The first time Adrien Laurent walked into Belmont Academy, he already knew who his greatest obstacle would be.

Rafael Belmont.

The name carried weight—son of a powerful family, the school’s golden boy, untouchable in both academics and social standing. Rafe didn’t just excel; he dominated. He was the kind of person who never had to prove himself, because everyone already believed he was the best. And Adrien? He was an outsider. A transfer student from another country, with a past he kept under lock and key. He had no legacy here, no family name to pave his way—only his own intelligence and sheer determination.

Their rivalry ignited instantly.

At first, Rafe saw him as nothing more than an annoyance. A challenge, maybe, but one that would inevitably fall in line like the rest. But Adrien refused. He refused to lose, refused to bow, refused to be anything less than Rafe’s equal—or his superior. Every time Rafe beat him, Adrien struck back twice as hard. Every time Adrien pulled ahead, Rafe made sure it wouldn’t last.

It wasn’t just about grades or awards. It was about pride. Power. The unspoken battle for who truly ruled this school.

To the outside world, they were simply rivals—two brilliant minds constantly at war. But to each other, they were something worse. They were threats.

And neither of them planned to back down.