Fields – 10:02 AM
The wind swept gently across the training fields. Tall grasses swayed like waves. The sky was clear—deceptively peaceful.
Aria leaned against the bark of a tall tree, arms folded, her auburn hair catching flecks of gold from the sun. Beside her stood Kairon, hands in his pockets, calm as ever.
"You’re in a pretty difficult group, huh?" she said, eyes scanning the forest edge. "I an... you being the only Class D student in that group."
Kairon didn’t move. "I don’t see a problem with it."
Aria narrowed her eyes at him. "How can you not see a problem? You might be suspected. Maybe even planned against."
He turned to look at her, his grave still calm . "Is that... care I sense coming from you?"
Aria scoffed. "Of course not. I just don’t want you to fail and drag down Class D’s points."
Kairon chuckled, tilting his head. "I see. And your group? How are you dealing with Ivy? You don’t like her."
Aria sighed, looking annoyed. "She’s doing her usual thing. Making friends, laughing, trying to be everyone’s favorite. I just... read."
Kairon raised an eyebrow. "Heh. You do know we have to find the traitor by the end of the day, right?"
"I know," she said flatly. "But I don’t want to jump to conclusions."
Kairon crossed his arms, his golden eyes watching her. "As expected... from the student council president’s sister."
Aria raised a brow. "What’s that supposed to an?"
"But seriously," she continued, "the academy really knows how to ss with us. Two days of holiday and now this ’traitor test’? Really?"
Kairon’s tone dropped lower, thoughtful. "You still don’t get it?"
"What do you an?"
"We were all given two days off. All students, gathered in the sa recreational facility. Interacting. Laughing. Bonding." He paused. "Then boom — this test, right after. A test built on suspicion. Fear."
Aria’s eyes widened a little. "...So the break wasn’t for rest. It was to build trust. Trust they’d test later."
"Exactly," Kairon said, voice like a blade. "But... knowing the tension between classes, all it did was light fires."
"Which ans the academy knew that too..." Aria muttered, piecing it together. "So the test is more chaotic. ssy. Personal."
Kairon gave a rare, approving nod. "Your deductive skills have improved."
Aria rolled her eyes. "Enough with the complints. So what’s your plan to find the traitor?"
Kairon shrugged. "Who knows?"
"Huh? Don’t give that I-don’t-care attitude!" Aria snapped, pointing at him. "If you ss up this test, I swear I won’t forgive you."
Kairon turned away, already walking off toward the dorm building. "Then prepare yourself to hate ... for the rest of our years at this academy."
---
Room 5 – 10:35 AM
The air inside the room was tight with suspicion. The others were gathered, seated or standing in small, tense clusters. The silence shattered the mont Kairon walked in.
Adams stood up. "I’m glad you’re back. Now we’re all here. Let’s put our heads together and figure this out."
Seraphina’s eyes glead. She stood. "Isn’t it already obvious who the traitor is?"
Adams blinked. "Who do you think it is?"
"Ren," she said sharply. "He stole my key card to cause confusion. That’s traitor behavior."
Ren jumped to his feet. "You better watch your mouth, young lady! Why would I steal your damn key card?"
He pointed across the room. "Speaking of traitors—why not Kairon? He’s the only one from Class D! What better cover?"
The others turned their eyes to Kairon.
But he didn’t flinch.
He calmly took a seat at the far end, golden eyes scanning them one by one.
"Think about it," he said, voice low and smooth. "Did you really think the school would be dumb enough to make the only Class D student the traitor?"
The room went quiet.
Kairon leaned forward. "What about the other groups? So had perfect balance—two from each class. You really think the traitor setup was this shallow?"
They hesitated. Eyes shifted. Doubt crept in.
"He’s just trying to throw us off!" Ren shouted. "He’s a Class D dig! Talking all high and mighty like he’s a genius!"
Kairon tilted his head. "Then vote. We were given watches to vote, weren’t we? If you’re so sure... press the button."
The air grew still.
Ren’s fingers hovered over his watch. "Oh, I will—"
But a hand grabbed his wrist.
Dorian.
"Don’t vote yet," Dorian said quietly.
"Let go!" Ren hissed.
Dorian let go slowly. "I just... think we need to be sure."
