CHAPTER 1: New beginning at St. Charles Elite High School 

As the summer sun surrendered to the crisp autumn air, St. Charles High School reverberated with an electric sense of excitement as students eagerly returned to their revered alma mater. The sprawling campus, nestled outside the bustling city, pulsed with anticipation as students gathered in the grand event hall for the annual opening ceremony of the new academic year.

The hall, a masterpiece of modern architecture and gleaming marble floors, was a testament to the school's unwavering dedication to excellence. As students filed in, they were greeted by the warm glow of fluorescent lights and the soft murmur of conversations. The air was heavy with anticipation, weighed down by the collective expectation of new beginnings and the promise of limitless possibilities.

The students, clad in their crisp, navy-blue uniforms, chatted nervously among themselves, exchanging stories of their summer breaks and sharing whispers of their hopes and fears for the upcoming year. They came from families that were among the most influential and affluent in the country, and it was no secret that their relationships forged here would shape their futures.

As they took their seats, a hush fell over the crowd as Principal Richardson stepped onto the stage, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Welcome back, students!" she exclaimed, her voice booming through the hall. "I am thrilled to see you all back here today, ready to embark on another year of learning and growth."

The students' eyes sparkled with excitement as they gazed up at their principal, their minds racing with thoughts of new classes, new friends, and new challenges. As they settled in for what promised to be an unforgettable year ahead, they couldn't help but wonder what lay in store for them.

The students of prestigious St. Charles High School had been buzzing about the news for weeks - a special student was joining their ranks, a prodigy unlike any they had ever seen.

Principal began, his voice echoing off the polished wooden panels, "I am thrilled to introduce our new student, the extraordinary Leo Atkins. You may have heard rumors, but I'm delighted to confirm that this young genius has been invited to join our community."

A collective gasp filled the room as the students' eyes widened in awe. Leo Atkins, the winner of the World Mathematical Olympiad? The author of over a hundred articles? It seemed like a myth come to life.

Principal Richardson continued, his words dripping with enthusiasm. "Leo's accomplishments are truly remarkable. His intellect is staggering, and his passion for mathematics is inspiring. We are honored to welcome him to our school and are confident that his presence will enrich our academic community."

Mrs. Richardson finished speaking, a hush fell over the auditorium. The students looked at each other, their minds racing with excitement and curiosity. It was an unusual occasion, one that didn't happen often at their prestigious school. The door to the coveted chair at the podium creaked open, and a young figure emerged. Leo Atkins, the renowned math whiz kid, took his place before the microphone with an air of quiet confidence that belied his youth.

His piercing brown eyes scanned the room, his gaze lingering on each face before coming to rest on the assembly. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his sharp jawline seemed chiseled from marble. His smile, when it came, was enigmatic, a subtle upward curl of the lips that hinted at a depth of wit and intelligence.

"I'm Leo Atkins," he said, his voice low and smooth as silk. "I'm excited to be here this year and I'm looking forward to making this term count." The words were simple, yet they carried an underlying conviction that was hard to ignore.

As he concluded his introduction, Leo's gaze swept the room once more before he descended from the chair, his movements efficient and deliberate. The students watched him with a mixture of fascination and awe.

Rumors had circulated about him before his arrival – whispers of his record-breaking feats at the World Mathematical Olympiad and his prolific output of research papers. But nothing could have prepared them for the reality of standing before him now. His very presence seemed to command attention, drawing them in like moths to a flame.

As Leo took his seat, the room remained silent for a moment longer, the students absorbing the magnitude of their new classmate's credentials. Then, like a collective breath exhaled, the whispers began again, this time laced with excitement and anticipation for what this extraordinary year might hold.

As the event hall emptied after the director's speech, Leo walked out with a sense of relief, his mind already wandering to the new school year ahead. Suddenly, a tall and thin boy with an enthusiastic grin ran up to him.

"Hey, I just watched the Olympics final in China and I have to admit, your performance was amazing! Oh sorry! I didn't introduce myself. I am Alex" the boy exclaimed.

Leo's face lit up with a warm smile as he thanked the boy and began making his way down the stairs. The boy followed closely behind, chatting animatedly about the Olympics.

Suddenly, the boy turned to Leo and said, "Since the school is so big, I can show you around if you want. It'll be tough to navigate on your own."

Leo nodded gratefully and asked if he could show him where the library was first. The boy agreed and led Leo out of the building.

