CHAPTER 82: [82] TWO TAPS TOO MANY

Xavier approached the administration building with some trepidation. The summons to the Director’s office couldn’t be good news, especially on a Friday afternoon. As he pushed through the heavy glass doors, he stepped into a massive atrium that made him pause.

"Damn," he muttered, turning slowly to take in the space.

The ceiling soared at least forty feet above him, supported by columns that looked like crystallized trees, their branches spreading across the ceiling in geometric patterns. Light filtered through crystal panels, casting prismatic patterns across marble floors so polished they reflected everything like still water. A spiral staircase wound upward, seemingly unsupported by any visible structure, each step illuminated from within.

Xavier whistled under his breath. "Someone has a master’s in interior design."

He was so absorbed in the architecture that he didn’t notice the person coming around the corner until they collided. Xavier stumbled back a step.

"My bad," he said automatically, then froze.

Standing before him was Dominic Black. This close, he was even more imposing than in the auditorium—six-foot-four of lean muscle, black hair styled in that deliberately messy way that took an hour to perfect. His red eyes seemed to glow slightly in the diffused light of the atrium.

"No problem," Dominic said. He studied Xavier for a moment, recognition dawning on his face. "Wait. You’re that guy from that video with Thalia."

"That would be me."

"Xavier Valentine, right?" Dominic’s smile showed perfect teeth. "You’ve made quite a splash for a first-year. That conversation with Thalia was... bold."

"Just asking questions. I’ve always been a very curious student."

Dominic chuckled. "Questions. Sure." He stepped closer, his red eyes never leaving Xavier’s face. "Let me give you some advice from one student to another, Valentine. Catalyst has a certain... hierarchy. It exists for a reason."

"I appreciate the guidance," Xavier said dryly. "But I’ve never been big on hierarchies."

"That’s the problem with first years," Dominic said, his smile never faltering. "You haven’t learned what you don’t know yet."

Xavier felt his jaw tighten but maintained his casual stance. "I’m a very quick study."

"I’m sure you are." Dominic glanced toward the doors, then back at Xavier. "Another piece of advice—Thalia has... expectations for her partners. Professional ones. Personal ones. She doesn’t have time for distractions."

The implication was clear. Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you know her pretty well."

"We understand each other," Dominic said, his tone shifting slightly. "We’re the same, in many ways. Both destined for things beyond what most hunters could comprehend."

"How nice for you both."

Dominic laughed, the sound echoing off the marble. "I like you, Valentine. You’ve got guts. But a word of warning—" He stepped closer, invading Xavier’s personal space. "Getting close to my woman isn’t in your best interest."

Xavier didn’t back away. "I wasn’t aware Thalia belonged to anyone."

Something dangerous flashed in Dominic’s red eyes, though his smile remained fixed. "There’s a lot you’re not aware of, first year."

He reached up and tapped Xavier twice on the cheek—not hard enough to be a slap, but firm enough to be unmistakably condescending.

"Good luck with the Director," Dominic said, stepping past Xavier toward the exit. "She only calls first-years to her office when something’s wrong."

Xavier stood motionless until Dominic had left the building, his hands clenched at his sides. The casual dismissal, the patronizing advice, the territorial warning about Thalia—all of it scraped against his pride like sandpaper.

"Just who the hell does he think I am?" Xavier muttered, unclenching his fists with effort.

Xavier took a deep breath, forcing his focus back to the present situation. Director Angelo was waiting, and that was problem enough without dwelling on Dominic’s territorial posturing. He approached the reception desk where a woman was on the phone.

"Xavier Valentine," he said when she glanced up. "I was told the Director wanted to see me."

"Ah, yes. Mr. Valentine." She set down the phone. "Tenth floor, end of the hall. She’s expecting you."

The elevator ride gave Xavier time to compose himself. By the time the doors opened on the tenth floor, he had his expression under control, though his mind was still processing the encounter with Dominic. The hallway stretched before him, lined with doors bearing nameplates of various administrators. At the end stood double doors of dark wood inlaid with crystal patterns.

Xavier knocked firmly.

"Enter," called a woman’s voice from inside.

He pushed open the door to find an office that somehow managed to be both immaculate and chaotic. One wall was entirely glass, offering a panoramic view of the academy grounds. Another was covered in monitors displaying various data feeds. The Director’s desk was a massive slab of what looked like black crystal, covered in stacks of papers, tablets, and what appeared to be a half-eaten sandwich.

Behind the desk sat Director Vanessa Angelo. Xavier had seen her in orientation videos and academy publications, but those images hadn’t captured her presence. She looked barely older than a student—maybe twenty-five at most—with long black hair, hazel eyes, and the kind of beauty that seemed almost artificial in its perfection. Only when you looked closely could you see the weight of experience in her eyes.

"Mr. Valentine," she said, not looking up from the tablet she was reading. "Close the door and take a seat."

Xavier did as instructed, settling into one of the chairs facing her desk. He waited silently, watching as she finished whatever she was reading with a frown.

"Do you know why you’re here?" she finally asked, setting down the tablet and looking directly at him.

"I have several theories," Xavier replied. "None of them good."

A small smile flickered across her face. "At least you’re honest." She leaned back in her chair. "Let’s start with an incident involving you and some civilians last weekend."

Xavier kept his expression neutral. "What incident would that be?"

"The one where you put six Metro University students in the hospital." She tapped her tablet, and a security camera feed appeared on one of the wall monitors, showing Xavier’s fight with the six men.

Damn, I really thought I got away with that. But... I have one trick up my sleeve.

Xavier squinted at the screen. "Director, you sure that ain’t AI generated?"