Chapter 190
PUNISHMENT (2)
There were plush couches nestled in the corners like sleepy cats, their velvet cushions slightly worn but still inviting. Low tables stood between them, circled by mismatched chairs—some leather, some metal-framed, all clearly dragged from different parts of the academy over time.
Near the back wall, two tall bookshelves leaned ever so slightly, their wooden frames stuffed with board games and card decks.
Some of the boxes were cracked open, their contents spilling out like forgotten memories.
The space was a strange hybrid between a student lounge and a café—quiet, dimly lit, and humming with a low, lazy instrumental track that oozed out of unseen speakers. The melody was soft jazz—slow piano and the occasional drawn-out trumpet note.
They sat around a long rectangular table near the center of the room. The light above them flickered once, then settled into a warm yellow glow, casting their shadows wide across the wooden floor. Ari sat at the head again, claiming the position like it belonged to her—which, in many ways, it did.
Notably, there was one absence. Snow wasn't here this time.
Ari had her chin resting lightly on her knuckles, her elbow propped on the table's edge as she regarded the boys in front of her. There was a lazy smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, the kind that didn't quite reach her eyes. Those droopy eyes glimmered with something between amusement and warning.
Her gold nose ring caught the light when she tilted her head, the metal glinting like a smirk of its own. She let out a breath and shook her head slowly.
She smiled, as if she'd been waiting for this moment."I see you can't seem to keep yourself out of trouble… Mr. Sole Survivor of the Hold?"
Her voice was casual—playful, even—but her eyes told a different story. Her eyes had narrowed slightly, patiently waiting for any changes in IAMs expression.
IAM's expression didn't change But inwardly, he was caught off guard—both by the fact that she'd brought it up so directly, and by the fact that the rumours had somehow reached her.
He met her gaze directly.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," he said flatly, each word chosen like he was walking carefully across a landmine.
Ari tilted her head, the strands of her dyed hair in streaks of gold, woven into her natural brunette curls sliding off her shoulder. "Oh please," she said, rolling her eyes. "Don't play dumb. I'm sure the rumours are flying around the first years. There's no way you haven't heard anything."
IAM didn't so much as blink. "And I didn't take you for someone who'd blindly chase after rumours and toss out assumptions just to see what sticks."
The corner of her mouth twitched.
"So… you do know what I'm talking about," she quipped, leaning forward slightly.
His voice remained even. "What I do know," he said, "is that you're following hearsay and letting it guide your tongue.
Ari didn't respond immediately. Her gaze lingered on him, like she was trying to decide whether to laugh or slap him. Then, slowly, she leaned back, fingers drumming softly on the table...
She frowned as she brought the teacup to her lips, taking a slow sip. The porcelain clicked gently as she set it down. Then, she looked up at IAM with a wicked smile curling across her face.
"But you see," she said smoothly, "the thing is... I do believe the rumours. And frankly, I think they're completely justified."
IAM raised an eyebrow, unfazed on the outside. "In what way, exactly," he said, "are they justified?"
Ari leaned back slightly, crossing one leg over the other, "Well," she began, "I decided to make use of my authority. I tried to access your file." She paused for effect, her hazel eyes glinting. "But my request was denied. There—"
"You can access our information?!"
Henry's voice cut in. His eyes had gone wide, and there was an unmistakable flash of panic behind them. His right hand had started to tremble before he quickly shoved it into his pocket, his fingers balling into a fist.
He immediately seemed to regret the outburst. No doubt remembering how things ended the last time he was rude to Ari.
Ari tilted her head toward him slowly, eyes narrowing "You're a very lucky boy," she said softly. "Because I happen to be in a good mood... So I'll let that one slide. But consider this your final strike with me."
Henry said nothing. His mouth was pressed into a thin line.
She waited. Frowning now—just slightly.
There was a long pause. Then Henry seemed to catch on. "…I understand," he said quietly.
The frown deepened.
"…I understand, Ari," he corrected quickly, "and it won't happen again."
She smiled.
"As members of the Student Council, we're permitted to access student records when necessary," she said, turning her attention back to the table. "As long as we provide a legitimate reason, of course. Especially when it comes to someone's Path, or reviewing background information."
Her gaze moved slowly across the boys, locking eyes with each of them in turn.
"I was just doing a routine check on all of you," she continued, "and let's just say… I found some very interesting things."
Her eyes settled on Henry again.
"Especially from the annoying one."
Henry stared back at her, his jaw was clenched, but he didn't say a word.
Ari's smile widened."Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to share what I found," she added with mock regret. "Council business stays within the Council."
She took another sip of tea.
"What I did find," she said, her voice cool, "was… nothing. No information on a certain someone sitting right here."
Her eyes flicked to IAM.
"That, naturally, made me curious. Curious enough to go ask in person. Records being sealed are rare. So I wanted to know who you were, IAM Grimm."
She paused, swirling the last bit of her tea before setting the cup gently back down.
"But I was stopped," she said, her tone sharpening just slightly. "Stopped by the Flame."
The Flame? IAM blinked. That was a name he'd heard before—He was one of the Vice Principals. Omari Gold.
Why would he block Ari's access? Why protect him of all people?
IAM didn't let the confusion show on his face. He simply noted it— and tucked it away somewhere in the back of his mind.
Another piece of the puzzle.
Ari leaned forward, resting her arms lightly on the table as her smile returned.
"That only made me more curious, of course. But there wasn't much I could do... until I started hearing these new rumours. About a first-year student. A certain someone who'd survived something no one else had."
Her gaze never left IAM."They said the sole survivor of the Hold was now attending the academy."
She said his name slowly, almost tasting each syllable."IAM GRIMM ."
IAM inhaled through his nose.
"All of this," he said plainly, "doesn't even mean anything. You don't even know where these rumours came from."
"Oh, but I do," Ari replied, tilting her head. "They came from a small group of students in Dorm 9. Apparently, on the first day, there was… an incident."
She tapped a finger thoughtfully against the table."One of your roommates—Yohan, I believe—had a breakdown and shouted something about you being the sole survivor of the Hold... Loud enough for others to hear."
Silence slammed into the room like a javelin hurled straight through the center of their conversation. All the casual noise and the low hum of the background music—seemed to vanish.
Everyone stared at Ari.
Reuel opened his mouth, but the words didn't come."You…" he began, but whatever thought he had caught somewhere between her looks and her words.
He closed it again.
Ari shifted her legs, settling into a new position with elegance. She lifted her cup again and took another sip.
"Not much happens in this academy that escapes my eyes… or ears," she said, calmly, like she was stating a fact rather than making a threat.
IAM didn't react outwardly. But a thought came to him...
She was dangerous.