21

21
Mirella’s POV

Two weeks.

That’s how long the investigation dragged on.

Every day felt like walking on thin ice.

Whispers filled the hallways—rumors, guesses, and fear wrapped together like smoke.

Some students seemed almost happy that the legions had finally been cornered.

Others looked terrified, as if just being seen talking about them would bring trouble later.

The school didn’t feel the same.

For the first time, the legions didn’t rule it.

Their usual arrogance was gone.

They couldn’t use their private lounge, couldn’t skip classes, couldn’t act like royalty anymore.

It was strange seeing them line up for lunch like everyone else.

Strange… but satisfying.

Still, I couldn’t relax.

Because I knew people like them didn’t lose quietly.

And then there was Kaelen.

I hadn’t seen him with the rest of the legions since the investigation started.

He used to walk through the halls with that easy confidence, the others trailing behind him like shadows.

Now, he was always alone.

No smiles, no whispers, just silence.

It confused me more than it should have.

One afternoon, I found him sitting on the edge of the courtyard fountain, staring at the water.

The place was empty—most students avoided the courtyard these days.

I hesitated before walking up to him.

He didn’t look up, but he didn’t tell me to go away either.

“You okay?” I asked quietly.

His eyes flicked to me for a second. “I’m fine.”

He didn’t sound fine. His voice was calm, but distant.

“You don’t seem fine,” I said, sitting beside him. “You’ve been quiet lately.”

“Quiet’s not a crime, last I checked.”

“Not yet,” I said, managing a small smile. “But it might be if you keep scaring people with that serious face.”

He huffed out something close to a laugh. “You don’t scare easily, do you?”

“Not anymore.”

That made him turn toward me properly for the first time.

His eyes were tired, not cold like they used to be. “Why are you even talking to me, Mirella? Everyone else is either avoiding me or waiting to see if I get expelled next.”

“Maybe because I’m curious.”

He raised an eyebrow. “About what?”

“Why you’re not with them.”

He looked back at the fountain, expression unreadable. “Maybe because I don’t care anymore.”

“About what? Being a legion?”

He nodded once. “It was always about power, status, control. I went along with it because it was easier. Everyone expected it. When you’re part of something that big, it’s easier to float with the current than swim against it.”

That admission caught me off guard. “So… you never actually wanted it?”

He shrugged. “Wanted? No. Needed? Maybe. Everyone in this place plays a role. Some of us just forget we can stop.”

I studied his face for a moment.

He wasn’t lying.

There was no arrogance in his voice, no hint of manipulation—just honesty.

“Then why join my group for the project?” I asked. “You could’ve chosen anyone.”

For a second, he didn’t answer. Then he said, “Because you were different.”

My breath hitched. “Different how?”

“Everyone here either fears us or wants to be us. But you…” He looked at me, a faint, almost reluctant smile forming. “You fought back. You didn’t look at me like I was untouchable.”

My cheeks grew warm. I quickly looked away. “Maybe because you aren’t.”

He chuckled softly. “Yeah. I’m starting to realize that.”

To escape the awkward silence that followed, I changed the subject. “What do you think will happen when the results come out?”

He leaned back against the fountain. “Honestly? The legions will probably get away with most of it. Their families have too much power. Money moves faster than truth in this place.”

I sighed, the small spark of hope in me dimming. “So that’s it? After everything, they just walk away?”

“Not all of them,” he said quietly. “Some will fall. But the ones who matter most… might not.”

That didn’t comfort me, but I nodded. “At least we tried.”

Kaelen looked at me again, something thoughtful in his gaze. “Sometimes trying is enough.”

\~~~

The announcement came the next day.

Every student was ordered to gather in the assembly hall again.

The tension in the air was thick, almost unbearable.

I could hear people whispering behind me, guessing who would be expelled, who would be saved.

The principal stood at the podium, looking exhausted but firm.

“After thorough review,” he began, “the board has reached a decision.”

You could have heard a pin drop.

“The following students are hereby expelled from Saint Auriel Academy for violations of conduct, harassment, and misconduct unbecoming of their position…”

He read the names slowly.

The female legion.

Two of the male legions who had been part of her group.

Gasps filled the room.

A few people even clapped quietly, though most were too shocked to react.

But then came the part that made my blood boil.

“The remaining members, due to insufficient evidence, will receive formal warnings and suspension of privileges for the remainder of the term.”

Kaelen’s name was among them.

I wanted to scream.

Warnings?

After everything they’d done?

After all the proof we gathered?

I turned toward Kaelen.

He didn’t look relieved or proud.

Just… resigned.

Like he’d expected it.

Meanwhile, the female legion stood near the exit, flanked by two guards.

Her face was pale with anger, but her eyes—her eyes were burning holes through me.

As they escorted her out, she turned her head slightly, locking eyes with me.

Her lips moved, slow and deliberate.

This isn’t over.

A chill ran through me.

Even as the crowd murmured and the principal dismissed everyone, I couldn’t move.

Part of me wanted to be happy—three of them were gone.

We’d actually done it.

But another part of me couldn’t shake the feeling that we’d only just poked a sleeping monster.

\~~~

After school, we gathered at the little café near the gates—the same one where we’d made our plan weeks ago.

Yuki ordered fries for everyone. The stutterer, smiling for the first time in days, even offered to pay.

Dante clinked his glass of soda against mine. “To justice,” he said dramatically.

I laughed softly, raising my cup. “To surviving it.”

The mood was light, full of relief and laughter, but I couldn’t fully join in.

Every time my phone buzzed, my stomach twisted, expecting something bad.

We had won… but the quiet after victory felt dangerous.

When I got home that night, I finally let myself breathe.

My parents were in the living room watching TV.

I dropped my bag and sank into the couch beside them.

For the first time in weeks, things almost felt normal.

Until my phone vibrated again.

An unknown number.

You should’ve stayed quiet.
The female legion’s family doesn’t forgive easily.
They’re coming for you. And your family.

The blood drained from my face.

“Mirella? What’s wrong?” my mom asked.

I showed them the message.

My dad frowned, then sighed. “It’s probably just some jealous kid trying to scare you. Don’t let it get to your head.”

“But what if it’s not?” I asked. “What if they’re serious?”

“Mirella,” my mom said gently, “you’ve been under a lot of stress. Maybe it’s time to put all this behind you. Focus on your studies. The school handled it.”

They didn’t understand. They couldn’t.

I went to my room, locked the door, and sat on my bed, staring at the message again.

Maybe they were right. Maybe it was just a bluff.

But deep down, I knew better.

The female legion had made a promise when she was taken away.

And her family had the power to keep it.

I turned off my light and tried to sleep, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone, somewhere, was already making their next move.