Lecture Hall — 172nd Lecture
Ishaan sat in his chair like a man who had aged fifty years. His notebook was upside down, pen dangling loosely in his fingers.
“I swear,” he muttered under his breath, “this man’s death is going to be on my conscience. I can feel it coming.”
Avni, seated two rows behind, didn’t even look up from her notes. “If you’re going to do it, make it quick. I’ll help hide the body.”
Raiden smirked. “Count me in.”
Ishaan grinned at them without humor. “Thanks, guys. Always good to have friends in low places.”
The professor continued without noticing the assassination plot brewing in the back rows.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6zRZ3gNNd
“Now, as we move into the current era of the Valgrave lineage—”
Ishaan perked up slightly. “Oh, here we go. Gossip time.”
“The current head of the Valgrave family is Howard Valgrave,” the professor announced, adjusting his glasses. “Not to be confused with the Chancellor of this university.”
He clicked to the next slide — an old family portrait.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2WgT33qwp
“Howard Valgrave has two children. The late Amelia Valgrave… and Adrian Valgrave, the next prospective heir.”
A student in the front row raised a hand. “Sir, why do we even need to study them?”
The professor turned slowly, eyes narrowing. “Because everything you do — every mission you go on, every league you join, every bit of equipment you use — is sponsored by them. Even the table you’re sitting at is Valgrave money.”
Lev’s brow furrowed. Wait… does that mean they also sponsor COMA?
He wasn’t the only one thinking it. Avni, Sayaka, and Raiden all had the same unspoken thought.
Lunch Hall
The Ravenfall crew was halfway in History hall near diner, through their meal when Veer froze mid-bite, fork dangling.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXdrs16krJ
“Wait… isn’t that Howard and Adrian?”
Ishaan glanced over. “Yeah. Gianluca and Luce are nothing alike… but those two?” He waved his fork between Adrian and Luce. “Same hair. Same eyes.”
Sayaka tilted her head. “Hazel eyes… like Amelia.”
Erik smirked. “So what, you’re saying Luce is some kind of royalty?”
Raiden chuckled. “Nah. He’s already loyalty.”
Dev, " I am looking like William Shakespeare then am i from his family or what".
Veer said, " You look like feral Donkey, you must be belong to its family".
Ishaan leaned forward. “Luce… who’s sponsoring COMA missions? I mean, we’ve got private jets with bedrooms, for crying out loud.”
Luce shrugged. “How would I know that?”
Saira, quietly: “Because you’re the COMA heir.”
Luce nodded casually. “Yes. I’m heir. Not head. So I don’t know… and I don’t ask.”
Lunch ended, but Ishaan and Veer’s earlier question still floated in Avni’s mind. Too similar to be coincidence. She said nothing.
Sayaka nudged her shoulder. “Hey. Come on. We’ll be late for class.”
Four Months Later — Division of Force Completion
Out of 200 Division students, only 123 completed all divisions. Ravenfall was among them.
The Crucible Graduation loomed, to be held aboard the ferry in Switzerland. There they’d learn which leagues they’d join.
They were happy — but no one wanted to split. And yet, this was where the real war, the real mafia, began.
Before the ferry ceremony, the Congratulations Ceremony was held for those who passed all divisions.
Ceremony Hall
The Chief Guest’s name echoed through the speakers:222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZYZiWF9cs
“Adrian Valgrave.”
Gasps rippled through the room as the man himself walked in — tall, golden-haired, hazel-eyed.
Adrian’s Speech:
“When you entered the Division of Shadows, you learned to vanish — to read the enemy without letting them read you.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuQuQvslnr
In the Division of Force, you learned strength — not just in the arm, but in the mind, in standing your ground when every instinct tells you to run.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2wGh4kfb8
And in the Division of Order, you learned control — the discipline to follow rules, and the wisdom to know when to bend them.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRglxibcnVN
These divisions aren’t steps in a ladder — they’re strands in the same rope. Alone, each skill frays. Together… they make something unbreakable. Remember this as you step into the leagues. The shadows will test you. Force will drain you. And order will bind you. But you are no longer students. You are operatives. Congratulations, Vaults.”
As Adrian stepped down, Ishaan elbowed Veer. “Bro… he looks exactly like Luce.”
Veer nodded. “Golden hair. Hazel eyes. Am I dreaming, or is he your uncle, Luce?”
Dev grinned. “Maybe he is.”
Ravenfall laughed, but Avni’s doubts deepened.
Dorms — Night
The girls — Saira, Avni, and Sayaka — were in their room, laying out outfits for the ferry ceremony.
Across the hall, the boys were doing the same… though “preparing” in their case meant Veer ironing a shirt with his hands while Ishaan tried to figure out which tie made him look more “mysteriously dangerous.”
The ferry — and the revelations — waited.
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and then Add to home screen.