Laura, Gurda, and Dominic arrived to find most seats already taken. Laura's enhanced supernatural eyesight picked out Aurelio waving at them, beckoning them to the three seats he'd saved.
As they sat down, Laura's gaze drifted to Aurelio's striking features – his piercing blue eyes, electrifying like lightning, his radiant white hair, and chiseled physique. She couldn't help but stare.
Aurelio turned to her suddenly, catching her off guard. Their eyes locked, and Laura's face flushed crimson.
"Hey, lost in thought?" Aurelio asked, a playful smile spreading across his face.
Laura's cheeks burned brighter.
Just then, the principal's entrance spared Laura from her embarrassment. The room fell silent, awaiting the mysterious announcement.
"The Principal's voice boomed through the microphone, 'Good day, my brilliant students. I'm sure you're all wondering why I've gathered you here, so let's dispel the suspense. First, I'd like to announce that our Blood Alpha has finally chosen his queen! Gurda Morai, please come forward.'"
Gurda's nerves fluttered as she rose from her seat and made her way to the stage. The moment she stood beside the Principal, the werewolves sprang to their feet. The hall erupted into a cacophony of howls, echoing off the walls.
The werewolves' fervent chants followed: "Hail the Blood Alpharetta! Hail!"
The Principal leaned in, whispering to Gurda, "You may take your seat now."
Gurda exhales in relief as she returns to her chair, her tension easing slightly.
Laura, sitting nearby, flashes a sly grin. "Hello, Your Highness," she says, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm.
The Principal clears his throat, regaining the audience's attention. "Another reason you're all gathered here today is for group assignments. Your teams will be represented by numbers. Please check the dashboard to find your group and teammates."
The room erupts into chatter and movement as students rise from their seats, eager to discover their groupings.
As they reach the dashboard, the students discover 39 groups, each consisting of 6 to 10 members. Gurda, Dominic, Aurelio, and Laura find themselves grouped together, alongside two unfamiliar faces: Frida Psycho and Jason Blaque.
The four friends exchange thrilled glances, relieved to be united. However, their excitement is quickly replaced by confusion.
"Group Zero?" Dominic asks, raising an eyebrow.
Aurelio furrows his brow. "Why are we numbered zero? Shouldn't we be, like, Group 1 or something?"
Laura's eyes narrow. "This can't be a coincidence. What's so special about our group?"
Gurda's gaze drifts to Frida and Jason, wondering if they hold the answer.
Frida's striking features command attention: scarlet hair cascading down her back, piercing black eyes that seem to absorb light, and dark skin that contrasts with the school jacket and black bum shorts. Her psychopathic smile grows wider as she licks a colorful candy.
Gurda can't help but stare, transfixed by Frida's unnerving aura.
"Not thinking I'm some sort of insider, are you?" Frida asks, her voice dripping with playful malice, her gaze locked onto Gurda.
Aurelio's eyes widen in recognition. "Wait, you're that girl—the one with no powers, yet somehow, you've survived here."
Frida's head twists completely backwards, her eyes fixed on Aurelio, sending shivers down everyone's spines.
"Yup, they call me the Crazy Girl," she says, her voice low and menacing.
Aurelio, still shaken, stammers, "H-how do you...do it?"
Frida's grin widens, her eyes sparkling with maniacal intensity. "Which part, my flexible neck or surviving this school?"
Aurelio swallows hard. "Surviving."
Frida's smile grows, her voice dripping with sinister confidence. "Simple. I'm genius-level smart, and I've developed doomsday weapons in my secret underground base. Some are with me right now."
She casually returns her neck to its normal position, her gaze never leaving Aurelio.
Frida giggles, her eyes sparkling with mischief, as she saunters over to Aurelio. She playfully strokes his chin, her touch flirtatious. "You know, you're kinda cute."
Laura swiftly intervenes, her face a picture of jealousy. She positions herself between Frida and Aurelio, her eyes flashing a warning.
Frida's smile grows wider. "Well, someone's overprotective."
Jason Blaque breaks the tension, his deep voice commanding attention. "We should consult the Principal about our group number."
As he speaks, his piercing purple eyes scan the group. His black hair, with subtle purple shades at the sides, frames his chiseled features. Muscular and imposing, he wears the school jacket, black jacket, and jeans, complemented by black gloves.
His serious expression contrasts with the playful atmosphere, underscoring his no-nonsense demeanor.