—Where power has a new name, and the past is about to knock
Morning, Berlin — Heinrich Von Falken
University
An elite private institution known for breeding brilliance, wealth… and secrets.
The gates of Heinrich Von Falken University opened like the doors of a fortress—tall, grand, and guarded by statues that stared with cold marble eyes. It was 9:02 a.m., and the campus was already bubbling with chaos. A wave of laughter erupted near the stone fountains. A group of first-years sprinted down the corridor, chased by a senior holding a fake snake. Professors barked reminders about assignment deadlines. College clubs tried to recruit fresh meat. A saxophone echoed from the music block, and someone screamed from the chemistry lab after a minor explosion.
But amidst the glorious chaos, in the lush garden corner shaded by ivy-covered columns, sat the royal court of the college—the untouchables.
In the center of the stone bench, like he belonged to the throne carved by history itself, sat Henry Vinson, now 22. The soft boy from the olive tree was long gone. This Henry had sharp cheekbones, a cruel smirk, and wore arrogance like a tailored suit. His black shirt was half-buttoned, showing off a thin silver chain that glinted under the sun. His fingers played lazily with a lighter, flipping it open and shut."Did you even sleep last night, Henry?" asked Felix Arendt, his sunglasses pushed up on his head as he leaned back lazily on the bench. "Heard you vanished after the rooftop party."Henry gave a slow grin. "I don't sleep when the city's awake, Felix. I make the night… worth remembering."The group laughed.
Timo Berger, muscular with a slight scar near his eyebrow, leaned forward, eyes sharp. "You were with that girl from law department again?"Henry chuckled. "Who? The one who spilled wine on me or the one who begged me to walk her home? I forget names when the night's too loud."
"God, you're an ass," said Jonas Klein, who hadn't looked up from the sketch he was drawing on a black notepad. Ghostly eyes, blood on fingertips. Typical Jonas. "But a lovable one, unfortunately."Henry lit the lighter once more, staring at the flame. "You'd be bored without me."Maxim Reidel nodded, though his voice trembled a little. "Well, at least you weren't involved in the fight last night. Those engineering guys almost broke a table in the mess."
Henry turned slowly toward him, arching a brow. "Max, darling, do I look like I wrestle for free?"More laughter.The college grounds around them buzzed. Girls passing by slowed their steps. Some fixed their hair. Some whispered. One even dropped her water bottle when Henry turned his head and smirked her way."I swear," Felix muttered. "You've become the main character of this college. You don't even try."Henry leaned forward, elbows on knees, eyes scanning the courtyard."Why try when they already watch?" he said lazily. "I just breathe, and the air gets hotter."A group of juniors passing by flinched as Henry shot them a glance.
"Morning, babies," he called, voice soaked in mockery.One of them dropped his folder. Henry didn't move, but Timo barked out a laugh."You're evil," Timo said.Henry stretched. "I'm bored. Bump the next two classes. Let's hit the rooftop lounge. Felix, order those mango shots again. The imported ones. Jonas, bring your ghost books or whatever keeps you silent. And Max—" he looked at the poor boy with a wicked smile— "don't faint this time."
"I didn't faint! I just... got dizzy," Max muttered defensively."Dizzy from what?" Henry teased. "My charm?"Jonas sighed. "More like from the twenty tequila shots you made him take."Henry stood, dusting off imaginary ash from his sleeves.The five of them walked through the garden like a king and his knights—untouchable, feared, admired, and whispered about.But no one knew that behind Henry's smirk and glittering arrogance…The boy from 14 years ago still breathed beneath the surface. The boy who once cried under the olive tree. The boy who once had a protector.And soon—
That protector would return.And nothing in Heinrich Von Falken University would stay the same.