Crimson Vale Academy

Chapter 25: Code Red: Infiltrated

Chapter 25: Code Red: InfiltratedThe sky was a roiling sea of gray, lightning flashing faintly in the distance. Thunder muttered like a distant beast. The entire Class D had gathered by the burned remains of their test manual. Smoke curled upwards, mingling with the damp earth, as everyone wore looks of fear and uncertainty.

Riven stepped forward and he raised a steady hand.

"Now—now. Let’s not get worked up. We can handle this," he said, voice calm.

Slow nods spread through the group.

"Alright!" he called out. "Let’s get to work!"

With that, Class D scattered, task by task, determined to salvage what they could.

---

AT THE LAKE

Caden waded into the lake, water splashing around him as he dragged the net along the surface. "Let’s catch more this time!" he yelled, full of energy.

Aria watched him from the edge, offering a small, genuine smile. "He’s surprisingly useful."

Kairon, standing beside her, nodded. His voice was calm: "Yeah. This is his forte."

Aria glanced at the sky as the first sting of rain hit her cheek. "It’s getting cloudy... I think it’s going to rain."

Kairon looked up, expression thoughtful.

"Storm clouds are gathering fast."

Behind them, Ivy, Miya, and Torin were picking fruits. Ivy paused, eyes flicking to Aria and Kairon.

"Don’t you think those two are... close?" she whispered to Torin.

He shrugged and stayed silent.

Back at the net, Caden held one end steady while Kairon looked at Aria.

"Aria," he whispered, "can I see the message on your smartwatch?"

Aria raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"When Akira and I went scouting, we found ourselves near Class A’s hideout. I saw a message... but it felt off. I want to compare it."

Aria paused. "Why not check your own?"

Kairon’s eyes darkened. "I’m a Predator. You’re a Prey. Our messages might differ.

The message from Class A looked like a Prey one. You’re a Prey. Show me yours."

Aria hesitated, then tapped her watch. The screen glowed.

Ivy watched from the background. "What are they doing?" she murmured.

Miya stood and walked over. "I’ll go see."

Aria held the watch for Kairon. "So? What do you think?"

Suddenly, Miya’s calm voice cut in: "Excuse me." Aria retracted the watch.

"Sorry," Miya said with a polite tilt of her head. "Did I interrupt?"

"Not at all," Aria said, masking her anxiety.

Aria leaned in, whispering to Kairon. "Do you think she saw what was on it?"

Kairon remained composed. "I don’t think so."

Aria turned toward him. "So... did you figure anything out?"

Kairon shook his head. "I couldn’t make it out clearly. Too blurry."

Aria sighed in frustration. "Great... what a waste of time."

---

CLASS A HIDEOUT

Miles away, inside a slick, secured hideout, Adams and Adrien spoke in hushed tones.

"Tomorrow is the final day," Adrien said, clasping a strategic blueprint.

Adams eyed his book filled with strategy notes and point deductions. "Class A will finish first. Class D will be last."

Adrien smirked. "That’s exactly where they belong."

---

BACK AT THE STREAM

Back at the lake, Miya had taken over the net. Kairon stepped back, rejoining Aria.

From behind, Torin rushed in and flung mud at Aria.

"Now you’re all covered in mud!" he laughed, chest puffed in childish victory.

"Torin! That’s not funny!" Ivy shouted.

Aria turned toward Torin—her expression calm, cold.

She stepped forward, grabbed his wrist, and twisted it. With fluid force, she flipped him over her shoulder.

Torin yelped in surprise, mid-air.

Kairon warned, "Aria—watch it!"

Torin landed with a splash—right in Kairon’s arms. Both of them plunged into the stream.

Aria closed her eyes and walked away.

Kairon followed, hauling Torin out. He shook water from his hair. "That wasn’t necessary," he said calmly.

"What do you mean?" Aria replied without turning.

"You could’ve cracked his skull if I weren’t there."

She said nothing, continuing away.

---

AT THE RIVER

Rain now pouring, Aria stripped off her soaked clothes and slipped into the freezing river. Her teeth chattered as she hugged herself.

"What was he thinking..." she whispered, trembling in the icy current.

She rinsed off, dragged in a breath, and quickly dressed, eyes burning with frustration and cold as she headed back toward camp.

---

CAMPFIRE SABOTAGE

She arrived just as flames burst from the center of the campsite. Smoke roiled. Shouts pierced through.

"Isn’t that the test manual?!" Caelen shouted, panic in his voice.

"Plan for the extinguisher!" Riven barked, eyes

Kairon grabbed his wrist. "Let go," he said firmly.

Riven slammed a hand on the table. "Enough!" His voice shook. "We leave now."

They retreated into the night, hearts pounding.

Kairon looked to the sky.

"It’s almost time," he whispered to himself.

---

NIGHT AMBUSH – 9:00 PM

Class D crept through the forest, eyes sharp.

In the clearing, they saw tents and a dying campfire. A mocking flash of flame danced in the center.

"Good job, Miya," Ren hissed from the trees.

"Thanks," she replied softly. "They won’t see this coming."

Ren held up his hand. The group charged!

Then... real panic.

They realized—they were surrounded by dummies.

"Trapped!" someone whispered.

A sudden BAM! ropes swung out and dozens of red paintballs burst like grenades. Streams of red splattered every student.

"Retreat!" Ren yelled. Then he disappeared into the shadows, leaving the rest fallen, bleeding paint and soaked through.

From above, Kairon watched, crouching on a branch. Rain pooled on his hair.

"One got away..." he whispered.

He looked down, expression cool.

"Guess I’m not the best hunter."

He stepped backwards onto a higher branch—then disappeared into the black.

---

DEEP FOREST ENCOUNTER

Ren walked alone, coated in red paint, muttering to himself.

Suddenly—he froze.

Something moved in the shadows. The air shifted, colder.

He drew his gun. "Come out! I know you’re there!"

A leaf quivered. He fired—blue paint splashed into the leaves.

"Just a rabbit..." he whispered.

He exhaled.

Then a hand touched his shoulder—light.

He spun—and a dark silhouette pressed a pistol to his temple.

Deadly still. A cold predator presence.

His heart slammed.

Before he could make a move—BANG!

Red paint exploded across the forest floor.

He slumped.

The figure vanished as silently as a ghost.

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