Chapter 4

1107words2026-01-19 03:59

The slight inertia as the maglev train finally came to a stop startled me from my light sleep. Outside the window, Lunar Haven was shrouded in an almost surreal tranquility, as if even the flow of air was slower than in Radiance City.

Leila Croft had already stood up, gracefully adjusting her expensive flowing satin suit, with an impeccable smile on her face.

"We've arrived, Elara. Welcome to Mount Covenant." Her voice was soft, yet like a thin layer of ice, covering her true intentions.

I followed her off the train, the cold mountain wind instantly penetrating my thin coat. This small town seemed as if it had been cut out from a fairy tale, with pointed-roof houses arranged in a picturesque manner, streets so clean not even a scrap of paper could be seen, and in the distance, the ancient spires of Mount Covenant Academy loomed intermittently through the mist and clouds.

But I knew that beneath this peaceful and serene facade lay another invisible battlefield.

Leila's smart villa stood isolated halfway up the mountain, surrounded by meticulously trimmed woods. The all-white building with its minimalist lines looked like a giant building block forgotten among the mountains. Everything was controlled by an intelligent system, from the motion-sensing porch lights to the silently sliding titanium alloy main door, to the indoor climate control system that had already preset the most comfortable temperature for human bodies.

There was none of the heavy sense of history that permeated Vance Manor, only a cold, futuristic efficiency.

"Your room is on the east side of the second floor, with the best view," Leila led me up the floating staircase, her voice creating a slight echo in the spacious high-ceilinged hall. "I hope you can treat this place as your own home, Elara. Your father wants you to be comfortable here."

"Thank you, Ms. Croft. This place is very modern." I looked around, my tone carrying just the right amount of curiosity and restraint.

My room was indeed impeccable—spacious, bright, with a creamy white color scheme, and enormous floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a shimmering infinity pool and rolling distant mountains. On the desk sat the latest neural-link learning device, and even a high-privilege interface connected to the academy's internal network. Everything was thoughtfully arranged, yet like a hotel suite, it lacked genuine warmth.

"Dinner starts at seven. Caleb and Isabella are both eager to meet their sister." She left these words before turning to leave, the sound of her high heels clicking against the floor growing fainter in the distance.

I closed the door and locked it. Leaning against the cold door panel, only then did I allow myself to let out a long sigh.

Acting is so mentally draining. I walked to the window, looking at the meticulously designed scenery outside. This place would be my prison for the next few years, as well as my command center.

At dinner time, I met my half-siblings—Caleb and Isabella Croft. They sat in specially designed children's chairs, playing complex logic games on the interactive light screens embedded beneath the table surface, their fingers moving with a dexterity and focus far beyond their age.

Leila gently introduced me, and Isabella raised her eyes, which closely resembled Cassius's, timidly calling me "Sister Elara." Caleb merely gave me a brief glance and nodded, considering it a greeting, with a detachment and scrutiny in his eyes that was incongruous with his seven years of age.

I took out the prepared "Memory Crystal," a specialty of Radiance City, as a gift. Isabella appeared very happy, examining the holographic images flowing inside the crystal against the light. Caleb accepted his share, politely expressed his thanks, but casually set it aside, his attention quickly returning to his logic game.

Leila watched this scene, her face radiating satisfaction: "See how much they like you. Elara, from now on we'll be a family."

A family? A cold irony welled up inside me.

Yeah, right. Just like a spider and a fly caught in its web are family. I smiled in response, playing the role of a slightly shy sister trying to fit into her new environment.

At the dinner table, Leila casually mentioned my father Cassius's recent achievements and the crucial role of "Omega Genesis" in them, continuously emphasizing my "important role" in the future of the Vance Group throughout her conversation.

I listened quietly, occasionally asking a well-behaved question, committing to memory every seemingly caring but actually suggestive word she spoke.

After dinner, I returned to my room, citing jet lag and the need to prepare tomorrow's enrollment documents as my excuse.

Once I locked the door, the world instantly fell silent. I opened the high-privilege network interface, took a deep breath, and began to act. Mount Covenant Academy's network barriers were much stronger than civilian networks, but this was exactly the cover I needed.

Using a complex encryption algorithm to disguise the data source, I began attempting to access the publicly available research database of "Omega Genesis."

An interface popped up, requiring high-level authentication. I couldn't enter the core area, but in the publicly accessible research summaries and paper directories, I entered the keywords: "neurodegenerative disease," "genetic coding," "Heartblight." The results were sparse, with almost zero public information about "Heartblight." This was highly unusual. With "Omega Genesis'" capabilities, it would be impossible for them to leave no trace in this field.

Unless it was highly classified research.

This further confirmed my suspicion.

I closed the database and began to carefully examine the academy's course system and club listings. The "Gene Sequence Interest Group" caught my attention.

This was an advanced club composed of top students and guided by senior professors, undoubtedly an excellent stepping stone to access relevant information and personnel. I quickly submitted my application to join, attaching my meticulously prepared virtual academic background summary, sufficient to generate interest.

By the time I finished all this, night had fallen. I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, with the moon of Mount Covenant hanging coldly in the sky, casting silver light. The valley was silent, except for occasional calls from unidentified night birds. This new "home" was luxurious and comfortable, my younger siblings seemed innocent, and Leila appeared outwardly enthusiastic.

But I knew that beneath the calm surface, undercurrents raged. I was like a stone cast into a still lake, the ripples had only just begun to spread. And what I needed to do was to turn these ripples into a storm that would eventually overturn everything. The first step had been taken, and the next step was to dive into deep waters, to search for those deliberately hidden fragments of truth.