As they walked across the campus, the boy explained that the library was located in another large building that housed all sorts of books. Just as they were approaching the library building, an expensive-looking car pulled into the school parking lot, causing a sudden hush to fall over the courtyard.

The driver, a middle-aged man, quickly got out of the car and opened the back door. A tall, good-looking boy in a neat school uniform emerged, his expression stern and commanding. The atmosphere around them seemed to shift dramatically as all eyes turned to stare at him.

Leo felt a sense of unease wash over him as he noticed that everyone around him seemed worried and subdued. The noise level dropped precipitously, and people began to stand frozen in place.

The boy from the car strode confidently up the school steps, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. Leo felt a little bit strange as he wondered what was going on and why everyone seemed so intimidated by this boy. Shrugging off his unease, he continued to walk, eventually meeting up with the boy who had been showing him around.

The boy from the car ignored Leo completely as he continued on his way, leaving Leo feeling puzzled and more than a little curious about what was happening.

As Leo hastened through the doorway, he noticed Alex racing after him, his eyes furrowed with concern. His silence was palpable, and Leo's curiosity was piqued. What could be wrong? The boy he had seen earlier didn't seem like an ordinary student, and now his heart beat with a sense of foreboding.

The library's grandeur enveloped him like a warm embrace. Thousands of books towered above, their spines worn and whispering secrets. Comfortable chairs and study tables scattered across the room, inviting him to linger. Leo's eyes lit up with excitement as he scanned the shelves, his fingers itching to explore the treasure trove of knowledge. He slipped on his glasses and began to sift through the pages, searching for the perfect book.

Alex approached him, his footsteps echoing softly on the marble floor. "Are you going to spend your first day reading?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of skepticism.

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"

"There's more to life than books," Alex said, his gaze drifting toward the windows. "Look out there – tennis courts, volleyball nets, a basketball court... and downstairs, there's a pool. And have you seen the buffet? It's a feast for your taste buds."

Leo's eyes widened as he gazed out at the expanse of recreational facilities. His initial hesitation melted away, replaced by a sense of adventure and possibility. Why not spend the day exploring these new surroundings? He nodded thoughtfully, his mind already spinning with plans for this unexpected day.

He listened intently as Alex spoke, his words painting a vivid picture of the students and teachers at the school. But his attention was soon drawn away from their conversation as they walked towards the back yard, where a disturbing sight awaited.

The sun beat down on the deserted playground, casting a harsh glare over the scene unfolding before Leo's eyes. A skinny, defenseless boy lay on the ground, his small frame crumpled and vulnerable. Five larger boys surrounded him, their menacing faces twisted into cruel smiles, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of boredom and malice.

Alex's heart raced as he grasped Leo's arm, his voice low and urgent. "Let's go, Leo."

As he approached the group, Leo's gaze locked onto the victim's face, etched with fear and desperation. He recognized the scenario all too well - it was a classic case of bullying, one that he had experienced firsthand in his own school days. His gut twisted with anger and frustration as he took in the scene, his mind racing with thoughts of what could have been done to prevent this.

With a deep breath, Leo stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the group of bullies. His voice was calm and steady, but beneath it lay a reservoir of anger and determination. "Hey, looks like you guys didn't notice, but he's alone and you're five," he said, his words dripping with a quiet authority.

The bullies turned to face him, their faces snarling with hostility. "Who are you?" one of them sneered.

" Leo," he replied, his voice unwavering. The leader of the group snorted. "Yeah, well you're just a new boy. You don't know what you're getting yourself into. Back off before things get ugly."

Leo smiled grimly; his eyes locked onto the victim's. "I'm not going anywhere," he said, his voice firm but controlled. "And I'm definitely not leaving this student behind." He nodded towards the injured boy on the ground, who watched him with a mixture of gratitude and fear.

As the tension hung in the air like a thread taut on a bowstring, Leo knew that this moment would define not just his own courage but also the fate of the boy on the ground. He took another deep breath and stood tall, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Leave him alone," he said again, his voice clear and resolute.

"Well, we can let this guy go," one of them said, nodding towards the boy who had been lying on the ground, his eyes vacant and unresponsive. "In exchange for you to take his place."

Leo's smile faltered, his mind racing with the implications. He wasn't sure what kind of game these boys were playing, but he didn't like the sound of it. "What do you mean?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady, his eyes scanning the courtyard for any sign of authority.