Adams nodded. "Dorian’s right. We can’t be rash. Not now."
Ren clicked his teeth and stord toward the door. "Fine. Do what you want."
The door slamd shut behind him.
Silence returned.
Adams looked around. His gaze fell on Kairon again.
Is it him? he wondered. He’s too calm. That could be a trick... or maybe... he really is thinking deeper than the rest of us.
He sighed and addressed the group. "Let’s get so rest. Maybe the other teams will figure sothing out. We’ll vote tomorrow."
Everyone agreed. Quietly. Cautiously.
As they began settling, Kairon leaned against the cold wall, closing his eyes.
He could feel it.
The ga was tightening.
The Next Morning— 8:10 AM
North Sector Grounds, Room 5
The morning sun filtered in through the barred window, casting long shadows on the floor. Breakfast was quiet... too quiet.
No one talked. No one laughed.
Only the sound of chewing and the occasional clink of cutlery echoed through the room.
Kairon sat with his arms crossed, back against the wall, eyes closed. But his mind? Wide awake.
Ren hadn’t spoken since the accusation.
Seraphina sat further from everyone now, one hand resting protectively over her watch.
Dorian avoided eye contact.
Adams was tense—shoulders stiff, eyes darting.
The group was fractured. Just as planned.
---
12:00 PM
A new notification buzzed on their watches.
"Challenge Event: Each group must nominate a leader. That leader will be sent to the Warden’s Shed to retrieve a sealed box. Inside it is a clue. Only the leader may view the clue. You have 10 minutes to decide."
Everyone looked around.
No one spoke first.
Then Adams stood.
"I’ll go. I’ve been keeping us together since the first night."
Ren scoffed. "You an accusing people without proof?"
Kairon yawned, still leaning against the wall.
"Why not let Dorian go?" he said, voice light, eyes sharp.
"He’s quiet. Quiet people make good spies."
Dorian flinched slightly. "Why would I—?"
Seraphina suddenly stood. "Enough. We don’t have ti for petty gas. Let’s vote."
They voted.
By one margin...
Adams was chosen.
---
Warden’s Shed – 12:18 PM
Adams stepped out alone into the open field, the wind whispering secrets only the grass could hear. The Warden’s Shed stood like a relic of a past life — cracked wood, iron chains, and a rusted door.
He stepped inside.
Dark. Cold. A box on the table.
He opened it slowly.
Inside was a note:
"The traitor never touches the food."
Adams froze.
His mind began rewinding every mont from the night before.
Who didn’t eat?
---
Back at Room 5 – 12:34 PM
Adams returned, face unreadable.
"What was inside?" Seraphina asked.
Adams hesitated. "A clue. But it’s... vague."
Ren frowned. "So you’re keeping it secret?"
Kairon says "Looks like soone’s trying to protect soone."
Adams shot him a glare. "I’m trying to protect us. Not play detective like you."
The tension returned, thicker than ever.
---
Nightfall — 8:03 PM
Dinner was served.
This ti, Kairon didn’t touch the food. Neither did Dorian.
Seraphina watched both of them closely, her fingers twirling under the table.
Kairon caught her. Their eyes t.
He looked at his food.
She looked away, unsettled.
---
9:40 PM
Another alert ca.
"You may vote now. You have 5 minutes to cast your vote using the watch. Only one na. No changing. No reversal."
Everyone stared at their watches.
Fingers hovered.
Vote submitted.
Vote submitted.
Vote submitted.
Vote submitted.
Vote submitted.
Vote submitted.
---
10:01 PM — Watch ssage
"The vote is complete."
"The person voted: Dorian Ashford."
"Was he the traitor?"
...
"No."
Failure.
The room was dead silent.
Dorian stood, mouth slightly open. "You all really thought it was ?"
Adams clenched his fists. "It made sense... you didn’t eat... you moved last night..."
Kairon was Calm. Calculating.
But inside? He was curious.
If not Dorian... then who?
Ren stared at everyone. "Then... who the hell is it?"
---
The lights dimd.
A new ssage buzzed in their watches.
"Three nights remain. The traitor remains among you."
"The next challenge begins tomorrow."
Kairon lay back on his mat, folding his arms behind his head.
Not yet.
But the ga was just beginning.
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