After a bit more cuddling in the warmth of the bed, Adonis and Maria eventually got up, ready to start their respective days. Though, in truth, attending class wasnât entirely necessary for them. They were powerful in their own right, and even without attending, nothing would fall apart.
But Adonis had his next plan to put into motion. His thoughts were already focused on what awaited him with
Rai Calder
.
Once they arrived at the classroom, the moment Adonis stepped through the door, the entire atmosphere changed.
The moment he entered, the room fell into stunned silence.
"Gods! Who is this? Why is he so handsome?" one female student muttered, her voice full of disbelief.
"Heavens! My heart is beating so fast!" another whispered, her hand pressed against her chest as if trying to calm her racing heart.
"Fuck! How can someone be more handsome than me?" a boy from a commoner background grumbled under his breath, his voice tinged with narcissistic jealousy.
But it wasnât just them who noticed.
The commoner genius Rai Calder and Prince Malvis narrowed their eyes immediately.
They recognized him. They never failed to do that.
But today, Adonis seemed different. More imposing. More powerful.
His very presence made them feel small.
A subtle shift in the air was enough to stop them in their tracks. His aura alone made their arrogance crumble, their pride shattering like glass under the weight of his gaze.
It felt as though they were no longer in the same league as him.
Each step Adonis took seemed to shake the very foundation of the classroom.
Ba-dump, ba-dump, ba-dump.
The sound of his heartbeat echoed in the room, commanding attention. His every movement was deliberate, as though the very ground bent beneath his will.
But among all of them, it was Teacher Isabella Frostbite who was the most shaken.
As soon as her eyes landed on Adonis, her breath hitched in her throat.
Her heart raced erratically.
His sharp jawline, his unwavering golden gaze; there was something in him that made her pulse quicken. The sheer dominance in his presence was impossible to ignore.
She felt as if every fiber of her being was drawn to him, yet she couldnât look away, even if she tried.
His aura was suffocating, yet intoxicating.
Isabellaâs senses were overwhelmed by him. She could barely focus on the lecture materials she had prepared, her mind only occupied with the powerful force radiating from Adonis.
Her body stirred in a way she hadnât experienced before. Something forbidden, something long buried within her, stirred deep inside her.
She tried to suppress the wave of emotions, but it was hard. Too hard.
Her gaze faltered as she fought to steady herself, knowing that even in front of her students, she could not ignore the effect he had on her.
Adonis, however, seemed entirely unaware of the storm he was causing in the classroom. His eyes scanned the room, his gaze naturally landing on Rai and Malvis before moving to his seat.
But for a brief moment, his eyes locked onto Isabellaâs.
Her hear skipped a beat.
Adonis didnât smile or speak, but his gaze was full of silent understanding, as if he knew exactly what was stirring inside her.
With a small, almost imperceptible nod, he moved past her, leaving her feeling both flustered and more than a little disturbed by the intense pull she felt toward him.
As he settled into his seat, the class slowly regained its composure, though the air was still thick with the lingering effects of his presence.
The students were left in stunned silence, unsure of how to proceed. Isabella, too, struggled to collect herself as she began the lesson, her voice a little shakier than usual.
But she couldnât help it.
Adonis had changed everything in that room, just by walking in.
He casually walked toward his seat and sat down beside Rai Calder, who immediately noticed the commanding presence his rival exuded.
Adonis then crossed his legs nonchalantly, placing one foot on top of the bench, his posture confident and domineering.
Rai was even more shockef.
As the rest of the class began to settle, Rai shifted in his seat, trying to process the events that had just unfolded. He was still trying to reconcile with the bet he had so carelessly made and the consequences he now had to face.
For the first time, he was forced to confront someone with a level of power far beyond his own.
Unable to stay silent any longer, Rai spoke to Adonis,
"Alright, then. What exactly do you want me to do for the next month, Adonis? I canât just sit here and follow your every command without knowing whatâs coming next."
