Scholarship and Secrets

Years passed quickly for Avyanna, and before she knew it, she was stepping into her first year of college. Though she had been through countless hardships over the past five years, this was an entirely different kind of challenge. The weight of expectations pressed down on her shoulders as she walked through the towering gates of the most prestigious university in the city.

She had chosen to pursue a pre-law degree—a decision she had been hesitant about from the start. The idea of sitting in lecture halls, surrounded by students who had lived normal, sheltered lives, felt almost foreign to her. She was used to the shadows, to the underworld where survival was the only priority. Here, things were different. Here, she wasn’t Avyanna, the hidden heiress of a fallen empire. She was just another student.

At first, she had no intention of ever setting foot in a college. What was the point? Her life had already been carved into something far from ordinary. But the boss had been insistent.

No matter how dangerous their world was, he believed education was a necessity, not a luxury. He had ensured that she and the other girls under his protection would receive proper schooling, even as they trained and carried out their missions. He wanted them to be more than just pawns in a game of power.

"I know that university will be tough," the boss had told her, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "But don’t forget your mission and training. You’re still working under me."

She had let out a deep sigh, knowing there was no room for argument.

She had no choice—she had to face it.

"Your accommodations, tuition, and everything you need—I’ll handle it," the boss added. His words were final, leaving no room for refusal.

Avyanna had only nodded in response, accepting the reality of her situation. After all, what other choice did she really have?

Her past was gone, buried beneath fire and betrayal. And now, her future was dictated by the man who had given her a second life. Whether she liked it or not, she had to keep moving forward.

It had been five years, and no matter how much time had passed, Avyanna still couldn’t return home. That life was gone—a distant memory buried beneath blood and fire. No matter how much she tried to suppress the past, the weight of it still lingered, like a shadow that refused to fade.

Now, she found herself in a completely different world, one she never imagined she would be part of. She was no longer the helpless girl hiding in the dark. She had trained, she had fought, and she had survived. But despite her strength, she still followed orders, still lived under the protection—and control—of the boss.

Alongside her were Huan-Yue and Monica, two of her closest colleagues in their line of work. The three of them had been assigned to the same university and, as a result, were also given shared accommodations. Right now, they were on their way to their new apartment, escorted by Rin, one of the boss’s most trusted men.

The walk had been mostly silent, each of them preoccupied with their own thoughts. But the moment they arrived in front of the apartment, the mood shifted.

"Here we are. This is where you girls will be staying," Rin announced as he unlocked the door, stepping aside to let them in.

Avyanna stepped inside first, her sharp eyes roaming around the space. It was modern and well-furnished, far from the rundown places she had once hidden in during her early years in the underworld. The interior had a calming aesthetic—muted colors, soft lighting, and just enough warmth to make it feel like a real home.

But to her, no place ever really felt like home anymore.

Before she could dwell on the thought, Huan-Yue’s voice broke through the silence.

"Yeah, yeah, we get it. It’s obvious this is our place. You’ve done your job, now you can leave. Shoo, shoo!" she said, waving her hand dismissively toward Rin.

Rin narrowed his eyes, his expression instantly shifting into a deadpan glare. Then, turning to Monica, he scoffed.

"You dead-ass bitch, is that how you talk to someone who just did you a favor?" he said, sarcasm lacing his words.

Monica chuckled, shaking her head as she leaned against the doorway, clearly entertained. She had always enjoyed watching Huan-Yue and Rin bicker like children—it was their dynamic, and neither of them ever truly took it to heart.

Huan-Yue only grinned, unfazed. "Shoo, shoo," she repeated, waving her hands again like she was trying to ward off a stray cat.

Rin exhaled sharply, shaking his head in exasperation. "I swear, one of these days—"

"Just rest for a while, Rin," Avyanna interjected before the banter could escalate further. Her voice was calm, yet firm. She knew if she let them continue, they could go on for hours. "And… thank you for escorting us here."

Her words seemed to soften Rin’s annoyance. With a small nod, he stepped aside, allowing them to enter the apartment fully.

The moment they were inside, the atmosphere shifted. The three girls fell into silence, each processing the fact that this place was now their new home—at least for the foreseeable future.

For Avyanna, this was just another temporary stop in her long, winding journey—another chapter in a life dictated by forces beyond her control. No matter how much time had passed or how far she had come, the truth remained the same. She was never truly free.

She had come this far. There was no turning back now.

Rin leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her with his usual unreadable expression. “The boss said you’ll be having a good deal later.”

Avyanna didn’t need any further explanation. She knew exactly what a "good deal" meant in their world. Another mission. Another task that blurred the line between right and wrong. She let out a slow sigh, already preparing herself for what was to come. By now, these things had become second nature to her.

Rin handed her a thick folder, the weight of it heavier than it should have been. As soon as she took it, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The lighthearted mood from earlier vanished, replaced by the cold seriousness of reality.

Monica, who had been sitting quietly at the edge of the bed, sighed and looked at her with concern. “Are you really—”

Avyanna cut her off before she could finish. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

She turned back to Rin, gripping the folder tightly. “I’ll handle it later.”

Her voice was steady, but deep inside, she felt the weight of her words pressing down on her like an invisible chain. No matter how much she reassured Monica—or even herself—there was no escaping the reality of what she had to do.

Rin gave her one last glance, his expression unreadable as always. “Then I’ll be going now.” His tone was casual, but there was something final about it.

Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

Silence settled between Avyanna and Monica, heavy and unspoken.

Monica stared at the door for a moment before shifting her gaze back to Avyanna. “You know, one day, you might not come back from one of these jobs.”

Avyanna didn’t respond right away. Instead, she exhaled slowly, letting her fingers tighten around the folder in her hands.

"I always come back," she finally said, though whether she was convincing Monica or herself was another question entirely.