Crimson Vale Academy
Chapter 26: Calculated Shadows

Chapter 26: Calculated Shadows

Day 7 of the Test - 8:00 AM

The air was heavy with silence. The forest, once alive with shouts and footsteps, now stood still. Everyone packed their bags slowly, the weight of defeat pressing down on their shoulders. No one spoke. Not even a whisper. Just the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional metallic clink of gear being stuffed into backpacks.

Akira looked up from her half-zipped bag and broke the silence. "Um... Kei, do you think we still have a chance?" Her voice was soft, hopeful.

Kei didn’t look up. He paused, sighed, and zipped his bag shut. "Based on our performance... and the fact that we didn’t mark anyone... the odds are low."

Akira bit her lip. "Still... there might be a chance, right?"

Kairon stood a few feet away, his bag strapped to his back, his eyes scanning the sky through the treetops. "Who knows," he said quietly.

Suddenly, a loud buzz rang through their smartwatches. Everyone flinched. The screen glowed with a flashing message:

ALL STUDENTS, REPORT OUTSIDE THE FOREST. FINAL RESULTS TO BE ANNOUNCED.

Everyone looked at one another, the message pulling them out of their haze. Bags were slung over shoulders. Feet shuffled forward.

---

Outside the Forest

The students lined up in neat rows, each class separated, shoulders slumped, faces blank. Behind the teachers stood the academy bus, its engine silent but ready.

All eyes turned to Class C. Every student in their group was marked—bright red paint splattered on their uniforms like battle scars. Defeated. Humiliated.

Mr. Shawn stepped forward. His tone was neutral, but commanding. "For the Hunter’s Test, the results are as follows."

He paused, letting the tension stew. Everyone leaned forward in anticipation.

"Coming in last... is Class C. With a total score of... zero points."

Gasps. Murmurs. Whispers flew through the other classes. Class C looked down, defeated.

Mr. Shawn continued, "In third place, with 200 points... Class A."

Adams’ eyes widened. He clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"Runner-up, with 240 points... Class B."

The students of Class D glanced at one another. Could it be?

Mr. Shawn raised his voice, a rare smirk on his lips. "And in first place... Class D. With a total of 350 points."

"WHAT?!" someone from Class A shouted.

Everyone turned toward Class D in disbelief. That was when a figure stepped out from the trees.

Her uniform was soaked in red paint. Her boots splashed softly in the dirt. A pistol hung loosely from her hand.

It was Aria.

"Sorry for being late," she said, brushing back her messy hair. Her voice was tired, but confident.

"ARIA!!" Ivy and Akira ran up to her, grabbing her in a tight hug.

"We won! Aria, we actually won!"

Aria blinked in confusion. "We... won?"

Her eyes scanned the field. Then they locked with Kairon’s. He stood alone, quiet, unreadable.

What happened while I was unconscious?

Caden shouted, "WE WON! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!"

Yua burst into tears. "We actually won...!"

Meira hugged Riven tightly. Juro scratched his head. "But... how? We didn’t mark anyone, did we?"

Kairon stepped forward, his voice calm. "It’s obvious. Aria. She took down Class C by herself."

Everyone turned to Aria again. Cheers broke out. Sena grinned. "You really are something else, Aria. Once again, you saved our class!"

As the crowd hugged her, Ivy stepped beside Kairon. "I can’t believe it. She handled all of Class C on her own."

Kairon stared ahead, emotionless. "It’s quite surprising, I guess."

Miss Elira clapped her hands. "Alright, everyone. Back to the academy. Let’s go."

The students climbed into the bus. The engine roared to life, and they began the journey home.

---

Inside the Bus

Some slept. Others whispered stories about what happened. Laughter and relief buzzed through the air.

Kairon sat by the window, head against the glass. He stared outside at the passing trees.

"The Hunter’s Test... is finally over," he whispered to himself.

---

Academy Gates

The bus came to a stop. One by one, the students stepped off. Kairon was the last. As he reached the ground, Miss Elira was waiting.

"Well done," she said.

