The morning sunlight streamed through the dormitory window, spilling across Maya's bed. Maya was woken up by her alarm, blinking drowsily as she sat up, yawning and rubbing her eyes, looking just like a little hamster that had just woken up.
Lucian was already up. His aura was cold and aloof, leaning against the desk as he flipped through a book. Seeing Maya's groggy figure, he raised an eyebrow slightly."You look like a rabbit when you wake up."
Maya let out a small "hmph," glaring at him."I'm not a rabbit! I'm a cat—a soft, cute cat!"
She even raised her hands like paws, mimicking a cat.
Lucian stared at her for a moment, then turned his gaze away."Whether rabbit or cat, you're still a creature that needs taking care of."
Maya puffed up her cheeks indignantly."Hmph! I don't need anyone to take care of me!"
She bounced off the bed, ready to start her first full day at Saint Lin Academy.
With a cup of hot cocoa in hand, Maya skipped into the cafeteria, planning to reward herself. Yesterday's terrifying restroom incident had left her legs wobbly; if Lucian hadn't coldly muttered, "Stop scaring yourself," she probably wouldn't have dared to leave the bed at all.
Why does this academy have so many weird things? she wondered. She had no idea who to ask—she certainly wouldn't go to Lucian—and exploring alone made her heart race with fear.
The cafeteria was bustling, students clustered in groups, chatting and laughing. Maya had just sat down when she noticed a few girls huddled together nearby, whispering in low tones.
"Have you heard about that boy? He apparently never eats.""Yeah! I've noticed several times—he only drinks water and never seems to use the restroom.""Really? Is he dieting or something?""And no one's ever seen him go to the bathroom.""The creepiest part is, someone passed by the dorm at night and saw him standing at the window, motionless, staring at… something."
Their faces grew more serious as they spoke, and one of them hesitated to finish the sentence. They glanced at each other nervously, unwilling to say the last words aloud.
Maya's sharp ears caught them anyway: "not human."
Her face froze, and a chilling image flashed through her mind—Lucian standing motionless at the window in the dead of night…
Just then, a tall figure quietly approached on the steps of the lecture hall. Grey-blue eyes gleamed in the morning light, cold and sharp, reminiscent of Lucian's gaze, like a fathomless ocean beneath a sheet of ice, exuding a subtle but dangerous aura.
The black school uniform jacket accentuated a long, straight posture. The face was chiseled, features sharp as if carved from stone, emanating a quiet but undeniable presence.
Maya froze completely, heart thumping."S-so handsome…"
Whispers immediately rippled through the surrounding students."It's Lucian! I knew it—he's nothing like an ordinary person.""The ultimate male idol—so cold it hurts.""I heard even the professors dare not provoke him."
Maya, still holding her breakfast box, stared blankly at Lucian. In her eyes, he was just a completely unfamiliar handsome guy. Her mind raced with question marks:(Wait… why are there so many Lucians in this school? Same name as my roommate? Or just a coincidence?)
At that moment, Lucian's gaze landed coldly on her. Those eyes were like sharp blades, instantly making Maya's stomach clench. She instinctively shrank back, murmuring to herself,"Oh no… I think I just got noticed by a big shot…"
But in the next second, Lucian strode over to her, slightly leaning down, voice low and distant:"You're going to drop what you're holding."
Maya blinked, realizing she had been gripping her breakfast box too tightly; it was tilted and almost spilled. She hurriedly adjusted it, looking up cautiously."Th-thank you!"
Lucian didn't say another word. Long legs striding, he walked coldly into the classroom, leaving whispers in his wake.
Maya clutched her chest, heart hammering, her ears flushed bright red."No way… Did I just… get talked to by the male god?!"
Her eyes sparkled as her heart raced—completely lost in a daydream of a crush.
She carefully returned to her seat, still smiling to herself—(Oh my god! That super handsome guy just spoke to me! His voice was so cold, like a prince straight out of a movie…)
She felt as if she were walking on clouds, completely oblivious to the slowly changing atmosphere around her.
The professor at the lectern pushed up his glasses, voice still dull:"Maya—"
Maya immediately raised her hand."Y-yes…"
She exhaled in relief, about to relax, when a sudden cold breeze crept up from her feet along her spine…