Morning crept slowly into the academy.
The corridor outside the dorm rooms remained quiet, washed in pale light that slipped through the narrow windows. Most students were still asleep. The previous day had drained them completely.
Inside one of the rooms, Brian lay on the upper bunk, one arm hanging over the edge. His breathing was slow and heavy.
Theo slept on the lower bunk, curled halfway toward the wall.
The room smelled faintly of sweat and dust.
Then came the knock. Soft. Almost polite..Neither of them moved. A few seconds passed.
The knock came again. This time louder. Theo stirred slightly but didn't wake. Then the knocking changed. It became firm, and sharp.
Whoever stood outside the door was no longer patient. Brian's eyes snapped open. He stared at the ceiling for a second, confused.
Then the knocking came again.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Brian groaned and swung his legs over the edge of the bunk. "Who could that be?" he muttered, his voice rough with sleep. He dropped to the floor and rubbed his face. The knocking continued.
Brian walked toward the door, scratching his head as he moved. He grabbed the handle and pulled it open. Then he froze. Standing in the corridor was Maxwell. For a brief moment Brian forgot how to breathe.
The events of yesterday flashed through his mind. The rebellion. The humiliation. The moment when hundreds of students had walked away from Maxwell.
Yet none of that seemed to matter now. Maxwell stood there exactly the same. Tall, and still.
The same cold confidence radiating from him like heat from a fire. His eyes settled on Brian calmly. Brian instinctively straightened. His head dipped slightly. A small bow. Behind him Theo had already climbed out of bed.
The moment he saw who stood at the door, his posture changed. He stood upright immediately. Even Dave, their quiet bunkmate who had been tying his shoes near the corner of the room, stiffened.
Fear flickered across his face. Maxwell stepped inside slowly. The air in the room seemed to shrink. "Get out of the room," Maxwell said. He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to. Dave nodded quickly. "Yes… yes."
He grabbed his jacket and rushed toward the door. His shoulder brushed against Maxwell as he squeezed past him. Dave didn't dare look back. He practically ran into the corridor. The door slammed shut behind him. The sound echoed through the small room.
Silence followed. Maxwell turned slowly. His gaze moved from Brian to Theo. Then back again. "I need to know something," he said.
Neither of them spoke. Maxwell stepped forward. "Are you still with me?" The question hung in the air like a blade. Brian tilted his head slightly. "Of course I am still with you," he said.
His answer came quickly. Too quickly perhaps. Maxwell's eyes shifted to Theo. Theo hesitated for half a heartbeat. Then he nodded. "I am still with you."
Maxwell watched them carefully. He didn't just listen to their words. He studied their eyes. Their tone. Their posture. And he saw it. The crack. Their loyalty had been shaken.
Yesterday had done damage.
Maxwell understood something very clearly in that moment. If he wanted them back completely, he needed to give them something.
Something solid. Something powerful enough to rebuild their faith. Slowly, he lifted his wrist. The blue glow of the system screen flickered to life.
Brian and Theo both leaned forward instinctively. Numbers appeared on the screen. Maxwell held it up where they could see clearly. "I have fourteen," he said calmly. The number glowed on the screen.
CPD POINTS: 14
Theo's eyes widened slightly. Brian stared at the screen longer. Maxwell lowered his wrist again. "I only need one more." He paused. The silence stretched deliberately. Then he continued. "Soon I will be leaving this place."
Brian's gaze sharpened. He folded his arms slowly. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked.
Maxwell smiled faintly. It wasn't a warm smile. It was the kind of smile a man gives when he already knows the outcome of a conversation. "Because," Maxwell said softly, "I have chosen you to be my successor."
For a moment Brian simply stared at him. The words echoed inside his mind. Successor.
Then something changed in his expression. His smile slowly spread. His imagination took over immediately. He pictured it. Walking through the academy halls with dozens of students behind him.
Boys and girls flanking him on both sides.
Students bowing their heads as he passed.
Food being brought to him.
Hands massaging his shoulders while he ate.
Girls competing for his attention.
Power.
Authority.
Control.
Brian's smile widened even more.
But the fantasy lasted only a few seconds.
Another thought entered his mind.
His eyes narrowed.
He looked at Maxwell carefully.
"There must be a catch," he said slowly.
Maxwell didn't respond.
Brian stepped closer.
"That kind of offer doesn't come without a price."
The smile on Brian's face faded completely now.
"What do you want in return?"
Maxwell nodded slowly.
"Of course there is a catch."
He folded his arms behind his back.
Then he said nothing.
The silence stretched.
It filled the room.
Brian felt the tension pressing against his chest.
Theo shifted slightly beside him.
Even the air felt heavy.
Brian's muscles twitched.
Finally Maxwell spoke again.
"I want that bitch called Stella dead."
The words dropped into the room like a stone into still water.
Neither Brian nor Theo spoke immediately.
Brian exhaled slowly.
"The girl won't be an easy target," he said.
His mind was already running through the possibilities.
"She moves with friends now."
Maxwell nodded.
"Yeah."
His expression didn't change.
"But lure her to the dark corridor at night."
His eyes sharpened.
"Leave the rest to me."
Brian rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
He began analyzing the idea piece by piece.
Stella trusted people.
Especially those who had fought beside her.
A message.
A warning.
Something urgent.
Yes.
That might work.
Brian's lips curled slowly.
"I think I know how to achieve that."
Maxwell smiled.
That cold smile returned.
"Good," he said.
"That is all I need from you."
He stepped forward and extended his hand.
Brian looked down at it.
For a moment he hesitated.
Then he grabbed it.
Their hands locked firmly.
"Do not forget," Maxwell said quietly.
"Bring her to me tonight."
His grip tightened slightly.
"And you will become my successor."
Brian's smile returned.
This time it was sharper.
Colder.
"Consider it done."