They didn't plan to leave together.
But they also didn't have to say goodbye.
Suddenly, Aurora's Syntax, Virelle, interrupted with smooth precision:
"CoreAcademic block begins in eighteen minutes. You are currently tracking two minutes behind optimal Prestige route."
Aurora rose first, adjusting her ONYX with a glance — that same effortless composure she wore better than her uniform.
"If I skip, Allegra might surpass my grade track."
She allowed herself the faintest, elegant laugh — the kind that didn't need sound to be understood.
Allegra lifted her cup in a lazy toast.
"Please do skip," she said. "I wouldn't mind the view from above."
It landed lightly — just enough edge to tease, just enough restraint to respect the moment.
Aurora rolled her eyes with a smile that was barely there. Aria watched them both — amused, quiet.
It wasn't just strategy anymore.
Not just a mentor, a pairing, a well-timed alliance.
Something in their tone had shifted — subtle, but unmistakable.
Not warmth exactly, but recognition.
Familiarity, earned without permission.
And Avalon noticed.
By the time they parted, their Veritas feeds had already synced:
"Known Alliance: Lancaster / Waldorf / Kingsmith"
Updated. Logged. Visible.
In a place where connection was currency, the system had just made theirs official.
Aurora departed first, led by Virelle to start her daily schedule.
Her stride was fluid, composed — already syncing to her next move.
Allegra remained just long enough to adjust her cuff and drain the last of her tea. She gave Aria a faint nod — formal but not distant.
"I'll see you around the circuit," she said. Then turned and walked toward the east gravity loop ring, posture flawless to the last step.
Aria waited a moment longer, letting the space breathe around her.
"Lyric — update route. I want a fencing session before CoreAcademic."
Lyric responded instantly.
"Direction synced. Optimal Gravity Loop Ring identified. Rerouting now."
Aria exhaled once, slow and controlled.
Then made her way toward the south corridor — alone.
For now.
The south corridor was quiet — not empty, but intentional.
Soft-footed silence. Prestige-synced lighting.
The kind of quiet that filtered sound based on relevance.
Aria walked with her ONYX dimmed, pulse steady — or at least, it had been.
Until she saw him.
Luc.
He wasn't leaning. He didn't fidget. He simply stood — motionless — like the corridor had manifested around him rather than the other way around.
YOU ARE READING
Valmont Series - Inheritance Code
Teen FictionWhat if your perfect life was just a rehearsal? On their twelfth birthday, Aria and Aiden Lancaster wake expecting luxury, freedom, and the future they were promised. Instead, they're given an ultimatum: Leave everything behind - their friends, thei...
