Breeding Ground

"Why would you say that, Rachel?" Liora asked, a thread of worry creeping into her voice. What kind of trouble was Caspian about to face?

Rachel took a slow, deep breath, inhaling the fresh air around them. She opened her eyes, turning slightly to look at Liora.

"Everything is a power game, Liora. Especially in Quantum Future. You know this place was once filled with royals and nobles."

Liora nodded and listened intently.

Rachel continued, "Every department's seniors like to have control over their juniors, especially the freshmen. The seniors from the final year decide when and what their juniors will do—even their assignments sometimes. Juniors must follow. It's not ragging or bullying, but a system of respect, a hierarchy that includes everyone, even the strongest."

Liora frowned. "And Caspian throwing a welcome party for different department freshmen was a sign of disrespect?"

"Exactly. And I'm sure he didn't ask his seniors about it first. If he had, they wouldn't have approved. Every department's seniors stay out of other departments' affairs. It's an unspoken rule that keeps the university running smoothly. It's a rule set by the Valtham family." Rachel's gaze drifted toward the river as she rose from her place, letting the cool air brush against her skin.

"This university is a hub where students from affluent backgrounds come together to study and form early alliances for future gains. It's a breeding ground for partnerships and profit-making ventures. But alongside privileged students, genuine scholars also study here."

Rachel smirked. "Rich kids don't mix with students from other backgrounds. Their lives are separate. They won't bother engaging if someone isn't useful to them."

"Tale as old as time," Liora said sarcastically, standing up beside Rachel.

Rachel continued, "Only scholars who can benefit them make it into the inner circle. And, of course, those scholars seize the opportunity—it's an easy way to climb to the top."

Liora's stomach twisted with unease. "So now you're saying Caspian will be in trouble? He directly challenged the seniors' authority by inviting freshmen from other departments. He won't just have to answer to his own seniors but to others as well. That could damage his future connections."

"You are learning faster, Liora. I am impressed."

A heavy weight settled on Liora's chest. She needed to do something. She would write him a letter and ask him to cancel the party. She couldn't let him suffer because of her.

Rachel glanced at her smartwatch. "It's time for class. Let's go."

Liora nodded, her mind racing as they left, leaving the spot empty behind them.

Liora went to her locker to retrieve her books. As she walked through the corridor, she felt eyes on her, making her self-conscious. Was she looking funny or weird? Or did she suddenly grow two heads? She almost wanted to check her reflection in the mirror inside the locker, but instead, she hurriedly shut it and turned hastily, eager to escape.

Her steps quickened toward the classroom, but as she turned a corner, she collided with someone—her forehead crashing against a firm, steady chest. Her books tumbled to the ground.

"Auwa!" she winced, rubbing her forehead.

The person in front of her neither moved nor apologized. Slowly, she looked up, and as soon as her brain registered who she had just crashed into, sheer horror spread across her face. She gulped hard.

'Nova!'

'Great. Just great!'

Panic surged through her, and her immediate instinct? Flee. But that would be too obvious and humiliating. Squeezing her eyes shut and cursing her life choices, she took a deep breath and forced herself to face him.

"I... I think we should both be more careful not to bump into each other," Liora managed to say, attempting to shift the blame onto both of them and not one. 'Yes, smooth. Make it sound mutual.'

Donovan leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "And?"

Liora stiffened, straightening her posture. From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the bite mark on his neck—a deep shade of blue, partially hidden beneath his shirt collar.

'Oh no. Oh no no no.'

His shirt, buttoned all the way up, likely concealed another one.

"And?" she repeated, feigning oblivion. "And maybe we should exchange numbers to let each other know which areas to avoid to prevent another incident like this."

She offered the suggestion as a way to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"And?" Donovan asked again, his voice amused.

Behind him, Kai and Logan lingered, watching with entertained expressions, unwilling to miss whatever was unfolding.

Liora kept a polite smile on her face. "Is there something else you wish to discuss?"

Donovan cocked a brow, his gaze practically peeling away her forced composure. And then—oh dear gods—he started unbuttoning his shirt.

