Asiha Valeria walked with a measured pace, her expression cool and composed as she moved away from the scene of the "accident" with the human boy. Her long, pink and red hair flowed behind her, catching the morning light as she and her close friend Alya navigated the stone pathways of Valewood Academy. The grandeur of the campus surrounded them, with its ivy-covered buildings and majestic spires reaching toward the sky. The academy was a place where ancient history met modern innovation, and it was here that the future leaders of both the human and vampire worlds were trained.
But Asiha's thoughts were elsewhere—specifically on the unexpected encounter with the boy who had just run into her. Alya, always attuned to her friend's moods, picked up on this right away. A playful grin spread across Alya's face as she walked beside Asiha, her auburn hair swaying with each step.
"You know," Alya began, her voice laced with amusement, "that was probably the most fun I've had all morning. And I have to say, you handled that little incident pretty well. Although, I'm surprised you didn't rip his arm off on the spot."
Asiha's lips twitched slightly, almost imperceptibly, but she didn't break her stride. "It was an accident, Alya," she replied evenly, though a hint of something—amusement, perhaps—colored her tone. "There's no need to make a scene over something so trivial."
Alya chuckled, clearly enjoying herself. "Trivial? Please. You know as well as I do that most guys would kill for a chance to 'accidentally' grab you like that. I bet he's still blushing like crazy."
Asiha finally allowed herself a small smile. "He did look like he was about to pass out."
"Exactly!" Alya exclaimed, her grin widening. "You could've turned that poor boy into a pile of ash with just one look. But instead, you let him off easy. Feeling merciful today, are we?"
"Perhaps," Asiha said, her smile fading as she glanced ahead, her thoughts returning to more pressing matters. "Or perhaps I have more important things to worry about."
Alya's expression shifted slightly, her teasing tone softening as she picked up on Asiha's change in mood. "You're thinking about the ritual, aren't you?"
Asiha sighed softly, her footsteps slowing just a fraction. "I can't help it. The Blood Moon Ritual is approaching, and I'd rather not think about it, but everyone keeps reminding me."
The Blood Moon Ritual was an ancient ceremony held by the vampire royal family, steeped in tradition and mystique. It was a rite of passage that every royal vampire had to undergo, symbolizing their transition into full-fledged adulthood and solidifying their place in the hierarchy. But for Asiha, the ritual was something she was desperate to avoid.
"You know you can't avoid it forever, Asiha," Alya said gently, her voice filled with concern. "It's part of who we are. The ritual is supposed to be an honor, a sign that you're ready to take on more responsibility within the royal family."
Asiha shook her head, her expression hardening. "I don't care about the responsibility or the so-called honor. The ritual is just another way for the Elders to control us, to keep us bound to their outdated traditions. I've seen what it does to people, Alya. I don't want to lose myself to it."
Alya remained silent for a moment, her eyes searching Asiha's face. She understood her friend's reluctance—Asiha had always been different from the other royals, more independent, more questioning of the traditions that had governed their society for centuries.
"You're not like them, Asiha," Alya finally said, her voice soft but firm. "You're stronger than they think. If anyone can get through the ritual and come out on the other side still true to themselves, it's you."
Asiha gave Alya a sidelong glance, her expression softening. "I appreciate the vote of confidence, Alya. But I'd still prefer to avoid the whole thing if I can."
Alya smiled again, though this time it was tinged with sympathy. "Well, if you need an escape plan, you know I'm always up for a little adventure."
The two girls continued their walk, the tension between them easing as they reached the main academic building. Valewood Academy was known for its rigorous curriculum, blending magic, technology, and ancient knowledge in a way that no other institution could. It was a place where the past met the future, where the brightest minds—both human and vampire—came together to shape the world.
As they entered the building, the sunlight streaming through the large windows bathed the corridors in a warm glow. It was a reminder that the vampires had long since conquered the limitations of their kind.
Thanks to centuries of research and advancements in magical sciences, vampires were no longer bound by the constraints of darkness. They could walk in the sunlight without fear, their powers undiminished by the day. This achievement had further solidified the vampire race's place as equals—if not superiors—among humans.
