Fated to kill you

SS Class

The color drained from Leah’s face. How could she not have realized? The name Liam wasn’t just familiar—it was common knowledge. There weren’t many with that name, especially among the elite. Her stomach churned as the truth settled in. The whispers, the stares, the knowing looks—it all made sense now. She had spoken with Prince Liam, the second son of King Lyle of the Ivory Clan.

“Be careful who you interact with here, dearie,” Sierra warned softly, though her words carried an edge. “Things are different in the elite ranks. And for the record, the only blond-haired Ivorys at UL right now are the Royals.”

Leah’s head spun. She barely managed to nod in acknowledgment as Sierra continued.

“So, you’re joining the Medical School, right? Classes start next week, but this week you’ll attend the Special Skills, or rather known as the SS, class. It’s mandatory for all students, no matter their level. You’ll need to take one week of SS classes every year,” Sierra explained.

Leah accepted her schedule and a campus map as Sierra handed them over. She offered a kind smile, but her earlier warmth had cooled. Leah mumbled her thanks and headed out.

The corridors of UL were like something out of a dream—or a palace. The high walls were adorned with intricate carvings, the floors polished to a mirror shine. Leah had never seen anything like it, and it left her in equal parts awestruck and overwhelmed.

Navigating the vast campus proved to be a challenge. It took her far longer than expected to locate the classroom for the SS class. She had no idea what to expect; the brochures hadn’t mentioned anything about this mysterious subject.

When Leah finally arrived, the classroom was already buzzing with life. Groups of students filled the seats, chatting animatedly. Her heart sank when she realized only one seat was left—right next to Prince Liam. He sat casually, his signature smile already in place, as if he’d been waiting for her.

“Welcome to UL. Everyone, this is Leah,” Liam announced, his voice warm and inviting.

Leah swallowed hard, willing her face to remain neutral as she slid into the empty seat. She tried to avoid looking directly at him but couldn’t help glancing at the rest of the group.

There was another Ivory clan member, a young woman with striking green eyes and golden hair, identical to Liam’s. Beside her sat a woman with piercing black eyes and rich emerald-green hair, unmistakably from the Jade Clan. Finally, a brown-haired man rounded out the group. His intense brown eyes looked at her with interest . Although, less remarkable compared to the others, his presence didn’t feel ordinary either.

“I’m Lena,” the other Ivory said, her smile genuine. “This is Seline and Sath,” she added, gesturing to the Jade woman and the brown-haired man.

Seline didn’t bother to hide her disdain, her dark eyes narrowing as she looked Leah up and down. Sath, on the other hand, gave a curt nod, his expression unreadable.

Leah’s stomach tightened. She recognized Lena immediately. How could she not? Lena was Princess Lena Everon, the youngest daughter of King Lyle and Queen Iris, and Liam’s younger sister. The Royal Three—Crown Prince Issath, Prince Liam, and Princess Lena—were practically legends in Everon. Every child in every clan grew up learning their names along with the names of their King and Queen. Leah felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. How could she not have known Liam from the start?

“Which clan are you from?” Seline’s voice cut through Leah’s thoughts like a blade.

Leah braced herself. “Shadow,” she replied evenly.

Seline’s gasp was loud and deliberate, her lips curling in disgust. “Is anyone allowed into UL these days?” she sneered.

“Everyone’s always had the opportunity to get into UL, Seline,” Liam said smoothly, his ever-present smile disarming yet firm.

Leah’s heart skipped a beat at his words. He had come to her defense. But she quickly pushed the thought aside. He was a prince, an Ivory, far beyond her reach. She stole a glance at him and regretted it immediately. Liam was looking straight at her, his smile softer now, more genuine. Her cheeks burned, and a swarm of butterflies erupted in her stomach.

Seline rolled her eyes dramatically, while Lena smiled..

“Which house of Shadow do you belong to?” Sath asked, his tone curious.

Leah blinked in surprise. Most people didn’t know that Shadow clan was divided into houses, each led by its own head.

“The House of Raven,” she said cautiously. “How do you know about our houses? It’s not common knowledge.”

Sath opened his mouth to reply, but the professor’s arrival cut him off.

“The Special Skills class is a cornerstone of UL’s education system,” the professor began, his voice commanding attention. “Each year, you will choose one skill from the list provided. These skills are designed to complement your academic training and develop qualities we value in UL students.”

Leah glanced down at the list of options:

1. Combat – Archery

2. Combat – Swordsmanship

3. Boating – Boat Repairing

4. Navigation – Desert Navigation

5. Navigation – Forest Navigation

Her brow furrowed. None of the skills resonated with her. She hesitated, leaning toward choosing a navigation skill, when she caught a glimpse of Liam’s choice out of the corner of her eye. He had selected a combat skill, though she couldn’t see which one.

At least we might share a class, she thought, choosing Combat – Archery on a whim.

When the groups were announced, her stomach sank. Liam had chosen Swordsmanship, not Archery. To make matters worse, Seline was in his class.

Leah sighed, but her spirits lifted slightly when she saw that Lena and Sath were both in the Archery group with her. Perhaps this was her chance to make a connection. Or, at the very least, survive the week.