Jax walked into the classroom, the door hissing open behind him.
Heads turned, gazes sharp and curious from every corner. Whispers rippled like wind through the seats.
Kiera sat near the front, her eyes flicking to him for a split second. Her face stayed blank, but tension hung in her shoulders like she carried a grudge from last night.
Other students stared too—some with awe from his screening win, others with smirks like they knew his secrets. Jax ignored them all, scanning for a spot.
He spotted Kai in the back row, waving like an idiot. "Buddy! Over here!"
Jax slid into the seat beside him. Kai grinned wide. "Man, after that screening, you're like a legend. Everyone's talking."
'Legend, huh? If only they knew the half of it.' Jax leaned back, eyes drifting to the girl two seats over.
She sat straight, her posture screaming royalty. Azara Nyvess, princess of Arcadia Spires. Her white hair flowed like silk, framing a face that looked almost human—except for the soft, delicate furry tufts on top of her head. They twitched slightly, reacting to the room's energy, like tiny sensors picking up every emotion.
'Lurixae. The whole Arcadia Spires bunch aren't human. Those tufts... expressive as hell. Bet they're sensitive too. Could make things fun in close quarters.'
Azara caught his stare. Her tufts perked up, a faint blush on her cheeks. She turned away quick.
Kai nudged him. "Dude, that's the princess. Don't stare too hard or you'll end up in some royal drama."
The instructor walked in, a tall man with a holographic board floating beside him. "Settle down. Today, we cover basic Game Theory. Not the fun kind—the kind that wins wars."
He tapped the board. Equations lit up, strategies unfolding in glowing lines. "Every bet, every duel, boils down to logic. Predict your opponent's move. Outthink them before they think."
Jax half-listened, his mind wandering to his system. 'Logic's my game. These kids are just starting.'
The class dragged with examples—duels analyzed, bets broken down. Students nodded along, some scribbling notes on their devices.
Finally, the instructor clapped. "That's it for today. Practice these in your next challenge. Class dismissed."
Students stood, chatter filling the air. Jax grabbed his stuff, eyes catching Zinnia across the room. She huddled with two girls, whispering fierce, her face twisted in a plotter's grin.
'Something's brewing. That look... she's gunning for payback.'
He shrugged it off, heading to the canteen for lunch. The place buzzed with students, trays clinking, voices overlapping.
He grabbed food and sat at a corner table. Halfway through his bite, Zinnia stood up from her spot. Her voice boomed, cool and commanding.
"Listen up! I, Zinnia Reed, challenge Jax Rayne to a duel. Right here, right now. The stakes? High enough to make history."
Heads turned. Whispers exploded. Jax chewed slow, eyes lifting to her.
She smirked, arms crossed. "This isn't just any bet. It's between two powerhouses—the Reeds and the Raynes. If I win, Jax becomes my slave for a full day. I command anything. No limits. Ruthless as I want."
Gasps rippled. Phones came out, recording sneaky.
A staff member nearby groaned. "Not again. Another one." He pulled out his device, tapping quick. "Fine. Broadcasting now."
The canteen screens flickered on. The academy broadcast lit up, cameras zooming in. "Breaking news! A high-stakes challenge between Zinnia Reed and Jax Rayne. Two major households clash. Zinnia's terms: full-day slavery if she wins. Ruthless commands allowed."
Viewers flooded in—students, sponsors, families. Comments scrolled: "This is insane!" "Rayne vs Reed? Popcorn time."
Jax set his fork down, leaning back. 'Smart move, broadcasting it. Locks me in. But what's her game? She knows I beat her before.'
He stood slow, smirking. "Alright, Zinnia. I accept."
The staff blinked. "Jax's terms?"
Jax paused, mind spinning. 'Where's the max benefit? My system's all about lewd gains. DP from conquests. She bets slavery... I can flip it.'
He smiled wide, eyes locking on hers. "Let's make it even. If I win, Zinnia becomes my slave for the day. But wait—I already claimed that once. Boring. So here's the twist: if I win, I get anything I want with her... and her mother. Full day. No resistance."
Silence crashed like a wave. Faces twisted in disgust, shock rippling through the canteen. Whispers turned to gasps.
"Ew, what?"
"That's messed up!"
"Her mother? Dude's ruthless."
Jax ignored it all. 'What people think? I don't give a damn. Opinions are for the weak. I play to win, not to please.'
Others' thoughts flashed in his head—viewers raging: 'Monster!' Sponsors smirking: 'Bold move.' Families gasping: 'Scandal!'
He stared at Zinnia. 'Now what, Zinnia? Win-win for me. Accept, and I rake in points like never before. Reject, and I dodge whatever trap you've set. Your confidence screams you're a pro at this game. I don't know the mechanics yet—better safe.'
Zinnia froze, face pale. Her fists clenched. 'If I lose... Mother... my rage would consume me. I'd end my own life before facing that shame.'
She swallowed hard, voice shaky. "I... accept. Betting everything."
The staff's eyes widened. "Terms are set. Duel is tomorrow. And would be Broadcast live."
The canteen erupted. Students whispered fierce. Broadcast comments exploded: "This is wild!" "Raynes are done." "Reed pride on the line."
Everyone dispersed slow, buzz hanging thick.
Jax stood there as the crowd thinned. Ava leaned against a wall nearby, smirking faint. Kai bounced up, eyes wide.
"Buddy! What have you done? Betting on her mom? That's nuclear!"
Jax waved him off. "I don't have time for regrets now." He turned to Ava, excitement sparking in his chest. "Tell me everything about the Death Race. I'm feeling really excited now."