POV: Lin Yue
The sun bathed the Academy's marble archways in a warm, golden hue. Students milled about in uniforms of crimson and obsidian, each marked by their House sigils. Whispers fluttered like moths in the corridors — about the girl who rose from shame to brilliance, the one the Crown Prince himself had once discarded. They didn't dare speak her name too loudly. But their eyes followed her like shadows.
Lin Yue walked with her head held high. Every step was measured. Every glance, a silent war. Her uniform hugged her form in all the right places — tailored silk that gleamed against her skin like a lover's touch. She was a vision that silenced even the rowdiest of noble sons. Not just because of her beauty. But because of the power that curled around her like smoke.
Crown Prince (Rui Shen), from a distance, paused mid-step as he caught sight of her. His jaw clenched. Lin Yue didn't spare him a glance.
She had bigger things to worry about.
Today was the first of many trials — the written exam to gain formal rank in the Academy's prestige scale. Passing it meant recognition. Failing? Humiliation.
POV: Imperial Instructor Li (Exam Proctor)
She sat in the middle row — deliberate. Not too forward to seem desperate, not too back to appear afraid. Bold move. Eyes like blades, posture like a Queen.
I've proctored royalty. But her presence... it unsettled me. There was something about her. Like she saw through the parchment, through the politics. Through me.
POV: Lin Yue
I had barely dipped my brush into ink when I noticed it — a subtle shimmer under the paper of my desk. A rune. Illegal. Meant to confuse. Meant to disqualify.
So they've already started.
I raised my hand. Calm. Controlled.
"Instructor Li," I said, voice sharp. "I request an inspection."
The murmurs began before the instructor even reached me. A noble girl to my left scoffed. Her name — Qin Meiling (Rival). I'd heard of her. Sponsored by her House, protected by gold.
Instructor Li paled when he saw the rune.
"I... this is serious," he muttered.
"Indeed," I replied. "Should I withdraw now, or will the saboteur be removed first?"
His silence was answer enough.
Qin Meiling stood, voice dripping venom. "This is a witch hunt. She's manipulating—"
"Silence," came a deeper voice.
Crown Prince (Rui Shen) had entered the chamber without anyone noticing. He stood now, at the far end of the room, his gaze fixed on Meiling.
"We will not tarnish the Academy with such tactics," he said.
Our eyes met, briefly. I nodded once. Not out of gratitude. But acknowledgment. He owed me more than that.
POV: Royal Court Observer (Anonymous Noble)
Word spread fast. By midday, the entire palace knew.
"The fallen daughter exposed a cheat during the entrance trial."
"She stood alone. Even the Crown Prince had to step in."
"She's dangerous."
The Emperor would hear of this. And the others... oh, the others would begin to circle. Power attracts power. And Lin Yue? She had become gravity.
---