The halls of Ateneo de Cebu were abuzz with hushed whispers and curious glances as Leigh Valverde walked through the campus. She held her head high, her composure unshaken despite the swirling rumors about the viral Loboc River video. Her uniform was immaculate as always, and her graceful stride exuded quiet confidence. Yet, behind her composed exterior, she couldn't help but feel the weight of the attention.

Beside her, Arden San Agustin walked with an air of amused detachment. He was clearly unaffected by the stares and whispers. If anything, he seemed to relish the curiosity surrounding them, even flashing the occasional grin at anyone brave enough to meet his eyes. His relaxed demeanor provided a stark contrast to Leigh's poised elegance.

"Leigh, is it just me, or are they staring more than usual?" Arden said with a smirk, his voice low enough for only her to hear.

Leigh shot him a sidelong glance, her tone dry. "What do you think, Stone Arden? The video of us walking on water has over a million views, and you're acting like it's a normal Tuesday."

Arden chuckled. "Well, you're the campus muse. They're probably just mesmerized by your presence."

Leigh rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a faint smile. "You're impossible."

Their playful banter was interrupted by a group of students approaching cautiously. One of them, a tall boy with glasses, mustered the courage to speak. "Leigh, Arden... that video... was that really you? Were you fighting some kind of monster?"

Leigh maintained her composure, her tone measured. "There's no point in entertaining baseless rumors. Besides, you shouldn't believe everything you see online."

Arden, however, leaned in slightly, his grin widening. "What do you think?" he asked, his voice teasing. The students exchanged uncertain glances; their curiosity clearly piqued but unwilling to press further.

As they continued walking, Leigh sighed. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

Arden shrugged. "What can I say? The real world's more fun than I expected."

Leigh was about to respond when a familiar figure came into view. Dominic Felicio stood by a large acacia tree near the center of the campus. His usually flamboyant demeanor was toned down, though his sharp wit was ever-present in his expression.

"Ah, the internet sensations," Dominic called out as they approached. "I'm surprised you're still mingling with the common folk."

Leigh raised an eyebrow. "And I'm surprised you're not busy planning your next magic trick."

Dominic feigned offense, placing a hand dramatically over his heart. "Leigh, you wound me. But alas, I'm here to announce my grand debut as the newest student of Ateneo de Cebu."

Arden tilted his head, intrigued. "You're transferring here?"

Dominic grinned. "Why not? After all, someone has to keep an eye on you two troublemakers. Besides, the President thought it best to have a Magician close by. Can't have The Fool and The Star running amok without supervision."

Leigh crossed her arms, her tone skeptical. "And your 'supervision' involves stirring up more rumors, I'm sure."

Dominic's grin only widened. "Come now, Leigh. I'm here to blend in, not stand out. Though," he added with a wink, "a little flair never hurt anyone."

Arden laughed, clapping Dominic on the back. "Welcome to the chaos. Let's see if you can keep up."

As the three of them walked toward their next class, the whispers around campus grew louder. The arrival of Dominic Felicio only added fuel to the fire, ensuring that the day at Ateneo de Cebu would be anything but ordinary.

The large acacia tree in the center of the Ateneo de Cebu campus provided a welcoming shade from the midday sun. Its sprawling branches cast dappled shadows on the grassy lawn below, creating an inviting spot for students seeking a reprieve from their busy schedules. Among them were Arden, Leigh, and Dominic, who had claimed their usual spot beneath the tree for lunch.

Arden leaned against the tree trunk; his eyes closed as he relished the gentle breeze. Beside him, Leigh unpacked their lunch, meticulously arranging containers of homemade dishes prepared by the Valverde family's cook. Dominic, ever the entertainer, was juggling three pieces of fruit with a cheeky grin, drawing amused glances from passing students.

"You know," Dominic began, catching the fruits effortlessly and setting them down, "it's not every day a Magician has to compete with a tree for attention. But here we are."

Leigh smirked, handing Arden a container of food. "Maybe if you focused on eating instead of showing off, you'd win for once."

Arden chuckled, opening the container to reveal adobo with steamed rice. "I'd say the tree's winning because it doesn't talk as much."

Dominic feigned a dramatic gasp, clutching his chest. "The betrayal! I thought we were friends, mountain boy."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Leigh's laughter chimed like bells as she passed Dominic his share of the meal. "Enough drama, Dom. Eat before you starve."

The trio settled into a comfortable rhythm, the sounds of campus life creating a soothing backdrop to their conversation. Arden's appetite matched his training regime, as he devoured his meal with gusto. Leigh, ever the picture of elegance, ate with deliberate grace, while Dominic alternated between bites and exaggerated tales of his "adventures" during his transfer to Ateneo.

"So there I was," Dominic began, waving a spoon for emphasis, "walking into the administration office, and every single head turned. The ladies swooned, the guys were envious, and the staff... well, let's just say they knew greatness had arrived."

Arden raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "And by greatness, you mean chaos?"

Leigh's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'm sure they were thrilled, Dominic. Thrilled to see you leave."

Dominic placed a hand over his heart, pretending to be wounded. "You two are relentless. Can't a guy share his greatness without being brought down?"

Before they could respond, a group of students approached hesitantly. One of them, a timid girl with glasses, spoke up. "Excuse me, Miss Valverde? We were wondering if we could take a picture with you. You're such an inspiration to us."

