Ben heard a sharp voice behind him.
"Look at that. Mikky's little toy has a brother. And he looks even more stubborn than his sister."
Ben turned and saw three more students walking toward them. They all wore blue ID cards, the kind that marked the strongest bloodlines. The tallest one stood at the front, sleeves rolled up on purpose so his tattoos could shine like warning signs. His green eyes sized Ben up with lazy confidence.
Ben's jaw tightened.
Toy? Did he just call my sister a toy?
Something snapped inside him. He rolled his legs under himself and jumped to his feet with a quick stunt-like move. His whole body shook with adrenaline and anger.
He would not let anyone bully Kate. Not now. Not ever.
He charged at the tall guy with everything he had.
Bad idea.
The guy moved faster than Ben could blink. He grabbed Ben by the collar, lifted him slightly, and slammed his forehead into Ben's face with a brutal headbutt.
Ben flew backward like a kicked ball and crashed onto the cold cafeteria floor. Pain exploded across his skull. His vision danced for a moment.
This is only my second day here. How many times will I get beaten in this place? Dad's worst punch never felt even half this painful.
The tall boy bent over him with a mocking smirk. "Hey, scunt. Where do you think you are? Does this look like your little kingdom? This is the Academy of Elites. Next time, check the color of someone's ID card before you charge like a fool."
Before Ben could respond, Michael spoke up behind him.
"I like him," Michael said, sounding amused. He turned to Kate. "Go clean him up. And make sure he shows up for the bonfire tonight."
Then he walked off with his group. No one tried to stop them. No one even breathed too loudly. Students watched from their tables but quickly looked away whenever one of the blue cards passed by.
Everyone knew the rule.
Blue card meant a powerful bloodline. Strength that could crush bones. Magic that could break a person's will.
Ben was humiliated. Angry. Confused. And Kate… she did not even show a hint of pity. Not one drop.
She only looked down at him with that same cold expression. "Follow me," she said, then turned and walked away.
Ben pushed himself up, wiped the blood from his lips, and followed her. He did not bother looking at the students whispering and staring. His head hurt too much. His pride hurt even more.
He wanted answers.
He wanted to know what happened to Kate.
Where her fire went.
How she became this weak, scared version of herself.
The clinic had just finished patching Ben up. His bruises still burned, but what bothered him more was Kate standing a few steps away, arms folded, mood dark enough to scare the nurses. She didn't even look at him. She just stood there, stiff and angry.
Ben frowned. Why is she still acting like this? It's not like those bullies followed us here. And what really happened to her? Did she bring me here because that creep told her to?
Before he could ask, Kate noticed the nurse was done and stormed out of the clinic without a word.
Ben hopped off the bed and hurried after her. He caught up behind the Academy clinic, where the evening breeze brushed past the trees. The branches swayed like they were waiting for the drama to unfold.
"Kate, wait," he said, grabbing her hand.
She instantly twisted, trying to flip him like she did back in the cafeteria. But Ben yanked his arm back before she could embarrass him again.
Bad idea. She switched tactics. Her leg swept out in one clean motion, and the next thing he knew, the ground slapped his back like it was welcoming him home.
He stared up at the sky. "Seriously… again?" he muttered.
He pushed himself up, annoyed and out of patience. "You act all tough around me. But the moment that creep shows up, you turn into a scared little cat." His voice cracked with frustration. "What is wrong with you?"
The words only made everything worse. Kate's palm flew across his face so fast he barely saw it coming. The slap echoed like someone dropped a plank.
"Go on, hit me then!" Ben yelled louder, anger boiling over. "It's been three years since you left home! I wrote to you all that time. Even when you didn't reply, I still hoped. I was so damn happy when you told Dad you got my letters. I know the academy rules. No visits. No family. No nothing until graduation. Fine. I wasn't angry about that. But what happened to you? Why are you acting like a loser?"
"Because I am!" Kate yelled back. Tears spilled down her cheeks, hot and messy. "You think this green ID card means something special? It means nothing. It is a reminder that we are pawns and toys to people with stronger bloodlines."
She stepped back, wiping her face with the back of her hand. "And if you think I'm mad at you for no reason, then you are wrong. Mum and Dad knew exactly what kind of hell this academy is. They sent us anyway. And I'm sure Dad made you promise to protect me."
