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# [After four days of healing, leaving the hospital behind.]

The piercing call of a rooster cut through Kai's slumber. His eyes fluttered open, taking in the soft golden light filtering through the worn curtains. For the first time in days, his muscles weren't coiled tight, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. He stretched, relishing the absence of the knot that had been a constant presence in his stomach.

Kai's bare feet touched the cool wooden floor as he padded to the window. Outside, dew glistened on blades of grass, and wisps of fog clung to the distant hills. His reflection caught his eye – the dark circles under his eyes had faded, and the furrow between his brows had smoothed.

He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, flashes of recent skirmishes flickering through his mind.

Kai's gaze settled on the horizon, where the rising sun painted the sky in hues of pink and orange. His hand unconsciously curled into a fist, not in anger, but in resolve.

Julian and his father had been pulling strings for too long, and Kai wasn't about to let them win without a fight.

"This ends now," he muttered to himself, gripping his sheets. "I'll gather every piece of evidence I can find against them. Julian’s arrogance, his father’s connections—everything."

He had been stuck in the hospital, helpless and bedridden, while the world moved on.

But now, Kai had a plan. He needed to gather information, to expose the dirty dealings of the Caldwells. There had to be records, witnesses—someone who had seen Julian's cruelty firsthand. Perhaps, if he played his cards right, he could find allies among the students, people who were just as sick of being pawns in Julian’s twisted games as he was.

And then, there was Nero. Kai's thoughts drifted to him, wondering how he was faring. He had been released from the hospital earlier, but there had been no word since. Kai felt an odd sense of responsibility towards the younger boy. "I need to check up on him. See if he's all right and if he’s willing to help."

With resolve hardening his heart, Kai prepared for the day, ready to take the first steps towards bringing down the corrupt empire that threatened his school and community.

But as he approached the school gates, that confidence wavered. The usual chatter of students fell into hushed murmurs as they caught sight of him. Kai’s sharp eyes scanned their faces, catching pity, curiosity, and even fear. His chest tightened, a sense of foreboding settling over him like a dark cloud.

Still, he pressed on, trying to shake off the unease. This wasn’t the time to be paranoid; he had been through worse. He took a deep breath and made his way toward the front office, determined to carry on as usual.

Yet, when he stepped inside, the air thickened with tension. School officials exchanged nervous glances, and for a moment, it felt as though the walls themselves were closing in. Principal Carter’s voice broke the silence, his tone uncharacteristically stern.

"Kai, can I see you for a moment?"

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A knot formed in Kai’s stomach, but he forced himself to remain calm. “Sure,” he replied, feigning nonchalance. He’d faced down gangsters and fought for his life; a meeting with the principal shouldn’t be this unnerving.

As he entered the office, however, he felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him. Principal Carter’s face was set in a grim mask, and the stack of papers in front of him seemed to hold a decision that would change everything.

“Kai,” Principal Carter began, gesturing to a chair, “please have a seat.”

Kai sat down, his face a mask of confusion and concern. "What's this about, Principal Carter?"

Principal Carter cleared his throat, glancing at a stack of papers on his desk. "Due to recent events and the influence of certain individuals, the school board has decided to suspend you temporarily."

Kai's eyes widened in shock. "Suspended? Why? I've done nothing wrong!"

The principal's face remained impassive. "It's been decided that for the safety of all students and to avoid further disturbances, you are to be suspended pending further review."

Kai's fists clenched in anger. "Are you kidding me? This is about Julian's father, isn't it? He's using his political influence to cover up for his son!"

The principal shifted uncomfortably but remained firm. "I'm afraid we must adhere to the board's decision. It's beyond my control."

Kai stood up abruptly, his frustration boiling over. "This is ridiculous! You're all just cowards, bending to a powerful family's will! How can you let someone like Julian get away with this? What about justice?"

The teachers and staff in the office shifted uneasily, some avoiding eye contact. Kai could see the fear in their eyes—the fear of losing their positions or facing repercussions from the influential politicians.

"You're all pathetic," Kai spat out, his voice dripping with disdain. "I won't stand here and be a pawn in this corrupt game. If you can't stand up for what's right, then I'll find somewhere else where I can."

The principal's face was flushed with embarrassment, but he made no move to stop Kai. "I'm sorry, Kai. I suggest you use this time to consider your actions and make a better choice for the future."

Kai turned on his heel and stormed out of the office. The hallway felt colder now, the stares of students and staff heavy with a mix of sympathy and silent approval. He knew that this was more than just a suspension—it was a signal that he was being pushed out because of forces beyond his control.

Kai stepped out of the school grounds, heart pounding with rage. "This isn’t over," he thought bitterly. "If they think a suspension is enough to silence me, they’ve got another thing coming."

He began formulating his next move. "I’ll take this to the media, expose the corruption for what it is. And a lawyer... I need someone who’s not afraid to go up against people like Thomas Caldwell. Maybe my parents can help too. They've always been the ones to stand up against injustice back in our village."

But before all that, Kai knew he had to speak with Nero. He needed to know if the boy was okay and if he’d be willing to stand with him against Julian’s tyranny. There was something about Nero, something that told Kai he wasn't just another scared student.

As Kai walked toward where he thought Nero might be, his phone buzzed in his pocket, jolting him from his thoughts. The screen displayed an unknown number. Frowning, he hesitated, then answered.

"Hello?"

A sobbing voice crackled through the line, and Kai’s heart dropped. “Big brother… they’re here… they… they won’t stop…” It was his younger brother, and he was wailing, panic dripping from every word.

Kai froze, his blood turning to ice. "What’s happening? Where are you?!"

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