The classroom buzzed softly with the chatter of students, the hum of adolescent energy filling the space. Eyra Drax was at the center of a small group, laughing with her friends about a joke only middle schoolers would find hilarious. Her smile was wide, her eyes bright — but her gaze flicked toward the door when it opened.
Their homeroom teacher, Miss Ambika, walked in first. The chatter quieted slightly as students straightened. But then someone followed her inside.
Aven Drax.
Eyra's heart skipped. She jumped from her seat, but paused halfway, glancing at her teacher for permission.
Ambika gave a small, amused smile and nodded.
In an instant, Eyra rushed forward and threw her arms around Aven.
"So, little princess, I didn't break my promise," Aven said, voice gentle as he held her close.
Eyra grinned, her voice muffled against his suit. "Yes! Big brother, you're great!"
Aven gently pulled back and tried to lift her into the air playfully, but she made a mock-protest.
"Not now! I'm not a kid anymore."
Aven smirked. "Really? Because you're still light as ever."
Still, he lifted her once, just to tease, before setting her down with a laugh.
"So... where do you want to go?"
Eyra didn't hesitate. "Water park!"
Behind them, whispers began to erupt in the classroom.
Eyra's friend Niki nudged another classmate. "Was Eyra's brother always this damn good-looking?"
Another girl giggled, eyes still on Aven. "Nope. He definitely glowed up."
Aven chuckled, aware of the attention but unbothered. "For everyone in the class — I brought some gifts. Who wants some?"
The response was instant.
"ME!" the class shouted.
Robert Kaess stepped forward with a polished box, opening it to reveal individually packed chocolates. Miss Ambika helped pass them out, smiling at how orderly the children became in the face of sweets.
Aven waved toward the class. "Everyone, enjoy. And thanks for taking care of Eyra."
After the treats were distributed, the bell rang softly in the background. Aven turned to Miss Ambika.
"I'll walk them out," she said gently.
Eyra give look to her teacher,but she didn't say anything,Eyra held Aven's hand proudly as they walked through the hallway. Other students poked their heads out of classroom doors, phones subtly raised. Whispers followed them like wind.
At the front gate, Eyra climbed into the back seat beside Aven while Robert took the wheel.
Aven glanced at Ambika once more.
"If you want to join us, Miss..."
Her hesitation was visible. She looked tempted, her gaze flicking toward the open car door.
But after a second, she shook her head. "No sir, I have class after this."
Aven gave a mock sigh. "Too bad. Bye, Miss."
"Bye, Teacher!" Eyra added, waving.
---
Teachers' Room – Velis Academy
Back in the faculty lounge, the atmosphere was anything but calm.
A younger female teacher leaned over to Ambika. "How does it feel talking to someone that hot in real life?"
Ambika didn't reply, but a soft pink touched her cheeks, and a tiny smile betrayed her thoughts.
"Ohhh, she's blushing!" another teased. "Ambika's got a crush~"
In the corner of the room, a male teacher sat stiffly. His eyes hadn't moved from the doorway. His jaw clenched.
He didn't say a word.
But his glare toward the exit was sharp.
He likes Ambika but she didn't give him a chance ,now that look on her.
And he wouldn't forget what he saw.
"So," Aven asked, buckling his seatbelt, "Water park it is?"
"Yes!" Eyra beamed.
"Okay, sir," Robert replied from the front seat.
They reached the outskirts of the water park in just 20 minutes. The scenic views of Niremo City passed by their windows — a blend of towering skyscrapers, gleaming glass facades, and bustling pedestrian streets. Eyra smiled as she looked out, her joy radiating like sunlight.
Just then, Aven's phone buzzed.
He answered immediately. "Yes, Uncle?"
His expression changed in an instant.
"Come to the hospital," came the tense voice. "Your brother's injured."
Aven's voice sharpened. "What!? What happened!?"
Eyra sat up straighter, her smile fading. Her hands gripped the seatbelt across her lap.
"Someone tried to kill him," the voice said. "At the university gate. We're still investigating."
"Robert! To the hospital. Now!" Aven barked.
The car swerved slightly as Robert pressed the accelerator hard, the vehicle leaping forward.
Eyra's small voice trembled. "Brother… what happened?"
Aven didn't respond. His jaw clenched tight, the muscles twitching.
Then — "ORION."
"Yes, Master?" the AI's smooth, mechanical voice responded.
"Trace the event."
"[That will cost 1 million credits,]" ORION said flatly.
"Now's not the time for prices."
"[Understood. 10 million for assassin identification. 100 million for full-spectrum tracking and exposure of the culprit."]
Aven growled. "Do you have emotions? He's my brother!"
[I lack emotions master]
"Then take it. 100 million," Aven said coldly.
"Confirmed. Beginning analysis."
---
Cracks in the Calm
The air inside the luxury vehicle turned suffocating.
Aven sat perfectly still, but a fire blazed in his eyes. His fingers flexed and clenched, the veins on his forearm bulging. And then —
BAM!
His fist crashed into the car door.
The reinforced panel crumpled under the force, the sound reverberating like a gunshot in the tight space.
Eyra flinched. Her wide eyes stared up at her brother, unsure whether to speak again.
