To Jett's surprise, the sun came out, contrary to the morning's cold weather.

'A good omen.'

He would need luck, fate, the gods, and whatever existing extrinsic force to be on his side.

With his satchel containing the barest of required school supplies and some underwear, Jett walked through the streets of the Upper City to his destination.

His longer, flowing brown hair was expertly cut by Joanne into a side buzzed middle part. His clothes were also nice and tailored to his lean form; a black cadet uniform lined with crimson red on the trim which he wore.

That was about the extent of Jett's disguise. Maros didn't seem to care. It was Jett's first time making a public appearance, so a disguise wouldn't be all that helpful.

However, he still had to blend in with noble children.

Jett was now under the identity of 'Jordi Reichel', a fake-distant cousin of Mattias—much to the Lieutenant's displeasure.

The identity of Jordi Reichel, for his 16th birthday, was sent off into the Southern Ridge to hunt and learn from Strata's far-off territories.

Jett felt compelled to figure out some backstory. After all, he was entering as a 2nd year. He needed an explanation for being a newcomer, as his matured face could no longer pass sufficiently for a 15 or 16-year-old first-year student.

Staring at the ridiculously high-class mansions and shops with glee reminded him of his first experiences in the Middle City.

He remembered how the Spire had loomed in the distance. Now, he was even closer.

And the Spire begged for him to reach its peak. It was a small, kindling of flame inside him.

The Spire was more massive than he could ever have imagined, and it was nearly in arm's reach as it curved in his direction; its droop followed the avenue. Actually, it was the other way around.

For the time being, Jett was walking along the wide, Central Avenue. This singular road went straight through both the Middle and Lower Cities in a line, only divided by the massive, walled checkpoints.

Despite the Upper City having a smaller population than the others, the bustle of the wide road was still strong.

Noblemen and women wearing excessively elaborate clothing dipped in and out of high-class restaurants and stores.

Lavish wagons on the pristine street were pulled not only by Bison but also by other ridiculous, mutated, domesticated beasts, all in an attempt to one-up each other with displays of wealth.

Jett thought of the muddy Shacktown avenue, overlapping with the Upper City's own avenue made of immaculate cobblestone.

The comparison disgusted him.

He pulled off to the side roads, wanting to avoid the foot traffic, though he appreciated the sights since he had been relegated to the manor and the Storm Warden headquarters.

The path he came unto was a park. On the other side of the park was where the Upper City Academy would be.

As he began to walk onto the clean dirt paths of the tree-filled park, he saw some Academy uniforms.

A girl with short brown hair was walking in front of him, talking with her friend, who was a taller girl with long, sleek black hair.

As Jett followed from far behind, his information-crammed mind regurgitated the brown-haired girl's profile.

'Sarah Porier, daughter of a Vaulter-affiliated Viscount family. Number 4 on the list. Popular, and extremely in tune with gossip and information.'

She had abandoned the Academy's pants for a black skirt and tights. Jett didn't think this was allowed, but he was no stickler for the rules.

Someone with tons of connections and information was a prime candidate for being a spy.

But further than that, they were a valuable resource to be next to. It was entirely possible that Sarah wasn't the spy.

Rather, it was her friend, the black-haired girl, Irina Yurov.

Why look for a spy with connections when you can befriend those that do?

She had a situation similar to the Brunet's: a struggling Barony. Above average in strength and grades. On top of this, her profile was surprisingly barren.

The four names on his list covered most of Jett's schools of thought regarding his enemy's espionage.

The fourth was the perfect source of information.

The third was an average 'hiding in plain sight' pathway.

The second was easy pickings in terms of manipulation.

And first, well, Jett would see the first very soon.

Jett ensured he was at a safe distance from his targets.

He still hadn't thought of methods to eliminate people from his list.

The realization of being unprepared was extremely uncomfortable.

***

A short walk later, Jett arrived at the opened gates of the Upper City Academy.

Jett was floored. Utterly decimated.

It was all so ridiculous.

'These bastards have too much money…'

Fountains, massive buildings, all pristine, white, gold, fancy architecture, the whole package.

Jett thought the Upper City Central Avenue was the ultimate display of wealth, and he was entirely wrong.

He didn't want to think about this any longer. Coming from the purest form of poverty, such a vile waste of wealth made him beyond livid.

He walked through the gates, following a herd of other students.

Eventually, he entered a massive atrium. It had more seats than it could possibly ever need, and a grand stage too big for any play.

As Jett sat through the introductions, congratulations, and other unnecessary ceremonial information, his attention was eventually caught on one individual.

It was his number one, the third-year representative.

His platinum hair glistened under the stage lights as he approached the podium.

Every student looked up at him with total infatuation.

"Good morning everyone, and thank you for another amazing year at our prestigious institution. I am Raphael Mathurin, your third-year class representative," the students erupted with applause,

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"Throughout all of our struggles and opportunities to gro…"

Jett tuned it out, solely observing the movements and mannerisms of the high Acolyte stage boy.

