Lousy Assassin.

Dark's sight blurred.

“Look. It’s been a dream of mine to become part of your uncle’s organization, so I’ll help you become a premium scholar. In return, you have to promise me a spot in your uncle’s organization once I’m out of school.” Shade delivered a harmless smile, barely gaining his attention.

“It’s a deal,” Dark grunted, knowing fully well that he couldn’t do shit. But his desperate attempt to get away succeeded in blinding his words.

Not to mention he had to play along, or he might actually die — again.

The ex-assassin's eyes twitched with every turn, scanning Shade’s physique.

His posture is uneven, his right arm must be weaker somehow.

He may be dead, but his eyes and experience were still working in his favor.

“Great, easy peasy.” Shade jumped off Dark, putting an end to his silent suffering.

“Let’s have a look at your power level, then we’ll move on to your soul weapon.” Shade rumbled as he brought out a watch and put it around Dark's wrist.

Nothing he just heard made sense, but he just played along.

Shade locked it in, then a hologram popped up. It was a rotating circle, which paused after producing a number within its circumference.

900

Shade froze, his eyes widening as he focused on the figure.

“What’s wrong?” Dark stared at the number too, but couldn’t pinpoint a thing.

This must be an abnormal number, maybe too high?

Dark pressed his lips, still staring at the number.

Taking my level of dominance and skill, the system must have granted me a grand number. Is it too obvious that I'm a genius?

He eyes narrowed, a faint smirk crept onto his face.

Shade stroked his chin with a raised brow.

"Nine hundred. How could an executive as powerful as Destiny have such a weak nephew?" he said.

"Huh?" Dark blinked his eyes rapidly, his lips thinning out.

“I’m at 3,650 and I’m very sure I don’t stand a chance at becoming a premium scholar. Those you plan to compete against would rank from 6,000 and beyond.” Shade shook his head negatively, slow enough for his roommate to spot his disappointment.

Dark's eyes twitched in frustration, his lips bent to a faint frown.

The thought of being regular made his skin itch.

“But don’t worry about a thing, I’ll train you well enough for you to achieve your aim,” Shade shot a fist in the air.

I'm hopeless, Dark scoffed, totally ignoring Shade's resolve.

“We’ll get back to that later. Can I see your soul weapon?” Shade quizzed with a smile, but he just raised a brow, tilting his head sideways.

Soul weapon? He knows about my golden companions?!

Dark screamed within him, immediately thinking of his most cherished twin guns.

He’s not regular at all!

Shade's brows dropped, his eyes nearly shut.

“I guess we’ll have to settle for an Ace,” he muttered, glaring at his roommate.

Dark, even though confused about the whole thing, felt somewhat offended by his supposed roommate's sudden loss of confidence.

He didn't know when he raised a finger at him.

“I’m sure I can attain the title of a high-level premium— just watch me!” his pride had taken full control.

Shade sneered at him, turning away.

“I guess I was just wasting my time after all,” he added, folding his arms.

Dark didn’t know why, but he burned with immature rage, that the sound of a much lighter bell escaped his hearing.

A bell that seemed to stop Shade in his tracks.

Instead of paying attention, he just kept on playing scenarios in his head, all resulting in his roommate begging for mercy.

His rage grew, with every passing second, he grew unsatisfied with his imagination.

Taking in enough air, he narrowed his eyes, glinting at Shade's back, ready to throw it all out.

"You— " Shade pressed his palm over Dark's lips without turning back, immediately breaking the tension.

“Shh."

“They’re here.”

Other students within the same proximity also turned their attention to the approaching squad of three large cars, all pitch black with tinted glasses.

“Who’s here?” he removed Shade's palm, staring into the distance.

His rage had completely subsided through sheer curiosity.

Shade grinned as his eyes popped wide open.

“The freaking elites.”

→ → →

The front door of the first limo was gently pushed open. A middle-aged man fitted in a black suit emerged, eyes locked onto the back door. He made a swift turn, pulling at the handle with a slight bow.

A girl stepped out, dressed similarly to the rest, yet so different and unique. Her presence eased the minds of those present, but her beauty reached even further.

Her long purple hair fell over her back, blue fiery eyes unsettling everyone they met.

"Who’s she?” Darl rubbed his throat, he felt a lump.

