Eviliana's POV
We woke up early because today is the first day of classes, and we still needed to attend the opening ceremony.
We were on our way to the academy. I was wearing a simple white dress, while Avy was in pants and a T-shirt. We didn't have uniforms yet—they said they'd be given next week since our measurements were only taken yesterday.
When we arrived on campus, we went straight to the auditorium. There were already a lot of students inside. Most were wearing their uniforms, and only a few were dressed casually like us.
We sat in the middle—since that was where seats were still available; the front rows were already full.
At exactly seven o'clock, the opening ceremony began.
"All present, stand up!" ordered a male fairy, who I assumed was a teacher. We all stood. "Sing the academy's song!"
They started singing. I didn't. Am I the only one who doesn't know the academy's song? Even Avy knew it. I was really the only clueless one.
After the song, the fairy spoke again. "Next is the headmaster's speech."
"Good morning, students!" Headmaster Kirino greeted cheerfully. "First of all, I'd like to congratulate the new students of Campbell Academy. Congratulations and welcome!" he added with a smile. "As announced yesterday, the top 10 in the entrance exam will receive awards."
"The awards will be given by our Royal Students, Prince Jaxon Kai Howard and Princess Chanfera Alvena Campbell," he continued. Two students in the back stood. Their uniforms were striking—white coats, while the rest wore black.
Everyone applauded. I joined in.
"If I call your name, please come up here," said the Headmaster. "Dinna Villanueva."
A female fairy walked up the stage and received her certificate from the royal students. She even shook their hands.
"If I had known there was a reward, I would've tried harder."
"Same here, what a waste!"
"I wish it was me... huhu!"
Based on the whispers, it seemed like everyone wanted to shake hands with the royal students too. Well, I couldn't blame them. It was an honor, after all. But I'm a princess too… so why does it feel like no one wants to shake my hand?
I sighed. What am I even thinking?
Next were Christoper Jones, Loisa Miller, Victor Martin, Patrick Richard, Marlin Miles, and Gilbert Anderson.
"The 3rd placer, Kayleigh Oddessa Howard."
"Did you hear that? A Howard!"
"Yeah, she's a princess from the Wolf Kingdom."
"I wonder what her relation is to Prince Jaxon?"
"Cousins maybe?"
"Or siblings?"
"Definitely cousins."
"No, siblings for sure."
I could hear the girls behind me gossiping.
"The 2nd placer, Bethany Tyra Garcia."
The girl went up the stage with no expression at all. Wasn't she happy? She didn't even shake the royal students' hands.
"What the hell!"
"How dare she!"
"That was so rude!"
"True, she should be thankful for the chance to shake hands with them!"
"She really wasted it."
"And for the last but not the least, the 1st placers—who broke the record of the Fairy Kingdom's entrance exam—Aviel Alvarez and Eviliana Villaina Alfena."
Avy and I went up the stage together. It was embarrassing, but also exciting. Everyone was staring.
"OMG, they broke the record?"
"And there are two of them?!"
"Too bad we couldn't watch it."
"Yeah. Why wasn't it allowed?"
"What's more surprising, one of them is supposedly a princess from the Fox Kingdom!"
"But which one?"
"The other doesn't look like a fox."
"Hey, she's Alfena!"
"Maybe her sister?"
"Or a cousin?"
I sighed at all the gossip.
Once on stage, we received our awards. Avy shook hands and cheerfully said, "Thank you!"
When I reached out my hand to Prince Kai, he said, "Congratulations."
"Thank you," I replied.
I was about to shake hands with Princess Alvena when I felt something strange as she held my hand. I suddenly wanted to hug her—and I couldn't stop myself. I hugged her.
I knew everyone was watching, but... I didn't care. I just really wanted to hug her.
"L-Lia, what are you doing? Come on, let's go down," Avy whispered, but I ignored her.
"It's okay," Princess Alvena said. She hugged me back. It was warm... comforting.
"No! It is not okay." I heard Avy grumble. "I… pardon me, Princess Chanfera."
"Hahaha! It's okay," Alvena said with a smile.
A few seconds later, I pulled away from the hug.
"Hey, Lia! Why are you crying?" Avy asked, clearly worried.
"Crying? Who's crying?" I asked.
"You."
"Me?" I touched my cheek—there were tears. What? I cried? When? And why?
"I'm really sorry, Princess Alvena," I said with a bow. I noticed her expression changed—she looked... shocked?
"Uh, is something wrong, Princess Alvena? Was it because I hugged you? I'm really sor—"
"No, it's not that," she cut me off. "You just reminded me of someone." She smiled.