Jett was the sole person in the school who got the creeps from Raphael.

Power, deep connections, an irresistible charm, Raphael had it all.

But humans always wanted more.

Jett surmised that his charm would extend to the Divine Crusader's prying gaze, making him the most valuable spy they could ask for.

And if that was the case…

Jett would ensure he lost everything.

***

After a long and arduous ceremony, Jett transitioned to a shortened, but equally arduous school day.

The biggest revelation was the fact that targets two and three were in his homeroom. They were all second years, whereas Raphael was the only third year.

But it was all ideal for Jett. He still had no idea how he was supposed to approach Raphael. It would end up being the most difficult out of the four.

'Might as well start at the bottom and work my way up.'

Though currently, Jett was doing nothing but zoning out, lost in the thought of his troubled future.

As he sat in a random seat along the middle rows of the ordinary lecture hall, Jett rested his head in his arms.

He had run himself ragged the past week. He was tired.

…

…

"…chel"

"Mister Reichel," a voice called out.

Jett's head popped back up, his eyes red and fuzzy.

"Please stay after class, the rest of you can be dismissed at the bell."

A few minutes later, a large clocktower bell rang throughout the campus.

With today being a Storm day, it began to darken quite early. As such, students were dismissed early to their dormitories.

The class was now vacant, besides Professor… Ruben? Ruben.

Jett walked down the central aisle's stairs to where the old and wrinkly Professor Ruben sat at his desk, eagerly waiting for his arrival.

"Come," the Professor Ruben beckoned.

"Not a strong start to the year, Mister Reichel."

"I apologize, sir, haven't slept much." Jett said insincerely.

"Well, if you were paying attention, you would know that I don't tolerate such deviant behavior," the balding, white haired man said.

"According to the syllabus, which you would know if you were paying attention, the punishment is the grading of full-length papers. Lucky for you, there's nothing to grade. However, there will be soon, and you will grade like your life depends on it."

"I understand sir. There will be no issues from me, I assure you." Jett said.

He was quite adept with his pacifying word choice, however his disearnest tone betrayed him.

"Very well. You may leave."

Jett began to walk away before Ruben spoke once more.

"Arrogance will not be tolerated, Mister Reichel. Especially not from you and your lesser family." Ruben said in a slimy, abrasive manner.

'Nice try, jackass, this isn't even my family.' Jett scoffed internally.

Jett didn't have a family, never did. Though, maybe he did have one now.

Families were meant to be used to further your own gains, right?

After closing the classroom door, and with his satchel in tow, Jett prepared for his walk to the dormitories.

"Hey, you!" a woman's voice called from behind him.

Jett kept walking. He didn't hear anyone.

Feet rapidly pattered against the marble floors of the building's desolate halls as they approached Jett.

"Oh, the silent type. Decent looks, pretty eyes, good frame, I think you'll do well with the girls." the short brown-haired girl walked beside Jett, alone.

It was Sarah Poirier, number four on his list.

'Must be fate's doing... I'm too tired for this shit.'

"Can I help you? Or are you just here to scout me?" Jett replied, maintaining his pace.

"Venomous. Getting in trouble on the first day, that'll be a bullseye for some of the girls," Sarah sighed, maintaining her mischievous smirk. "Well when you put it that way, I guess I am. It's quite simple: I want to know everything about you."

Jett opened the door, heading towards the paths of the campus. "Does that line typically work?"

"Yes," Sarah replied. "C'mon, you owe me. After all, I know your dirty little secret."

Jett's heart sunk a little lower in his chest. "What might that be?"

"That you stalk girls. I know you know me. You followed us back in the park."

"I was walking to the school like a normal person. You think too highly of yourself."

The pair walked through the tree-lined pathways, lit by bright lanterns on poles, the darkness was quickly enveloping the kingdom.

As they approached the lesser boy's dormitories, Sarah slowly lagged behind.

"You will spill everything to me. From the moment you were born till now, I will know!" she desperately declared.

Jett blew her off, entering the lesser boy's dormitory.

The word 'lesser' was quite literal. A large portion of nobles were of the Baron variety. To limit intermingling, Barons were forced into a shared, and less lavish dormitory. Along with the obvious fact that the upper nobility demanded a lavish lifestyle.

'Should I eliminate her from the list? There's no way a spy would be so obvious and childish.'

Food for later thought. Jett had to get to his dormitory.

He climbed three flights of stairs before reaching his floor, then his door.

Using his key, he opened the door to his shared dorm room.

'Wait, shared?'

When Jett opened the door, he was greeted by a boy with short chestnut hair and glasses. Glass that hid bright, emerald eyes.

Jett entered and sat his satchel down, outstretching his hand.

"I'm your roommate, Jordi Reichel, nice to meet you." Jett introduced himself.

The boy approached him in response.

He shook Jett's hand in response.

"Oh, hi. I'm Niko Brunet, nice to meet you as well."

…

…

…

Fate was an evil mistress.