Chapter 2 The masters and the monster

Sunlight poured through the beautiful glass windows, but Twila was already awake. She sat on the edge of her bed, gazing at her reflection in the full-length mirror.

This was a university for the elite, and the dress code was simple: Dress to impress.

Twila chose a soft, pastel pink sundress with spaghetti straps. She curled her hair into loose waves and applied some gloss that made her lips look like ripe peaches.

Perfect, she thought. I look like a cupcake, a cupcake filled with poison.

"You look nice," her roommate, Elara, who had a talent for controlling plants, yawned from the other bed. "But isn’t that a bit... soft for Combat Class?"

Twila blinked her big doe eyes.

"Oh! I don’t want to fight," she said in a breathy, sweet tone. "I’m just trying to survive the day without tripping over my feet."

Twila grabbed her bag.

"See you at the assembly, Elara!"

Twila skipped out of the room, her mischievous side itching for chaos.

THE GRAND HALL 8:30 AM

The Grand Hall was stunning, floating chandeliers dripped with real diamonds, and the tables were filled with a feast fit for gods. Since there were no uniforms, the hall looked like a fashion show. Leather, silk, combat boots, and designer heels clicked against the marble floor.

Twila found a seat at the back, trying to blend in.

A deep sound filled the room, silencing the chatter instantly.

At the front of the hall, on a raised platform, four throne-like chairs appeared out of nowhere.

"The Masters are coming," a student whispered, eyes wide with fear.

First, an old man entered, his long white beard and ancient eyes held the weight of centuries.

"Grandmaster Orion," Brielle whispered, appearing next to Twila. "He's part of the founder of the Academy, he sees everything."

Next came a woman who looked like a flowing river, her dress shimmered in shades of blue and green, she had a calm, serene smile.

"Master Chevelure," Brielle explained. "She teaches Elemental Control, she's nice."

Then, a young man strode in, shockingly young to be a Master, he had golden skin and muscles that strained against his tight black shirt. He flashed a dazzling smile, and half the girls swooned.

"Master Luan," Brielle sighed dreamily. "Combat instructor, he’s gorgeous, but don’t let the smile fool you, he breaks bones for fun."

Finally, the air turned icy, the temperature dropped ten degrees.

A woman walked in. She wore a tight, crimson latex dress that left little to the imagination. Her jet black hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and her lips were painted blood red. She held a riding crop.

"Master Sivesco," Brielle’s voice shook. "Dark Arts and Discipline."

"She looks... intense," Twila murmured.

"She's a witch," Brielle whispered. "And she’s obsessed with Raiden, like, dangerously obsessed. If she sees you near him, you’re done for."

Twila raised an eyebrow, a teacher obsessed with a student? How wonderfully toxic.

Just then, the doors slammed open.

Raiden Vane walked in.

He wore ripped black jeans, combat boots, and a black t-shirt that hugged his broad chest. His tattoos, ancient runes of power, peeked out from his sleeves. Levi, Cassian, and Delaney surrounded him like bodyguards.

He didn’t bow to the Masters, he barely acknowledged them.

He walked straight to the table in the center, the one reserved for the "Kings."

"Raiden, my dear," Master Sivesco purred, her voice smooth yet gravelly. She leaned forward, her eyes hungry. "You’re late."

Raiden didn’t look up, he pulled out a chair, sat down, and kicked his boots up onto the table.

"I run on my own time, Sivesco," he said, sounding bored.

The entire hall gasped.

Sivesco didn’t get angry, she smiled, a twisted, lustful grin. "You're lucky you're the heir, dear. Or I'd have to punish you."

Raiden ignored her. His storm-blue eyes scanned the room, landing straight on Twila.

Twila felt the weight of his gaze, it was intense, she quickly looked down at her plate, pretending to be shy.

Don't look at me, she thought, not with that psycho teacher watching.

But Raiden didn’t look away, he smirked.

Sivesco followed his gaze, her eyes narrowed into slits. She spotted Twila—the girl in the pink dress, looking soft and innocent.

The riding crop in Sivesco's hand snapped in half.

"You!" Sivesco pointed a long, red fingernail at Twila.

Twila froze. "M-Me?"

"Yes, you. The little pink marshmallow," Sivesco sneered. "Stand up."

Twila stood slowly, clutching her bag.

"What is your name?" Sivesco demanded.

"Twila, Ma'am."

"You're ruining my breakfast," Sivesco stated smoothly. "Your aura is... irritating, It’s giving me a headache."

"I'm sorry," Twila whispered, keeping her head down.

"Detention," Sivesco ordered. "With me. Tonight, I’ll teach you how to make your presence less... annoying."

