Arden's POV
The day started quietly, almost deceptively so.
I walked down the hallways of Edelweiss, my shoes echoing on the polished marble floors. Every glance, every step, every whisper felt heavier than usual. I had started to realize something: at Edelweiss, nothing was ordinary. Nothing was accidental.
Even my presence here was watched.
I met Mira, Kian, and Sylvie in the courtyard, our usual assembly of survival.
"Today's different," Mira said, her voice low and serious. "They're bringing you together with the other scholarship students."
"What… other scholarship students?" I asked, frowning.
"They're chosen like you," she explained. "Provisional numbers. Special selections. They're being tested too. But… together, you might survive longer."
I swallowed hard. My stomach twisted. I had never felt more like a pawn.
We were led to the west wing, a section of the academy I hadn't fully explored. The walls were lined with portraits of former students — faces frozen in time, eyes cold and watching. Mist curled around our feet, soft and chilling.
At the end of the corridor, a door opened. A small group of students emerged, their expressions a mix of curiosity, caution, and wariness.
I caught sight of a girl with sharp eyes and a crooked smile. A boy with dark hair and a confident air. A pair whispering nervously to each other. And more, all marked by their provisional numbers.
We were all here for the same reason. Different numbers, different strengths… all under observation.
A senior stepped forward, clipboard in hand. Pale eyes, sharp features, a faint smirk.
"Welcome," he said, voice even and chilling. "You have all been chosen for a special exercise. Cooperation, observation, intelligence — all will be measured. Fail, and the consequences are… permanent. Success may raise your rank. Or… simply prolong your survival."
I felt my pulse accelerate. Mira leaned closer, whispering, "This is called the Circle. No one outside knows its full purpose. You'll see it soon enough."
"Circle?" I asked, voice barely audible.
"Shh," she said, her eyes scanning the group. "It's not just a name. It's a system. A hierarchy inside a hierarchy. The Game has layers. Some students are shadows. Some are guides. Some are predators. Learn quickly."
I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of the words.
The exercise began.
We were placed in teams, forced to solve problems under observation. Every choice we made, every hesitation we showed, was recorded. Every glance at another student, every whisper between us, every misstep noted.
I worked alongside the others cautiously, exchanging nods and tentative smiles. I tried to memorize faces, numbers, personalities. Survival depended on understanding the people around you almost as much as understanding the tasks themselves.
A girl with long black hair and piercing green eyes caught my attention.
"Number 017," she said sharply, her tone almost commanding. "If you move too slowly, you'll cost the team points."
I nodded, keeping my hands steady. "I understand."
Her gaze lingered on me for a moment. Too long. I felt a strange pull, but quickly shook it off. Focus, Arden. Focus.
Midway through the exercise, a message appeared on a small screen in the center of the hall:
Observe carefully. The Circle watches all. Failure is noted. Success is measured.
My heart pounded. The words felt like a warning. Someone was already guiding us — or testing us — from the shadows.
Mira whispered, "Don't ignore it. This is part of the lesson."
I glanced at her, trying to hide my anxiety. "Lesson… or trap?"
"Both," she said calmly. "Edelweiss doesn't waste opportunities."
By the end of the session, I had survived without major mistakes, but the others weren't so lucky.
One student — #019 — stumbled during a task. A senior stepped forward, voice low, almost a hiss: "Learn fast, or you'll vanish from the records."
The boy froze. His face paled. He didn't speak. I didn't know if he would be punished further, but the fear in the room was tangible.
I swallowed, realizing just how small I was in this system.
After the exercise, we were allowed a brief break. I wandered near the courtyard fountain, my thoughts spinning.
And then I saw her… again.
Elaria Montclair.
She simply observed from a distance, her posture perfect, her expression calm yet intense.
I felt a strange pull in my chest, like I had known her before — though I hadn't. I shook my head, trying to push the thought away.
But I couldn't ignore it.
Later, in the dorm, I noticed a new message etched faintly above my bed:
Connections matter. Watch carefully. Shadows hide in plain sight.
I traced the words slowly, heart pounding.
Someone was guiding me. Or warning me.
Or perhaps both.
I didn't know who, but one thing was certain: Edelweiss had already started shaping me. And I was beginning to understand that survival here meant more than just intelligence or strength.
It meant observation. Adaptation. And patience.
I sat by the window, notebook in hand, recording every detail of the day: faces, numbers, glances, messages.
Even the girl with the piercing green eyes. Even Mira's quiet warnings. Even the whispers in the hall.
I had to remember everything.
Because if I didn't…
I wouldn't survive the next test.