CHAPTER 171: SUDDEN INTERROGATION

Jayden sat still in his chair, eyes fixed on Principal Thompson without a shred of expression.

No pity. No sympathy. Just silence.

And then—unexpected to anyone who might think Jayden would be understanding—he frowned.

"So let me get this straight... You didn’t just let this mysterious man turn your sister into a monster," he said, his voice sharp and low, "You also let him put her on a planet filled with beasts. And yet... You expected everything was gonna be fine?"

He scoffed, leaning back. "I’m beginning to think you’re just a delusional old man who’s being used by a person who claims to be my guardian."

But Thompson didn’t flinch. Didn’t frown. He chuckled.

"Y’know, Kate said the same thing. But just like her, you wouldn’t understand that what I did was the hardest decision I ever had to make... and so was it for him."

Jayden’s eyes narrowed. "You make it sound like he was close to your sister."

A faint smile touched the principal’s lips. "Oh, but they were. In fact, they..." he hesitated, a brief glint of memory in his eyes before he chuckled and waved it off. "The point is, I loved my sister... so did he. Which was why we had to do as she requested—no, pleaded."

Jayden raised a brow. "You’re telling me... she asked to be left alone on a planet crawling with dangerous beasts?"

Thompson’s chuckle was quiet, almost sad. "If she could ask to be killed, I don’t see why that’s unbelievable."

Jayden shook his head. "So instead of fighting, she chose to leave? Just like that?"

He scoffed. "I guess that explains why Miss Kate is so... uptight."

Thompson sighed, his eyes dimming. "I knew you wouldn’t understand. Kate didn’t either. She was too sad... too angry to understand anything."

"But you see, kid. What Cara did, what we did—it’s called sacrifice. One of the things you’ll do a lot once you have people you care about. People you love. People you can call family."

His gaze locked with Jayden’s. "And I’m sure you’ll understand soon... even sooner than you think."

Jayden quirked a brow. "What are you talking about?"

Thompson chuckled lightly. "You’re strong now, Jayden. More than you know. And we all know being powerful comes with a cost: attention."

He leaned forward, voice firm. "You might not want it... But you’ll get it anyway. That’s how the world works. The strong are recognised, the weak are discarded. But in this world, the strong aren’t just recognised—they’re hunted."

His tone grew darker. "Multiple powerhouses will begin to be wary of you. Some might even consider you a threat. The smart ones will try to make you an ally. The wise ones will remain neutral and stay out of your life—just as you must do with theirs. But the bold ones..." His eyes sharpened. "...They will approach you and try to make you submit."

"And if I don’t?" Jayden asked.

Principal Thompson’s expression turned serious. "You’ll become their enemy."

Jayden’s gaze hardened.

"My advice, kid?" Principal Thompson continued. "Stay out of it. The politics. The zeal for power. The power struggles. It’s madness."

Jayden shrugged casually. "I don’t care about all that. I never did. I just want revenge."

A short laugh escaped Thompson. "You sure about that?"

Jayden tilted his head.

"You might not know this," Thompson said, his voice dropping to something more perceptive, "But... you’ve changed, Jayden. I can see it in your eyes. You’re different from when we first met in this office. Stronger, yes... but also alive. Open. It’s like you now have something else to live for besides vengeance. Something to fight for... or perhaps, someone." He chuckled knowingly.

Jayden’s eyes cooled, his tone flat. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. I still live for vengeance. I always did. And I always will... until my deed is done, and all my past oppressors are dead."

Principal Thompson sighed, leaning back. "You know, kid... It’s okay to let go of the past. To forget. To focus on the present... and see what the future has in store for you."

Jayden scoffed, voice like steel. "My future is thrusting my claws in the throats of my enemies—watching as they slowly die, just as they did my mother."

He rose slowly to his feet, his shadow stretching across the desk. "Only then will I be able to let go."

Principal Thompson’s sigh was heavier this time. "I figured you’d say that. Just... be careful, kid."

Jayden gave a faint smirk. "Have a good day, Principal Thompson. I enjoyed this talk. It was very... enlightening." He bowed slightly before turning for the door.

But at the threshold, he stopped.

Without looking back, he asked, "About those that would want me to submit to them... how do I make them think twice before doing so, and have them submit to me instead?"

Thompson smiled, leaning back in his chair. "Get stronger. Stronger than me. Stronger than Kate. Stronger than Penelope. Stronger than anyone out there. Become the ultimate monster—one who has no equal."

Jayden smirked over his shoulder. "Figured."

With a low chuckle, he walked out.

The office door closed softly, leaving Thompson alone with his thoughts. He let out a slow breath... and then, a smile crept across his face.

"He’s just like her. Resilient... and determined to see the EVA fall."

His grin widened. "Though something tells me... It’s only a matter of time before they see each other again."

......

Jayden’s footsteps echoed down the quiet hallway, the muffled chatter of dispersing students fading behind him. The fluorescent lights above hummed faintly, a low undercurrent to his thoughts as he replayed his conversation with Principal Thompson.

