Red valley
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 : 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱, 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮, 𝗨𝗦𝗔.
𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲 : 𝟮𝟴 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.
𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 : 𝟭𝟬 : 𝟯𝟵 𝗮𝗺.
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕
A dark room.
Someone is sitting in the chair, one leg propped casually on the table. In his hand rests a red diamond. Slowly, deliberately, he is turning it between his fingers, studying it from every angle.
His face is hidden in the shadows.
Only his eyes are visible-glowing red.
A dim crimson dream light flickers above, painting the room in blood-red hues.
Stranger:
"The world is cruel.
Here, humanity is divided into two kinds-
the rulers and the ruled.
The rulers are called demons.
The ruled are called angels.
That is the theory people believe in.
But my opinion is different.
Give one of the oppressed the power to rule-just for a single day.
And you'll see it.
He will unleash the demon hidden within himself.
This is my theory, TS. That means
every human has two sides.
One is a demon.
The other is an angel.
No matter how loudly you claim to be an angel,
a demon lives inside you too-
dormant, waiting.
If it is not kept under control,
it will try to break free.
And that-
is the brutal truth.
Very few people in this world can truly control themselves."
𝐉𝐚𝐲'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕
Everyone imagines themselves as the main character of their own story.
But in the novel of my life, I'm nothing more than a side character.
Jay Mitchell.
Funny, right? I prefer being called Jay.
No one probably expected me to be selected for "The Diamond of the Era" competition.
But how is that my fault? I didn't cheat. I didn't steal anyone's place.
I'm here because I earned it.
The deep-red bus finally came to a halt. One by one, Arlo, Ethan, Caleb, Emma, and I stepped down.
In front of us is "The Scarlet University."
I have never seen a university this massive before.
The strange thing is-everything here carried a touch of red.
As if all other colors had vanished during construction.
The boy collecting our entry passes is our team leader-Arlo Davis.
Honestly, I've rarely met someone as honest and responsible as him.
Responsibility always comes first on his priority list.
Beside him stands Ethan Wilson, headphones on, silent as ever.
He barely talks-but I've seen his anger once.
It was terrifying. I hope I never see that side again.
A little distance away the couple are -Caleb Miller and Emma Smith.
Caleb is indirect, timid. Personally I don't like him.
And Emma?
Let's not talk about her.
Arlo: "Guys! Let's go."
We entered the campus. A guide was already waiting for us.
Guide: "Welcome. You're probably from New York."
Arlo: "Yes, sir."
Guide: "Alright. Follow me."
Right after entering the gate, we saw an artificial waterfall-probably the heart of the campus.
The atmosphere feels strange. Heavy.
The deeper we go, we are being sallowed by the red.
Crimson.
Maroon.
Ruby Red.
Cherry Red.
Blood Red.
Fire Red.
At least twenty shades of red are surrounding us.
Even the trees aren't green. Red has ruled everything.
There isn't a single student in sight.
Towering buildings are standing everywhere-each at least ten stories high.
Behind them lay a small forest. Maybe it's a part of the university.
It doesn't feel like a university anymore.
It's feeling like a danger zone.
We entered one of the buildings and stopped before a hall on the ground floor.
The guide told us to go inside and left.
Inside, I realized how enormous the hall was.
It can easily accommodate five hundred students.
A stage stands at the front.
On both sides of the hall have twenty-five rows of seats, five chairs in each row.
Each school had assigned seating.
We sat in the fourth row on the right side.
Names were written on each seat.
Arlo.
Ethan.
Caleb.
Emma.
And me-last, beside the wall.
Students from all over the world are present-
Korea, Japan, the UK, France, Germany, Russia, Canada, Australia, Italy, Spain-
Fifty countries in total.
This competition wasn't easy to enter.
Held once every twelve years for 12th-grade students.
Not through exams-but online voting.
The top fifty countries earned their place.
Arlo: "Two of us will be called for the speech. One team leader and one secretary. I want Emma. Opinions?"
Ethan: "No issue."
Caleb: "Your decision is my decision, bro."
Arlo: "Okay. Final."
Honestly, I feel disgusted with myself.
A crow trying to live among peacocks-never a good idea.
Soon, a few people entered the hall.
The man with glasses is probably the principal. The others-professors.
Five students who are with them-current students of this university.
And yes.
Their uniforms are red too.
Even the professors are wearing red.
Is it a valley of red?
Principal:
"Welcome, students. I'm Joseph Anderson, principal of Scarlet University.
The competition will run from June 1st to June 30th.
Accommodation, meals, and practice arrangements have been made.
For any kind of help, president of school unit, Rabin Knight and his team, will be available.
Mr. Knight, please come to the stage."
One of the five boys stepped forward.
I won't lie.
He is damn handsome.
The kind of guy who can make any girl fall for him.
Rabin:
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Rabin Knight, class president of 12th grade.
Here my team members- Kim seojan, Alaric Ashford, Soren Westbrook and Caspian Harrington.
We'll guide you."
Why is Emma staring at him like that?
She already has a boyfriend.
Whatever-even if she had two or three, Caleb wouldn't leave her.
Coward.
One by one, schools were called to give speeches.
Principal:
"Blue Heart International High School.
Arlo Davis and Jay Mitchell. Please come to the stage."
Jay?
Jay Mitchell?
Me?
I looked at Arlo.
He looks furious.,
Arlo: "What is this? I entered Emma's name. Why are they calling others? System error?"
Ethan: "Internal issues later. School reputation first. Jay-go."
Arlo: "Damn it."
Arlo and I stepped onto the stage.
Arlo began his speech.
Among the five boys standing below, one of them looks Korean.
The boy beside him is staring at me.
Is my dress messy? No.
My hair? Fine.
Then why is he staring?
Arlo whispered.
Arlo: "Jay."
I stepped forward to the microphone.
Fifty of the world's best schools representatives are watching me.
I'm standing beside the principal of Scarlet University.
I'm damn nervous.
Jay:
"I'm Jay Mitchell from Blue Heart International High School, 12th grade.
Secretary of Arlo Davis.
I'm a competitor of the music sector."
Applause filled the hall.
For the first time, I'm feeling... happy.
Like I want to stay here a little longer.
But one question is echoing in my mind-
Who entered my name?
