Fate Academy is nestled in the western part of Zone A. It was where the elites sent their children to school. Besides producing top professionals worldwide, its state-of-the-art facilities, amenities, and environment were very conducive to learning and students growth.

The Academy was famous for its greeneries spread across campus. After the towering white brick gates with brass iron grills, the students were welcomed by a wide pathway going to the main building. Trees, bushes, and flowers lined the path leading to the deferent buildings.

Courtyards were present at the center of every Building where students could take a rest, eat from food stalls, chat, relax, and even study.

At first glance, the Academy didn't seem like a school at all but a garden.

Looking at the campus, Ren came face to face with his past. Though he was good at his studies, he never enjoyed school life, much less missed it.

Ren didn't feel any excitement walking on the familiar ground, unlike the first time. All he felt was a nagging responsibility that he must finish.

Ren didn't have the option of not going to college since it was his parent's wish. Anything to make them happy, he would do it even if he had to repeat the tiresome college life the second time around.

Ren also had the option of not going to Fate since he was no longer friends with Saya and Mike. He could go to Zephyr with Leonel and Isolde, but . . .

Ren had his reasons why he stayed in Fate Academy. Firstly, almost all the top players were in the Academy. Second, there were plenty of wealthy students in the campus who he could exploit. Third, the people who owed him big time were in the Academy, and Fourth . . .

Ren stopped at his first class. Even if he didn't check his schedule, he knew it in the back of his head.

Opening the room, he entered with a confident stride.

The lecture room was the same as he remembered. Elevated seat, floor-to-ceiling glass window, customized curved wooden tables with individual cushioned chairs.

No less from the school for the rich and powerful. Ren thought.

Ren took the seat in the front row since it gave him a better view and acoustic, unmindful of the curious glances of his fellow classmates.

In the past, Ren took the back row, and now, he wanted the front row near the window because it was where Evie would position later. The one he sat now was supposed to be hers in the past. But he was sure she would take the chair next to him since she was small and couldn't see at the back with all the towering heads in front of her.

Evie always took the front row seat near the window.

It was a staple in every opening of class; the first seat you sat was your seat for the whole year.

Expected enough, most of the students had already formed their own cliques. Maybe some of them were classmates or friends in high school or belonged to the same circle.

Ren even saw Rayna with her friends, looking pretty with her shoulder-length pink hair and confident smile.

There was a cold glint that passed so quick in Ren's eyes before he averted his gaze and contented to look at the scenery outside.

Ren was a little earlier than usual, and it was still a good hour before the class officially started. He didn't know how long he was looking at the window, and he even thought that he had dozed off before contained murmurs awakened him.

Looking at the newly arrived student, Ren's eyes shone, and he hid his smile behind his palm supporting his chin, elbow leaning on the table.

The fourth reason was, of course . . . her.

Walking with everyone's gaze on her, Evie didn't know where to place her eyes and hands. Though she remained poker face, Ren saw subtle changes in her expression enough for him to shake his head a little with a slight smile tickling his lips.

Evie was indeed beautiful, but not ordinarily beautiful. Her beauty made others quiver. It made them dream of being enveloped in a warm caress.

Ren didn't know about Evie in the past. Sure she was the most beautiful in the class and one of the top pretties women on the campus, but at that time, he was so busy juggling work and school that all he could manage was a short glance here and there.

Come to think of it. Ren didn't know much about her except her game information.

Evie was an existence shrouded in mystery.

There were so many rich and handsome men who were vying for her attention, but not once did she give them a second glance.

What was more mysterious about the girl, besides distancing herself from the others, numerous agents were offering her to work in the entertainment industry. Model, celebrity, endorser, those jobs that would give her huge bucks, but she refused them all. And no one knew the reason why.

Even Ren was baffled by the girl's actions. She worked so hard to earn big bucks, but when the opportunity presented itself, she refused it.

Maybe Evie didn't want a life in the limelight. Perhaps she wanted to get rich with her name in the dark. Thought Ren.

Everyone wanted to be her friend, even the most jealous of hearts, but her invincible wall propelled them away, and she became a loner. But never was she bullied because of her secret fan club.

Ren blinked before his eyes went back to the scenery. And as he deducted, Evie took the seat beside his. Other students mostly took the back rows, and some seated alone had their things on the chair next to theirs as a sign of reservation for their friends.

The only empty chair left were in the front rows.

Ren was silent as well as Evie. They were strangers at this point, and he doubted Evie recognized him when they passed each other in the Festival of Gil. What's more, he knew the girl to be quiet and mostly answered one to two words when asked.

"Hey, which high school are you from?"

Ren heard a girl from their back ask Evie. He showed no interest, but he kept one ear open. Like before, no one talks to him nor approaches him to get to know him. The reason for that was, of course, he didn't have any designer or branded items with him.

Evie was different because she was a woman. A woman with a pretty face that the other women found a threat more than her in fancy dresses and branded items. While the men found her appealing to please using their riches.

"Clements," answered Evie and offered no ongoing conversation.

The girl asked some more, but Evie either answered 'yes' or 'no,' until the girl finally gave up. It was like she was talking to a machine.

"Hello, Students!"

The opening of the door and a few loud shouts broke the chatter in the room. Five students entered and stood at the podium. Their leader was a guy with dark hair and a pair of brown eyes that sparkled with great enthusiasm. He had a warm, bright smile and his aura was full of spirit.

"Hello, everyone! I am the current guild leader of Fate Alliance Guild, Dimitri."