Leigh's composed demeanor softened as she smiled warmly. "Of course," she said, rising gracefully. "But only if my friends join, too." She glanced at Arden and Dominic, who exchanged surprised looks.

Dominic was on his feet instantly, striking a dramatic pose. "Finally, my time to shine!"

Arden groaned but stood nonetheless, standing slightly to the side with an awkward smile as the students crowded around them for photos. The impromptu photo session ended with laughter and thanks from the students, who left visibly thrilled.

"You're really good at this," Arden commented, watching the students walk away.

Leigh shrugged modestly. "It's part of the Valverde name. Besides, it doesn't hurt to spread a little positivity."

Dominic, still in a playful mood, nudged Arden. "You hear that, mountain boy? Take notes. Smiling won't kill you."

Arden shook his head, amused. "You two are impossible."

Leigh's smile lingered as they returned to their lunch. Under the shade of the acacia tree, the trio enjoyed a rare moment of peace and normalcy, a fleeting escape from the responsibilities and dangers that awaited them. For now, they were just students sharing a meal, their laughter mingling with the rustling leaves above.

The vibrant energy of the Ateneo de Cebu basketball court pulsed through the air, a lively hum of sneakers squeaking on polished wood and laughter echoing in the spacious gymnasium. Arden stood at the edge of the court; his posture relaxed but his eyes focused as he observed the game. Vincent Montemayor, now his eager disciple, approached with a basketball tucked under his arm and an expectant grin on his face.

"Master, ready to learn the basics?" Vincent asked, his tone respectful yet lighthearted.

Arden nodded, his demeanor calm. "Show me what you've got."

Vincent began with the fundamentals, demonstrating dribbling, passing, and shooting. Arden watched intently, absorbing every detail with the sharpness of a seasoned warrior assessing an opponent.

"Alright, now you try," Vincent encouraged, passing the ball to Arden.

Arden caught it with ease, the weight of the ball a trivial matter for someone of his strength. His movements were fluid and deliberate as he mimicked Vincent's dribbling technique. Within moments, he was not only replicating but refining the motions, moving the ball with an efficiency and precision that startled Vincent.

"Master, you're a natural!" Vincent exclaimed, clearly impressed.

Arden smirked, effortlessly sinking a shot from the three-point line. "The principles are similar to sparring—balance, control, and focus."

Vincent chuckled, shaking his head in admiration. "Leave it to you to turn basketball into martial arts philosophy."

The court buzzed with excitement as other students took notice of Arden's rapid progress. His every movement, from dribbling to shooting, carried a grace and precision that seemed almost otherworldly. Though unfamiliar with the sport, Arden's innate physical prowess and disciplined mindset allowed him to adapt quickly.

Dominic, leaning against the bleachers, watched the scene unfold with an amused grin. "Look at him," he said to no one in particular. "The Fool becomes the MVP. Classic."

The informal game began with Vincent's team squaring off against a group of confident players eager to test Arden's skills. As the match started, Arden took his position, his expression calm but alert. The ball was tossed into the air, and Vincent deftly secured possession, passing it to Arden with a confident nod.

Arden moved with measured purpose, his movements precise and unhurried. He weaved through the opposing players with ease, his sharp instincts allowing him to anticipate their every move. When a defender lunged at him, Arden sidestepped with fluid grace, leaving the opponent off-balance and scrambling.

"Nice move, Master!" Vincent cheered from across the court.

Arden passed the ball to Vincent, who capitalized on the opportunity to score. The opposing team quickly adjusted, their focus now centered on Arden, who had become the undisputed linchpin of Vincent's team.

As the game progressed, Arden's confidence and understanding of the sport grew. He began incorporating his martial arts agility into his gameplay, leaping effortlessly to intercept passes and executing flawless fast breaks. His mastery over his body and surroundings turned the tide of the game, leaving spectators in awe.

Dominic, now sitting courtside, couldn't resist chiming in. "Hey, mountain saint! You're making the rest of them look bad," he called out, earning a wave from Arden.

The crowd erupted when Arden executed a perfect slam dunk, his leap so effortless that it seemed as though he floated. The gym echoed with cheers and astonished whispers.

One of the opposing players, catching his breath, muttered, "Who is this guy?"

Vincent, grinning proudly, responded, "That's my Master."

The game concluded with Vincent's team claiming victory, thanks largely to Arden's exceptional performance. As the players gathered to congratulate each other, Vincent approached Arden, his respect evident.

"Master, you really are something else," he said, offering a fist bump.

Arden returned the gesture with a small smile. "It's just a game, Vincent. But it was fun."

Dominic clapped Arden on the back as they walked off the court. "A game, sure. But don't let it go to your head when they start calling you the Saint of the Hoop."

The crowd slowly dispersed, but the buzz surrounding Arden's performance lingered. As Vincent and Arden left the court, the younger players exchanged excited chatter about the mysterious new talent who had just dominated the game.

Arden, ever humble, glanced at Vincent and said, "Let's get back to more important things. The court was an interesting challenge, but there's still much to learn off it."

Vincent nodded, his admiration for Arden only growing. "Of course, Master. But maybe we should make time for a rematch someday."

With a faint chuckle, Arden replied, "We'll see."

The gym quieted as the three left, their camaraderie strengthened and the day's game already becoming part of the school's lore.