Jade was struggling to grasp their lesson in class as they learned about the history of a country called Aznar, which she hadn't heard of in her previous school. It was followed by another subject where they studied the human body and different blood types. She was so confused, but since it was her first day in class, she was giving her best to catch up on the lesson and didn't want to be a bother in their class.
During the lunch break, Jade joined the Seasons sisters on their way to the cafeteria. As they walked, she couldn't help but notice the peculiar reactions of other students, bowing respectfully as they passed by. Whispers about her presence in the school reached her ears.
"Why is there a human here?" a girl murmured to her companion.
"Did you hear about them accepting a human scholar? It must be true," another student speculated.
"But why is she with the Seasons siblings?" another voice chimed in.
"Yeah, she doesn't exactly fit in to be friends with Lady Autumn," someone added.
Jade looked at her friends, but they seemed oblivious, smiling warmly at every student they encountered. The Seasons siblings were known as the kindest among the nobles, never seen angry, and always smiling. Despite their reassurance, Jade couldn't shake off the uncomfortable feeling due to how other students treated her. Their gazes seemed menacing, as if they wanted to harm her, whispers hinting that she didn't belong in this school. A sigh escaped Jade's lips, catching the attention of Rain, who gently took hold of her hand.
"Just ignore them. What matters is that we're here for you, as your friends," Rain said with a smile.
Jade smiled back and nodded, grateful for the friendship she found in them.
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They were in the midst of their meal when the cafeteria door suddenly swung open, and nine guys walked in. A collective bow rippled through the room as everyone acknowledged their presence. They walked directly towards a long table. She noticed that their table was different from the others because it was black. A cafeteria crew swiftly approached, placing food on their table. However, Jade's attention was captured by one guy among them.
"Phoenix..." she whispered.
Fall's expression reflected surprise. "Do you know Phoenix?"
Jade nodded. "He saved me from a wolf attack in the forest."
The siblings exchanged glances.
"Uh, Jade, avoid Phoenix," Snow cautioned.
"Huh? But why? He's kind," Jade replied.
Rain shook her head. "You don't know him yet. It's dangerous to talk to him again. Avoid him, especially his friends, including that one," Rain said, subtly pointing at Xylon.
"He's the scariest of them all," Winter whispered.
Jade glanced at Xylon. She was surprised when their eyes met. She looked away, but when she turned back, Phoenix was now looking at her. Phoenix smiled, and Jade subtly smiled back before continuing with her meal.
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After lunch, Jade decided to explore the academy. She climbed to the rooftop and surveyed the vastness of the academy. Indeed, their school was enormous. She breathed in the fresh air, noticing a small bird. She was about to approach it when it suddenly flew away, startling Jade and throwing her off balance.
"Aaaahhhhh!!!" She screamed as she felt herself falling.
But then, a guy appeared out of nowhere and quickly pulled her back. They both fell, and Jade found herself on top of him. They locked eyes.
He was the guy Winter warned her to avoid.
Jade quickly got up. "Th-thank you for saving me," she said.
However, the guy remained silent, just staring at her. Jade looked at his name tag on his uniform and widened her eyes upon reading his name.
"X-Xylon...Serolf?" She exclaimed in disbelief. He was the son of the owner of Serolf Academy.
She bowed to him.
Xylon raised an eyebrow. "You're not like us," he stated.
"Huh?" Jade asked, confused.
Xylon swiftly pulled her and pressed her against the wall. "Tell me, how did you get in here?" Xylon asked seriously.
Jade suddenly felt scared. "I-I'm a scholar here... I just arrived yesterday," she explained.
His expression darkened with anger upon hearing her answer.
"You're not supposed to be here!" Xylon said with irritation, then left abruptly.
Jade lowered her head. She admitted she didn't really belong here, not being as wealthy as the other students. But why did the owner's son have to say that to her? It felt like he had trampled on her entire being.
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Within the grandeur of the vampire friends' mansion.
"Where's Xylon?" Maddison asked.
She had just arrived at the mansion with Genevieve and Aria. Maddison Lyngdon and Genevieve Furukuwa (Yvess's cousin) were vampires, experts in witchcraft and black magic, and possessed the ability to heal. Their families were connected through a lineage of witches, with both vampires and witches flowing in their blood.
Aria Malkovich, on the other hand, was a vampire who could read minds, foresee events, and control the thoughts of others. All three of them were nobles and friends of Xylon.
"We don't know either; he just suddenly disappeared," Yvess replied.
"Perhaps he's out for a stroll," Xenon suggested.
"So, how is he?" Genevieve inquired.
"He's fine now," Phoenix assured.
Aria fell silent upon hearing about Xylon. Her silence did not escape Xenon's watchful gaze.
"I apologize, Aria," Phoenix said when he also noticed her silence. Even now, they remain unable to move on from the incidents that occurred in the past.
"It's all right," Aria replied.
Despite her attempt at a smile, it couldn't conceal the lingering pain from the events that transpired in the past.
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Xylon burst into Kan's office, the door slamming open in a declaration of urgency.
"Brother, why is there a human here?!" Xylon's exclamation echoed through the room, his eyes widening in both surprise and accusation as they fixated on Kan.
Kan, seemingly unfazed by Xylon's sudden entrance, continued playing chess.
"She's a scholar from a neighboring town. She seems obedient, so I don't think we'll have any problems," Kan replied with a calm demeanor.
"But what if the vampires here harm her?" Xylon pressed, concern etched on his face.
Kan, his gaze fixed on the chessboard, replied, "As long as she wears the bracelet I gave her, no one can harm her."
The bracelet served as a formidable shield for humans against vampire threats. Wearing these bracelets acted as a deterrent, preventing vampires from launching attacks on humans. The bracelets are powerful; if a vampire tries to harm the wearer, a barrier will protect them, and the vampire will be electrified, experiencing intense pain.
"But what if she takes it off? This is the first time we've allowed a pure human in. If she turns out to be half-human and half-vampire, others might accept her, but as a pure human with no vampire blood, students might not hesitate to attack her once the bracelet is gone," Xylon explained, his voice resonating with a mixture of caution and worry.
"We are bound by the academy's request. Moreover, vampires have long vowed in an agreement not to inflict harm upon humans unless humans are the ones who attack first," Kan elucidated. "Rest assured, as long as I oversee this institution, everyone within these walls is secure."
Xylon sighed, his trust evident in his voice as he said, "I trust you, brother," before departing from the office.
Kan, left alone, cast a pensive glance toward the door, his thoughts veiled in mystery, revealing nothing of what transpired within his mind.
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Jade sat quietly near the fountain, trying to forget what happened earlier. As she gazed up at the sky, a question surfaced in her thoughts.
"The school is on top of a mountain, but it doesn't feel warm. The atmosphere feels overcast, as if the sun doesn't shine in this place..." she mused to herself.
With a nonchalant shrug, she rose to her feet, ready to depart, but a distant sight caught her attention. Frowning, she rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Something seemed amiss; it was as if she had glimpsed a person from afar, yet the reality offered no such presence. The mystery lingered, leaving Jade both intrigued and perplexed.