The halls of Rave U pulsed with an electric buzz, tension wrapping around the students like a thick fog. The Pact Games were creeping closer, and the chatter was a mix of bravado, nervous laughter, and low-key whispers. Everyone had their eyes on the Umbrus Pact—the dark horses of the competition. Morwen, the enigmatic queen of shadows with her dark hair and red eyes, glided through the crowd like she owned the place. Her followers trailed behind her, looking like a squad of phantoms ready to wreak havoc.

In the cafeteria, the air was thick with chatter. Tables were buzzing like a beehive, but in the corner, Ennuy sat with his crew—Charm, Ragdoll, Payback, and Frostie. A fresh bruise still marred his eye, a souvenir from his recent clash with Adrian. Selene was right next to him, her hand brushing against his, offering silent support while keeping a wary eye on Adrian’s crew across the room.

Charm leaned back, shooting Ennuy a playful smirk. "Man, you really gonna let Adrian play you like that? You lookin' weak as hell right now."

Payback slammed his fist on the table, rattling the dishes. "Nah, we ain’t lettin’ that punk get away with it! Next time, he’s going down, no doubt."

Frostie lounged back, a sly grin on her face. "Chill, Payback. You’ll blow a gasket before we even hit the games, and we need you fresh for the show."

Selene leaned in closer to Ennuy, her voice a sweet melody. "You’re stronger than this, you know. They’ll see it when the games start."

Ennuy’s jaw clenched, fire lighting up his eyes. "Adrian thinks he’s got this on lock, but I’m about to show him he ain’t as untouchable as he thinks."

Across the room, Xyra sat surrounded by her entourage—Voira, Rhea, Bree, and Aislin. Her gaze was fixed on Ennuy, a sneer twisting her lips.

"Look at that clown," Xyra scoffed, rolling her eyes. "He’s bruised up like a stray dog."

Voira snickered, "Selene’s too soft for a dude like him. She should really know better."

Rhea crossed her arms, her tone dripping with disdain. "Her brother’s gonna wreck Ennuy at the games, no question."

Aislin leaned forward, her eyes glinting with mischief. "What if we play this to our advantage, Xyra? You control Selene, you control Ennuy. And that means we can mess with Adrian too."

Xyra’s smirk grew wider, plotting revenge. "Adrian’s been a pain in my side for way too long. It’s time to show him who’s really got the power."

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Meanwhile, Adrian was pacing at the front of the classroom, his body tense and coiled like a spring. Nason and More were sizing him up, feeling the weight of his frustration.

More leaned toward Nason, speaking low. "You think Adrian’s still heated about Ennuy?"

Nason snickered softly. "He’s been on fire since that fight. But it’s not just about Ennuy. It’s about Selene. He hates that she’s chillin’ with that loser."

Adrian cut through their whispers, his voice sharp as a knife. "I ain’t worried about that fight. What I care about is what’s coming next." His eyes zeroed in on Nason, voice low and serious. "You hear the chatter about Charm?"

Nason shrugged, a sly grin creeping up. "You’ve been eyeing her forever. Just ask her out, bro. Show Ennuy he ain’t got nothing on you."

Adrian’s jaw tightened, his focus unwavering. "It’s not about asking. It’s about making moves."

Without another word, he stormed toward the cafeteria, leaving Nason and More in his wake. He headed straight for Charm’s table, locking eyes with her.

Charm looked up, startled by his intensity, her cheeks flushing under his gaze. "Adrian?"

He didn’t waste time. "Charm, we need to talk. Outside."

Payback shot up, chair scraping loudly against the floor. "Yo, you think you can just—"

Ennuy raised a hand, stopping Payback from escalating. "Chill, let her go," he said, shooting Adrian a glare.

Charm hesitated, then nodded. "Alright."

As they stepped out, Payback muttered under his breath, "If he messes with her, I swear—"

Ennuy put a hand on his shoulder. "I got this. Adrian ain’t worth the hassle. But trust me, he’ll know not to step to us again."

Outside the cafeteria, the air shifted, tension brewing like a storm. Adrian leaned against the wall, his gaze piercing as he faced Charm. "Look, I know things are tense, but we could be good together. You down to be my girl?"

Charm raised an eyebrow, a sly smile creeping onto her face. "You wanna take me out? What’s in it for me?"

He stepped closer, his voice low and enticing. "You get to be with someone who’s got power and respect. Plus, it’ll drive Ennuy crazy. You’d be pissing him off while riding with the real deal."

Charm's smile widened, her competitive spirit flaring up. "You’re right. Let’s give that punk something to really stew over."

Adrian smirked, satisfied. "So, we in?"

"Yeah, we in," she replied, the thrill of the game igniting a fire within her.

Adrian nodded, his expression hardening. "Good. Let’s show them who runs this place."

Back in the library, Celesse flipped through her ancient druidic book, tracing the words with her fingers. Mortis coiled around her arm, ever watchful. Across from her, Aether observed closely, occasionally feeding Mortis little snacks, feeling more drawn to Celesse with every meeting.

"So what’s the scoop on these rituals?" Aether asked, breaking the silence.

Celesse looked up, a grin lighting her face. "These rituals? They’re old magic, powerful stuff. They could flip the game for how we connect with nature."

Aether raised an eyebrow. "Think you can pull it off?"

Her eyes sparkled with determination. "I know I can. With Mortis here, there’s nothing we can’t tackle."

He leaned in closer, voice dropping conspiratorially. "I’ve been hearing some noise about Ennuy. Word is he ain’t just another player in this game."

Celesse nodded, her expression contemplative. "He’s definitely different. There’s a vibe about him that screams power. Just gotta figure out what it is."