Starlight had been planning how to get out of that arrangement. Elle’s confirmation that the academy had no such program only strengthened her resolve to go ahead with her plan. She just needed the perfect time to strike.
If all they wanted was to get closer to her or maybe woo her, they should have just used a direct approach instead of hiding behind fake rules like cowards. The whole thing was as fishy as it could get, and Starlight couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something going on with the twins that had driven them to corner her, manipulate the circumstances around her, and use their authority to make her feel as though she had no choice in the matter. What did they take her for, some helpless little human girl who would obediently dance to their every tune simply because they were Crown Princes?
They could forget about it.
Starlight had absolutely no intention of continuing with their so-called corrective conduct agreement any longer than necessary.
She wanted out, and she intended to find a way to free herself from that shenanigan without giving either of them another opportunity to interfere in her life. The only problem was deciding how to do it. She had even entertained the idea of leaking the entire scheme on AsterBuzz. It wouldn’t be that difficult to share a copy of those annoying rules and expose the fact that the Crown Twins had invented a fake program to keep her close to them. A few well-placed words could turn the academy upside down, sparking rumors and forcing the twins to explain themselves to the entire student body.
Then she reconsidered.
As satisfying as the thought was, the resulting drama would be exhausting. The twins were royalty, and she was already unpopular enough without giving the academy another reason to make her the center of attention. If she exposed them, the situation could easily turn against her. People might accuse her of deliberately provoking the Crown Twins or trying to damage their reputations. Others might twist the story into something even more ridiculous, particularly since Mikhail and Nikolai had been the ones who helped push her onto the Apex ranking board in the first place, earning her a decent chunk of change in the process. She would just have to find a cleaner way to put them in their place without blowing up the entire campus.
There had to be a better solution, one that would allow her to put some distance between herself and the twins without making herself the center of another spectacle. She just had to figure out what it was. A notification chimed from her phone chip, interrupting her thoughts. Starlight slowed her steps, lifted her wrist, and tapped the screen to open the notification. She had been automatically added to a private student group titled ’Elite Circle.’ Her eyebrows drew together as she stared at the unfamiliar group name. "What kind of bullshit scheme am I getting dragged into now?" she muttered.
With a deeply suspicious expression, Starlight tapped the group description to see what it was all about. According to the description, the Elite Circle was an exclusive student alliance that brought together Asterion Academy’s most exceptional and influential students.
Membership was reserved for individuals who distinguished themselves through outstanding Apex rankings, exceptional academic achievements, extraordinary talents, or significant family influence and social standing. Beyond academic excellence and outstanding personal accomplishments, the circle recognized students whose achievements, connections, and potential set them apart from their peers. It was designed to bring these individuals together, providing them with opportunities to exchange information, expand their networks, and establish valuable connections. Members also gained access to exclusive social gatherings, private events, and other privileges, making the circle one of the most coveted student organizations at Asterion Academy.
Membership was a mark of distinction, reserved for those who had earned recognition through their achievements, talents, or status.
Starlight scoffed as she continued reading.
The group also served as a platform for sharing important announcements and invitations to events reserved for the so-called elite students. She skimmed through the introduction, her expression growing increasingly unimpressed. It sounded like a gathering place for students who wanted to compare achievements, show off their rankings, and remind everyone else how special they were. She could already imagine the sort of conversations that would take place in a group like this. Someone bragging about their latest designer purchases and expensive accessories. Another complaining about losing a few ranking points, while others inevitably tried to establish themselves as the most important members of the group. Wonderful. Just what she needed.
She was about to close the group information when another notification appeared at the top of the screen. This time, it was an announcement from the group administrator. Starlight opened it without much thought, only to find an invitation to an event scheduled for that very evening.
Event Announcement: Elite Lounge Night
Time: 8:00 p.m. tonight.
Location: The Red Lodge.
The message announced that all members of the Elite Circle were required to attend the Elite Lounge Night, an exclusive gathering organized for the academy’s most accomplished and influential students. The event was intended to give members an opportunity to socialize, strengthen connections, celebrate their recent achievements, and, of course, welcome their newest member, Starlight Dawson.
Starlight stopped walking as she read the announcement a second time, her eyebrows drawing together in disbelief. An exclusive gathering? For what purpose? Hadn’t being added to the group without her permission been enough? Now they expected her to show up at some fancy lounge and spend her evening surrounded by students who probably considered themselves the cream of the academy simply because of their rankings, family backgrounds, or impressive achievements. She could already feel a headache coming on.
Attendance was mandatory, and any member who failed to appear without an approved excuse would have points deducted from their Apex ranking and risk losing certain privileges reserved for members of the Elite Circle.
"You’ve got to be kidding me." She stared at the screen in disbelief, wondering what kind of ridiculous organization punished its members for refusing to attend a social gathering. She didn’t need to read the announcement twice to understand that she wasn’t going to like this arrangement. With a long, exasperated breath, she lowered her wrist. Attending some pretentious gathering was the last thing she wanted to do, especially when she’d been hoping to spend the day shopping for foodstuffs and figuring out how to escape the twins’ ridiculous arrangement.
Then an idea suddenly clicked into place.
Starlight’s expression changed as she considered the possibilities. If the academy was determined to drag her into this gathering, perhaps she could turn the situation to her advantage. It would be the perfect opportunity to meet the other influential students, learn more about the people who held considerable power within the academy, and, more importantly, enlist their help in dealing with the Crown Twins.
She had been looking for a way to put some distance between herself and Mikhail and Nikolai without creating another spectacle. Perhaps this gathering could give her the opportunity she needed. She just had to create the perfect opportunity to bring up the corrective conduct program and expose the ridiculous arrangement to the other elites. A slow smirk spread across her face as she began considering her options. "Oh, Starlight, you’re an absolute genius," she muttered to herself, thoroughly pleased with the direction her thoughts had taken. If she played her cards right, today might be the last day she had to sit through that ridiculous corrective conduct program with the Crown Twins.
She glanced at the time displayed on her phone. There were still several hours before the gathering, which should be enough time to get ready, provided she could find something suitable to wear. That thought immediately brought her back to reality. The clothes she’d brought to the academy weren’t exactly appropriate for an exclusive evening event at a private lounge. Most of her wardrobe consisted of ordinary outfits, comfortable clothes, and a few decent pieces she’d packed without giving much thought to formal or semi-formal gatherings. She hadn’t known she’d be attending anything like this when she’d arrived at Asterion Academy. Even if she’d anticipated it, her family’s financial situation wouldn’t have allowed her to buy an outfit specifically for such an occasion.
Fortunately, things had changed since she’d started earning money from the Apex rankings. She now had enough to afford something presentable without worrying too much about the cost. She wasn’t about to show up looking out of place simply because the academy had decided to spring an unexpected social obligation on her.
If she had to attend, she might as well look good doing it. Besides, she intended to make the most of the evening, and looking presentable would be a good place to start. With renewed determination, she slipped her phone into the side pocket of her skirt and resumed walking.
She still needed to find an outfit suitable for the occasion, and she couldn’t afford to waste time. If the academy had decided to drag her into a gathering she hadn’t asked to attend, she would make sure to get something useful out of it.
After all, she wasn’t going to let the Crown Twins have everything their way. If tonight presented her with an opportunity to turn the tables on them, she intended to seize it.