.
I won't even be here for the competition.
She looked at her teammates—at Kai, Akira, Rhyshe, Ren, Celvia, and Asher. They were already discussing strategies, already preparing to fight.
She should tell them. She should say something.
But as she watched them—as she saw how much this meant to them—she hesitated.
Could she really just leave?
Mira clenched her fists.
She had one month left with them.
If this was going to be her last battle as part of the Seven Devils…
She would make it count.