"That girl in front… she's pretty hot, don't you think?" Simon, Aciel's best friend, commented casually.
Aciel frowned and shifted his gaze back toward the group of women outside. He barely noticed the girl leading them and instead focused on the others who were giggling while glancing at the buses and his car.
"No," he answered coldly. "They all look the same to me."
Simon merely shook his head and chose not to continue the conversation. He already knew Aciel's temper well enough. No one dared to argue with him once he spoke in that tone.
Aciel Vance De Silva was a rebellious young man and the illegitimate son of the most powerful Mafia Clan in the city and a princess from a neighboring country. Despite being born out of wedlock, he had been chosen by his father as the clan's successor after his eldest half-brother was killed three years ago.
In truth, the main reason the university became co-educational was because of him.
But no one knew that.
His father had strictly forbidden anyone from revealing the real motive behind the merger.
"I think it's time," Simon said.
Aciel glanced outside and saw the dean standing near the car with two professors, all smiling politely in their direction. He sighed before stepping out of the Rolls-Royce to greet them properly.
He might have been stubborn and rebellious, but he still respected people older than him—especially educators.
Fixing his posture, Aciel turned toward them and bowed slightly in greeting. He noticed one of the professors staring at his ear piercings and the tattoos around his neck.
He could not blame her.
The combination of black tattoos, piercings, and his naturally intimidating aura often made people uncomfortable around him.
"Welcome, Mr. De Silva!" the dean greeted warmly. "We've been expecting you. I am Dean Elena Romero, and these are two of your professors, Miss Katie York and Miss Alissa Smith."
Aciel gave them a charming smile, revealing his pearly white teeth.
"Nice to meet you," he replied smoothly. "I'm Aciel, the chosen representative of our university. And this is my best friend, Simon West."
The dean and the professors offered their hands, forcing both young men to politely shake them.
"Please come to my office," Dean Romero said. "I'd like you to meet the student council members. They'll be your guides for today."
"Thank you for inviting us," Simon answered politely. "Would it be alright if two of our friends joined us?"
The dean hesitated for a moment. She exchanged nervous glances with the professors before looking at Aciel, who silently stared back at her.
She gulped before forcing another smile.
"Of course."
Soon, Chris and Leiam joined them, both visibly excited to explore the university—especially because of the women.
Meanwhile, inside the dean's office, Xylia sat gracefully on the couch while the rest of the student council members stood behind her.
Although nervous, she forced herself to remain calm and composed.
The men must never see weakness from the women of their university.
She would never allow them to dominate or intimidate her side.
The moment the office door opened, Xylia immediately straightened herself.
Dean Romero entered first alongside the professors. Behind them were four young men dressed casually yet carrying overwhelming presences.
The dean gestured for them to sit across from the women.
Aciel sat down lazily while his three companions remained standing behind him.
"Well, Mr. De Silva," Dean Romero began, "this is Miss Xylia Lovelle Antonov, the student council president and the face of our university."
Xylia looked directly at Aciel for the first time.
She noticed the tattoos and piercings immediately, but what truly caught her attention were his dark eyes and long jet-black hair which was ponytailed in half. His aura was fierce, dangerous, and strangely captivating.
So the rumors were true, she thought silently.
He really is handsome.
On the other hand, Aciel instantly disliked her.
He could not deny that Xylia was beautiful—far more beautiful than the women surrounding her. Her straight brown hair framed her delicate features perfectly, while her emerald-green eyes stood out vividly against her fair skin. Her lips were naturally red, like the color of a blood moon.
And he could already tell she was not wearing makeup.
She was probably the prettiest woman he had ever seen.
But women like her had never affected him.
He knew exactly who the Antonovs were.
The Antonov Clan was the wealthiest and most influential family in Bloomsdale City. A woman like Xylia had grown up with luxury handed to her since birth.
And that was precisely the kind of person Aciel hated the most.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. De Silva," Xylia said softly. "Welcome to our university."
Even her voice sounds attractive, Aciel thought irritably.
"Call me Aciel," he replied. "And I assume I can call you Xylia?"
Xylia nodded before giving him a gentle smile.
That smile surprised him.
It was genuine.
Earlier, he sensed tension and awkwardness from the women outside—especially from Xylia herself. But this smile felt sincere and natural.
"I would be delighted if you called me by my first name," she answered politely. "Thank you."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"We noticed the buses outside, and I assume all the students from your university are already here. I think it would be better if we gathered everyone in the auditorium instead so both sides could formally introduce themselves. What do you think, Dean Romero?"
"O-Oh! That's an excellent idea, Xylia!" Dean Romero quickly agreed. "Miss York and Miss Smith will make the announcement immediately. I'll instruct the other professors and staff to prepare the auditorium."
She smiled awkwardly before adding,
"In the meantime, I'll leave Mr. De Silva and the others in your care."
The dean hurriedly left the office together with the professors.
Silence immediately filled the room.
Suddenly, Xylia's mind went blank.
She had no idea what to say next.
"How about introducing us first?" Chelsea whispered beside her.
Xylia blinked.
"Oh… right. Sorry."
She mentally scolded herself for forgetting about her friends.
When she looked back at Aciel, she was startled to find him staring directly at her.
For some reason, her heart skipped a beat.
She bit her lower lip softly before taking a deep breath and smiling again.
"Allow me to introduce the members of the student council," she said. "This is Chelsea, our vice president. Liliana, our secretary. And Naomi, our treasurer."
The women smiled politely in greeting while waiting for the others to respond.
Xylia noticed Aciel sigh quietly. Judging from his expression, he already looked bored.
"This is Simon, Chris, and Leiam," Aciel replied simply. "My friends."
The three young men greeted them warmly.
Unlike Aciel.
Xylia noticed the sudden change in his mood.
Earlier, he seemed calm and composed. But now, his expression had darkened, and his cold eyes carried traces of disdain and anger.
For some reason, she could not understand why.