"Oh..." was all I could say. "But I really am sorry."
"It's really okay."
Avy cleared her throat. We both looked at her. "Please excuse us," she said, then pulled me off stage.
"Lia, what were you thinking?" she scolded once we were offstage.
"I just hugged her. She said it was okay, didn't she?" I replied, pouting.
"But still! Everyone's gossiping again, you know, those slapsoil b\tches."
"Can you please stop calling them slapsoil b\tches? What if they hear you?"
"So what? I'll beat them up before they can bully me," she replied.
I was about to say something, but she beat me to it: "Just kidding. Hehe," she said with a peace sign.
I sighed.
Someone's POV
So that's them. They've grown up well. I never even got the chance to grow up with them. It's been five years. I wonder if they still remember me?
Aviel's POV
Lia and I were heading to our classroom now. We were in Class A—we saw it on the bulletin board.
When we got there, a lot of students were already inside, but there were still a few vacant seats. We sat in the second-to-the-last row. I sat next to Lia, who picked her favorite spot—by the window. She liked the view outside.
After a few minutes, more students arrived—including the royal students.
Royal Students were those personally recommended by the headmaster of Campbell Academy. In short, they were exempted from the entrance exam. They were also elemental users.
There were others among the royal students who didn't have recommendations, but were included because:
1. They were elemental users.
2. They defeated a royal student.
3. They were members of the student council.
Many aspired to be one of them—because they were the only ones allowed to take missions and travel across kingdoms. They're also respected like actual royals.
I looked to the front when Prince Kai and Princess Alvena entered. The classroom went silent. I think even if you saw them every day, you'd never get used to their presence. They just needed to wear that white uniform and they'd look like they were glowing with beauty and charisma.
They sat in the back row—seats reserved for Royal Students. There were also seats in front, but I guess they preferred the back.
Following them, a girl walked in—someone I immediately recognized. Bethany. She passed by quietly, as if no one else existed around her. She had an aura that was hard to read. She didn't even look at anyone, not even Princess Alvena, whom she refused to shake hands with earlier.
"She's so cold, huh?" I heard a student whisper in front.
"But she's still so pretty. Classic ice queen vibe!"
I just shook my head. My blood still boiled just thinking about how she ignored Lia.
The bell rang.
Our teacher entered—a female fairy with black and purple wings. She held a staff with a glowing crystal at the tip.
"Good morning, Class A," she greeted.
"Good morning, Miss," we all responded.
"I'll be your homeroom teacher and advisor. You'll also have some core subjects with me. But remember, many of your classes will be practical and outdoors, so always be ready." She glanced at me and Lia. "Especially you two. Alvarez and Alfena."
I bit my lip. Lia, on the other hand, smiled brightly. "Yes, Miss!"
Ma'am laughed. "Very good. I like your energy. Now, let's all introduce ourselves," she said. "I'm Sandra Perez, as I've said earlier, your homeroom teacher. My power is Flower Manipulation," she introduced herself to us. "Now, your turn."
A student in front immediately stood up. "My name is Harmony Rivera. As you can hear, I have a beautiful voice. My power is Sound," said the girl sitting at the front. If I'm not mistaken, she's also one of the royal students based on her outfit. She's not an elemental user, so it's either she defeated a royal student or she's part of the student council. I'm sure she didn't get in through a recommendation, so that's off the table.
"I am Marlin Miles. I can shape-shift," introduced the one beside Harmony.
"…Aia Lienin. My power is…"
Many of our classmates had already introduced themselves and it was almost our turn—me and Eviliana.
"Bethany Tyra Garcia. Speed," our roommate introduced herself.
What was her ability again? Speed? No wonder she reached the finish line so fast. Well, I think she's worthy to be my opponent but… nah! I don't like the way she acted toward Lia.
"Is that all? What's your power?" Miss Sandra asked.
"You'll know sooner or later," she replied emotionlessly. Hmph! Trying to be mysterious… but interesting.
"Hello, classmates! My name is Kayleigh Oddessa Howard. Wind is my power," Kayleigh introduced herself cheerfully. So she's an elemental user? Sooner or later, she'll be part of the royal students.
It was my turn to introduce myself, so I stood up. "The name's Aviel Alvarez. I can manipulate insects. Snare Sensing is my ability," I introduced myself and sat back down.
"Good morning, everyone!" Lia greeted cheerfully. "I'm Eviliana Villaina Alfena. That's all, thank you!"
"Your power?" Miss Sandra asked.
"Ma'am?" Lia asked, confused.
