Chapter 163 The First Assembly
TESSA
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The first thing I saw this morning wasn’t the clear sky above Elite’s towers, or the new banners they’d hung to welcome the batch of wide–eyed students who’d just arrived. No. The first thing I saw was him.
Rowan.
It wasn’t even minutes after I stepped through the doors, adjusting the strap of my bag, when I saw her by the lockers with his lips pressed onto someone else.
What a good way to start the morning, right?
I pressed my lips together, staring a moment too long. Was it really still the same? Even after he’d saved me that night, when everything had been dark and I thought there was no way out, and it was his arms that had dragged me back into the light?
“Let’s go,” Arden’s voice pulled me back. She emerged from the bathroom, brushing her hair away from her shoulders.
“Right,” I whispered, tearing my gaze from Rowan’s back as he disappeared down the hall.
We made our way toward the gymnasium.
The sound hit us first. A wave of voices, laughter, and excitement. The gym was already filled, packed with bodies, buzzing with energy.
It was our first assembly after Mr. Winter’s removal.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and followed Arden as she pushed through.
The chatter hushed as the doors swung open again.
Cade walked in first.
It felt like the crowd had a collective intake of breath.
His presence filled the space, and he drew every eye without even trying.
Rowan came with him, his stride sharp, shoulders set in that careless strength. Even from here, even after everything, it was impossible not to notice him. And Elias came behind them, forming the three young Alphas of our country.
Around us, the whispers rose.
“They’re so handsome.”
“God, look at them.”
“I can’t breathe,
The words mixed together, pulling at the edges of my chest. I wasn’t blaming them. Who could blame
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Chapter 163 The First Assembly
them? The way those three carried themselves was different. It wasn’t fair.
But how could this be?
How could you stop people from liking them, wanting them, craving pieces of what they were? It felt inevitable, as natural as breathing.
Beside me, Arden let out a long, annoyed huff.
Then, with that fire of hers, she stood. Right there. In front of the entire gym.
She marched up to Cade without hesitation and kissed him, straight on the lips.
Everyone’s eyes were on them, a sharp gasp spreading through the crowd. Whispers scattered before it was followed by silence. Every gaze darted away, cheeks flushing, eyes dropping to the floor.
It was a bold, unshakable claim.
“Well,” I chuckled under my breath, shaking my head. “That’s one way to do it.”
Arden slid back into her seat like nothing had happened, cheeks faintly flushed, but her chin tilted high.
I leaned toward her, teasing, “You really don’t like to share, huh?”
Her lips twitched, and I caught the faintest smile tugging before she turned away.
The seat beside me shifted, and I glanced up just as Owen dropped into it.
“I saw that,” he said, tone amused, his eyes flicking toward where Cade and Arden sat, as though the kiss was the best entertainment he’d seen all day.
I laughed, shaking my head.
Before I could say more, his arm draped casually across my
I narrowed my eyes. “What are you doing?”
shoulder.
He tilted his head toward me, completely unbothered. “My arm’s tired.” Then, with a playful smirk, “And perhaps… didn’t you miss me?”
I rolled my eyes, but the corners of my mouth betrayed me. I smiled anyway. “You’re still annoying, I see.”
He grinned.
Still, a strange prickling sensation brushed the back of my neck. Like someone’s eyes were on me.
My smile faltered, and I turned, scanning the crowd.
Huh, there was no one. It must have been my imagination.
Before I could think too much about it, Miss Loveson stepped up onto the stage. She looked overwhelmed by the sight of us all, but there was this bright, nervous kind of smile on her face that softened her whole presence. For someone who had been through the storms of this academy, she looked.. proud,
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Chapter 163 The First Assembly
“Good morning,” she said.
“Good morning, headmistress,” we said in unison.
Her smile widened.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to see all of you here, gathered together like this. It feels different, doesn’t it?”
There were murmurs of agreement. She paused, holding her hands together.
“This rebuild,” she continued, “it was not mine. It never has been. The students of Fenra are the ones who truly own this academy.”
A roar of cheers burst through the gym, and I found myself clapping along with them.
Miss Loveson waited for us to quiet down before she moved on. Her eyes were wet, but her tone steadied, becoming more formal. “We have conducted a lot of changes. For one… the point system has been abolished.”
The cheer that followed shook the rafters. Students stomped their feet against the bleachers, and the wave of relief that moved through the crowd was undeniable. My lips curled into a smile. No more cruel competitions.
“Second,” she continued, “the new system will be academic and extracurricular–based. You will be given opportunities to show more than just dominance. We will be hosting job fairs to guide you in discovering which career path is right for you. And beginning this year, we will conduct an annual visit to the United Factions, so each of you may understand firsthand the world that awaits you after graduation.”
“Whoa,” I whispered under my breath, honestly impressed. Those were really good terms. It felt practical. Now, it felt like we could actually hold onto our futures, instead of just endless trials of blood and dominance.
“Along with those changes,” she added firmly, “we have removed faculty associated with the past administration.”
“And here,” Miss Loveson smiled, “I present to you the new faculty”
The side doors of the stage opened, and one by one, new professors and instructors stepped out. Each introduction was greeted with polite claps or louder cheers, depending on how impressive they looked. There was a scholar from the East specializing in diplomacy, a seasoned medic from the South who already had a trail of admirers swooning at his accent, and a combat strategist from the North whose presence alone made us sit straighter,
I found myself leaning forward each time, curious.
Finally, Miss Loveson lifted her hand. “And last but not least–teaching one of your first–year, second- semester subjects–Lunar Instincts and Combat Synchronization…”
The gym
fell into a hush as the final figure stepped out from behind the curtain.
“…Zaria Fen.”
