When All Eyes Turn

[Location: Nova Academy – Cadet Award Hall, Two Days After the Weapon Incident]

The main hall of Nova Academy was usually reserved for formal celebrations or graduation ceremonies. But today, every cadet was gathered for the announcement of the major simulation results and the awarding of the top-performing team. Of course, everyone already knew who the buzz was about.

Team 9.

I stood in the middle row with Kael and Ryn, trying to look as casual as possible, even though my body felt like it wanted to vanish into the floor. All eyes were turned to the front—but most of them kept stealing glances in our direction.

Kael patted my shoulder. "I bet you're getting a personal award. At least 'Calmest Cadet in Absolute Chaos'."

"I'd rather win 'Cadet Who Should Never Be Mentioned Again'," I muttered.

Ryn gave a faint smile. "Unfortunately, the world doesn't work by preference."

Instructor Tessan stepped onto the podium, wearing his formal academy coat. His gaze scanned the crowd before pausing briefly in my direction. I returned it with a small, resigned smile.

"This simulation wasn't just about strength," Tessan began, "but about adaptation, improvisation, and teamwork. And one team demonstrated those qualities—surprisingly well."

I looked down. Kael rolled his shoulders like he was prepping for a standing ovation.

"Team 9," Tessan continued, "achieved the highest rating in tactical efficiency and positional resilience."

Applause erupted.

I closed my eyes. One... two... three...

"And there was one member who showed... unexpected potential. Someone whose impact... was significant."

"No... no..." I whispered.

"Deren Arkwright."

My head snapped up automatically. Kael cheered. Ryn patted my shoulder. Every eye in the room turned to me. Some were curious. Some were calculating.

Tessan looked at me for a long moment, then said, "Deren will be placed as an advanced observer candidate in the upcoming tactical simulation."

Translation: they're going to watch me even more closely now.

[Cutaway – Location: Coalition of Technology Governance Office]

A senior official from the Loxen faction sat in a sealed meeting room filled with holographic projections and interactive maps. At the center, a report projection from Nova Academy glowed in red—marking repeated patterns of tech anomalies.

"This name has appeared again. Deren Arkwright. It's tied to nearly every irregular system incident over the past two weeks. Not just in one unit, but across departments. This isn't a coincidence."

A representative from Hyra Sanctum—a silver-haired woman with a sharp demeanor—nodded while flipping through additional data files. "We're investigating deeper. But Nova's isolating their data too tightly. Most of our usual infiltration paths don't work there. Their system is far more complex than we anticipated."

The Vireal representative, clad in traditional robes interlaced with transparent tech layers, added cautiously, "If he's a rogue variable, we're facing two options: wait and risk him being claimed by another side… or approach first. In a large conflict, an unexpected pawn can become a king."

The room fell silent. All three stared at the name blinking on the central display: Deren Arkwright.

[Back at Nova Academy – Nighttime]

I stood on the dorm balcony, still wearing the ceremonial uniform that now felt heavier than usual. The city lights in the distance shimmered faintly, as if reluctant to witness how fast someone's life could change in just a few days. The night breeze brushed through my hair, carrying with it the distant laughter of other cadets from the lower floors. But up here, on the top floor, only silence kept me company.

My comm device buzzed.

[Clarice]: "Your name is now officially on Tier-One Surveillance. Your data's open to all faction observers."

I let out a long sigh. It felt like a secret door I'd kept tightly shut... was slowly being forced open. The eyes of the world were now converging on one spot—and I was right in the center, without a plan, without the will.

"Guess naps are gonna be a luxury of the past," I murmured, half in surrender.

Above my head, the stars still shone. Unbothered by who was being watched, hunted, or simply wanted a peaceful life.

And maybe... this was only the beginning of the long storm to come.