Three days after the poisoned prom, whispers flooded the cities. Billionaires canceled galas. Powerful names went underground.
And yet, at a secret location in Nox Vale, a brutal underground auction began. Not for gold. Not for art.
For the Devil's Crown — a cursed relic said to belong to the ruler of a forgotten dynasty.
Only seven people in the world were invited.
Jayden was one of them. Not because he bid — but because he was the true heir of the Devil's Crown.
Masked, sitting in the shadows, he watched as the price climbed past two billion dollars.
Zamira, standing beside him in a black catsuit, leaned close.
"They don't know it's fake," she whispered. "The real one... is on your desk."
Jayden didn't flinch. He already knew.
But what she said next did make him flinch:
> "And I should know. I forged it myself."
---
At Riverborne University, the spring carnival began.
Dancers. Fireworks. Students dressed in masquerade. Popstars arrived. Influencers flew in. Even royals from Derandia and Silverhollow came to flaunt their heirs.
In the crowd, Axl, the arrogant heir to a trillion-dollar steel empire, arrived with his new girl — Mina Rivera, famous for breaking four hearts in three weeks.
She locked eyes with Comfort across the dance square.
"Still dating poor boys, are we?" she sneered.
Comfort smiled sweetly, sipped her champagne... then tossed it into Mina's face.
A camera caught it.
#ComfortClapsBack trended in under an hour.
Jayden saw it live from his underground room and chuckled. "She hasn't changed."
---
That night, Jayden cornered Zamira on the rooftop of the Nox Vale penthouse.
"Why me?" he asked, staring into her emerald eyes.
Zamira didn't hesitate. "Because you're the only person who ever scared the shadows. And I belong to them."
She pulled her jacket down slightly — revealing a tattoo behind her shoulder blade.
A serpent wrapped around a dagger. The symbol of The Veiled Order.
Jayden's eyes narrowed.
That order was believed to have vanished years ago.
"You're not just part of them," he said slowly. "You lead them."
Zamira smirked.
"You finally get it, Devil."
---
In the hills of Veyron Hollow, a family war broke out.
The Ainsworths, old money, cruel blood, and ruthless traditions, hosted their first "Unity Gathering" in 12 years.
All members were forced to attend — under threat of exile.
There, secrets spilled:
Matilda Ainsworth was revealed to have secretly married a man from a peasant town.
Joseph had a daughter he never acknowledged.
Paul Ainsworth, the family's enforcer, confessed he once tried to kill Jayden's mother under orders.
Jayden, in all-black, stood before them, wine in hand.
"Now that the truths are out," he said coldly, "let's talk about loyalty... and war."
---
A new announcement shattered the peace across the seven territories.
A massive inter-academy competition would be held, hosted by the Global League of Titans.
Cash prize: $500 million.
But behind the games?
An ulterior motive.
The real prize wasn't money.
It was The Obsidian Key — something every major family had killed for.
Jayden received an anonymous invite card laced in real silver. One sentence etched in red:
> "If you win, the world bends. If you lose, the world forgets you."
He looked up.
Smiled.
> "Time to play."
---