Adonis tilted his head, his golden eyes gleaming with a quiet intensity. His gaze was sharp, like a predator sizing up his prey, yet it held a calm, almost unsettling confidence. He didnât answer right away, as if considering how best to respond.
Finally, Adonis spoke in a domineering tone,
"Weâre going to build a secret force called Shadow-Blood Legion."
Rai raised an eyebrow, intrigued but skeptical. "Shadow Blood Legion? What does that even mean?"
Adonis smirked slightly, his gaze drifting toward the window for a moment, as if envisioning something grand.
"Youâll see, Rai. Our goal is simple: to monitor the Kingsbane Duchy, and most importantly, Duchess Clementine."
Rai blinked, unable to mask his confusion.
"Clementine? Why her?" Rai asked, his voice uncertain. "Whatâs the point of all this? Are we going to fight your father? What does this have to do with me?"
Adonisâs golden eyes locked onto him again, a trace of amusement flickering in their depths.
"Of course it is. This is about my revenge for my mother. My long-term goal is to uproot Gratis Kingdomâs influence on our land. Clementine is the key to all of it. The sooner we dismantle her hold, the easier my revenge will be."
Raiâs eyes widened in shock.
"Revenge? Against her?" Rai repeated incredulously. "Youâre telling me youâre using me to go after the Duchess when the Lion Duke around? Thatâs some seriously dangerous stuff, Adonis. How do you plan to make all that happen?"
Adonis let out a low laugh,
"First, we build the army. Then weâll use our resources wisely. But itâs not just about brute force. Itâs about subtlety, intelligence, and precision. Youâll need to recruit the genius Swordmasters whoâve lost their way, people buried in debt, poverty, or want revenge."
Rai frowned, trying to wrap his head around it all.
"You want me to gather people who are desperate and in debt and revenge? Why would they follow us? Why would they follow you?"
Adonis leaned forward, his golden gaze never leaving Raiâs face. There was a chilling calmness in his voice as he continued,
"Because I have a lot of money, Rai. And when people are desperate, theyâll do anything for a way out. We offer them a chance at a new life, a chance to build something from the ground up. Weâre not just offering them money or revenge, weâre offering them their future and Salvation. And, of course, reward."
Rai blinked as his mind raced as he tried to absorb the complexity of Adonisâs plan.
"Reward them? How? And how does this benefit me?" Rai asked, his voice holding a touch of skepticism. "Iâm still stuck doing what you say for the next month. Whatâs in it for me in the long run?"
Adonisâs lips curled into a faint but knowing smile.
"Youâll get your reward too, donât worry. Youâll be the one to lead these people. Youâll be the one who shapes this army. And when the time comes, Iâll make sure you get a generous share of the spoils. The more you help me build, the more youâll gain. This isnât just about me, itâs about all of us rising together."
He leaned back in his chair, his gaze piercing as he looked straight at Rai.
"And Iâm confident after this month, Rai, you wonât want to leave. You wonât be able to. Youâll see how everything we build will make us stronger, richer, and more powerful than you ever thought possible."
Rai was silent for a moment, contemplating the words carefully.
Finally, he spoke:
"Are you serious? You really think this will work?"
Adonis gave a small shrug,
"I donât just think it will work, Rai. I know it will. Youâve lost this bet, and now, youâll help me make this plan a reality. Whether you like it or not, youâll be a key part of it."
Rai exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples as he realized there was no backing out of this. He had made his bet, and now he had to face the consequences.
Yet, despite his reservations, there was something about Adonisâs unshakable confidence that made him believe this grand vision could actually happen.
"Alright," Rai said, still unsure but willing to follow through. "Iâll do it. Iâll help you build this Legion. But youâd better make sure I get something out of it when itâs done."
Adonis grinned, a slight edge of amusement dancing in his eyes.
"You will. Just remember, after this month, youâll be changed forever."