A Game of Love and Revenge

Without acknowledging his accusation, I walked over to an empty seat beside a brown-haired boy and sat down, my focus firmly on the dias where several professors were standing. Samuel, of course, was not so easily dismissed.

"Oh my god," he muttered, his voice rising in disbelief. "You did."

He dropped into the seat besides me, facing me with a glare so intense it felt like he was trying to set me ablaze with the sheer force of his anger.

"Welcome to Astralyth Academy," a voice boomed, cutting sharply through the din of the dining hall and whatever retort Sam had been preparing to unleash. The commanding tone carried effortlessly over the room, drawing every student's attention like a spell.

The hall fell silent almost instantly, the previous hum of conversation dissipating as if it had never existed. All eyes turned toward the source of the voice—the headmaster of Astralyth academy a tall figure standing at the front of the room, dressed in regal robes that shimmered faintly under the light. His presence was magnetic, and he carried themselves with an authority that left no room for doubt.

"We will continue this," Sam whispered under his breath, leaning slightly toward me.

I didn't respond, my focus fully on the speaker as they continued.

"As the gates of Astralyth have opened to you, so too have the doors to limitless potential," the voice declared, each word ringing with a gravity that sent a ripple through the crowd. "Here, you will be tested. Not just in skill, but in resilience, discipline, and spirit. Know this—your journey will not be easy, but it will be worth it."

He paused, letting the weight of their words settle over the room. I could feel the shift in the air, the mingling of excitement, anxiety, and determination radiating from the students around me.

I leaned back slightly, my expression unreadable. This wasn't just a school for me—it was a battlefield, a means to an end. Whatever challenges they had planned, I would endure them all.

"There are five levels at Astralyth Academy," he continued, commanding the attention of every student in the hall. "Level 5 is the lowest in rank, while Level 1 is reserved for the best—only the elite stand at its peak."

I had been placed in Level 4, while Sam, to no one's surprise, was in Level 2. The rankings were clear from the moment we entered, each of us assigned based on a combination of magical aptitude, skills, and potential.

"Though every student begins with an assigned rank, levels are not set in stone," the speaker explained. "Each of you has the chance to rise through the ranks. Trials will be held periodically, offering those who prove themselves the opportunity to level up. But understand this—advancing is no small feat. It requires not just ability, but persistence, strategy, and courage."

A murmur swept through the crowd as students exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of hope and apprehension.

"The trials for Level 5 will begin this week," he added, his gaze sharp as it moved across the room. "It is your first opportunity to prove your worth. But remember, as the levels rise, so too do the challenges. Only a select few ascend to Level 1 each year. The path to greatness is narrow, and only the truly exceptional will succeed."

Advancing wasn't just about prestige or recognition—it was a means to an end for me, a step closer to the goal I had been working toward since the day I could remember.

"I am honored to say that we already have three Level 1 students among us this year," the speaker announced, their voice carrying a hint of pride as they gestured toward the front row.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I glanced towards where he pointed. There in the first row sat three students.

One of them was a girl with bone-straight brown hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Her posture was impeccable, her expression calm and composed, from the back i could only see so much. I wonder who she is?

And then, beside her, sat him.

The prince.

My chest tightened involuntarily, and I forced myself to keep my expression neutral as my gaze lingered on his familiar figure even from the back i knew who he was. I was painfully aware of everything about him. His striking features were unmistakable—high cheekbones, piercing eyes, and an air of effortless confidence that seemed to draw people in without him even trying.

Seeing him brought everything back into sharp focus. My goal. My purpose.

The years of planning, the sacrifices, the countless nights spent strategizing—all of it led to this moment. The reminder was both a curse and a blessing, a tether pulling me back to reality when distractions threatened to creep in.

He looked every bit the part of royalty, sitting there like he owned the room, his presence commanding without being overt.

I clenched my jaw, swallowing the bitterness that rose in my throat. Of course, he's Level 1, I thought, the words dripping with resentment. It wasn't surprising, but it still stung. He'd been handed everything on a silver platter—power, privilege, respect.

And yet, here I was, watching him from afar, my resolve only hardening with every passing second.

Enjoy your throne while you can, Your Highness, I thought coldly. Because soon, you'll be falling from it.

A moment beside the prince caught my attention,

Leaning forward slightly, I squinted for a better view. As if drawn by some invisible thread, one of them turned, his dark, piercing gaze sweeping the crowd until it locked onto where I sat.

My heart stalled. No. It couldn't be.

Panic seized me, and I ducked quickly, my breath catching in my throat. My heart hammered as I closed my eyes berating myself for being so obvious. Did he see me? I wasn't sure.

But it didn't matter. I already knew who he was. It was him.

The vampire from the roof. Of all the places he could have been, of all the levels he could have occupied—he had to be in Level 1.

This was bad. Very bad.

The odds were already stacked against me, and now they seemed to be crumbling even further. If he was Level 1, that meant he wasn't just powerful—he was dangerously powerful. Worse still, it meant our paths were bound to cross again.

And when they did, I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep control of the situation.

"What are you doing?" Sam whispered, leaning closer to me, his brows furrowed as he took in my awkward posture.

"Nothing," I replied quickly, forcing myself to sit properly in my seat acting as if nothing happened.