Hikaru's first real confrontation with Jinx came during end of the first week's sparring session.
Hikaru faced off against another student called I.N.S.T.I.G.A.T.O.R. who basically looked like a pokemon evolution of M.O.D.O.K. he was pretty much a robot or cyborg with super strength. They circled each other in the training ring while other students watched from the observation deck.
I.N.S.T.I.G.A.T.O.R. charged first, metal fists swinging toward Hikaru's head.
Hikaru ducked low, using his enhanced speed to slip inside the cyborg's guard. He drove an elbow into the exposed joint at I.N.S.T.I.G.A.T.O.R.'s knee, denting the hydraulics. The larger student stumbled.
Can't use light powers. Can't fly. Just strength and speed, but thats more than enough.
I.N.S.T.I.G.A.T.O.R. recovered, launching a wild haymaker. Hikaru caught the metal wrist with both hands, pivoting to use the cyborg's momentum against him. He twisted, flipped his opponent over his hip, and slammed him hard against the mat.
The mechanical student groaned, servos sparking.
"Match," the instructor called. "Winner: Lucian."
Hikaru helped I.N.S.T.I.G.A.T.O.R. up, offering an apologetic smile. "Good fight."
From the observation deck, Jinx watched him with narrowed eyes.
Shit.
He finished the rest of his sparring match normally, and headed for the locker rooms. Shower, change, disappear into the general student population before Jinx could—
Be waiting in the hallway.
"Lucian." Jinx pushed off the wall, blocking his path. "We need to talk."
Hikaru's heart rate spiked, but he kept his expression casual. "Jinx. You're one of the Five, right?"
"Observant." She studied him with unsettling focus, pink eyes scanning his face like she was reading a book. "You're good. Really good. Better than you let on in that ring."
"I've been in a lot of fights."
"Hmm." Jinx stepped closer, invading his personal space in a way that felt both threatening and something else.
Hikaru held his ground, not backing away or attacking. Fight, flight, or freeze—he chose none of them, simply meeting her gaze with as much innocence as he could fake.
"Can I help you?" He asked raising a brow.
"Can you?" Jinx reached up suddenly, fingers brushing against one of the devil horns protruding from his temples.
"Interesting," she murmured.
"Something wrong?"
"No." Jinx stepped back, small smirk playing at her lips. "You just remind me of someone. Can't quite place it."
"Maybe I have one of those faces."
"Maybe." She walked away slowly, glancing back once before disappearing around the corner. "Or maybe you're not who you pretend to be."
The words hung in the air like a threat.
She definitely knows something, Hikaru thought, as he watched her go.
The library occupied a corner of the underground facility that felt almost normal. Actual books lined the shelves—strategy texts, power theory, even some fiction. Hikaru had taken to studying here during free periods, partly for intel gathering and partly because it helped him keep a low profile.
He sat at a corner table, reading a book on energy manipulation while actually analyzing the facility's layout he'd memorized.
"Mind if I sit?"
Hikaru looked up.
Jinx stood there, two cups of coffee in hand, expression unreadable.
"Free country," Hikaru said carefully.
She sat across from him, sliding one cup over. "Thought you could use this. You look tired."
"Thanks." Hikaru accepted the coffee, checking for tampering out of habit. It smelled normal, looked normal. "What's the occasion?"
"Can't I be nice?"
"The leader of the H.I.V.E. Five randomly bringing coffee to a new student?" Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "Forgive me for being suspicious."
Jinx laughed in genuine amusement. "Fair point. I like you, Lucian. You're not stupid."
"High praise."
"Most students here are either desperate, broken, or too dumb to realize they're being used." She sipped her coffee, pink eyes studying him over the rim. "You're different. You think. You question."
"Dangerous habits in a place like this."
"Very." Jinx set down her cup. "So why are you really here?"
The question landed like a knife severing the relaxed atmosphere.
"Same reason as everyone else," Hikaru said. "Powers manifested, life went to hell, needed somewhere to go."
"Uh-huh." Jinx didn't sound convinced. "And the fact that you move like someone with serious training? The way you analyze every room you enter, checking exits and sight lines? The carefully controlled power demonstrations that never quite show your real capabilities?"
Hikaru's mind raced briefly.
"You're paranoid,"
"No. I'm observant." Jinx leaned forward. "I've been doing this a long time, Lucian. I know how to read people. And you?" She smiled. "You're hiding something big."
"Everyone here is hiding something."
"True. But most people are hiding trauma, or shame, or fear." Her eyes locked onto his. "You're hiding who you are."
Silence stretched between them, charged with unspoken tension.
"So what happens now?" Hikaru asked quietly. "You report me to the Headmistress?"
Jinx considered him for a long moment.
"No," she said finally.
"No?"
"Not yet, anyway." She stood, collecting her cup. "I'm curious what you're really after. And honestly?" A strange expression crossed her face. "It's nice having someone around who isn't completely buying the H.I.V.E. propaganda."
She walked away, leaving Hikaru sitting there with racing thoughts.
Training the next day brought unexpected developments.
The instructor announced paired exercises—students working together to accomplish objectives. Hikaru found himself partnered with Jinx.
"Wonderful," she said, smirking. "This should be fun."
The objective was simple: retrieve a flag from a fortified position while other student pairs defended it. Teamwork, strategy, power coordination.
Hikaru and Jinx approached the scenario together.
"So," Jinx said as they surveyed the defenders. "How do you want to play this?"
"You're asking me?"
"You're the one with the mysterious training background." She smiled. "Surprise me."
Hikaru analyzed the setup. Three defenders, elevated position, limited approach vectors.
"Distraction and precision," he said. "You hex their defenses while I go fast and grab the flag."
"Fast?" Jinx's eyebrow rose. "Thought you just had an enhanced physique."
"Enhanced speed comes with it."
"How enhanced?"
"Super enhanced."
Jinx rolled her eyes before studying him closer, then nodded. "Alright. On three."
They moved in sync—Jinx's hex bolts destabilizing the defensive barriers while Hikaru rushed the position. He moved at a fast speed, enough to overwhelm the defenders before they could coordinate.
Flag secured in fifteen seconds.
The instructor looked impressed. "Excellent work. Next pair."
Jinx fell into step beside Hikaru as they left the training area. "You held back."
"What?"
"Don't play dumb. You're way faster than that. I could tell."
Hikaru said nothing.
"It's fine," Jinx continued. "Smart, actually. Never show your full hand unless you have to." She bumped his shoulder lightly. "We should train together more often. You're not completely useless."
"That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me all week."
"Don't let it go to your head."
But even as she chastised him she couldn't hide her smile