The boy who had spoken leaned in, a sly grin spreading across his face like a slow-moving stain. "You'll bring us coffee every day," he said, his voice dripping with malice, "and you'll do our lessons for us. Sometimes...it's possible we use you as a stress mattress." He paused, his eyes glinting with mischief. "You're handsome, after all. There could be...other things."

Leo felt a surge of anger and frustration course through his veins like liquid fire. He had just arrived at this new school, and already he was being forced into some kind of Faustian bargain. He refused to play along.

"I won't join you," he said firmly, his voice ringing out across the courtyard like a challenge. "I'll write an application to the committee about this whole situation."

The boys erupted into laughter again, their faces twisted with cruelty. "To the committee?" one of them repeated, their voices dripping with contempt. "You know nothing about this place. We're free to do as we please here. If Kian doesn't say anything, the administration can't do anything."

Leo felt a shiver run down his spine as he realized the true extent of their power. He doesn't know who is Kian, But he refused to back down.

"You're not going to bully me into doing something I don't want to do," Leo said, his voice steady and resolute. "I'll report this incident to Kian personally."

The boys laughed again, their eyes glinting with amusement. "You think Kian cares?" one of them sneered. "He's too busy counting his money to bother with something as trivial as bullying." 

Leo felt a cold dread creeping up his spine as he realized that he was truly alone in this strange and foreboding place. But he refused to give in to their demands.

Leo's hand closed around the wounded boy's wrist like a vice, his fingers digging gently into the skin as he pulled him up from the ground. The boy's eyes fluttered open, unfocused, as Leo helped him sit upright, his hand still grasping the boy's arm for support.

"I'll make sure that everyone knows what's happening here," he said, his voice ringing out across the courtyard once more. "And I'll make sure that someone does care."

As the bell rang, signaling the start of lunch, Leo took a deep breath and walked into the cafeteria with a sense of unease. He had been dreading this moment all morning, knowing that the bullies would be waiting for him. But he was not going to let them get the better of him.

Leo had always been a calm and level-headed person, able to think on his feet and communicate effectively. He had learned how to navigate difficult situations with ease, but he knew that words alone wouldn't be enough to stop the bullies. Sometimes, actions spoke louder than words..

He took a seat at his table, trying to blend in with the crowd. But he knew it was only a matter of time before the bullies came looking for him. They would try to intimidate him, to make him feel small and powerless. But Leo had a secret that no one knew about. It was a secret that could change everything. Leo's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. The bullies had arrived.

A group of rough-looking teenagers suddenly appeared before him; their eyes fixed on him with an unsettling intensity. The leader, a burly boy with a sneer on his face, pulled up a chair and positioned himself directly across from Leo.

"Hey, stop eating and bring me some food," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Undeterred, Leo continued to shovel food into his mouth, oblivious to the tension building around him. But before he could take another bite, the boy reached out and slammed his plate onto the floor with a loud clatter. The sound sent a ripple of shock through the buffet crowd, and all eyes turned to watch the unfolding drama.

Leo slowly raised his head, his gaze locking onto the ceiling-mounted camera above them. "There is a camera" he said quietly, his voice laced with skepticism.

The boy stood up, his eyes flashing with defiance. "The camera doesn't work," he sneered. "No one can touch me here. I can do whatever I want."

With a sudden jerk of his hand, he hurled the fruit juice in his cup at Leo's face. Leo's reaction was immediate - he let out a sarcastic laugh and kicked the table where the boy had been sitting. The movement was swift and powerful, sending the boy stumbling backward.

 As the boy regained his balance and lunged at Leo, a snarling fury in his eyes, Leo was ready for him. With a swift kick to the ground, he sent the boy crashing to the floor. The rest of the group charged forward, but Leo was a force to be reckoned with. He dispatched them all with ease, his agility and strength proving too much for them to handle.

As the dust settled and the buffet patrons began to murmur in shock and awe, Leo stood tall, his chest heaving with exertion. He surveyed the scene before him with a hint of amusement on his face - after all, it seemed he had just proved that no one could push him around in this place.

As he strode across the sun-drenched campus, his long strides eating up the distance, his sharp jawline was set in a determined expression, his lips curled into a sneer as he muttered to himself. "Damn it, I'm all covered up," he said, running a hand through his hair in frustration. The gesture was one of annoyance, as if he couldn't believe the absurdity of it all.