Alya glanced around as they walked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "First day at Valewood, and we're already making memories. I'm telling you, Asiha, this is going to be fun. Who knows what kind of trouble we might get into?"
Asiha raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a slight smirk. "I'm sure you'll find a way to get us into plenty of trouble, Alya. You always do."
"Hey, trouble is my middle name," Alya quipped, giving Asiha a playful nudge. "But seriously, I'm glad we're here together. It makes this whole 'prestigious academy' thing a lot more bearable."
Asiha's smirk softened into a genuine smile. "I'm glad you're here too, Alya. I don't know how I'd survive this place without you."
Alya grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, you might have to survive a few more encounters with that guy who bumped into you. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him."
Asiha sighed, rolling her eyes. "He's probably mortified right now. I doubt he'll even look at me again, let alone talk to me."
Alya laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, Asiha, you have no idea how guys like that work. Trust me, he'll be back. And when he is, I'll be right there to make sure he doesn't try any more 'accidents.'"
They reached their classroom just as the bell rang, signaling the start of the first session. The room was spacious, filled with rows of desks and large windows that allowed the sunlight to filter in. Asiha and Alya took their seats near the back, away from the prying eyes of their classmates. Asiha was content to stay under the radar, at least for now.
The classroom quickly filled with students, a mix of both humans and vampires, all chattering excitedly about their first day at Valewood.
Asiha noticed a group of vampire students sitting near the front, their uniforms crisp and perfectly tailored, their expressions haughty as they surveyed the room. It was clear they considered themselves the elite—noble-born, powerful, and utterly untouchable.
"They're wasting their time," Asiha muttered under her breath, more to herself than to Alya.
Alya glanced over at the group and smirked. "Let them have their fun. They'll realize soon enough that this place isn't like the palaces or the covens. Here, power comes from knowledge, not just bloodlines."
Asiha nodded, though she couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance. She had grown up among the royals, seen the arrogance and entitlement that came with their status. It was something she had never fully embraced.
The instructor hadn't arrived yet, so the room was abuzz with conversation. Alya, never one to miss an opportunity to socialize, leaned over and introduced herself to the students sitting nearby.
"Hey, I'm Alya," she said with a friendly smile. "And this is Asiha. What's your name?"
A tall, lanky boy with sandy blonde hair turned around and gave a nervous smile. "Uh, I'm Leo. Nice to meet you."
Next to him, a petite girl with short brown hair nodded. "I'm Clara. Are you both first-years too?"
"Yep," Alya replied, leaning back in her chair. "First day at Valewood. Pretty exciting, right?"
Leo nodded eagerly. "Yeah, definitely! I've been dreaming about coming here for years. My family wasn't sure I'd make it, but here I am!"
"Same here," Clara added. "I heard the classes are tough, though. Guess we'll find out soon enough."
Asiha listened quietly, content to let Alya do the talking. She was never one for small talk, preferring to observe rather than participate in casual conversations. But she was grateful that Alya was there to break the ice.
The door burst open, and two familiar figures stumbled into the room, out of breath and clearly flustered. Asiha recognized them immediately—the boy who had collided with her and his friend.
The two boys quickly scanned the room, their eyes widening when they spotted Asiha and Alya sitting at the back.
Alya couldn't help herself. She burst out laughing, her voice echoing through the classroom. "Well, well, well! Look who decided to join us. You two just can't stay away, can you?"
The boy who had collided with Asiha—Yukio, though she didn't know his name yet—turned a deep shade of red, and his friend—Kai—tried to maintain a neutral expression, though it was clear he was just as flustered.
"Uh, sorry about earlier," Yukio stammered, clearly mortified. "We didn't mean to—"
Alya waved a hand dismissively, still grinning. "Oh, don't worry about it. I'm just surprised you managed to show up at all after that little... incident."
Kai finally spoke up, his voice calmer than before. "We're just trying to make it to class on time. No need to make a big deal out of it."
Alya's grin widened. "Oh, but it's so much fun to make a big deal out of things. What's life without a little drama?"
Asiha, who had been silent up until this point, finally decided to intervene. "Alya, leave them alone. They've had enough for one morning."
Alya pouted playfully, though she couldn't hide the laughter in her eyes. "Oh, fine. I guess I can give them a break. But only because you asked so nicely, Asiha."