Liora's eyes widened in sheer horror.

'What. The. Hell?'

First button. Then, the second. His movements were slow, deliberate, and downright dramatic.

'Is this some sort of twisted strip tease? In public? For the public?! What is this psycho bear trying to do?' Her mind screamed.

Calmly, he adjusted his collar, revealing the darkened bite marks.

"What.....are you doing?" Liora panicked.

"Nothing," he finally said, straightening his posture as if to leave.

But Liora stepped in front of him, blocking his way.

"Where do you think you're going looking like that?" she hissed, lowering her voice and glancing around.

"To my class!" Donovan answered, deadpan.

"Showing off the bite marks? People will question!" she frowned, still whispering.

"Let them." His gaze pinned her in place. "And when they ask who did it, I'll make sure they know exactly who."

This was bad—very bad. Liora could argue, even challenge him, and the thought of Caspian hearing about this made her freeze.

Her stance softened as her resolve faltered.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have bitten you." 'Only if you hadn't pushed me,' half her thoughts she didn't say aloud.

"And what are you going to do about these marks?" He asked.

Liora blinked up at him, her doe eyes filled with confusion.

"You're responsible for them," he stated. "Until they're gone, you'll carry ointment with you every day and apply it. Did I make myself clear?"

Liora's mind exploded at his demand.

'Excuse me? Is he for real? Is this happening? Why am I being punished for my own survival instincts?!'

Was it because she looked different now that he was treating her differently? Back in the elite school, he acted like she didn't exist. Now, it was the opposite. Liora could not make sense of Nova's behaviour.

Still, she simply nodded, too baffled to argue with him.

Satisfied, Donovan buttoned his shirt back up and adjusted his collar. "See you after class. And don't forget the ointment."

With that, he turned and left, muttering, wondering what he had just done, said—and why?

Kai and Logan, grinning from ear to ear, cast a playful glance at Liora before following Donovan, leaving her completely baffled.

"Kai, what's her name?" Donovan asked, and Kai barely held back a smirk that threatened to split his face.

"Miss Li!" he said in a teasing tone, making Donovan turn his head sharply and giving Kai a look that questioned if he was serious.

"Li?"

"Yes, Li San. And apparently, she doesn't care much about her ancestry because, according to her, not knowing it isn't a crime." Kai chuckled.

"Just thought it would save you some time, so next time, you two can have a more… intriguing conversation."

The three of them split up as they headed to their respective classes. Just as Donovan reached his classroom, he spotted Rihana standing outside, waiting for him with a bright smile on her face.

It took him a second to register—there was a girl named Rihana. One he was unofficially dating.

He didn't dislike Rihana, but there was something missing. She was kind, attractive, and always did things he supposedly liked. And yet, the more she tried, the more distant he felt.

Was it always like this? He had dated girls before and let them hang around him, only to keep other girls away who were always looking for a way to talk to him.

He had never had to put in effort because they had always come to him, eager to please. In response, he forced his affection towards them, and it all felt suffocating.

His thoughts drifted—unwanted and uninvited—to a sharp bite, a fierce pair of eyes filled with defiance rather than admiration. A girl who, instead of running to him, ran from him.

Donovan clenched his jaw. Why the hell was he thinking about that right now?

Pushing the thought aside, he forced a faint smile. "You're here?"

"Yes. I didn't see you yesterday evening or this morning, so I thought I'd drop by and say hi."

"Hi," Donovan replied flatly. Nothing more, nothing less.

Rihana's smile faltered slightly. "Hi…" she echoed, clearly expecting more from Donovan. But when he remained silent, she sighed. "I'll let you go. I need to get to class too."

With that, she turned and walked away, her mood clearly sour.

As she clenched her fists, frustration bubbled inside her. They had been making progress—or at least, she thought they were. Why did it feel like things were moving in the opposite direction?

She had done everything Donovan liked to fit the mould of what he preferred. But she wasn't about to give up so easily. No matter how cold or indifferent he acted, one day, she would have him on his knees, begging for her love.

That thought alone made Rihana smile.