As he smoothed out his disheveled locks, his gaze swept across the room, settling on several students who were watching him with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. One or two of them looked away quickly, their eyes darting back to their phones or books as if they were trying to escape the intensity of his gaze. Others held his gaze with a sense of trepidation, their faces pale and pinched as they tried to read the emotions churning beneath his surface.

Despite the commotion he'd caused, a sense of calm seemed to settle over him as he stood there, his eyes locked on the students who watched him with such intensity. It was as if he was absorbing their fear and uncertainty, using it to fuel his own determination.

And then, without warning, he turned and strode off towards his destination, leaving behind a trail of whispers and speculation in his wake. The students parted like a sea as he walked, their eyes following him until he disappeared into the crowd.

SD Group's heir Kian Elgard sat lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the pages of his textbook as he struggled to comprehend the intricacies of physics. Suddenly, a burst of chaotic energy exploded into the room, as Harry, his childhood friend, careened into the space with a wild tangle of hair framing his face.

"Hey, Kian!" Harry exclaimed, his eyes aglow with excitement, as he plopped down beside him on the plush couch. "You have to see this!" He thrust his phone into Kian's hands, the screen flickering to life with a video that seemed to pulse with an electric current.

The footage depicted a boy that eyes sparkled with mischief as he effortlessly dominated his opponents at the buffet, his movements a blur of speed and agility. Kian's brow furrowed in concentration as he watched, mesmerized by the effortless dominance on display.

When the video ended, he turned to Harry with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "Who is this boy?" he asked, his voice low and even.

Harry's smile spread from ear to ear. "Leo Atkins - our school's new genius"

Kian raised an eyebrow, sensing that there was more to Harry's words than met the eye. "What do you know about him?" he asked, his tone edged with curiosity. 

Harry shrugged, his expression turning serious. "Not much. Just that...things are going to change this year. And with Leo around, I think we're all in for a wild ride."

 *

The prestigious private school, renowned for its exceptional academic standards and rigorous curriculum, was a magnet for the high society. Among the many classes that filled the hallowed halls, one stood out for its exclusivity and prestige - the special classroom reserved for the children of upper-class families. This room was a symbol of privilege, where only five students from the most influential and wealthy families in the country had the privilege to attend.

Kian Elgard, the heir to the SD GROUP, sat confidently in his seat, his eyes scanning the room with an air of ownership. Harry, the scion of Orange Entertainment, leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming a rhythm on the armrest. Mateo, the son of the owner of ILIS law firm, pored over his notes, his brow furrowed in concentration. Elsa, the heiress to the FIVE Hospital chain, twirled a strand of her raven-black hair around her finger, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. And Sima, the daughter of a member of the The National Assembly, sat quietly, her book open on her lap, her eyes darting between the pages.

As they waited for class to begin, they sat in a luxuriously decorated room that exuded an air of opulence. The walls were adorned with priceless artwork, and the furniture was designed to perfection. The atmosphere was palpably exclusive, and the students had grown accustomed to it. They knew they were among the chosen few, part of an elite group that enjoyed privileges and opportunities that few others could even dream of.

As they sat in anticipation, a commotion at the door caught their attention. A tall, handsome boy with a simple white T-shirt entered the room, uninvited. Sima's curiosity got the better of her, and she asked aloud, "Aren't you Leo?"

The group turned their gazes upon him, their eyes scrutinizing every inch of his appearance. Mateo's voice was laced with warning. "You can't go in here. This place is private."

Harry stood up, his movements fluid and confident. "When I look closely, you are really very handsome," he said with a smirk. "But unfortunately, you have to leave."

Leo didn't flinch or utter a word as he made his way to the teacher's desk and sat down.

Kian watched him with an unreadable expression, his eyes fixed on Leo's profile.

"Everyone, please take your seats," Leo instructed, his voice calm and authoritative.

Sima's voice trembled with unease. "What do you think you're doing? You can't just barge in here and start giving us a lesson!"

"Ah," Leo replied with a gentle smile, "but I've been invited to do just that. I'm here to give you all a private math lesson."

The room erupted into gasps and murmurs as the students struggled to comprehend the situation. Won's eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded Leo with newfound interest. 

"Treat me like a teacher during this lesson," Leo said, his tone light but firm. "Let's focus on math, shall we?"