Robert said nothing, his expression unreadable, but his foot pressed harder on the gas pedal.
Aven's mind was spiraling — not in panic, but in something colder, more focused, and infinitely more dangerous.
He didn't want to lose anyone.
Not after he had found something real.
Not after this family — with all their warmth, chaos, and loyalty — had accepted him.
He had been Rivan Bosc once. Cold, cruel, untouchable.
But now, he was Aven Drax.
He had something worth protecting.
And if anyone dared to touch it—especially someone like Valeck Veron—they wouldn't live to regret it.
Inside him, something cracked.
The weight of being Rivan.
The responsibility of being Aven.
The fear of losing what he had just begun to treasure.
Unspoken pressure filled the car like a storm cloud.
Eyra whispered again, her voice barely audible.
"Brother… is Kaen okay?"
Aven looked at her. The rage in his eyes softened, just slightly.
"He's stable," he said gently. "He got hurt… but he'll be fine. I promise."
She nodded slowly, though her eyes remained wide and unsure.
Aven turned back toward the window, staring at the blurred cityscape flying past.
---
ORION's said Analysis complete– Target Confirmed
"Main culprit: Valeck Veron."
"Hired assassin: Taryou."
"Target: Kaen Drax."
"Event location: University Gate 2."
"Interference: Jean — a classmate. Jean's sudden movement pulled Kaen off-balance seconds before the shot. As a result, the assassin missed the vital point."
"[Kaen immediately took cover using nearby structures. Minor injury sustained to the left leg. No life-threatening damage."]
Aven exhaled slowly, though his chest still burned.
"And the assassin?" he asked coldly.
"Assassin escaped. Placed a call to his employer during escape. Audio confirmed."
"Play it," Aven ordered.
[Audio Feed Begins.]
Taryou: "Valeck, sir! Mission failed! That bastard's friend pulled him away!"
Valeck: "You useless idiot! You can't even shoot a university student!?"
Taryou: "Sir, everything went wrong! He ducked, and—"
Valeck: "Shut up. You're done."
[End Feed.]
Aven's jaw locked.
His voice dropped to a whisper, but it echoed with lethal promise.
"I gave you time, Valeck…"
He tapped the screen beside him.
"ORION."
["Yes master]
"Track Valeck. I want full surveillance. Every asset. Every ally. Every movement."
"Understood. Dividing operation into three branches: Digital Surveillance, Financial Monitoring, and Tactical Pursuit. Initiating full tracking."
"Do everything," Aven said, his voice quiet now. Too quiet.
"Leave nothing untouched."
"[Confirmed, Master."]
_____
Thecar screeched to a halt outside the VVIP wing of Niremo General.
Aven didn't wait for Robert to open the door. He pushed it himself and stepped out.
His steps were silent — but his presence wasn't.
Robert quickly parked. Eyra scrambled out behind him, trying to keep up with her brother's pace.
The automated glass doors of the VVIP wing hissed open.
Aven stepped inside.
The world went still.
Two dozen Drax guards in black uniforms stood lined along the corridor. The moment Aven entered, every single one of them snapped to a rigid salute.
His polished shoes clicked softly against the marble floor, echoing like war drums.
At the far end of the hall stood Kaelion, Darion, and his father — faces grim, postures tense.
His mother sat on a steel bench, shoulders hunched, hands trembling, her eyes swollen red from crying.
It was a rare sight — the iron-willed woman broken by the thought of losing her son.
Robert and Eyra stood back quietly, letting Aven lead.
He didn't stop walking.
Not until he reached the glass door to Kaen's room.
After sometime they all entered.
---
Inside the Room
Kaen Drax lay on the hospital bed.
His left leg was wrapped in white gauze. Scratches decorated his arms and jaw, and a light bruise bloomed near his temple.
But somehow — he was smiling.
"Mom," Kaen said softly, trying to sit up straighter, "stop crying. Look at me — I'm fine! See? It's nothing serious."
The moment the door opened, Eyra slipped past Aven and rushed to Kaen, throwing her arms around his free arm, hugging it tightly.
"Idiot," she whispered. "You scared everyone!"
Kaen laughed lightly, wincing a bit. "Didn't mean to."
Aven entered the room, his steps slow… measured… filled with something deeper than rage.
Kaen looked up, the smile still on his lips.
He lifted his hand — their usual greeting.
A teasing fist bump between brothers.
But Aven didn't lift his hand.
He didn't smile.
Instead, he gently placed his palm on Kaen's head.
His voice came low. Weighted.
"I was late."
---
From behind, Kaelion clenched his jaw, his face stormy. "It's not your fault," he said, voice tight. ""I had given him a task with two elite team guards," Kaelion added bitterly. "It was plan — after your accident… I thought he could handle it. But when you maked another plan with project we dropped that idea.They all know now who was behind this attacked William give them details just few minutes ago.
His regret was clear. But his anger? That ran deeper.
"We underestimated them," Aven said calmly. "That was our mistake."
His hand lingered on Kaen's head a moment longer before dropping to his side.
Outside, the city moved as if nothing had changed.
But in Aven's heart…
A storm had been born.
And it wouldn't pass.
Not until it drowned the name Valeck Veron in blood and silence.