Raiden chuckled, a dark, low sound.

"Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Sivesco," Raiden called out, without even looking at her.

Sivesco’s face turned purple. "I am a Master! You will show respect!"

"Earn it," Raiden shot back.

Grandmaster Orion tapped his staff on the floor.

"Enough," the old man said gently. "Eat, class starts in twenty minutes."

Sivesco sat back down, seething, her eyes burning a hole into Twila.

Twila sat down, her heart racing, but she wasn’t scared.

Under the table, she smiled.

Good, the villainess knows my name, now I can take her down too.

THE ARENA 9:30 AM

The Combat Arena was an open garden made of white stone, the ground was covered in sand.

Master Luan stood in the center, holding a wooden staff. Master Sivesco watched from the balcony above.

"Alright, fresh meat!" Luan shouted, flashing his charming grin. "Welcome to Supernatural Combat, in the real world, your magic might fail, you need to know how to throw a punch when that happens."

The students murmured.

"No magic today!" Luan declared. "Hand-to-hand only, I want to see some

aggression!"

He scanned the crowd.

"Raiden Vane, front and center."

Raiden stepped forward, looking bored, he cracked his neck.

"Who wants to spar with the Prince?" Luan asked the class.

Silence, nobody wanted to face Raiden, he was six-foot-three of solid muscle.

"No volunteers?" Luan laughed. "Fine, I’ll pick."

His eyes landed on Levi. "Levi?"

"Pass," Levi said, leaning against the wall. "I value my teeth."

Luan rolled his eyes, he looked around.

"How about... the new girl? The one Sivesco seems to dislike so much."

Luan pointed at Twila.

Twila’s eyes widened. "M-Me? Sir, I... I've never fought before."

"Perfect time to learn," Luan winked. "Get in the ring."

Twila hesitated, she looked up at the balcony. Sivesco was grinning, clearly hoping Raiden would wipe the floor with her.

Twila stepped into the sandy ring, she felt small compared to Raiden.

He looked down at her, no longer smiling.

"Don't cry when you bleed, cupcake," Raiden whispered, low enough for only her to hear.

"Please go easy on me," Twila whimpered, holding her hands up awkwardly.

"Fight!" Luan yelled.

Raiden moved fast, too fast.

He threw a punch aimed right at her jaw, he pulled back the power, expecting her to freeze.

But Twila didn’t freeze.

Instinct kicked in. Her "innocent" act slipped for just a second.

She ducked.

Not just ducked, she pivoted on her heel, sliding under his arm, as she passed him, she didn't punch him, that would be too obvious.

Instead, she stepped hard on his combat boot and drove her elbow back into his ribs.

It wasn’t a knockout blow Raiden was too strong for that but it knocked the wind out of him.

He stumbled back, surprised.

The class gasped.

"Did she just..." Brielle's jaw dropped.

Twila quickly backed away, looking horrified.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry! I tripped!" Twila cried out, covering her mouth. "Are you okay?"

Raiden stood up straight, he rubbed his ribs. He looked at her, really looked at her.

He noticed the precision in her movement. That wasn’t just a trip, that was a calculated strike.

A slow, wicked grin spread across his face.

"You tripped?" Raiden asked, stepping closer.

"Yes! I'm so clumsy!" Twila said, backing up until her back hit the arena wall.

Raiden caged her in, placing his hands on the wall on either side of her head. He leaned down, his face inches from hers.

"You're a liar, Twila," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear.

"And you have a vicious right elbow."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she breathed, her heart hammering against her ribs not from fear, but from the thrill.

"Do it again," Raiden challenged. "Hit me again, stop pretending."

"I can't..."

"Do it," he growled. "Or I'll kiss you right here in front of everyone."

Twila’s breath hitched.

"Raiden!" Sivesco shrieked from the balcony. "Step away from her!"

Raiden didn't move, he stared into Twila's eyes, searching for something he couldn't name.

"Class dismissed!" Sivesco yelled, her voice vibrating with rage. "Vane! My office! Now!"

Raiden pulled back slowly, he ran his thumb over Twila's lower lip, a gesture so intimate and possessive it made the entire class go silent.

"This isn't over, Cupcake," he said.

He turned and walked away, winking at Luan as he passed.

Twila slid down the wall, her legs shaking.

She touched her lip where he had touched her.

She wants to destroy him. She wants to ruin his family.

Why did I want him to kiss me?

Across the arena, Master Luan was watching her with a thoughtful expression, he wrote something down in his notebook.

Name: Twila.

Ability: Unknown.

Danger Level: High.