*THE DEVIL OF BLACKWOOD UNIVERSITY*

The gates of Blackwood University stood tall against the bright morning sky, welcoming hundreds of new students into a world that promised dreams, friendships... and secrets. Among the crowd was Ava Bennett. She tightened her grip on the strap of her worn backpack and stepped onto the campus with a quiet smile. Everything around her felt larger than life. Students laughed in groups, seniors gave directions to freshmen, and colorful club banners danced in the gentle breeze. For most students, university was freedom. For Ava... It was hope. Every step she took reminded her of the sacrifices her mother had made to get her here. Late nights. Double shifts. Countless prayers. This scholarship wasn't just an achievement. It was a promise. A promise that she would never waste this opportunity. Taking a deep breath, she whispered to herself, "No distractions, Ava. Study hard, graduate with honors... and make Mom proud." She smiled softly before continuing toward the registration building. She had barely taken a few more steps when something felt... Off. The lively chatter that had filled the courtyard faded. One by one, conversations died. Students who had been laughing seconds earlier suddenly became silent. A group standing in the middle of the walkway hurried aside without anyone asking them to. A basketball rolled across the court... No one chased after it. Ava frowned. What's going on? She looked around, confused. Was there an inspection? Was the dean arriving? Or maybe someone famous? Curiosity got the better of her. She gently tapped the shoulder of a girl standing nearby. "Excuse me..." The girl turned. "Yes?" "Why did everyone suddenly stop talking?" The girl's expression changed instantly. "You... don't know?" Ava blinked. "Know what?" The girl looked at her as though she'd just admitted she'd never heard of gravity. "You're a freshman, aren't you?" Ava nodded. The girl let out a slow sigh before lowering her voice. "Then listen carefully." She leaned closer. "When he gets here..." "Don't stare." "Don't get in his way." "And whatever you do..." "Don't make him notice you." Ava laughed awkwardly. "Who?" Before the girl could answer... A low engine growl echoed through the campus. Every head turned toward the university gates. A sleek black sports car rolled inside. No one spoke. It was as though the entire campus had forgotten how to breathe. The car came to a smooth stop. The driver's door opened. A polished black shoe touched the ground. Then another. A tall figure stepped out. Black varsity jacket. Dark hair. Broad shoulders. Hands tucked casually into his pockets. His face carried no emotion. No smile. No anger. Nothing. Yet somehow... His presence alone made the air feel heavier. He walked through the courtyard with slow, confident steps. Students instinctively moved aside, creating a clear path. No one dared block him. A nervous freshman accidentally brushed against his shoulder. "I-I'm sorry!" The young man bowed repeatedly, his face drained of color. Damon Hayes didn't even stop walking. He acted as though the apology didn't deserve a response. Within seconds, he disappeared into the administration building. Only then did the whispers return. "Did you see him?" "That's Damon..." "The Devil of Blackwood University." "They say he got three students expelled last semester." "I heard even some lecturers avoid provoking him." "They say his family practically owns half the city." Ava looked toward the building where he'd vanished. "So that's Damon Hayes..." She expected to feel frightened. Instead... She simply shrugged. "People exaggerate too much." She picked up her admission file and continued toward the registration hall. To Ava Bennett... Damon Hayes was nothing more than another student. She couldn't have been more wrong. She expected to feel frightened. Instead... She simply shrugged. "People exaggerate too much." With that, Ava adjusted the strap of her backpack, clutched her admission file close to her chest, and disappeared into the freshman registration hall. She couldn't have been more wrong. As Ava disappeared into the building, she had no idea that someone was watching her from the second-floor window. A pair of cold gray eyes followed her every step. Inside the quiet office, no one dared speak. The silence was broken by a deep, calm voice. "Find out who she is." The order was quiet. Almost effortless. But everyone in the room knew... It wasn't a request. It was Damon Hayes. And when Damon Hayes gave an order... It was always carried out. End of Chapter One