Chapter 102 Shots fired at the gala

Words : 1277 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Sophie weaved through the throng of elegantly dressed students, dodging twirling dancers and dodging trays of expensive champagne. The gala hall was still alive with laughter and music, but something felt... off. She finally spotted Mrs. Harper near the exit, speaking with another faculty member. Approaching, Sophie offered a polite smile. "Mrs. Harper, have you seen Noah?" Mrs. Harper, ever composed, gave her a warm but unreadable smile. "Noah decided to take the night off, dear. He asked me to let you know." Sophie blinked. "He left? Just like that?" Mrs. Harper only nodded, not offering anything more. That was odd. Noah had been dancing with her just moments ago, and while he wasn't exactly the life of the party, he wasn't the type to just vanish without saying anything. She considered pressing further, but Mrs. Harper's gentle but firm demeanor made it clear that whatever had happened wasn't up for discussion. 'Weird... but okay,' Sophie thought, sighing. Just as she turned back toward the dance floor, her phone buzzed in her hand. But it wasn't just her phone. All around the hall, a chorus of buzzing filled the air. Students glanced at their devices, murmuring amongst themselves. Some gasped. Others smirked. A few immediately locked their eyes on one person in the room. Sophie frowned and checked her phone. The school's student forum was blowing up. A live video feed had started, and by the way everyone else was glued to their screens, it was something big. She tapped on the feed. A young man appeared on the screen, standing confidently in what was unmistakably the commercial district of the academy's east wing. He had sharp features, a cocksure grin, and an undeniable aura of arrogance. Jayden Smoak. Sophie had never met him personally, but everyone in the academy knew his name. He was the number one student of one of the twelve top academies in the Eastern Quadrant. And now, he was standing right on their turf. A low murmur swept through the hall. Sophie looked up and across the room, spotting Lucas Grey. Their academy's number one. The undisputed top dog. And the person Jayden had just called out. The Earth of today was not the Earth of the past. Decades ago, the Harbinger Incursion reshaped everything. The world had been fractured, not just physically, but politically and militarily. The old nations crumbled, and in their place, new structures arose—quadrants, sectors, and academies designed to train humanity's last hope. Each quadrant represented a cardinal direction—North, South, East, and West. Each quadrant had twelve major academies, each responsible for producing the next generation of warriors, commanders, and soldiers who would stand against the threats that lurked beyond human civilization. Noah's academy was part of the Eastern Quadrant. Zone 12, the last line of defense before the wild zones—territories that no longer belonged to humanity. And among these twelve academies, rivalries ran deep. The Inter-Academy War was the most anticipated event of the year. A grand tournament where the strongest students clashed, proving their worth. It was a matter of not just recognition but pride. For years, Lucas Grey and Jayden Smoak had been at each other's throats. Always meeting, always fighting, but never settling the score. This year was different. This year was their last. And Jayden had just brought the war to their doorstep. Lucas stood frozen, his phone in hand, staring at the screen as the challenge unfolded. Jayden leaned into the camera, his grin widening. "Lucas Grey. It's that time of the year again." Jayden stretched his arms out, showing off his surroundings. The camera panned back, revealing several young men dressed in black blazers with their academy's insignia proudly displayed. They weren't just here for show. "Three years, Lucas. Three years we've been at each other's throats. You and I both know what's coming next—the Inter-Academy War. But this is our last dance, man. One final round before they send us off to the frontlines. Before we get our deployment orders." Jayden chuckled, shaking his head. Lucas was already halfway to the exit, his pace quick and deliberate. Amanda was struggling to keep up with him, calling his name, but he didn't stop. More students followed, swarming toward the doors in a chaotic flood. Sophie barely had time to react before the movement carried her forward. She wasn't the only one caught in it—Noah's entire year group, the first years, were just as stunned, just as lost as to what was happening. They were the only ones who hadn't grown up watching the Lucas vs. Jayden feud unfold. But they were about to get the full experience. Sophie tried to process it all. Jayden Smoak had somehow gained access to their private student forum. Not even teachers were allowed in that space—it was strictly for students. So how? The question burned at the back of her mind as she pushed forward with the crowd. There was only one way to find out. East Wing. That was where the answers would be. And more importantly? That was where a fight was about to break out. One round even before the sanctioned event. Lucas vs. Jayden. This time, there would be no referees. No rules. No holding back. And that in itself summed up the Military Academy mentality. When the first wave of students rushed out of the gala hall, no teacher lifted a finger to stop them. No stern warnings, no disciplinary threats, not even a disapproving glance. The faculty members remained exactly where they were—either deep in conversation with military officials, networking with high-profile dignitaries, or simply enjoying their evening drinks. Because this wasn't a nursery daycare. It was a military academy. And here, students weren't coddled. This institution didn't produce scholars; it forged warriors—young men and women who would soon march onto the battlefield to fight the Harbinger threat. Their training wasn't just about combat techniques and tactical maneuvers. It was about mental conditioning—learning to handle their own problems, take responsibility for their actions, and most importantly, survive. That was the unspoken rule of the academy. Whatever you do, just don't die. The staff operated under that same philosophy. The moment a student set foot inside these walls, they were a soldier-in-training. No one would swoop in to save them from a personal grudge or an unsanctioned fight. Disputes were to be settled on their own terms, and if someone got hurt in the process, then so be it. That was why, even as dozens of students swarmed toward the east wing, the teachers didn't stop them. They understood exactly what was happening. Jayden Smoak, a rival from another academy, had crossed into their territory and openly called out Lucas Grey, the academy's top-ranked student. That alone was a direct challenge—one that every student present knew couldn't go unanswered. It needed a response, a swift and decisive one. Some of the first-years, those who had just begun their journey here, were visibly hesitant. They glanced around, expecting someone—anyone—to intervene. But when they saw the upperclassmen move without a second thought, their hesitation faded. This was the academy's way of life. The faculty's silence was not a sign of ignorance. It was a test. Would Lucas rise to the occasion? Would he defend their academy's honor? And more importantly... Would he win? Because here, winning wasn't just about pride. It was about dominance. And in a war-ravaged world where only the strongest survived, dominance was everything.

Chapter 102 Shots fired at the gala

Comments (0)