He was halfway to the main exit when two figures stepped out from the shadows of an intersecting corridor, blocking his path.

One was a man with broad shoulders, the other was a woman with pink hair.

Jayden recognised them instantly, they were the two EVA agents from the tournament. They had left the hall with him and Principal Thompson earlier, but along the way to the office, they had suddenly disappeared.

Only now was Jayden realising they had simply been waiting for him to finish with the Principal. And now that he was, they approached him.

They were very coordinated, their EVA insignias gleaming under the lights.

The man spoke first, with the calm smile of someone used to getting answers.

"Jayden Starrk. Congratulations on winning the tournament. You were very impressive in the arena."

The woman beside him, indifferent with sharp, assessing eyes, gave a small nod of acknowledgement.

Jayden slowed his pace, his eyes narrowing. "Thanks... but I’m not interested in joining the internship program if that’s what you’re here for."

The man smiled politely. "Oh no, that’s not why we’re here," he said. "We were wondering if we could have a quick word with you. It won’t take long. Just a few questions."

Jayden hesitated, scanning their eyes. Something about the way they stood, unyielding yet patient, told him they weren’t going anywhere unless he agreed.

"Just a few questions, huh?" he asked, voice dripping with a visible suspicion.

The man’s smile didn’t waver. "I promise. You’ll be back on your way before you know it."

Jayden let out a slow exhale. "Fine."

The man gestured, leading the way into an empty classroom. The door clicked shut behind them as they entered.

None of them sat. They stood in a loose triangle... Jayden was near the far wall, and the two agents were close. The silence was thick, tension swirling like an invisible storm.

The man finally extended a hand. "I’m Fred. And this is Jenny." He nodded to the pink-haired woman, who crossed her arms but said nothing.

"We’re from the EVA’s Military Office Division," Fred explained. "Think of us as the city’s law enforcers. We maintain public order, investigate anomalies, monitor strange activity, and act as first responders to extreme situations before the specialised divisions step in."

Jayden’s expression was unreadable. "I’m aware of your division and what you do. No need to enlighten me."

Fred chuckled. "I see. Perhaps you’re thinking of joining us someday? We could use people like you in the agency."

Jayden remained indifferent. "I have no interest in joining the EVA," he said sharply.

Fred exhaled, his face dropping with disappointment. "Well, that’s a shame. You’d have made a great cadet."

Jenny’s sharp voice cut in for the first time. "Get to the point, Fred."

"Right, sorry." Fred nodded, his tone shifting into something more businesslike. "We’ve been reviewing your records, Jayden. Before you were struck by lightning, you were in a therapy facility."

Jayden frowned. The agents had already taken the time and liberty to check his records. That was extremely suspicious.

And Jayden didn’t like it. He didn’t like it one bit.

"Your serum test came back incompatible." Fred continued "And then..." he spread his hands, "...You suddenly appear stronger than everyone in your set."

Fred paused, his eyes narrowing. "How is that possible?"

Jayden’s frown deepened. "If you did your research properly, you’d know I took the serum a long time ago. My powers just didn’t... manifest until after the lightning strike."

Fred exchanged a glance with Jenny. "We know that. But even so, your rate of growth is... let’s call it unprecedented. Almost impossible."

Jayden’s jaw tightened. "That sounds a lot like you’ve been watching me."

Fred shook his head. "Not at all. We keep tabs on everyone. Not just you."

"Right," Jayden scoffed. "That makes it better."

Fred pressed on. "Tell us about the serum you were given then. Where did you take it? What did it look like?"

Jayden’s gaze hardened. "You said you wanted to ask a few questions, not interrogate me."

Fred exhaled. "This isn’t an interrogation. Consider it a survey where you get to answer a few questions."

Jayden’s expression darkened. "And if I don’t?"

Fred sighed. "Just answer the questions, Jayden. And we can all go home."

Jayden frowned. This was exactly what he predicted was going to happen. Fred wasn’t giving him a choice in the matter, which meant they weren’t planning on letting him leave unless he had given them the answers they needed.

But Jayden was resilient, he also wasn’t planning on telling them anything.

"Not gonna happen," he said sharply.

Fred’s brow lifted. "Jayden—"

"If you want answers," Jayden cut in, his tone low and edged, "You’ll have to force them out of me." His fists clenched at his sides, every muscle taut.

Jenny stepped forward, her eyes narrowing into slits. "Careful," she warned, her voice carrying the kind of weight that came from experience. "Don’t do anything you’ll regret."

Her aura flared suddenly, the air between them charged like the calm before a storm. But Jayden didn’t back down, he leaned into it, his own hostility radiating in silent challenge.

The tension was a wire, pulled tight, ready to snap, when...

"What’s going on here?"

The sharp voice cut through the air like a blade.

All three turned toward the doorway.

Penelope stood there, framed by the light from the hall, a frown etched into her perfect features. She stepped into the classroom with an easy, predatory grace, authority and power rolling off her in waves.

Her eyes locked on the EVA agents... cold, unblinking.