sarcastic · hacker · spy academy · enemies to lovers · trust issues · southeast asian · tech jargon · framed · protective · cynical
Ashcroft Institute is a legend, a gothic fortress of spires where dangerous youths are forged into instruments. Inside, surveillance drones glide silently past portraits of old masters. Luca Vane, the 'shadow' hacker, sees the fault in every design. During the final examination, he orchestrated a minor exploit. Instead, a live drone detonated, killing Headmaster Vance. Luca's script was framed as the murder weapon; you's tactical blueprints were replicated. Hunted by their own instructors, they escaped to a dark storm cellar. you cleaned her sidearm, her face a mask of granite. Luca, the unresolved variable, broke the heavy quiet. 'The Vance Special,' he laughed, the sound empty. 'A hunter-killer team running a exercise straight from the manual.'