Chapter 10: Clash of Wills

The school was as bustling as ever, but there was a different air about it today. The arrival of Le Hao Thien had sent ripples of curiosity through the upper echelons of Dan Vu Academy. Everyone was eager to learn about his true identity and how his status compared to the influential figures already present at the school.

Minh Hoang stood before his locker, quietly arranging his books. His feelings about Hao Thien were still unclear, but one thing was certain—he was no ordinary individual.

Suddenly, a low voice sounded from behind him.

"You're Tran Minh Hoang?"

Minh Hoang turned around, startled. Before him stood a young man with cold gray eyes and platinum blonde hair that made him stand out in the crowd. His uniform was undoubtedly from Dan Vu Academy, but Minh Hoang had a feeling that he didn't quite belong there.

"Yes... I'm Minh Hoang. Who are you?"

The young man offered a faint smile. "Dich Thua Han."

Ngoc Han approached unexpectedly, slightly taken aback by the sight of the stranger. "Hold on, you're not a student here, are you? How did you get into the school?"

Dich Thua Han remained unfazed, simply shrugging. "I'm an exchange student. I'll only be here for a while."

Minh Hoang felt an inexplicable unease around this person. He was unlike the typical upper-class individuals, nor did he seem like the type to flaunt his power like Duat Van or Hao Thien. But those eyes—deep, cold, and full of mystery.

Before Minh Hoang could inquire further, Dich Thua Han departed, his figure melting into the crowd as if he had never existed.

Afternoon Class – Class 10A

The classroom buzzed with excitement as the teacher announced an upcoming event—the Elite Assembly, where the most exceptional students of the Academy would compete in various fields, from academics to sports, and even special skills.

"And this year, there's something special," Mr. Tran Lam said. "There will be a strategic competition between groups of students."

The entire class erupted in chatter. Every year, the Elite Assembly was an event for the upper-class families to assert their status. The organization of a strategic competition indicated that there would be significant changes this year.

Minh Hoang felt uneasy. He wasn't skilled in strategy, nor did he want to get too involved in the power struggles within the school. But when he glanced at Duat Van, Hao Thien, and even Dich Thua Han—they all wore sharp expressions, as if the battle had already begun the moment they met.

And he knew that once he stepped into this, there would be no turning back.

Behind the Scenes

Hao Thien

Duat Van

Dich Thua Han

The Underlying Connection Between Three Powerful Individuals

Although the three had only officially met at Dan Vu Academy, there seemed to be a complex relationship between Le Hao Thien, Diep Lac Duat Van, and Dich Thua Han from before. None of them were simple individuals, and when they stood together, the atmosphere between them always carried an invisible pressure.

Hao Thien – The Heir Who Doesn't Want the Throne

Le Hao Thien was the heir to Le Thi, a world-class financial conglomerate. From a young age, his path to becoming the successor had been set, but that didn't mean he desired it. Contrary to his calm demeanor, Hao Thien harbored a deep aversion to the binding rules of the upper class. He wanted to decide his own life, not become a puppet for his family.

Hao Thien didn't like socializing with others, but he maintained the poise of a powerful individual—dignified, unpredictable, and with a natural allure that others couldn't ignore.

His relationship with Duat Van was always in a state of unspoken rivalry. They understood each other's strengths, but neither would admit who was stronger. To Hao Thien, Duat Van was a formidable opponent—not because of his wealth or status, but because of his intelligence and ability to manipulate situations.

As for Dich Thua Han? Hao Thien didn't like him. The way he observed others as if assessing prey made Hao Thien uncomfortable.

Duat Van – The One Who Controls All the Games

If Hao Thien was born to stand at the top, then Diep Lac Duat Van was the one who could make even the highest peak kneel. He didn't need the throne, because he could control the person sitting on it.

As the young master of Diep Thi, a corporation behind a series of major economic forces, Duat Van not only had money but also power. No one knew how many deals he had manipulated or how many secrets of the financial world he controlled, but with just a word from him, those who seemed invincible could disappear from the business world in the blink of an eye.

Duat Van saw Hao Thien as an equal—someone who could create a real challenge. Both of them were not merely children of large corporations, but also outstanding individuals with extraordinary minds and visions.

And Dich Thua Han? He was an enigma. And the only thing that made Duat Van uneasy… was his inability to grasp him.

Dich Thua Han – The Shadow in the Upper Class

No one knew too much about Dich Thua Han. His family background was not public, but anyone with a brain in the financial world understood that he was no ordinary person.

Dich Thua Han didn't possess a powerful corporation like Hao Thien or Duat Van, but that didn't mean he was weak. Those with true power always operated in the shadows, and Dich Thua Han was that type of person.

Rumor had it that he was connected to Hac Kim, an underground organization that held the most important secrets of the financial world. If a corporation wanted to rise or an empire wanted to collapse, Hac Kim could make it happen overnight.