The morning sun blazed over the main quadrangle of Havenshire University, where the first rays of daylight cut through the haze of summer exhaustion. Chaos hung in the air like a thick fog, as freshmen from every department hauled bulging bags, rolling suitcases, and duffel bags stuffed to bursting with their lives.
Clusters of girls huddled together, chattering nervously as they compared survival kits.
"I brought enough snacks to last a month—there's no way I'm surviving on base food alone."
"I packed my own toiletries, a thick blanket, and bed sheets. I'm not using whatever germ-infested rags they provide."
"I've got a mini nightlight, romance novels, and my favorite plush bear. The training might be tough, but I need my comforts."
The boys were no less prepared, though their reasoning was slightly different. Having grown up on military movies, they speculated loudly about the horrors that awaited them.
"Do you think the instructors will throw away all our extra stuff?"
"Nah, we're college students, not actual soldiers. This is just a formality."
"Past years were always easy, with PE teachers yelling at us. It'll be the same this time."
But this year was different. A strict new education directive had been issued, targeting widespread physical weakness among college students. Physical education classes would now count heavily toward final grades, and military training was set to be the most rigorous and serious program in the university's history. Real soldiers, not school staff, had been brought in to drill the students.
Amidst this sea of luggage and anxiety, Kael Voss stood out.
He wore a simple black tracksuit and a pair of clean white sneakers, with only a single, lightweight backpack slung over one shoulder. His hair was windswept, and he moved with the effortless confidence of a man who knew exactly who he was. The moment he appeared on the field, dozens of girls turned to stare, whispering and giggling behind their hands.
Scarlett Cole was among them, her jaw tightening as she watched the attention Kael drew. When did he get this good-looking? she seethed. He used to grovel at my feet. Now he ignores me. Just wait until I'm wealthy beyond belief—he'll beg for my attention.
Chloe Reed stood a few steps away, her heart in a turmoil. She replayed the previous night in her head, wondering why Kael hadn't kissed her, why he hadn't reached out. Was I just a game to him? she wondered, then chided herself. She'd spent weeks trying to push him away, so why did his silence sting so deeply?
Nearby, Nathan, Aisha, and the other boys from Kael's dorm swelled with pride. To them, the girls' admiring glances felt like a tribute to their friend. They clapped Kael on the shoulder.
"Kael, that's all you brought? Just a backpack?"
Kael nodded casually, his gaze sweeping the field. "I heard the base provides everything. No need to overpack."
Across the quadrangle, another figure commanded attention, though in a far colder manner. Eliot Storm stood alone, a three-meter circle of empty space surrounding him. His features were sharp and devastatingly handsome, his chin tilted high, his eyes cold with unbridled contempt for the crowd around him. His icy aura was a stark contrast to Kael's warm, sunny charm, and it drew a different kind of awe—fear mixed with fascination.
When Eliot's gaze locked onto Aurora Hale in the crowd, a lazy, devilish smile curved his lips. Dozens of girls sighed, their hearts fluttering at the display of power and charm. Aurora met his eyes, her expression softening into a quiet, complicated sigh that betrayed her true feelings.
High above the campus, on the roof of the administration building, a middle-aged man in a civilian suit stood watching through a pair of high-powered binoculars. Though he was in his late fifties, his posture was rigid, his eyes sharp, the unmistakable bearing of a lifelong military man. A young aide stepped behind him, draping a coat over his shoulders.
"Commander, the wind is chilly up here. Let's retire to the lounge. Student military training is hardly worth your time."
The man's eyes never left the field below. "Among these kids, there are two who stand out. This is the first joint training exercise between the army and the university. A retired man like me is allowed to watch, isn't he?"
The aide bowed hastily. "Of course, sir. Please put on your coat; the morning dew makes it cold."
Below, the last of the students streamed onto the field. Suddenly, the roar of car engines shattered the calm. A convoy of olive-green military off-road vehicles tore across the quadrangle, speeding directly toward the crowd with no sign of slowing down. Students scrambled backward, panic flashing across their faces, and many shouted in anger at the reckless drivers.
The vehicles skidded to a halt in a cloud of dust, and a squad of muscular, rugged men in full camouflage uniforms jumped down. They were not classically handsome, but every man exuded raw, unshakable masculinity. Their presence alone silenced the entire crowd.
The lead officer, a broad-shouldered man with a buzz cut, stepped forward. His voice boomed like thunder, echoing across the entire field.
"FALL IN!!!"
Instantly, chaos erupted.
Fall in? How? Where? No one had been told how to line up, and the students milled about like headless chickens, confused and flustered. Some stood in groups, others wandered aimlessly, and a few even tried to sit down, unsure of what to do.
The officer's face darkened with fury. "Worthless! A pack of useless brats! This is what passes for top university students? You're worse than beggars on the street!"
His words were cruel and deliberate, and the other officers echoed the same harsh insults, clearly trying to goad the students into a reaction. Rage burned in every young face, but no one dared speak back. They ground their teeth, glaring at the soldiers, still unable to form a proper line.
"Your brains are rotted from books! Stupid as pigs—can't even stand in a straight line!"
Kael had heard enough.
He stepped forward calmly, stopping directly in front of the lead officer. The man fixed him with a murderous glare, his fists clenched at his sides.
"What do you think you're doing?!" he snarled, ready to crush any sign of insubordination.
Kael met his eyes steadily for a heartbeat, his expression unreadable. Then he turned away, facing his entire class.
"Nathan! You two!" He pointed to Nathan and two tall girls, then stepped into place himself. The four of them formed a straight, crisp line, their postures perfect.
"Everyone else! Line up behind us, tallest to shortest! Find your positions now!"
With clear, decisive leadership, the panic vanished. The students moved quickly, arranging themselves by height in perfect order. In thirty seconds, the messy, disorganized crowd had transformed into a neat, disciplined formation.
Once everyone was in place, Kael shouted, "About face!"
Every student had endured high school training, and the command was second nature. In one sharp, synchronized motion, the entire class turned to face the officer.
The soldier stared, dumbfounded. This was not how the morning was supposed to go. His plan to break their spirits had backfired spectacularly.
At that moment, a deafening cheer erupted from the far side of the quadrangle.
A different officer stood there, his face scarlet with rage, veins bulging out of his neck. His body was pinned helplessly to the ground, his arm twisted behind his back in an impossible lock.
The boy standing over him, one boot pressed firmly into the officer's chest, was Eliot Storm.