As soon as Aiden and Julian stepped into their dorm apartment, Aiden turned to him with a question already forming on his lips.
"Who was that girl?" he asked, his tone a mix of confusion and curiosity. "And why did it feel like you were running away from her?"
Julian stopped in the middle of the living room. For a moment, he didn't answer. His expression shifted, as though the weight of the question pressed down on him, dragging out a response that was difficult to give. Then, with a visible effort, he said quietly, "That's my stepsister. Her name is Lila."
There was something in his voice, something heavy and almost pained, that made Aiden hesitate to ask more. He wanted to know why Julian seemed so unsettled by her, why he had looked like he couldn't get away fast enough, but the look on Julian's face made it clear that the answer wasn't simple. And honestly, Aiden didn't need much of an explanation. The word "stepsister" already carried enough weight. Whatever happened between them couldn't have been pleasant.
Julian seemed relieved that Aiden didn't press further. He gave a small nod of gratitude, then offered a tired smile.
"I'm sorry about what happened today," he said. "It's been... a long day. I'm exhausted. I think I'm going to turn in early."
Aiden nodded in understanding. "Alright. Good night."
Julian gave a brief wave before heading to his room. Aiden watched him until he disappeared behind his door, the soft click of it shutting leaving a strange sense of stillness in the apartment.
Alone now, Aiden let out a long sigh. He rose from the couch, stretched his tired limbs, and slowly walked to his own room. His mind was buzzing with thoughts, refusing to quiet down. He lay on his bed but couldn't bring himself to close his eyes.
Everything that had happened today played back in his head like a movie reel he couldn't pause. The moment he stepped into this new world, meeting Julian, learning that he somehow had magical blood, facing cold stares in the cafeteria, and being insulted by Julian's stepsister—all of it felt unreal.
He still couldn't believe he had actually enrolled in a supernatural academy. What was he doing here, surrounded by people with magic running through their veins, when all his life he had believed he was just... ordinary?
Some part of him hoped that when he woke up the next morning, it would all turn out to be a strange dream. Just something his mind had conjured up to escape the ordinary life he had always known. With that thought lingering, he finally drifted into sleep.
The next morning, a knock on his door pulled him out of sleep. Aiden groaned softly and sat up, rubbing his eyes. His legs swung off the bed, and he shuffled over to the door, yawning as he opened it.
Standing there was Julian, already dressed and looking more awake than Aiden felt.
"Morning," Julian greeted.
Aiden blinked a few times, then stared at him for a long moment before asking, "Is our school really a supernatural academy?"
Julian gave him a confused look. "What?"
"I mean," Aiden continued, scratching the back of his head, "this whole place... it's real?"
Julian raised an eyebrow, unsure whether Aiden was joking or had completely forgotten everything that had happened the day before. Still, he gave a slow nod.
"Yes, Aiden. This is Sky Line Academy. And yes, it's really a school for supernaturals."
Aiden muttered to himself, barely loud enough for Julian to hear, "So I'm not dreaming. I actually enrolled myself here."
Julian couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Didn't you come to that conclusion yesterday?"
"I was just hoping," Aiden replied, giving Julian a half-hearted glare, "that maybe I'd wake up today and find out it was all one big joke. Maybe I'd be in a regular school with regular people."
"Sorry to disappoint you," Julian said, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, "but this is very real. And if you don't get ready soon, we'll be late to the testing hall. Everyone will stare at us."
Aiden groaned again. "When have they not stared at me?"
Julian gave a small chuckle, then remembered something. "Oh. Before I forget, your school uniform arrived this morning. Wait here."
He jogged down the hall and disappeared for a moment. When he returned, he handed Aiden a neatly folded set of clothes.
"Here you go," he said. "I'm going to get dressed too. Meet you back here in a few?"
"Got it. Thanks," Aiden replied, taking the uniform from him and heading back into his room.
Inside, Aiden moved a bit more quickly now, fully waking up. He went into the bathroom and took a quick shower. The warm water helped shake off the last remnants of sleep. After drying off, he stood in front of the mirror and brushed through his long silver hair, carefully styling it until it looked presentable.
He reached for the new uniform. It was much nicer than he expected—tailored, sleek, and subtly marked with the academy's insignia. He put it on and was surprised by how well it fit. Standing in front of the mirror again, he studied himself.
He didn't look like a regular high school student anymore. There was something different now, something more striking about his appearance. The uniform brought out the unique hue of his silver hair, and his golden eyes looked even more vivid under the morning light.
He let out a slow sigh. "Well... here we go."
With that, he turned and walked back out to the living room, ready to face whatever this strange new school had in store for him.