Ben stayed silent. He had no comeback for that one.
"But guess what?" she went on. "Now that you are here, my hell just got worse. They will enjoy abusing me even more just to hurt you."
"What are you talking about? Who are they? That creep?" Ben asked, voice softer now, but still confused.
Kate shook her head. "You don't get it do you ? Tonight you will understand why I changed. Why I became weak." She sniffed, straightened her shoulders, and walked away before he could stop her.
Ben remained on the ground, staring at the spot where she disappeared. Her words stung more than any kick she had ever given him.
Are those freaks abusing her?
His hands tightened into fists until his knuckles went white.
"If they dare touch my sister," he muttered, pushing himself to his feet, "I'll make them pay."
Later that night, Ben heard knocking on his dorm door. He assumed it was his roommate, another student with a green ID card, probably coming back from wherever he wandered off to. But when Ben opened the door, it was Kate.
He blinked. "Wait. You knew I was staying here all this while, and you didn't even bother to say hello when I arrived yesterday?"
His voice carried more anger than he meant.
Kate didn't care. "Shut up. Dress up and follow me." She cut him off before he could complain.
"I'm not going to the bonfire party," he said, folding his arms. "Listen, Kate, we don't have to listen to those creeps. You know what? Let's report them to the school authorities."
Kate burst out laughing. Not the fun kind. The hopeless kind.
"You are still a naive brat," she said. "You really don't know the rules here. Only a few people can tell Michael no or disobey him. And believe me, we are far from those few. So please don't make this night more painful for me than it already is."
She walked away without waiting for him.
Ben stared at her back, jaw tight. He could not let her go alone. Not tonight.
He threw on his uniform again and took his sword. It was the departure gift from his father. A blade forged with magic, strong enough to slice metal cleanly. A weapon meant to protect.
The bonfire grounds were loud and bright, filled with music, shouting, and students who were clearly enjoying themselves too much. Ben immediately noticed there were more blue card students than green ones. It was supposed to be a welcome party for the new batch.
He ignored all of it. His eyes stayed locked on Kate the same way a bodyguard locks onto a target.
"Kate! Kate!" Michael shouted from across the field. He waved lazily as if summoning a pet. He sat on a cushioned chair placed right in the middle of the open space. They were a bit far from the fire's bright glow, but close enough that the crackling heat touched the air around them.
Ben's gaze dropped, and he froze. A girl was kneeling at Michael's feet. She was giving him a blowjob like it was a normal school activity. Michael's friends stood around with drinks, laughing and talking like this was some casual evening hangout.
Ben wondered for a moment if these people were even students.
He set his jaw. He had already decided he would strike down anyone who tried to mess with his sister tonight.
Michael's eyes caught the sword strapped to Ben's back. He smirked. "Wow. He brought his toy to the party."
Kate didn't notice anything. She had not looked back once since they left the dorm.
Ben reached for the sword, ready to pull it out. But he never got the chance.
The tall guy with bright green eyes who headbutt him at the cafeteria appeared in front of him almost instantly. He caught Ben's arm mid-reach. Ben tried to punch him with his free hand, but the guy plucked the sword off his back like he was picking a leaf from a branch. Then he tapped Ben lightly on the chest with two fingers.
That light tap sent Ben flying. He slammed against a tree so hard the bark rattled.
He pushed himself up, staggering. Every bone felt like it was buzzing.
The tall guy looked at him with boredom. "You really don't want to give up this delusional strength of yours, right?"
"Give that back," Ben said. His voice shook as he motioned toward the sword.
The guy grinned. "If you think this toy makes you strong, then let me teach you what true strength means."
He pulled the sword out of its cover. Without even warming up, he slammed it against his own knee. The blade snapped into two clean pieces like it was cheap wood.
Ben dropped to his knees. His eyes widened in disbelief. That sword was supposed to be unbreakable. His father's strongest weapon. Gone in one casual move.
"Ooops. Someone's hope just got shattered," Mikky added with a smug smile. He leaned back in his chair. "Well, the night is about to get even better."
His grin widened. "Come on, Kate. Show your brother why you are my favorite toy. Take off those clothes. Let's get this party started."
Ben refused to believe what he was hearing. But the real blow came when he saw Kate's shaking hands reach for her clothes.
"No!" he screamed as he charged at Mikky, rage blazing through every breath he took.