The morning sun filtered softly through the blinds as Alistair Voss slowly woke to the familiar voice of his mother calling from downstairs.
"Alistair, Leah, breakfast's ready! Don't want to be late on your first day at Paragon."
Paragon High—the school everyone talked about as the pinnacle of ability and intellect. The best school in the city, if not the country. Yet, Alistair wasn't sold. He'd been to enough schools where strength ruled and the weak were crushed beneath their feet.
Today was different. Today was a fresh start.
He swung his legs over the bed and stretched, mentally preparing himself. His ability—gravity manipulation—was strong, but he preferred to keep it hidden unless absolutely necessary. His family knew, of course. His sister Leah especially. Her rare purple flames were unlike anything Alistair had seen—so rare they made her an Ace at every school she attended before Paragon.
Downstairs, the warm smell of breakfast greeted him. Leah was already seated at the table, her violet eyes calm and confident. Small flickers of purple fire danced in her palms—a secret display of her power invisible to most.
"Ready for today?" she asked softly.
Alistair nodded, pouring cereal into a bowl. Their father, Gavin, grabbed his briefcase, ready to leave for work, while their mother, Clara, placed a reassuring hand on Alistair's shoulder.
"Remember," Clara said gently, "standing out can be dangerous, but hiding too much can be just as bad. Find your balance."
The drive to Paragon was quiet but filled with anticipation. The sprawling campus buzzed with students whose powers and intelligence made admission fiercely competitive.
Leah had earned her place here as an Ace—a rank above King, Queen, and Spade—reserved for those who had defeated the top fighters of other schools. She had been Queen everywhere else, but now she was ready to claim her title again.
Alistair got in mostly on intellect and strategy. His powers were impressive but unrefined since he trained mostly alone. He preferred to watch, analyze, and wait for the right moment to act.
Inside the school, the ranking system was clear. Each school held a King and Queen—the strongest male and female fighters. Together they selected the Spade, a trusted third who maintained order and assisted the top ranks. Above them all stood the Ace, an untouchable powerhouse who rarely engaged in fights but ruled with undeniable authority.
Leah had fought her way to the top rank time and time again, wielding her rare purple flames with deadly grace. Alistair respected her strength but planned to make his mark in a different way—through tactics and cunning.
As new students, they joined the crowd heading to the auditorium for the opening announcement. The hall buzzed with chatter and nervous energy.
They found seats just as Principal Hawke stepped onto the stage. His sharp gaze swept across the room as silence fell.
"Welcome to Paragon High," he began, voice steady and commanding. "This year will test your limits. The ranking system remains as ever—King, Queen, and Spade at the top of every school. Above them, the Ace, whose power and influence reign supreme—until they are challenged."
Alistair's mind raced. Every word mattered. The game had begun.
Leah's flames flickered faintly in her palms, a reminder of her strength.
The bell rang. The first day at Paragon was just beginning—and for Alistair, the battle of brains and power was about to start.