The scent of pine floor cleaner mixed with a sharp aroma of sulfur stung his nose. Arga sat in the very back row of the chemistry lab, struggling to keep his head from crashing onto the cold lab table. His eyes were bloodshot, underscored by dark circles. The events of last night—when his house was nearly destroyed by that suit-clad "Overseer"—still left a lingering trauma in every fiber of his muscles."Focus, Arga. You look like a corpse forced into a uniform," Zat whispered. His voice sounded lazy, echoing inside Arga’s skull. The jinn didn't manifest himself; he hid within the shadows of Arga’s bag, still feeling weak after the golden chain incident the night before."Shut up. My head is about to split open," Arga replied without moving his lips.At the front of the class, a tall man in a white shirt with neatly rolled sleeves was writing stoichiometry formulas on the whiteboard. Mr. Idris. The chemistry teacher was known for being quiet, rigid, and possessing a gaze that seemed t

A strong wind swept across the school rooftop, carrying the suffocating scent of rust and concrete dust. Arga kicked the iron door leading to the roof wide open. His breath was ragged, and cold sweat soaked through his tattered uniform. Before him stood Raka, his uniform still perfectly neat, as if he had just stepped out of a salon rather than planning to destroy someone's life.In Raka’s hand, a brand-new smartphone gleamed under the harsh midday sun."One click, Arga. Just one click, and the whole school—no, your entire neighborhood—will see the photo of your mom crying and begging at my dad's feet. A very... pathetic pose, isn't it?" Raka smirked, his thumb hovering right over the send button."You bastard, Raka! Delete that photo right now!" Arga screamed. He clenched his hands until his knuckles turned white.Raka laughed, a sound Arga desperately wanted to silence with his fists. "Shh... don't be so loud. I'm not alone today. Meet Galang. He didn't get his high school diploma b

Mr. Idris's IdentityWhite.The first thing that caught Arga's sight was a clean white ceiling, clashing with the pungent scent of eucalyptus oil and antiseptic. His head throbbed as if someone were beating a drum inside his skull. Every inch of his muscles felt stiff, as if they had been frozen and then forcibly thawed."You've been asleep for a long time. I almost thought you actually died and I'd have to find a new rental property in a corpse."That voice. Heavy, raspy, and laced with mockery. Arga tried to turn his head, but his neck felt as heavy as concrete. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a pitch-black furry figure sitting casually on the windowsill of the nurse's office. A black cat with a pair of glowing blue eyes that were anything but normal."Zat?" Arga whispered hoarsely. His throat felt as if he had just swallowed sand."Nope. I’m my much more handsome twin," the cat replied—which was, of course, Zat’s manifestation. "I was forced to take this form because my energy

Raka hurled a crystal flower vase—worth as much as a sportbike—against the marble wall of his study. CRACK! Shards of glass shimmered on the floor, reflecting Raka's flushed face and the veins in his neck bulging nearly to the bursting point. The smell of the spoiled soup that had drenched him the night before seemed to still cling to his pores, even though he'd scrubbed himself with expensive soap for three hours."Arga... that bastard has to die! I don't care how!" Raka screamed. His voice echoed through the vast, silent room.The heavy teak door at the end of the room opened slowly. A middle-aged man in a stiff black suit stepped inside. Surya, Raka's father, showed no emotion at the mess on the floor. He only glanced at the shattered vase for a moment before sitting in his executive chair."Quiet, Raka. You've already disgraced the Surya name in front of the whole school, and now you're throwing a tantrum like a toddler who lost his candy?" Surya's voice was cold, as sharp as ice

Insane. Everything fell apart in a matter of seconds.Arga staggered back as the giant LED screen behind the stage exploded, spewing sparks and clouds of black smoke that smelled of burning plastic. Hysterical screams from the guests broke the tense silence that had fallen when the Surya family's corruption data was exposed. The birthday party that was supposed to be a symbol of luxury had now turned into an arena of mass panic."Hey, Mr. Pauper! Don't just stand there like a cow headed for slaughter! Run!" Zat’s voice boomed inside Arga's head, snapping him back to his senses.Arga shook his head, trying to clear the ringing in his ears. He saw Raka still sprawled on the floor, clutching his nauseous stomach, while Surya was screaming hysterically, trying to hide his face from the camera flashes of the shameless guests."Mom! I have to get to the back warehouse!" Arga pushed his legs into a sprint, leaping over overturned catering tables as champagne bottles shattered everywhere.How