The paper ball cuts through the air and hits my head.
"Ouch!"
The class bursts into laughter.
I look back. No one owns up to it, but I know exactly who it was. Penelope.
I stand up, furious, and walk over to her desk.
"What is it, Elira?" she smirks.
"You think I'd waste my time with this? If I wanted something with you, I'd come over and hit you myself, haha!"
Too evil for her age.
Since I ended up in this strange world of beast-men, what once seemed madness became routine. It's been three years since my transmigration. I still haven't gotten used to the idea of being a six-year-old child, even though I look about twelve or thirteen.
When we're born, no one here has a family.
We're taken to boarding schools far from society until we turn six; which, in this world, equals twelve on Earth.
After the ceremony, each child discovers their animal side and, most importantly, their lifelong fiancé or partner. On that same day, we're adopted by a family according to our level of talent and the type of beast we carry.
And tomorrow is my day.
"Penelope, don't think you're the only smart one," I say, walking back to my seat.
"But I won't stoop to your level."
She laughs and mutters, venomous:
"You idiot. I hope you turn into some insect woman in tomorrow's ritual."
At that moment, the teacher walks in. If we were on Earth, everyone would stand up.
Here it's different. We must let out an animal cry according to the kind of beast the teacher is.
This time, a howl.
Professor Albert, wolf ears, gray tail, sharp claws; smiles with satisfaction.
"Very good. I see you're all well and complete. That makes me happy."
He leans on the desk, sniffing the air as if reading our thoughts.
"Boys, I see you've grown a lot. Tomorrow, after the awakening ceremony, you'll officially become beast men and women of Felindia, one of the most respected cities in the kingdom. Don't be sad about your results, no matter what happens. Some will belong to my wolf family, others to those of bats, snakes, bears… Your future families are already waiting for you."
His voice echoes like contained thunder.
"The most talented will have better fates. And, with luck, some will find their animal partner."
My heart races.
I look at Lucas, the most handsome boy in the class. Even after living twenty-five years on Earth, my heart beats like a teenager's.
He's the most desired, the most reserved, and yet… the most captivating.
For a moment, he looks at me. Green eyes. Blond hair. Time freezes.
I turn my face away, blushing. Here I'm just a little girl with wavy brown hair, no experience whatsoever with relationships. But if I'm to have one tomorrow… let it be him.
"May tomorrow go well for everyone," the teacher concludes.
As soon as he leaves, the entire class howls in farewell.
***
I lie on my bed, heart pounding.
Even though I already know some things about this world, there's still so much I don't understand. We live in isolation. I dream of the day I'll be able to enter a library and learn everything.
Tomorrow is the big day.
The most influential families are those of the Lions, Bears, Monkeys, and Dragons. I want to be in one of them. I want to meet my animal partner.
I smile, rolling on the bed like a child.
Tomorrow I'll know what beast sleeps inside me.
***
The boarding school field is packed. More than ten thousand children spread all over.
The stands are full of families; of every kind, shape, and appearance, watching as if it were a great soccer game on Earth.
"I hope everything goes well for us today, Elira," says Claud, from my class.
He's always trying to court me. I don't know what's up with this world, but kids here are quite… early.
"I hope everything goes well for you too, Claud," I reply politely, trying not to sound cold.
At that moment, Penelope appears with her little group, two inseparable followers, looking like those popular girls from Earth's schools. They walk past us, bumping on purpose, and head straight to where Lucas is, in another line.
"Idiot," I mutter through my teeth.
Claud tries to comfort me:
"Relax, Elira. You're way better than her."
I smile faintly, but deep down I know he just wants to score points. There's this thing here called a 'spiritual board': if someone feels a strong attraction to another person before the ritual, they might end up drawing that connection during the animal awakening.
That's why I keep my distance. Claud is cute, but he's not my type.
A murmur runs through the crowd.
In the center of the field, the headmaster appears. A bear-man. Gigantic, muscular, with small, steady eyes. The ground seems to vibrate beneath his steps. Beside him, a two-meter stone glows with an intense blue light.
He raises his voice:
"Very well. Let us begin the opening ceremony of social life. Regardless of the result, each of you will have a family waiting for you!"
Silence falls over the field.
The air changes.
The children line up, one by one, before the stone. Its surface vibrates, reacting to each touch. Colored lights: gold, red, blue, silver, dance in the air as the animal power awakens within each child.
My heart races.
"So it's now…" I whisper.
The ritual has begun.