"Your power?" she repeated curiously.
"My power is… um… the truth is… I don't know," Lia answered shyly.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" the whole class laughed, except for those in the back, Miss Sandra, and those in our row—me, Lia, Bethany, and Kayleigh.
"Is that the fox princess?"
"No powers? Are you kidding me?"
"By five years old, we should already have powers. Why doesn't she?"
"Is she really the fox princess?"
"Weak."
"A misfit."
"I didn't expect her to be the Alfena, not her friend."
"Maybe she only passed because of her friend's help."
Here we go again. These slapsoil b\tches!
"Quiet, class!" Miss Sandra silenced them. "Let's do this, Miss Alfena. Can you tell us what you used during the exam that looked like a portal?" Miss Sandra asked. Lia nodded.
"What we used was the Fūpupōtaru," Lia said.
Lia has six weapons. Fūpupōtaru is one of them.
"Fūpupōtaru?" Miss Sandra asked curiously.
"Yes. The Fūpupōtaru is a weapon that can only be used when necessary. It's like teleportation but, like I said, it can only be used when truly needed," Lia explained.
"Is that so? But where did you get it or where did it come from? I've never seen that kind of tool before. Even in books, there's no mention of it," Miss Sandra continued to question.
Well, Lia's weapons really aren't in books. They're special, you know.
"The truth is… I made the Fūpupōtaru myself," Lia replied, shy but smiling.
That's right! She made them. She's talented, isn't she?
"You—you did?" Miss asked, shocked. Lia nodded.
"I don't believe it!"
"Who would believe that?"
"Liar!"
"She doesn't even have powers."
"Weak and a liar, too."
I couldn't hold myself back anymore after hearing all that. I stood up and said, "What did you say? Weak? Liar? How about Lia uses her Ōrukattosōdo on your mouths and slices them open! Maybe then you'll wake up and realize who the real weaklings and liars are!" I said angrily—no, furiously—especially toward Harmony who called Lia weak and a liar.
"Miss Alvarez, sit down."
"Tsk!" I scoffed and sat down.
I noticed Harmony rolled her eyes at me, so I rolled mine back at her. Does she think she's the only one who knows how to roll eyes? Tsk!
"Miss Alfena, can you tell us what Miss Alvarez was referring to as Ōrukat—what?"
Tsk! So Miss Sandra is curious about Lia's weapons too, huh?
"Ōrukattosōdo."
"Yes, that one."
"The Ōrukattosōdo was also what I used during the exam to kill the monsters. Like Avy said, this weapon can cut through anything," Lia explained.
"Oh, I see," she said, nodding. But I feel like she wasn't satisfied with Lia's explanation. "Can you show us the Ōrukattosōdo? You didn't mention it can only be used in emergencies." As I expected.
"Eh? O-okay," Lia replied hesitantly and began removing her right earring.
"Miss Alfena, why are you removing your earring?" Miss Sandra asked with a frown.
"Because this is the Ōrukattosōdo," Lia simply answered.
They all laughed again, even Miss Sandra. I also heard some soft laughter from the back row.
"Eh? Why are you laughing? I'm telling the truth," Lia asked, confused. Her earring then transformed into a sword. They were all shocked at what they saw.
"It really became a sword."
"How did that happen?"
"We're embarrassed now."
"So what if it's a sword? I still don't believe she made it."
They whispered among themselves. Ugh! These slapsoils still don't believe her. Well, I don't care. All I know is if they laugh at Lia again, they'll be in big trouble with me.
"If that really cuts through anything, then cut Miss Sandra's table," said show-off Harmony again.
"Huh? That's not right. That's the act of someone disrespectful. My mother didn't raise me like that," Lia declined.
"It's fine with me," Miss Sandra agreed. "I also want to know if what you're saying is true." Ever her doubting Lia. Tsk!
"Ah, um, okay," Lia replied hesitantly.
She walked to the front, carrying her sword. "Miss?"
"Go ahead," Miss Sandra smiled. Upon hearing that, Lia began to slice Miss Sandra's table.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" they laughed again when the table didn't get cut. How did that happen? Why didn't it cut through? Did Lia's weapon break because of the monsters?
But wait, they… they laughed again. They laughed at Lia again. I've had enough of this.
I stood up again. "All of you, shut up! Laugh one more time and I swear I'll let insects crawl into your mouths!" I yelled at them. They're always laughing at my dearest friend.
Everyone fell silent.
"Avy…" Lia said my name, almost in tears. Grrr! They're making Lia cry!
Lia was about to return to her seat when…
-_-