Kairon didn’t stop. "What do you mean?"

"Don’t play dumb. I know what really happened in that forest."

He paused. Then kept walking.

"Keep that attitude up," she warned, "and you might not make it to your final year."

He didn’t even turn back.

---

Dorm Room 5

Ksshh The key card beeped. The door slid open.

Before Kairon could enter, a voice called out. "Kairon."

He turned. Aria stood behind him, her expression mixed with confusion and determination.

"We need to talk," she said.

He sighed. "Here?"

She walked in without waiting. He followed and shut the door.

Aria stood in the center of the room, her arms crossed. Kairon dropped his bag by the desk.

"You can sit, you know," he said.

"I’m fine standing."

He walked to the window. She followed.

"What happened in that forest? Miya betrayed us. I know that much. But how did we win? You were the one who eliminated Class C... weren’t you?"

Kairon didn’t flinch. "You could say so."

"How? How did you do it?"

Kairon looked out the window, then began.

"When Miya was found unconscious, we rushed her to camp. But I already knew she was a spy."

Aria blinked. "What? How?"

"I sensed someone watching us in the forest. I turned, but no one was there. Then the boys found Miya under a tree. She got startled. Fell. Her fingers were covered in dirt. She had been digging—probably hid something."

"Binoculars?"

He nodded. "Exactly. She hid her spy tools underground. I found her bag later. Inside it was a full list of every student’s role."

Aria’s jaw dropped. "So... she knew everything. But why didn’t she just ambush us?"

"Class C wasn’t reckless. They needed complete intel. So, I helped her escape."

"YOU WHAT?!"

"I needed her to think she got away. I set the manual on fire as a distraction. I also used your illness to my advantage."

Her eyes narrowed. "Go on."

"I had Torin splash mud on you. I told him you wanted to play, but didn’t know how. He believed it. You bathed in the cold river. Your health worsened. When Miya attacked, you were too weak to fight back."

She raised her hand to slap him.

He caught it mid-air. His grip was firm.

"You asked to know. Don’t blame me now."

She struggled. "You manipulated your teammates! I almost hurt Torin because of that. You used my sickness! That’s cruel!"

He let her go. His voice turned cold.

"Don’t talk to me about teamwork. You called your own classmates losers. You avoided them. Don’t pretend to care now."

She looked away, ashamed.

He sat. "Do you want to hear the rest or not?"

She hesitated. Then nodded and sat on the bed. "Go on."

"I found Miya’s bag. Her plan was to attack at night. But she wasn’t alone. Class A was in on it. They made a deal to wipe out Class D and B, then split the points."

Aria’s eyes widened. "That’s insane..."

"I told Riven about it. We evacuated the camp. I stayed behind. I set traps. Spikes, smoke bombs, paint mines."

He closed his eyes.

"When they came... I was ready."

Flashes of the night played in his mind. Shadows racing through the trees. Explosions of red paint. Screams. Confusion.

He moved like a ghost through the chaos. A blur. In one breath, he vanished. Reappeared behind two Class C students. Bam. Gone.

Bam. Paint. Out.

One by one, they fell.

"What about me? Why was I in a cave?"

"After your fight with Miya, I carried you. Left you in a safe cave. You needed to recover."

"Why didn’t you take me with the others?"

"Because you’d ruin the plan. You’d tell them what you knew. You’d become a burden. And I know you hate that more than anything."

She looked down.

"So... that’s why you gave me the credit?"

"One could say so."

Her cheeks turned red. She remembered resting on his shoulder.

She mumbled, "Thanks, I guess. Not bad having a partner. But don’t expect me to be all friendly after school."

He looked at her.

But deep inside, his thoughts were far colder.

Partner? I’ve never once thought of you ,nor Ivy as one.

In this world, people are tools. Tools to be used. To win. To survive. To change the world.

And if a few have to be sacrificed... so be it.

A girl’s lifeless body flashed before his eyes.

Nothing else matters.

"Hey! If you’ve enjoyed the story so far, let me know by voting or commenting. Your support helps me keep writing iand improving this world!"