The wind whipped through the skyscrapers of Manhattan, tugging at Diego Vargas's designer blazer. He stood on the edge of Empire Heights Academy's rooftop, his gaze fixed on the glowing city below. Neon lights reflected off glass towers, painting streaks of purple and gold across the night sky.
This wasn't just a school. It was a battlefield disguised as privilege.
Diego's sharp eyes caught movement. Shadows flickered across the rooftop opposite him. Rival students. Known troublemakers. They thought he was just another rich transfer student, a spoiled heir. They were about to learn differently.
"You're the new kid, right?" a voice called. Smooth, arrogant. Jaxon Wolfe. Top of the hierarchy. The self-proclaimed king of Empire Heights.
Diego's lips curled into a faint smile. "Depends on who's asking."
Jaxon stepped forward, fists clenched. Two of his followers flanked him, circling like predators. Diego shifted slightly, his posture calm, almost bored. But his mind was calculating. Every detail mattered.
"You don't belong here," Jaxon said, voice low, almost threatening. "Not in my city. Not in my school."
Diego's hand brushed against the cuff of his sleeve. A subtle glint of a family crest shone from the ring he wore—a warning no one fully understood. "Then maybe I'll just have to earn my place."
Jaxon smirked. "You'll try."
With a sudden burst, Jaxon lunged. Diego sidestepped, his movements precise, almost inhuman. The wind carried the sound of the clash—fists against metal railing, sneakers skidding across concrete.
One of Jaxon's followers charged from the side. Diego pivoted, sweeping his leg in a perfect arc. The boy stumbled, crashing against a water tower. Diego didn't pause. He knew better than to get distracted.
Rooftop fights were dangerous. One mistake, one slip, and you fell… straight into the streets below.
Jaxon's eyes narrowed. He wasn't used to opponents who could predict his moves. Diego was fast, but calculated. Not reckless. Every motion had purpose.
"You're hiding something," Jaxon hissed. "I can feel it."
Diego's smile widened. "Maybe. But some things are meant to be discovered… at the right time."
The wind intensified. Lightning flashed over the Hudson, illuminating the rooftops. Diego vaulted over a railing, landing behind Jaxon's last remaining follower. A swift, precise kick, and the boy collapsed, dazed.
Jaxon growled, rushing Diego head-on. The rooftop became a blur of motion—blows exchanged, acrobatics over pipes and vents, each student showcasing skill and desperation.
Diego's thoughts were calm. Strategy first. Strength second. Timing was everything. And he had time on his side.
A sharp noise made him pause. From the shadows of a nearby penthouse, someone was watching. Unfamiliar. Observing. Curious. Dangerous.
Diego didn't have time to identify the figure. Jaxon lunged again, more aggressively this time. Diego countered with a swift elbow to the chest, sending Jaxon staggering backward… right to the edge.
"Careful," Diego murmured. "Wouldn't want you to fall before you even start."
Jaxon's eyes blazed with fury. "This isn't over."
Diego's gaze flicked to the shadowy figure again. Whoever it was, they weren't leaving. And they weren't friendly.
A sudden gust of wind blew across the rooftop. Diego balanced effortlessly, but the others weren't so lucky. Screams, crashes, chaos.
Then—an explosion of light from a hidden rooftop behind him. A figure leapt down, landing silently, almost floating, eyes glowing faintly under a hood. Diego recognized the stance instantly. Expert. Deadly. Not a student.
The stranger's eyes locked onto Diego's. And in that moment, everything changed.
Rooftop fight or not, this was no longer a simple welcome to Empire Heights Academy.
Diego's heart quickened. The game had only just begun.
And someone just raised the stakes.
Cliffhanger: The mysterious figure's identity remains unknown, but it's clear Diego's first night at Empire Heights is far from ordinary—and that the rooftop fight was only the beginning of something far bigger.