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> "I didn't come back to survive their games.
I came back to rig the board."
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🔥 Scene 1 — Announcement of the Tower Trials
Aegis Academy's grand bell rang four times — signaling a challenge announcement.
The "Tower Trials" were meant to test a team's coordination, mental agility, and battle prowess. Only ten groups would be allowed in. And this time, all of Year 1 would be watching.
Hasker entered the hall, voice cold as always. "You have 48 hours to prepare. Selection is based on group synergy."
Lena immediately glanced at her team. "We'll make it."
Aric's smile was almost kind.
Too kind.
> You think this is a test for the team.
But for me… it's a perfect stage.
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⚔️ Scene 2 — The Spar
Darin approached Aric that afternoon. The courtyard was quiet except for the occasional clang of swords.
"You think you're smarter now, huh?" Darin smirked, tossing a wooden training staff at Aric's feet.
"One round. Let's see what you've got."
In his past life, Aric would have declined. Darin's strength and speed were top tier, even back then.
But this time?
Aric bent, picked up the staff, and said, "Sure. You need the lesson."
Gasps came from nearby students. Even Myles raised a brow.
> "Begin!" called the instructor.
Darin attacked first—wild swings, overwhelming strength.
Aric didn't dodge all of them. He let the first graze his side deliberately. Then the second.
Let them think he was struggling.
Then—he whispered, "You leave your left open when you show off."
Darin blinked. "What?"
CRACK.
In one smooth motion, Aric spun, deflected Darin's next blow, and slammed the butt of the staff into his ribs. Then swept his legs.
Darin hit the ground, hard.
Gasps turned to silence.
Aric didn't gloat.
He simply stepped back and offered a hand.
Darin slapped it away, face red, pride wounded.
> Now you bleed. Publicly. Emotionally.
You've been cracked.
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🎠Scene 3 — Cassia Watches
Cassia sat quietly beneath the shadow of the east tower, sketching as usual. She had seen the fight.
Aric approached, calm and unbothered.
"You sketching my humiliation techniques?" he asked lightly.
Cassia's pen didn't stop. "You let him hit you twice before moving. Why?"
Aric smiled. "Because a lesson hurts more when pride gets involved."
She looked up. For the first time, her expression flickered with… curiosity.
"Did you always think like this?" she asked.
He sat down beside her.
"Only after I died."
She paused, eyes narrowed. "Dark joke."
> Not a joke.
"Maybe," Aric replied, his voice quiet. "Maybe not."
She didn't press. But her posture shifted.
Something in her eyes had changed.
> Good.
Doubt is the first doorway.
And you're opening it willingly, Cassia.
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🧠Scene 4 — Lena's Internal Crack
Lena leaned against the dormitory window, watching the moonlight.
Her mind wasn't calm.
> Aric had changed.
But it wasn't just confidence.
It was control. Calculation. Coldness.
He wasn't reacting anymore.
He was… leading.
She remembered how he glanced at Darin after the spar. Not smug. Not proud.
Just... amused. Like a man toying with mice.
Her hand tightened on the window sill.
> Does he know?
Is this coincidence? Or… is it him?
No. Impossible.
He died.
...Didn't he?
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🗒️ Scene 5 — The Notebook Update
Later that night, Aric opened his notebook again.
He created a new section:
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Phase 2: Control the Quiet
Cassia:
Observes everything
Doesn't speak much — perfect listener
Thinks in logic
Start sharing philosophical thoughts to build "trust in intellect"
New Goal:
> "Make her question everyone else first.
Then she'll trust only me."
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He flipped to Darin's page:
Publicly embarrassed: âś…
Loss of social dominance: 20%
Will try to recover with aggression — prepare next trap
He smiled.
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🎠Scene 6 — A Message Left Behind
The next morning, Lena found a sealed note on her bed.
No signature.
No handwriting she recognized.
It simply said:
> "You lied to me once with your eyes.
I'll lie to you forever with my smile."
She paled.
Who wrote this?
Her heart beat faster.
She looked across the yard from her window.
Aric was walking calmly with Cassia. Laughing.
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🧠Inner Monologue:
> This is it.
This is what dying taught me.
Truth doesn't destroy people.
Doubt does.
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