The knock on Alina's door echoed in the quiet of the dormitory hallway. She hesitated for a moment, her heart racing. Opening the door, she found Damon leaning against the doorframe, his crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
"We need to talk," he said, his voice calm but firm.
"About what?" Alina asked, trying to mask her unease.
Damon stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, his movements fluid and predatory. "About you being here," he said, his gaze scanning the room before settling on her. "This isn't just some high school experiment, you know. Do you have any idea what you're getting into?"
Alina crossed her arms, her unease giving way to annoyance. "I didn't come here to cause trouble. I just want to study and… fit in."
Damon let out a humorless laugh. "Fit in? Do you even know what kind of school this is? Most of these students grew up in worlds where humans were little more than myths—or threats."
His words stung, but Alina refused to back down. "I know it won't be easy, but I'm not giving up just because some people think I don't belong here."
Damon studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "You've got guts, I'll give you that," he said finally. "But guts won't protect you if someone decides to test you."
Before Alina could respond, another knock sounded at the door. This time, it was Selene.
"Am I interrupting?" she asked, her cheerful voice cutting through the tension.
"Not at all," Alina said quickly, grateful for the distraction.
Selene stepped inside, her golden wings shimmering in the low light. "I was just checking to see how you were settling in," she said. "First days can be overwhelming, especially in a place like this."
"You can say that again," Alina muttered.
Damon pushed off the wall and headed for the door. "Just watch your back, human," he said before disappearing into the hallway.
Selene raised an eyebrow. "What was that about?"
"Apparently, I need to watch my back," Alina said, rolling her eyes.
Selene laughed. "That's just Damon. He likes to act all mysterious and intimidating, but deep down, he's not so bad."
"I'll take your word for it," Alina said, though she wasn't convinced.
Selene sat on the edge of the bed, her expression softening. "If you ever need help or just someone to talk to, I'm here. Adjusting to a place like this can be tough, but you don't have to do it alone."
Alina felt a wave of gratitude. "Thanks, Selene. That means a lot."
The next morning, Alina woke early, determined to make a good impression. She dressed quickly in the school's uniform—a tailored blazer and skirt in deep blue with silver accents—and headed to the cafeteria for breakfast.
The cafeteria was massive, with long tables that stretched across the room and high ceilings adorned with floating chandeliers. The scent of freshly baked bread and roasted meats filled the air, mingling with the chatter of students.
As Alina entered, the room grew noticeably quieter. She could feel the weight of dozens of eyes on her, but she forced herself to keep walking.
Spotting Selene at a table near the center of the room, Alina made her way over.
"Morning!" Selene greeted her with a bright smile.
"Morning," Alina said, sliding into the seat across from her.
Damon was there too, sipping a cup of something dark and steaming. He didn't look up as she sat down.
"Sleep well?" Selene asked.
"Yeah, surprisingly," Alina replied.
As they talked, other students began to trickle in, filling the room with noise and energy. Alina noticed a group of elves at a nearby table, their elegant features and soft laughter drawing the attention of everyone around them.
"Don't stare too long," Selene said, following Alina's gaze. "Elves aren't big on being ogled."
Alina quickly looked away. "Noted."
Across the room, a tall boy with silver hair and sharp features was surrounded by a group of students, his voice carrying above the rest.
"Who's that?" Alina asked.
"Fenrir," Selene said. "He's one of the most popular guys in school. Part werewolf, part show-off."
Fenrir caught Alina's eye and grinned, his teeth flashing. He gave her a mock salute before turning back to his friends.
"Great," Alina muttered.
The day's classes were a whirlwind of new information and unfamiliar faces. Alina found herself fascinated by the subjects, particularly the History of Union. The class covered the events of the Night of Union, when the human world had merged with the realms of other races, and the subsequent five-year war that had nearly torn the world apart.
Professor Caelum, her homeroom teacher, was also the instructor for this class. His lectures were intense and captivating, his golden eyes scanning the room as he spoke.
"Peace is not the absence of conflict," he said during the lesson. "It is the presence of understanding. The Night of Union forced us to confront our differences, but it is only through cooperation that we have survived."
Alina took notes diligently, her mind racing with questions. What had caused the Night of Union? Could it happen again? And what role did humans truly play in this new world?
During lunch, she sat with Selene and Damon again, their table slowly becoming a hub for other students. A dwarf named Thrain joined them, his booming laugh filling the space, followed by a quiet angel named Ariel who seemed more interested in her book than the conversation.
Despite the mix of personalities, the atmosphere was surprisingly welcoming. Alina found herself relaxing, the initial tension of the day beginning to fade.
The final class of the day was Combat Training, a subject Alina had been dreading. The class took place in a large arena behind the school, where students were paired off to practice sparring techniques.
Alina's partner was Fenrir, the cocky werewolf from the cafeteria.
"Try to keep up, human," he said with a grin as they faced off.
Alina clenched her fists, determined not to let him intimidate her. The instructor, a burly orc named Grunthar, barked out instructions as the students began their drills.
Fenrir moved with inhuman speed, his strikes precise and calculated. Alina barely managed to block his attacks, her lack of experience painfully obvious.
"Not bad," Fenrir said after she managed to dodge one of his kicks. "For a human."
Alina glared at him, her frustration fueling her movements. She launched a counterattack, surprising both herself and Fenrir when she managed to land a hit.
The class ended with Alina drenched in sweat but feeling oddly exhilarated.
"You've got potential," Fenrir said as they left the arena. "Maybe this school won't eat you alive after all."
"Gee, thanks," Alina replied, rolling her eyes.
As the sun set over the campus, Alina returned to her dorm, her body aching but her spirits high.
For the first time since she had arrived, she felt like she might actually belong here.
Alina stood at her window, staring out at the sprawling campus. A shadow moves across the grounds below, too fast to be human. Alina watches it disappear into the trees, a chill running down her spine.