Location: Avalon Elite Academy – Cafeteria, Just After the Fight
Fifteen students were rolled out on stretchers.
Everyone else?
Frozen.
The air was thick with shock, awe, and the heavy silence of a message received.
At the center of it all sat Grayson Lysander—unbothered, dipping fries into ketchup, turning the pages of a thick, leather-bound book like he hadn't just wiped the floor with half a varsity lineup.
Scene: The Approach
Then came the second shock.
Caelan, Azra, and Liora Vale stood from their table.
No words exchanged.
They moved like royalty on instinct.
Zeke, Rico, Nova, Arielle, and Elina followed—silent and composed.
Cassiel, Vivienne, Lucian, Kai, Nyra, and Rowan rose seconds later.
The school watched in stunned disbelief as the full pantheon of Avalon's elite made their way toward the one person no one knew.
Scene: The First Time — Pretended
Grayson looked up just as they arrived.
Smiled.
"Okay. Either I just got drafted into a cult… or I'm being adopted."
Caelan extended a hand with a cool nod.
"We figured you might need some company, new guy."
Grayson (smirking):
"And here I thought I'd have to eat in the shadows like a tragic anime protagonist."
Laughter slipped from Azra, while Liora looked convincingly intrigued.
Nova gave a teasing smile.
"We figured you earned the seat… after the floor show."
Grayson (to Arielle): "Still not sure if this is mercy or an interrogation."
Arielle (dry): "You'll know if it becomes the second."
Scene: The Circle Grows
Selene, Zaria, Isla, Noah, and Jace approached next.
Their eyes flicked between Grayson and the others.
Selene (sitting): "You're the reason half the cafeteria's in medbay?"
Grayson (shrugging): "They were rude. I was hungry. Priorities."
The whole table laughed.
To anyone watching?
It looked like a bold, charming new student had somehow cracked the circle of Avalon's most powerful personalities in one lunch break.
To those at the table?
It was a carefully orchestrated illusion.
And it was working.
Final Scene: The Cafeteria Watches
"Did he just flirt with Nova Vale?"
"How do you even speak to Lucian like that?"
"Who is this guy?!"
Grayson leaned back in his chair, cool and comfortable.
"First day's going great."
And the legend of Grayson Lysander quietly began.