"That’s Tokinari Kasumi, her apex name is Starlight. Don’t let her looks deceive you– most say she can't feel any emotion at all.” Shade skipped with a slight grin.

Dark stared at her, a faint white aura surrounded her, quiet and barely burning.

She doesn’t look like much to me.

"Stay away from her. She’s the last person you’d want as your enemy.” Shade grabbed Dark by the collar.

"She doesn’t look that tough. People like that are just presumed so because of their status.” Dark slapped Shade’s hand away.

"Not that, idiot. She happens to be the first daughter of the president of your uncle’s organization. If you don’t play your cards right, you might just end your uncle’s career!” Shade bellowed, seizing his collar again—this time with an unyielding grip.

"And my potential future career!”

→ → →

The second limo’s front door opened. A man stepped ahead to pull open the back door, and a moderately built male teen came into the limelight. His hair was bright yellow and spiky, while his eyes were as purple as Star’s hair.

"Tokinari Tora, apex name Tiger, he's Star’s twin brother. A globally acknowledged tournament dominator with numerous awards. I bet he’s going to be king, no matter what class he’s in.” Shade lamented with great affection.

"Who cares about that? I’m dying here!" Dark tried twisting off Shade's wrist but it just wouldn't budge.

He didn't have time to check for this elite's aura.

"You shouldn’t go close to them. Their social class is on a whole other level.”

After those words, Dark stopped struggling, he stared at the back of his supposed roommate.

He was always good at reading people, but right now, he wished he wasn’t.

LIE!

It was all a lie.

Shade didn’t see them that way at all. He was the one on a different level—one Dark didn't want to find out.

The third limo in line rolled up to the drop point. It was opened by a well-clad butler, and a tall, slim male teen surfaced from the opulent vehicle. He had silver-colored hair and black pupils. His uniform fitted his frame precisely, the uniform was neat, his tie tightly knotted, his whole appearance seemingly formal.

“Who's that supposed to be?” Dark asked, since Shade kept mute.

“Doomsday. Ds for short. The principal’s second son.” Shade tossed the words in the air.

The ex-assassin watched Shade closely, he could only spot hints of annoyance and disinterest.

But the glinting eyes hinted at a hidden connection. He didn't pry.

Turning to Doomsday, a weak smirk surfaced. A grey mist surrounded this particular student, barely moving freely it latched onto him.

He mustn't be like the others, I've found a perfect starting point. The principal's son huh.

"There's no good review about him, even before now he's already been calling this academy his domain and regarding other students as slaves for his success. With Tiger around there'll be a lot of intensity." Shade added, enjoying the setting — or at least pretending to.

Together, the three elites walked towards the entrance gate through a path the crowd parted for them, chants and cheers raining down on both sides.

The two misfits just observed quietly, not persisting with the crowd.

Doomsday paced through the crowd with a flat expression, eyes saggy and shallow, he didn't pay the screaming students a glance. But his ears caught a gap in the applause he didn't appreciate.

He turned towards the gap, only to meet Dark's glaring eyes, his smirk also reaching him while Shade still held his collar.

Doomsday sneered, facing back forward.

“Don’t we have class or something?” Dark turned his gaze away.

"No classes today, all we'll be doing today is settling in. The day’s just begun.” Shade said brightly, beaming with excitement.

His hand finally let go of Dark’s collar, but not before leaving persistent rumples.

"Soon we’ll have the welcome ceremony, then class assignments, and finally—” Shade smiled sheepishly,

“—the midnight party funded by the second years. Today’s going to be fun!"

"Shade," Dark suddenly called, his voice dropping deep and mature, instantly grabbing Shade’s attention.

Shade dialed down, "What's wrong?"

"I want to understand more, I want to learn about the hierarchy. You see I'm searching for someone at the top."

Shade lips drew a straight line.

"That's all common knowledge, what are you implying?"

He felt Shade's aura shift, the fire diminished, like it was harshly tucked away.

"Can you teach it to me, somewhere quiet?" Dark smirked innocently.

Too late you liar,

He couldn't help but glare at his supposed roommate, but he looked away to avoid suspicion.

Dark's dominant, eerie demeanor was back, consuming his entire body, soul, and mind.

What a lousy assassin— he thought.

You couldn't even hide your presence.