Kai gave Asiha a grateful nod, and Yukio managed a weak smile, though he was still clearly embarrassed.
"Thanks," Yukio mumbled, trying to avoid making eye contact with Asiha. He and Kai quickly found seats near the middle of the room, trying to blend in as best they could.
Just as they were settling in, a group of vampire students from the front row turned around, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disdain.
One of them, a tall boy with slicked-back black hair and piercing blue eyes, sneered slightly. "Humans are always late. Typical."
His friend, a girl with icy blonde hair and a cold expression, nodded. "They probably can't handle the pace here. Maybe they should stick to their own schools."
Kai, who had overheard the comments, narrowed his eyes but kept his cool. "We're here to learn, just like everyone else. Doesn't matter if we're human or vampire."
The tall boy smirked, clearly unimpressed. "We'll see how long you last."
Before the exchange could escalate, the classroom door opened again, and the instructor entered. He was a tall, stern-looking man with graying hair and sharp eyes that immediately commanded attention.
"Take your seats," the instructor ordered, his voice firm. "We're already behind schedule."
The room fell silent as everyone settled into their seats, the tension from the earlier exchanges lingering in the air. The instructor began the lesson, outlining the curriculum and expectations for the course. It was clear that Valewood Academy demanded nothing less than excellence from its students, and the pressure to succeed was palpable.
Asiha kept her focus on the lesson, her expression serene and unreadable. But every now and then, her thoughts would wander back to the strange encounter with Yukio. There was something about him—something different. He wasn't like the other boys who had tried (and failed) to gain her attention. There was an honesty in his awkwardness, a sincerity that was rare in her world.
Yukio, for his part, tried his best to pay attention, but his mind kept circling back to the events of the morning. He couldn't help but steal glances at Asiha and Alya, who were sitting quietly at the back of the room. He still couldn't believe he had managed to make such a fool of himself on the first day, and in front of a vampire princess no less.
The lesson continued, and Yukio resolved to focus on his studies and avoid any more "accidents." But deep down, he knew that this was just the beginning of what promised to be a very interesting year at Valewood Academy.
When the instructor finally called for a break, Alya wasted no time turning her attention back to the boys. She leaned over her desk, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"So," she began, addressing Yukio and Kai directly, "I'm curious. Do you guys always make such dramatic entrances, or is today just a special occasion?"
Kai, who had been trying to avoid further interaction, sighed and replied, "Look, we're just trying to get through our first day without any more incidents, okay?"
Alya grinned, clearly enjoying herself. "Oh, come on, where's the fun in that? Besides, you've already made an impression. Why not roll with it?"
Yukio, still trying to recover from the morning's embarrassment, mumbled, "We're really not trying to make an impression. We just want to get through the day."
Asiha, sensing Yukio's discomfort, decided to step in once more. "Alya, let them be. There's no need to keep teasing them."
Alya sighed dramatically, but there was warmth in her eyes. "Alright, alright. I'll ease up. For now."
Clara, who had been quietly observing the interaction, leaned over to Leo and whispered, "This is going to be an interesting class, don't you think?"
Leo nodded, grinning. "Definitely. I have a feeling we're going to see a lot more of this kind of drama."
As the break ended and the lesson resumed, the students returned to their seats, the earlier tension giving way to a sense of anticipation for what the rest of the day would bring. Valewood Academy was a place of learning, but it was also a place where friendships, rivalries, and unexpected alliances would be forged.
Yukio couldn't shake the feeling that his encounter with Asiha was the start of something significant, though he couldn't quite put his finger on what that might be. All he knew was that his life had taken an unexpected turn, and nothing would be the same from here on out.
Asiha, too, found herself thinking about Yukio more than she expected. He was different from the others—awkward, yes, but also genuine. It was a rare quality, and one she couldn't help but find... intriguing.
And so, as the day went on and the lessons continued, the four of them—Asiha, Alya, Yukio, and Kai—found themselves drawn together by fate, or perhaps just by the strange twists and turns of life at Valewood. One thing was certain: their paths were now intertwined, and whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.
Even if that meant enduring a few more "accidents" along the way.