Chapter 1
RULER OF CARDS
Chapter 01 — The Girl Who Didn't Play
Bangkok, Thailand.
7:35 AM — Monday
The city was already awake. Cars moved through the crowded streets, skyscrapers reflected the morning sunlight, and students hurried through the gates of one of Bangkok's most prestigious international schools.
VARELL INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY.
A place where wealthy families sent their children to build impressive futures. At least, that was what the brochures claimed.
Behind its elegant architecture, expensive uniforms, and carefully maintained reputation, Varell Academy had its own hierarchy. Popularity was currency. Reputation was power. And secrets were everywhere.
A black motorcycle stopped outside the academy's main entrance. The rider removed her helmet.
Aria.
Black hoodie. Dark trousers. Earphones hanging around her neck. Her expression carried the unmistakable message that she had absolutely no interest in being there.
She checked the time. 7:36 AM.
"Wonderful."
She walked through the entrance without looking at anyone.
A few students recognized her.
"Isn't that the new girl?"
"I heard she's been transferred here."
"She looks intimidating."
"Maybe she's just rude."
Aria heard them. She simply didn't care.
7:42 AM — Main Classroom
"You're late."
The teacher's voice interrupted the classroom conversation. Aria stood in the doorway, one hand in her pocket.
"By six minutes."
A few students exchanged looks. The teacher adjusted his glasses.
"Your name?"
"Aria."
"Full name?"
"That's enough for attendance, isn't it?"
Silence. Someone at the back quietly laughed.
The teacher stared at her for a moment before pointing toward an empty seat.
"Take that one. Beside Adrian."
Aria followed his gesture.
A boy was sitting beside the window, casually spinning a basketball between his hands.
Adrian. The academy's basketball captain. Popular, confident, and apparently accustomed to getting everyone's attention.
He looked up when Aria approached.
"You're in my seat."
Aria glanced at the chair, then at him.
"Does your name appear on it?"
A couple of students immediately covered their mouths. Adrian stopped spinning the basketball.
"Funny."
"I wasn't joking."
She placed her bag beside the desk and sat down.
Adrian stared at her for another second. Interesting. He had met plenty of people who tried to impress him. This girl didn't even seem interested in knowing who he was.
10:15 AM — Break Time
"Adrian!"
Sarah approached the classroom with two other cheerleaders. She was his girlfriend, known for her confidence, charm, and ability to make almost everyone feel welcome.
She leaned against his desk.
"You're coming to practice today, right?"
"Obviously."
Sarah smiled and glanced at Aria.
"Who's she?"
"New student," Adrian answered.
Aria continued scrolling through her phone.
Sarah offered her a friendly smile.
"Hi. I'm Sarah."
Aria briefly looked up.
"Okay."
Sarah blinked. Adrian almost laughed.
"She's not much of a talker."
Aria locked her phone.
"And you're not much of a listener."
This time, Adrian laughed.
"What's your problem?"
"Currently? Noise."
She stood, picked up her bag, and walked out.
Sarah watched her disappear into the hallway.
"She's... different."
Adrian leaned back in his chair.
"That's one word for it."
12:28 PM — Rooftop
Away from the crowded cafeteria, Aria stood near the rooftop entrance. Her phone vibrated. An unknown notification appeared.
UNKNOWN NUMBER
You're settling in rather comfortably.
Aria's expression changed. She read it twice. Another message arrived.
Remember why you're there.
Her fingers stopped moving. For a moment, the noise of the school seemed distant.
Then she typed a short reply.
I haven't forgotten.
She deleted the conversation, put her phone away, and returned to her usual expression.
Nobody at Varell Academy knew who Aria really was. Nobody knew about the organization she belonged to. Nobody knew why she had chosen this particular school.
And nobody needed to know.
Not yet.
3:46 PM — School Parking Area
Adrian was leaving practice when he noticed a familiar black motorcycle. Aria stood beside it, checking something on her phone.
"Hey."
She didn't respond.
"New girl."
Still nothing.
He walked closer.
"Do you ever answer people?"
"Only when they say something worth answering."
Adrian shook his head.
"You're a hard type of woman to find."
Aria finally looked at him. Her expression remained completely unreadable.
"Then don't."
She put on her helmet. The motorcycle engine started, and just like that, she disappeared into Bangkok's evening traffic.
Adrian stood there for a moment. He wasn't used to being dismissed, especially not by someone who barely knew his name.
He looked toward the road.
"Seriously, who is she?"
11:59 PM — Unknown Location
A dark room. A single desk. A playing card rested beneath a dim light.
The Queen of Spades.
A phone vibrated beside it. A message appeared on the screen.
SYSTEM NOTICE — NEW ROUND
The pieces are in position.
The school has been selected.
The game begins tomorrow.
A hand reached for the card and turned it over.
On its back, someone had written four words.
EVERYONE HAS A PRICE.
And every game has a ruler.
END OF CHAPTER 01.
