A/N: Dropping this chapter a little early since we just crossed 100 collections! 🎉 Enjoy the read! ✨
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Valen sat in the oversized chair across from the principal, his short legs swinging just above the floor. He looked like any other seven-year-old, if you ignored the way his blue eyes watched everything like he was already bored of life.
His mother, Serenya, placed a warm hand on his shoulder. His father sat on his right, arms crossed, radiating the kind of quiet menace that made grown men sweat.
Principal Harding cleared his throat, peering at the papers on his desk like they might save him. "Everything seems fine, Mr. Kael. It's just… well, I'm concerned about the incidents your son has caused. From the reports… he's already broken a few legs."
His voice cracked on legs, and his eyes flicked toward Valen with an uneasy look before darting back to Mr. Kael.
Valen kicked his feet idly. Not my problem.
"Well, yes, he did break a few legs," Kael admitted smoothly. Then his sharp gaze narrowed on the Principal. "But tell me, sir… is it wrong to defend a helpless pup who had no fangs?"
The principal's throat bobbed. He shook his head quickly, unwilling to challenge the man. He shook it so hard that his glasses almost slipped.
To salvage his dignity, the man cleared his throat, adjusted his glasses, and leaned forward with his best 'I'm-great-with-kids' smile.
His voice softened, almost sing-song, like he was coaxing a toddler. "Now then, little Valen… do you promise to behave in class? Listen to your teachers? Follow the rules?"
Valen tilted his head, glancing up at his mother's expectant face.
She was waiting for him to say the right thing. And so he did. His lips curved into the sweetest little smile.
"Yes, sir. I'll be good."
Serenya beamed. "See? Such a well-mannered boy." She squeezed his shoulder proudly.
But the moment her gaze shifted to the stack of papers on the desk, Valen's smile melted into a sly smirk.
He leaned just slightly forward, voice dropping to a whisper only the Principal caught.
"…as long as they behave too."
Principal Harding froze mid-blink. His glasses nearly slipped off his nose as he stared at the boy, '…What kind of seven-year-old talks like that?'
His father, meanwhile, caught everything, and smirked.
'That's my son!'
His grin stretched wide as he patted Valen on the back.
Meanwhile, Harding silently cursed. 'This family is fucking insane! If it weren't for their donations, I'd-' He stopped the thought before it showed on his face.
The man was terrified, terrified of what this little devil would unleash on his school.
Valen leaned back in his chair, innocent expression firmly back in place. "Thank you for letting me join your school, sir."
Serenya smiled warmly. "Told you he's a good boy."
Harding nodded slowly, though he kept sneaking wary glances at the kid like Valen might explode at any second.
Finally, with a sigh, he called someone in.
A woman in her thirties entered.
"This is Ms. Lauren, your homeroom teacher. She'll take you to your class."
The stout woman led Valen toward the door. He waved casually at his parents and followed her out.
The hallway buzzed with laughter, shouting, and crying. Kids everywhere.
Valen's lips twitched into a sigh.
"…I want to graduate already."
Ms. Lauren gave him a look like, what is wrong with this kid?
As they stepped into the classroom, the chatter died instantly. Dozens of little eyes locked on the newcomer, the boy with black hair and piercing blue eyes.
Whispers rippled through the rows of desks.
"He looks scary…"
"No, he looks cool! Look at his hair!"
"Class, this is Valen. Say hello, everyone," Ms. Lauren announced.
Valen bowed politely. "Hi. I'm Valen Kael Veynar Draemont."
His mom had insisted on the full noble introduction- for "a strong first impression," she said.
"Take any empty seat," the teacher said.
Valen scanned the room.
There was the cliché bright "protagonist seat" by the window, glowing like the spotlight of destiny.
He squinted. Too much sunlight. Too much attention.
Definitely not nap-friendly.
His steps were strangely elegant, like a tiny prince, towards the back corner, where the air conditioning hummed.
But the second he sat down, all that poise vanished.
With a casual plop, he sat down, then immediately slumped forward, cheek on desk, like a high schooler who'd given up on life.Â
Ms. Lauren blinked. Excuse me?
What in the world…? In her twenty years of teaching, she had never seen a kid walk in and instantly act like he owned the place.
"Valen!" she snapped.
He cracked an eye open, bored. "Hm? Yeah?"
"Class is starting. I need your attention."
"Okay." He straightened up, though his eyes stayed half-lidded, dripping with disinterest.
The teacher's jaw clenched. This little brat… First day and already so disrespectful! I'll show you what happens when you mess with me.
The lesson dragged on, but the other kids could hardly focus. How could they, when the new kid had blatantly disrespected the scariest teacher in school?
Grinding her teeth, Ms. Lauren slammed a piece of chalk against the board and scribbled down a math problem.
"Valen. Why don't you solve this?"
He raised a brow. "Will it go on my report card?"
"…No. But it will show us how attentive you are."
Valen shrugged. "Then… pass." He flopped back down on the desk.
The teacher sneered. "Ha! Is this what your parents taught you? They must be fools to homeschool you! You can't even solve a simple math problem, and yet you dare-"
Her rant cut short.
Valen's eyes had gone cold. He lifted his head just enough, voice low and sharp. "…Why don't you shut up... and just do what you're paid for?"
The room went dead silent. A collective gasp spread through the class like they'd just witnessed a murder.
Ms. Lauren turned red from collar to forehead. "To the principal's office! Now!"
"Tsk." Clicking his tongue, Valen pushed himself up, strolled to the blackboard, and, with perfect handwriting, scrawled the answer to her question. Without another word, he walked to the classroom door, pausing only to glance back.
"Will you escort me, ma'am~, or should I go alone?" His voice dripped with mockery.
Ms. Lauren fumed so hard she nearly exploded, then stormed toward the Principal's office with Valen trailing casually behind.