Jay POV
I shrieked, spinning around so fast I nearly tripped over a cable. Raze Silvenia was leaning against a pillar, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked perfectly at home in the dark, his intelligent eyes tracking the sweat on my forehead.
"Nothing! I... I'm just roaming. Got lost," I stammered, trying to step in front of the logo.
Raze tilted his head, a slow, mocking smile spreading across his face. "Roaming three levels below the restricted zone? In a room that officially doesn't exist? You're a terrible liar, Jay-jay."
He walked closer, his boots silent on the dusty floor. He didn't look at me; he looked at the serpent logo. "You know this place don't you ."
I didn't know what to say. I felt like a fly caught in a spider's web. But before Raze could press me further, he straightened up, his demeanor shifting. "You should go back up. The Supremo is looking for you. And if he finds me down here with you, he'll burn this whole floor down."
We moved toward the exit in silence. Raze was an enigma—a gang leader, a genius, and someone who seemed to know the "truth buried in depth" better than anyone. As we reached the main level, Raze stopped and looked at his watch.
"Oh, and Jay-jay?" he said, his voice dropping. "Happy hunting tomorrow. It's a big day for the Supremo"
"Why?" I asked.
"It's Ace's birthday. Though, in this school, birthdays are just another day which barely anyone remember. I'll see you later."
He vanished into the shadows of the hallway before I could process that. Ace's birthday? The Supremo? The guy who looked like he was born from a thunderstorm and a suit of armor actually had a birthday?
I hurried back toward our group's hangout spot near the courtyard. As I rounded the corner, I saw them. The group was huddled together, but my eyes went straight to Ace.
He was standing by the fountain, his face a mask of cold professionalism. He was deep in conversation with the a girl of the Student Council—a tall, stern girl who was showing him a stack of "Red Trial" execution orders.
He looked exhausted. He looked like the weight of the entire school was crushing him, and he was too proud to ask for help
Suddenly, my mission changed. I couldn't solve the mystery of the photo today, but I could give the "King" one day where he wasn't a target.
"Everyone! Over here! Now!" I hissed, waving my arms at the group.
Keifer was by my side in a second. "Where were you? You were gone for twenty minutes."
"Never mind that," I whispered, pulling him, Zein, Percy, Ci-N, Dave, and even a confused Rakki into a tight circle. "Listen up. Tomorrow is Ace's birthday."
The silence was deafening.
"The Supremo has a birthday?" Jerome asked, blinking. "I thought he was just… manufactured in a lab for excellence and intimidation."
"He's human, Jerome!" I whispered-yelled. "And he's miserable. Look at him! He's discussing death warrants on the day before his birthday. We are throwing a party. A real one. In the Basement."
"A party? In Hell University?" Percy laughed, though his eyes sparked with interest. "That's a death wish, Jay."
"We need Ace permission for this," Zein said, her voice firm. She looked at Ace by the fountain, and a flicker of softness—true, raw affection—crossed her face. "And who will convince him."
"Leave that to me. Okay, here's the plan," I said, my "meddler" brain switching into high gear. "Dave, Edrix and Rory handle the tech. I need the security cameras on a loop for the Basement hallway.
Ci-N, you're in charge of snacks. Use your 'rich doctor kid' connections to smuggle in something that isn't cafeteria sludge."
"On it!" Ci-N said, finally looking cheered up.
"Keifer," I turned to him, who was looking at me with a mix of adoration and concern.
"You map out the patrol routes. If any Black Bloods or Council guards get close, we need to know five minutes before they arrive."
"And what about the birthday cake ?" Felix asked.
"I will prepare it . Don't worry.",I said confidently.They nodded.
"But who will distract Ace? We can't let him know about the plan?",Freya asked.
"Zein," I said, looking at her. "Your job is the hardest. You have to keep him distracted. He can't know anything until we drag him down there."
"I will, try .I promise ",She said and looked at Ace.
Ace's POV
The weight of the "Red Trial" folders in my hand felt heavier than the tactical gear I wore.
Beside me, Zoe was droning on about casualty projections and perimeter breaches, but my mind was elsewhere—specifically on the girl who had just. re-emerged from the shadows of the hallway looking like she'd seen a ghost
Jay-jay.
She was huddled with the group, her hands waving frantically as she whispered something that made even Keifer's stoic face twitch. I felt Zein's gaze on me—soft, lingering—but before I could acknowledge it, the "Newbie" broke away from the circle and marched straight toward me.
"Supremo! Thumderpuff! King of the Hallways!" Jay-jay chirped, skidding to a halt just inches from my personal space.
I handed the execution orders back Zoe and dismissed her with a single nod. I looked down at Jay. She was vibrating with a nervous energy that usually meant trouble for the school's structural integrity.
"What is it, Jasper?" I asked, my voice low.
"Okay, so, listen. Rakki just got here, right? She's my best friend, she's new, she's traumatized by the smell of the cafeteria mystery meat... it's a whole thing," she rambled, her eyes darting around. "We want to throw a small welcome party in the Basement. And I need access to the faculty kitchen. I want to cook something that doesn't scream 'survival of the fittest.'"
I didn't even blink. "No."
"No? Just like that? Not even a 'let me think about it'?", she asked .
"A party is a noise violation and a security breach," I said, crossing my arms. "The kitchen is off-limits to students for safety reason. Request denied."
I turned to walk away, but she scurried around me, blocking my path. "Please? Just for a few hours? I'll clean up! I'll even make sure Keifer doesn't glare at the guards!"
"My answer is final, Jasper.Go back to your dorm."
I started to move past her, but she suddenly stopped talking. When I looked back, she had dropped her shoulders. No.. no she is using it .Her bottom lip trembled just a fraction, and her eyes grew wide and glassy—the kind of look that could make a hitman drop his weapon.She used her puppy eyes 🥺
"You're really going to say no to me?" she whispered, her voice cracking. "I just wanted to do one nice thing. Please, Kuya? Just this once? For your sister ?"
I froze. The word hit me harder than a physical blow. Kuya. Big brother.
In a place like Hell University, family was a liability. Affection was a weakness. But as I looked into those ridiculous puppy eyes, I felt the "Supremo" facade cracking. I looked at the fountain, then at the group of misfits watching us from a distance, then back at her
"Fine," I muttered, looking away so she wouldn't see the ghost of a smile. "Four hours. If I see a single spark or hear a single noise complaint, I'm putting you all on perimeter duty for a month."
"YES! Thank you, Kuya Thumderpuff!" she squealed, nearly jumping on me before remembering Keifer was watching.
"And don't call me that," I added, trying to regain my cold composure.
"Whatever you say, Thunderpuff!" she yelled over her shoulder as she sprinted back to the group, punching the air in victory.
I stood there, stunned. Thunderpuff?
I felt a presence beside me. Zein had stepped up, her eyes bright with suppressed laughter.
"Thunderpuff?" she teased, her voice a gentle silk. "Is the Supremo going soft?"
"She's a meddler," I grumbled, readjusting my gloves. "A troublemaker one."
"Or," Zein whispered, stepping closer until the scent of her hair reached me, "she's the only one who actually knows how to make you live."
I watched Jay-jay high-fiving Ci-N and dragging Keifer toward the kitchen wing. Tomorrow was my birthday—a day I usually spent in silence, counting the scars I'd gained over the year. But looking at the chaos Jay was already stirring up, I had a feeling this year would be different.