This World Can't Handle A Cultivating Bad-boy.

A figure stepped into his dorm room.

The tux was slightly loose and yet hugged him like they were made exactly for him and no one else— because it was.

The jacket was jet black,matte-finished but threaded with subtle veins of silver that shimmered only when the light caught them right.

His shirt was midnight grey, tailored to perfection, with a collar that sat high and clean—no tie, no frills.

The trousers were sleek, tapered yet free enough not to restrict movements—formal enough to pass in high society, flexible enough to sprint or strike if needed.

His shoes? Deep and polished black, so much so they reflected every light that hit them like a mirror— designed for movement not comfort. No heel clicks. No sound. Just excellence.

The Watch on his left-hand was more of a timepiece— clean, understated, and precise. Every tick of the second drew attention.

His hair was finally kept at bay as he tied it in a high ponytail letting his blue eye be fully noticed and appreciated.

Aegon stepped into his room and all eyes instinctively fell on him.

Although, it was just the guys in the room. Micheal, Eli and Ren—for some reason.

"Damn." Micheal started. "You look good, D."

——♬♫♪♩

Before he could answer the melodic tone of the orchestra drifted into the room and drew their attention.

"Guess, the gala's started."

Ren remarked.

"Alright," Aegon clapped lightly. "Guess we should go."

"Someone's antsy to see their girlfriend," Eli teased with a hand on his chin. "Or is it girlfriends?"

Rolling his eyes, Aegon answered. "I have no idea what you're talking about—"

"Oh, please." Ren cut in before he could finish. "Been in this school for two months and even I know your scores. You're a whore."

"..."

Aegon's mouth hung open, his eyes darted across the room to see if anyone would defend him.

"..."

No one did.

"Come on," he defended himself. "Half of them, I haven't even done anything with—"

"Yet." Micheal added.

"And you really should be careful with some of them," Eli chimed in. "Like Claire Davenport, who's father is literally in the Mafia."

Micheal draped a hand across his shoulder. "...and you're sleeping with his daughter."

Sliding out from underneath his arm, he rebutted. "Hey, it wasn't like I planned it. It was an accident."

"So," Ren slid his hands in his pockets. "You slipped and fell."

The three others erupted into laughter but Ren stayed completely monotonous, almost robotic.

Once they settled Eli started again. "We really should get going."

The others nodded as they proceeded out the room.

——RIIRRING!

Eli's phone rang—except it his main phone.

They all stopped and turned to him.

"I'll meet you guys outside," Eli said, returning to the dorm for some privacy. "It's probably just my mom."

They thought nothing of it and made their way downstairs.

Nervously glancing back to make sure no one was following him, Eli finally answered the phone. "What is it?"

[ Watch your tone with me, boy. ] The voice in the phone hissed. [ Some of us are in place. They're dressed as the caterers and workers, I need you to keep watch of everyone that could be an issue. ]

"Everyone that could be an issue?" He repeated, unable to believe what he was hearing. "It's a school for awakened, fucking everyone's an issue."

"..."

Silence hung on the little for a second, then the voice came, calmer this time. [ Do you want to see your sister again? ]

For context, Eli's sister had been taken since before his awakened trial. He'd been the perfect person for the job.

His family had a good number of awakened which made it most likely that he'd survive the next trial. He was also at the perfect rank to draw the least attention.

It was also why his mood completely changed before the trial and why he'd acted cold immediately after.

And also why immediately Aegon told him that he suspected a student in the school had something to do with the attack, conveniently, the next day Aegon had an assassination attempt on him.

This had been gnawing at him for months now, but at least once it was over it'd be over. No matter what happened, he'd have to live with, but at least his sister would return.

At least that was what they said.

"I've done everything you've asked of me," Eli argued, his voice threatening to yell but he controlled himself. "I just want my sister back."

Sigh. [ Then do what we say and she'll return without a hair out of place... Who are the main heroes we need to worry about? ]

Eli hummed, sweat already forming on his brows, his thoughts racked all the possibilities in about five seconds. "There's the teachers, most of them are Ascendents but former heroes—"

The voice cut him off. [ I know that already, we checked the school's database but now it's locked down. I need to know about the new students, I need to know their powers and what level their at. ]

"Uhm," Eli faltered. "There's R— Ren Yamamoto, there's Zara Torres..." He continued to list the rest of major awakened who just came.

[ What about Aegon Dhalar? ]

His breath hitched. What type of a friend was he?

He'd helped organize his friend's assassination, he'd been lying seamlessly for months on end, and now... he was about to assist with his murder.

"I'm with him all night." Eli downcast his head, casting a shadow over his features. "He's not gonna be a problem."

[ When I give you the order, finish him. ]

"W— What?" Eli stuttered. "That wasn't the plan, that was never the plan, you said we just had to get him out of the way."

[ Change of plans, the boss said she'd given him the chance to be a real hero, and he never contacted her... so, now he's officially a problem that needs to be taken care of. ]

"And if I say no?" Eli asked, defiance threatening to bubble out of him.

The voice laughed. [ If you say no, I guess I'll just go put a knife to your sister's neck right now. It's honestly that simple. ]

Eli paled. "No. No. No." He sighed. "I'll do it."

[ Good boy. I'll call when I'm there, so be alert and never drop this phone. ]

He hung up.

Eli sighed again. Utterly exhausted from everything, he was having a moral dilemma and had no one to talk to about it.

Even Mirage had come ask for his sister and he tried to pass on a vague clue when he said, 'she's helping my family at home.'

Because their parents were both heroes and were never at home. But unfortunately, he didn't get it.

Wiping his face with a handkerchief in his pocket, he turned back and froze.

"...!"

"How long?" Aegon spoke finally.