Chapter 97: Apex Privilege [V]

The suite was humongous. If she had thought their dorm room downstairs had already been larger than anything she had ever imagined a student residence could be, this place was on an entirely different level. The open-plan sitting area featured high ceilings, recessed lighting, and floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across an entire wall, offering a breathtaking view of the academy grounds below. The entire suite was styled in sleek white with subtle, elegant crimson accents, perfectly echoing the academy’s color palette without feeling overly formal.

Plush white sofas and armchairs were arranged around a sleek glass coffee table, creating a spacious seating area in the center of the room. A massive wall-mounted screen occupied one side of the sitting area, positioned opposite the sofas for easy viewing. Along the far wall, decorative shelves were built into the white paneling, filled with neatly arranged books, framed awards, polished ornaments, and small sculptures that added a touch of personality to the otherwise immaculate space. Tall indoor plants stood in sleek silver planters near the windows, their greenery providing a soft contrast against the white interior. A narrow console table rested beneath one of the windows, decorated with minimalist vases and tasteful pieces of silverware. Even the lighting had been carefully designed, with recessed ceiling lights complemented by slim silver fixtures that cast a soft glow across the room.

A large, plush rug stretched beneath the seating arrangement, softening the polished floor and making the sitting area feel warmer and more inviting. Every piece of furniture was positioned with enough space between it to preserve the suite’s sense of openness, while the subtle crimson accents appeared in the cushions, decorative pieces, and thin lines woven into the rug. The entire suite carried a clean, modern aesthetic dominated by white and silver, with carefully placed touches of crimson red.

Almost as though it had been designed specifically around her academy colors.

"Oh my God," Elle breathed out, instantly abandoning all attempts at professional manager decorum and darted toward the furniture, running her hands over the plush sofas and admiring everything from the sleek glass coffee table to the elegant decorations arranged throughout the sitting area. "The academy really does not do anything small, does it? Look at this place!"

Vera laughed. "I take it it’s to your liking."

"Of course I love it!" Elle spun in a complete circle, her eyes darting around the enormous room. "This is... This is a small kingdom."

Vera smiled, but then her gaze shifted toward Starlight, clearly looking for her reaction. The smile on her face faded slightly when she found the crimson-haired girl standing there with the same unreadable expression she had worn throughout most of their trip here.

For a fleeting moment, Vera wondered if the girl made any other expression apart from that unreadable look of quiet indifference. Starlight had barely reacted to the suite at all. She wasn’t even showing the slightest hint of excitement.

If Vera didn’t know she was from District Fifteen, the poorest area in the empire, she would have thought Starlight was one of those rich kids who had grown up surrounded by luxury and didn’t see anything extraordinary about a suite like this.

What was her problem?

But unbeknownst to Vera, Starlight was anything but indifferent. Beneath that calm exterior, she was struggling to process everything she was seeing. She couldn’t believe the academy would spend this much money on a student’s accommodation. Everything in the suite looked expensive and far more luxurious than anything she had ever imagined having. The sheer extravagance of it left her wondering if this was even supposed to be a student residence.

Seriously, what kind of academy spent this much money just to house its students? High-ranking or not, this looked more like one of those luxury apartments she used to watch on television, where wealthy people lived in comfort and had everything they could possibly want within reach. And now they were expecting her to live here like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"This is the main sitting area," Liora explained, gesturing around the spacious room before pointing toward a wide, short hallway leading off the living room. "And over this way is your bedroom."

Starlight followed them down the hall and into the master bedroom. It was fully furnished with a king-sized bed, a massive study desk, built-in wardrobes, and its own private balcony. Through an adjoining door, the bathroom revealed a marble soaking tub, a rainfall showerhead, and a spacious glass-enclosed shower.

"And over here," Liora continued, opening another door off the living area, "you have your own kitchen unit."

Elle gasped again as she stepped inside, her eyes widening at the sight of the beautifully furnished space. The kitchen was sleek and modern, with glossy white cabinets, silver fixtures, a large countertop island, and a full range of state-of-the-art appliances. Beside it was a small but elegant dining area with a polished table surrounded by comfortable chairs, positioned beneath a modern pendant light. "You mean she can literally cook her own food here?"

"Of course," Liora confirmed, adjusting her glasses. "She can prepare whatever she likes. Now that her Apex earnings are active, she can use her card down at the shopping complex, buy groceries, and cook right here if she wants to avoid the main dining hall entirely."

Elle pressed a hand against her chest. "This place just keeps getting better. Honestly, this place is incredible and unfair." She looked ready to cry as she turned to Starlight with wide eyes. "Star, this is literally a dream house. You can just lock yourself in here and never see another soul!"

Starlight couldn’t agree more. The corner of her lips lifted slightly, the closest thing to an open smile she had shown since they entered the suite. Vera, who had been watching her, immediately noticed the tiny change in her expression. She couldn’t help smiling at the sight. "Well, at least we finally got a reaction," she murmured, almost amused.

Starlight looked around the quiet, pristine space, and a deep sense of relief washed over her. It was absolute perfection. A private, quiet sanctuary where she wouldn’t be forced to smile for anyone or deal with unwanted attention.

While Elle continued to admire the state-of-the-art appliances, Starlight’s mind was already calculating how she would make use of the space. She took a step toward the hallway, her gaze moving slowly across the suite as they made their way back toward the sitting area. If keeping this residence depended on her position, what would happen when the ranking board shifted? "I have a question," Starlight suddenly said when they reached the sitting area.

Eden paused, meeting her eyes. "Go ahead."

"If by chance my rank drops," Starlight said, her tone cautious, "do I lose this suite as well? Because if I’m going to be forced out the moment the board updates, I don’t see the point in packing up my things and moving in right away."

When Eden didn’t answer immediately, Liora stepped in to answer the question. "Technically, yes. The private suites are strictly reserved for the top three. If you fall below Rank Three, you would be reassigned to standard housing."

"I knew it." Starlight’s shoulders slumped.

So that’s why she wasn’t all that excited, Vera thought as she watched Starlight. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate the suite. She simply knew that nothing about it was guaranteed, and she didn’t want to grow attached to something she might be forced to give up.

"You don’t need to worry about that though," Eden said, his voice calm and firm, carrying an odd weight. "That won’t happen."

A brief stillness fell over the room. Everyone turned to look at him. Vera frowned, tilting her head. "Why do you say that so confidently? The upper rankings change all the time, especially at the beginning of the school year, so how can you be so sure her ranking won’t drop?"

Eden kept his gaze fixed on Starlight, his expression entirely unreadable. "Just trust your fans, the DawnBreakers," he said simply, offering no further explanation. "Besides, it isn’t something you need to concern yourself with right now. Just enjoy the privileges that come with your rank."

He deliberately left out the truth. He knew better than anyone that now that Starlight was living on the top floor, right beside the Imperial Alpha Twins, Mikhail and Nikolai would never allow her rank to drop below the threshold. They would ensure she stayed exactly where they could keep an eye on her. Even if students stopped voting for Starlight Dawson altogether, they would never let her fall out of the top three.

"Well," Liora said, breaking the brief silence with a clap of her hands, "the keycode is set, and the space is officially yours. Take whatever time you need this week to transfer your things."

Starlight nodded slowly, her gaze sweeping across the luxurious suite once more.