Barvelle, a small town nestled at the foot of Mount Salverin, seems distinctly unremarkable. Its pale gray skies, slightly dusty bookstores, and the autumn breeze blowing like a weary elder create an atmosphere of quiet desolation. For many, this town serves merely as a stopover before continuing their journey, much like countless other small towns overlooked along the way. But for Alea Darsha, this is her whole existence.
The brown-haired girl sits at the kitchen table, slowly stirring a spoon in her cup of hot chocolate. Outside the window, dew clings to the glass, blurring the view of the towering pine trees standing silently like ancient guardians. The scent of wood and spices fills the air, adding a layer of mystery to her surroundings.
It is her 17th birthday. In her mind, this age is more than just a number; it feels like a door leading to unknown things that may change everything.
There was no party, no birthday wishes from her long-gone father, and no candles to extinguish. Only her mother, preoccupied with writing store notes, and the outdated radio playing classical music from an era even Alea didn't recognize created an ironic backdrop to a moment that was supposed to be joyful. The gentle vibrations of the music carried echoes of the past, steeped in nostalgia and reminding her of hidden stories woven into the fabric of the town.
"Alea, please take out the trash before it rains," her mother said without looking up.
"Okay," Alea replied briefly. She stood up, grabbed the trash bag, and stepped into the backyard. As she walked outside, dark clouds began to blanket the city, as if nature too sensed the sadness that weighed on her heart.
With the back door closing behind her, Alea let out a long sigh. The cold air greeted her like a rough embrace. In the silence, she could hear the rustling wind seeming to whisper, sharing long-lost tales swirling among the trees. She tossed the bag into the bin and looked up at the sky, hoping for a glimmer of light amidst the gray clouds.
And that's when she saw it.
A large raven—too large—perched on the wooden fence, its eyes glowing like embers. A black scroll dangled from its beak, tied with a blood-red ribbon. As Alea gazed at the creature, she felt the air grow colder, as if the nocturnal being was siphoning the warmth around her. The wind whispered softly, conveying messages inaudible to human ears, further amplifying the strange atmosphere surrounding her, as if signaling an inevitable change on the horizon.
"...What is this? Is Halloween arriving early?" Alea muttered. Her voice echoed in the darkness, as if touching something unseen. She tried to shield herself from the creeping fear, but the whispering wind seemed to strip away her courage.
The raven dropped the scroll, flapped its wings, dark as night, and then vanished without a trace. The scroll fell silently—tap—landing directly at her feet. Moments later, Alea sensed a mysterious vibration beneath the ground, as if something was concealed just below the surface.
With a mix of curiosity and a shiver running down her spine, Alea bent down to pick it up. The paper felt heavy in her hands, reminiscent of ancient animal hide. Its seal was etched with the emblem of an inverted crescent moon featuring an eye at its center. The surface of the letter seemed to quiver, as if it held a soul trapped within. Dark clouds loomed overhead, partially obscuring the faint glow of the full moon, adding to the eerie atmosphere surrounding her.
Carefully, she opened the letter. In that instant, the scent of burning wood and spices enveloped her, marking a passage to another world brimming with battles and wonders. Gradually, the story of the Academy of Noctis began to unfold in her mind—a concealed realm nestled between two worlds, where gifted youths with extraordinary powers were trained to confront the lurking darkness. Here, students learned not only about magic but also the bonds and responsibilities that accompanied their formidable abilities, imparting a priceless lesson in navigating the myriad challenges of reality.
To Her Excellency, Lumen Veritas XIII, Alea Darsha,
You are officially invited to join as an enrolled student at Academy Noctis, a prestigious institution for those destined to touch two worlds. The sound of the academy's ancient bell echoes in her mind, as if calling her to a place where secrets are buried behind every shadow and every step.
Travel tickets will be sent at 11:00 PM tonight. Please prepare and refrain from telling anyone. "You will be among the few who can confront the truth," whispers a mysterious voice in her mind, infusing her with an unsettling blend of fear and intrigue that she cannot ignore.
Welcome back to your destiny.
Sincerely,
Headmaster Arvaniel D. Aether
As the clock struck eleven that night, a black carriage with blue lights glowing from its wheels came to a halt right in front of her house. Inside the carriage, soft sighs resonated, reminiscent of spirits whispering, stirring both curiosity and unease within Alea.
When her mother gazed at the carriage and whispered, "At last, you have been summoned…," Alea understood. In her mother's gaze, she saw shadows of a past steeped in sorrow and loss. Her ordinary life had come to an end.
The carriage moved silently, crossing the thresholds of a world known to Alea. Inside, she sat alone. There was no driver, no sound of wheels, only fog sliding past the window like a swirling and haunting dream. Amid the fog, shadows of strange creatures flitted by, as if observing Alea's journey, provoking a deep sense of curiosity and an intensified caution in her heart.
Suddenly, from the seat opposite her, another piece of paper appeared. This time, it was smaller. The paper looked ancient, with edges tinged brown, as if it had been preserved for centuries.
Rules of the Noctis Academy:
Opening the window at night is prohibited.
Touching the Dullahan helmet is forbidden.
Kissing a vampire under the moonlight is not allowed.
No one is allowed to forbid anyone from falling in love with you.
The main reception area welcomed her with floating candles illuminating dark marble floors. Before her stood a tall man cloaked in purple, his gray hair cascading like water. The aroma of wax and something sweet yet sharp filled the air, amplifying the already tense ambiance.
"Welcome, Miss Alea. I am Headmaster Arvaniel. We have been waiting for you for a long time."
"Waiting?" Alea furrowed her brow. "For what?"
"For the Lumen. The heir of light. The only pure-blooded human who still has the right to both worlds."
"...Are you sure you have the right person?"
"Not at all. You carry Lumen blood in your veins."
Headmaster Arvaniel looked directly at her, and in his gaze, Alea sensed a flicker of fear. It seemed that there was much more at stake than what appeared. Cautiously, she assessed her surroundings; the towering walls seemed to shimmer with a faint whisper, as if listening to every word.
Before Alea could protest, a faceless servant presented her with a uniform: a black dress with a high collar, leather boots, and a brooch shaped like an eye. The dress appeared to be something worn by souls trapped within the castle walls.
Alea hesitantly took it. She could feel the sorrow that enveloped the garment, as if every thread held its own dark tale.
"If this is a dream... then it is a rather strange one."
Alea's first night at the Noctis Academy was not a dream, but a vivid reality laden with mysteries and challenges she had never anticipated. Muffled voices and whispers seemed to beckon her in the dark, guiding her deeper into newfound uncertainty.
The sky never changed. Her classmates didn't blink. Someone lay sleeping among a pile of bones. Every wall appeared to gaze at Alea, as if remembering who she once was. Outside, crows flew by, emitting melancholic sounds resembling cries. The cold breeze seemed to carry whispers from the past, filling the room with an unfamiliar scent—a mix of dew and something long forgotten.
In her new bed, Alea stared at the tall ceiling of the castle and whispered to herself:
"If this is the world that awaits me... why does it feel like everyone here... already knows me?"
Alea sensed a tension in the air, as if a dark secret lay hidden beneath the cold smiles of her classmates. Occasionally, she caught a shadow flitting in the corner of her eye, as if something lurked just beyond the pale light.
Trying to dismiss her anxious feelings, she glanced out the window as moonlight flooded the room. In the brightness, she noticed a faint silhouette—a figure standing outside with a piercing gaze, as if appraising her presence. A pressing question nagged at her mind: "Am I merely a guest, or is there something deeper at play?"