The Sforza Museum of Ancient Coins stood quietly in the East Wing of the Academy.
The building was made of strong stone and thick glass. It looked heavy and powerful, like it could not be broken.
At midnight, it looked even more special.
Soft lights from the floor made the white marble shine. The ground looked like a calm sea of milk.
The whole place was silent.
Like something was waiting.
Xavier stood at the entrance.
His hand hovered over the scanner.
For a second, he did not move.
Then he placed his hand on it.
A small electric feeling passed through his fingers as the machine read his pulse.
[ ACCESS GRANTED: OWNER IDENTIFIED ][ WELCOME, MR. VALERIUS ]
The large bronze doors slowly opened.
Xavier stepped inside.
The air smelled clean, mixed with metal and polish.
Glass cases lined the walls.
Inside each one was a single coin.
Each coin had its own light.
Each one looked important.
Like it carried history.
Like it carried power.
"You didn't just buy a museum, Xavier."
The voice came from the shadows.
Low. Rough. Calm.
"You bought a safe place."
"A place where all the cameras belong to you."
Silas Vane stepped into the light.
He was not wearing his school uniform.
He wore a simple black top.
His glasses reflected the small lights around the room.
In his hand was a thick folder.
Real paper.
Nothing digital.
"In a place I own, I am never late," Xavier said calmly.
His voice echoed softly.
"I arrive when I choose."
He looked at Silas.
"Now tell me… why have you been following my shuttle?"
Silas did not react.
He walked forward and threw the folder onto a nearby table.
It slid across the surface and stopped in front of Xavier.
"I spent two days looking for your past," Silas said.
His voice sounded excited—but also sharp.
"I searched schools in Switzerland. I checked medical records in London."
"I even looked at guest lists from rich events in Paris."
He stepped closer.
His eyes were focused.
"Do you know what I found?"
He paused.
"Nothing."
"You don't exist, Xavier."
The room felt colder.
"You have no records. No history. No proof," Silas continued.
"Even the most private families leave something behind."
"A photo. A name. A small trace."
"But you?"
Silas shook his head slightly.
"You are empty."
[ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ][ TARGET: SILAS VANE ][ ALERT: HE HAS FOUND THE DATA VOID ][ RISK LEVEL: HIGH ]
"Privacy is part of my family's tradition," Xavier said.
But even he could feel it—
The lie was weaker this time.
Silas shook his head.
"This is not privacy," he said.
"This is something else."
"You arrived here in a car that was registered only two days ago," Silas continued.
"Your clothes have no brand, but they are new."
"And your hands…"
He pointed at Xavier's hands.
"They look strong," Silas said.
"Like someone powerful."
"But your skin…"
He narrowed his eyes.
"It is not the skin of someone who lived in luxury their whole life."
Xavier stayed still.
The Iron Mask held him in place.
His heart did not race.
He did not blink.
"I don't know who you are," Silas said quietly.
"But I know one thing."
"There are nineteen others like you in this school."
Xavier's eyes sharpened slightly.
"This 'Mimesis Project'…" Silas continued.
"It is like a game."
"A test."
"The Headmistress is watching."
"She wants to see if people like you… can defeat the real heirs."
Silas stepped closer.
"And you…"
He stared directly at Xavier.
"You are the strongest one."
Silas opened the folder.
Inside were files.
Names.
Secrets.
"I'm not here to expose you," Silas said.
His voice changed.
It became quieter.
More serious.
"I hate the real heirs," he said.
"They think they are better than everyone because of their blood."
He looked at Xavier.
"I want to see someone destroy them."
A pause.
"I want to help you."
"I will give you information."
"You make the moves."
Xavier looked at the folder.
He saw names.
Familiar ones.
Dangerous ones.
Then—
He saw one name.
Maya Sato.
His chest tightened for a moment.
But his face stayed calm.
Silas had not found his past.
He had not found the boy from the streets.
He had found something else.
A gap.
A void.
And to Silas—
That was more powerful than any rich family name.
"Fine," Xavier said.
His voice was cold.
Sharp.
Like a door locking.
"But listen carefully."
"If you ever try to look for my past again…"
"I will make sure you disappear."
Silas did not step back.
He only nodded slowly.
[ MISSION ALERT: THE SHADOW ALLIANCE ][ STATUS: ACCEPTED ][ NEW ASSET: THE HOUND'S ARCHIVE ]
Xavier turned away.
His mind was already moving forward.
Planning.
Thinking.
Now, he had information.
He had a spy.
He had power.
But one question remained.
Why was Maya Sato here?
And who put her in this game?
This was no longer just about survival.
This was something bigger.
Something hidden.