Episode 8

 Morning at the academy was a delicate illusion.

Sunlight spilled through stained-glass windows. Bells chimed softly in the towers. Students shuffled through marble corridors pretending they hadn’t been involved in suspicious activity six hours earlier.

It was peaceful.

Which meant something was absolutely about to go wrong.

Ryder found Myskai in the courtyard, sitting cross-legged on the fountain’s edge, absentmindedly twirling a small metal batarang between her fingers. A cluster of actual bats hung upside down in the trees above her, as if attending an early-morning strategy meeting.

“Myskai?”

“Hm?”

Ryder hesitated. She looked like she hadn’t slept. Which, knowing her, meant she hadn’t.

“What’s on your mind that you’re thinking about so deeply?”

She didn’t look at him.

“Your sister.”

Ryder blinked. “Well, you can think more about my sister later. If we don’t show up to the first day of classes we won’t be considered real students.”

Now she did look at him- slowly. Suspiciously.

“What are you doing here then?”

“To get you?”

“Why?”

“Uh…because Rose was worried that you wouldn’t be up on time!”

Myskai’s eyes narrowed. “Rose? She knows I’ve been up all night.”

“Er…our first class is together. Why don’t we go there together? You can hangout and train with your bats later.”

One of the bats screeched as if offended.

Myskai sighed, standing popping open a bubble gum. “Fine. Lead the way.”

---

Inside the classroom, the air was thick with that first-day tension– too many secrets packed into neat rows of desks.

Ash lounged against the back wall like he owned the building. J sat upright but restless, tapping her pencil against her notebook. Arthur looked deeply confused by the existence of fluorescent lighting.

The Teacher stood at the front, sharp eyes scanning the room.

“You’re late.”

Ash offered a grin that had probably gotten him out of trouble more times than it should have. “Sorry, teach. I was a bit busy last night.” He winks.

A few students groaned.

“No more of those shenanigans, Mr. Pierce.” The teacher snapped, "This will not happen again I hope.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Take a seat next to Miss Crimson. Maybe you’ll learn a thing or two from each other.”

Ash slid into the seat beside Crimson with the confidence of someone who absolutely intended to cause problems.

“Pierce.”

“Feisty.”

“Persistent.”

Across the room, J made a face like she was watching a tennis match.

The Teacher cleared her throat. “As I was saying-”

The door opened.

Every head turned.

Vienna stepped inside, perfectly composed, hands folded politely in front of her. She looked like the model student.

Which was precisely why Crimson’s spine went rigid.

“Miss Cross, what can I do for you?”

“The Headmaster said he would like to see you.”

“Now?”

“Yes. But don’t worry. I can watch over your class for you while you’re gone.” She says sweetly.

The Teacher hesitated only briefly. “Okay dear, don’t let them cause you trouble.”

She left.

The door clicked shut.

Silence.

Vienna turned slowly to face the class.

Her smile widened.

“Don’t worry, I won’t. Okay guys! Class dismissed!”

“What?” J blurted.

“She won’t be back in time to finish the class.” Vienna tilts her head, “Would you rather stay here or go out and have some fun?”

J glanced over at Crimson.

Crimson held her gaze for a fraction of a second.

Then nodded.

“Bet! Let’s get out of here.”

Arthur stiffened. “Isn’t it better to stay in class?”

“Take the chance and leave. This isn’t the 5th century!”

Arthur stood abruptly. “This is clearly not the 5th century, I would know-”

“Wait! No! That was a joke!”

“That is not something to joke about!”

“Arthur! Come on, let’s get out of here.”

J grabbed his sleeve and dragged him out while he continued muttering about historical accuracy.

Students poured into the hallway in chaotic waves. Laughter. Whispering. Suspicious glances.

Rose muttered under her breath, “Those two need to watch it…”

“What was that?” Ash asked.

“Nothing!”

He leaned closer. “I’ll believe you if you come with me.”

She closed her eyes briefly. “...ugh…fine. Where to?”

Ash grinned. “I know a place.”

Of course he did.

They slipped out with the rest of the class, Ash walking just slightly ahead, like he wanted to see if she’d follow.

She did.

As the last of the chatter faded down the hallway.

The classroom door swung shut.

Silence.

Vienna stood alone in the silent room.

She walked slowly between the desks, fingers brushing across abandoned notebooks.

“This might be easier than I thought.”

Her pleasant expression vanished. In its place was calculation.

Looks like the perfect student isn’t as perfect as she seems.