"Wow! Who knew a place like this existed deep in the woods? Not to mention the layout of this place is insane! It's like we completely step into a new world!" Lisa was the first to exclaim about the view before them as they walked the stone path to the school front entrance.
The school layout stretched out for miles like a gigantic maze. A stone path extended and twist around the school grounds, leading to various buildings. The walls of the buildings were ivory black with various gold frame windows.
The building they walked into reminded both girls of a goth castle, other facilities spread throughout the enormous campus held a similar architectural style. Placed in various spots outside was sitting areas with flat, freshly cut grass occupied with blooming red rose bushes, benches, and pavilions.
"Keep up, girls! No time to dawdle! I gotta get you to the counselor's office, make sure everything is okay, and get back to the city to meet a friend." Aunt Vicky urged them to speed up. Due to her brother and Lisa's father being too busy with their jobs, Aunt Vicky volunteered to drop them off.
Gold elaborate interior decorated the coal-black walls inside the building with black and white checkered tile floors. "Wait! Aunt Vicky! How do you know where to go?" asked Lisa as the two girls ran to catch up with the woman who was at least a foot ahead of them.
"No time to explain, today Fred is supposed to be picking me up and taking me out on a luxury dinner on his yacht! So let's get you all signed up, so I go back home and pick out what to wear! The girls had no time to react to the news of Aunt Vicky having a new boyfriend. Which was kinda a norm for her, as she was a free-spirited woman who love romance and trying out new things.
"Your stuff should already be moved into your dorm rooms." Walking them to a door that read Counselor's Office, they knocked and were welcomed inside a small office room.
"Hello! How can I help you?" The woman at the desk kindly greeted them despite the tired image she gave others.
Dark brown hair was pulled back into a messy bun; bags rested underneath her eyes. Standing in the office, right beside the desk stacked with paper towers, was another girl around their age with a similar brown almost tan complexion. After Aunt Vicky explained the situation, the woman's smile got brighter.
"The two new transfers! You have arrived right on time!"
The group spent half an hour in the woman's office as she made sure all their paperwork from their previous school was filed into the computer. Finally, she printed their schedule, which she handed to them.
"The first day of school begins tomorrow, but before that, we like to show students around the school so they won't get lost. As you may notice, Arcane is humongous. Alice here, will you show around, and you two enjoy your time at Acrance Academy!" The woman wished them well before answering the phone stationed at her desk.
Once out of the office, Aunt Vicky ambushed the two girls in a tight hug, kissing Dia on her forehead. "Alright, girls. This is where we must part, but please keep in touch. I love you, my sweet Dia~! Lisa, watch out for my niece and make sure no one bullies her. You hear me?"
"Don't worry, Aunt V! I'm not gonna let anyone mess with Dia!" Lisa threw an arm over Dia's shoulder. Since they were little, having met in the third grade, Lisa had always been looking out for the shy girl. These words reassured Aunt Vicky, waving at the girls before she soon disappeared from their sight.
"What a sweet aunt you have! Arcane is a pleasant school... as long as you keep your distance from certain people." Alice's foreboding tone did not sit right with Lisa and Dia, which the other girl noticed.
"You have every reason to be cautious. The majority of the kids that attend here come from prominent families. No matter the day and age, every school will always have its preps and jocks, but as long as you steer clear from them, you'll have a peaceful time here!"
Alice's words were meant to reassure their uncertainty, but Dia and Lisa still felt uneasy. Luckily their exploration of the school got their minds off the girl's warning.
"Is it me, or do some of these buildings look older than others?" said Lisa as they journeyed outside with Alice walking ahead of them.
Even though school will start tomorrow, only a handful of what looked to be students lingered around the school campus.
"Some of these buildings are over a hundred years old, still standing before the reconstruction of the school," Alice answered Lisa's question, having already shown them their classrooms which existed in the same building, except for PE and Chemistry. The group had just left the gymnasium when Alice decided to show them the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was large, filled with tables and seats. Black banners with the school emblem hung between the windows with a stairway leading to an upper floor.
"This is the cafeteria! The food here is amazing, but this is not the only place that offers food on campus. We have what we call mini-restaurants that offer luxurious cuisines, but only if you have the pockets to afford it!" said Alice.
"Everything about this school screams rich and unaffordable," dully murmured Lisa. Dia nodded her head, agreeing with this statement. Walking to the far north side of the school grounds, they saw a ten-story building.
Greeting them after they stepped through the door and after Alice introduced them was a stern long face lady, dark hair pulled back into a tight bun, dressed in formal attire.
"I am the Dorm Supervisor, Ms. Hilda. During your stay here at the academy, I expect discipline, meaning no loud parties, cleanness, and no staying out past curfew. This is your dorm key. Your dorm room is located on the sixth floor." The woman handed them their keys before she took her leave.
"Ms. Hilda is very strict, but only towards normal students. The ones with money and influence get favoritism treatment from her and there are others just like her." Both girls could detect a hint of annoyance from the girl and ponder on the type of life that awaited them at this new school that going off Alice's words cater more to the rich and wealthy.
"I'm starting to get nervous about this school," murmured Dia to which Alice looked guilty.
"Sorry for making you feel uncomfortable. Just... the last semester was kinda tough on me. You two seem like good people, and I would not wish such things on you," Alice apologized, eyes dimmed as they rode the elevator to the sixth floor. Stepping out of the elevator, the girls walked until they found a white door that read F18.
"You're right across from me!" The short haired girl face showed happniess.
"Well, at least we got one new friend. You know this whole situation is starting to remind me of that old anime you used to love? You know the one with the poor girl surronded by a bunch of rich hot guys?" Lisa tapped her chin and tried to remember, only for Dia to recollect what she was talking about and snapped her fingers.
"I know what show you're talking about! But I don't think this school has a host club," joked Dia.
"Actually, we do." Alice's statement earned a look of disbelief from both girls.
"Great. Why does a part of me feel like we just stumbled into shoujo manga that Dia loves reading?" Sarcasm laced Lisa's voice. Dia could only guiltily turn her head away. Alice was left on the sidelines, unable to understand their conversation.