In the morning, golden rays were falling on the leaves of the trees in the garden. The people looked happy. The sky slowly changed its colour. So bright, So light. Soft wind moved through the trees, carrying the sound of people talking and laughing.
A girl sat alone on a wooden bench. A notebook rested on her lap. She sat straight and still, watching people around her carefully.
She liked observing people.
not because she was curious...
But, because people showed their true selves when they thought no one was watching.
A small child ran after a pigeon near the fountain. A couple argued in low voices. A group of friends laughed loudly without worrying about anything.
She was writing an article, but she could not decide what to name it.
While she was thinking, she suddenly felt someone watching her.
She slowly looked up.
A young man stood near a lamp post across the pathway. His face was not clearly visible because of the tree's shadow and he was far from her. But, he was looking directly at her.
She looked at him for a moment and then looked back at her notebook, pretending she didn't notice him. After a few seconds, she feels someone stand in front of her.
She looked up. That was he. His eyes was blank, emotionless and face seems broken.
" you are writing something?" He asked.
"Yes", she replied softly.
"What are you writing about?"
"People".
The stranger looked around the park and then looked back at her.
"What will you name it?"
She tapped her pen lightly on the notebook.
"If you had to name it, what would you call it?"
He stayed silent for a few seconds.
"Paused", he said.
The word sounded strange, but meaningful.
She nodded slowly and wrote the word at the top of her page.
Paused.
When she looked up again, the stranger was already walking away. He disappeared into the crowd as if he had never been there.
Soon, the sun was bright more. That was afternoon. She closed her notebook and left the park.
In the evening, she was sitting inside an airplane, looking outside the window. City lights slowly became smaller as the plane moved higher into the sky.
She was leaving her country.
And maybe... living her old life behind.
When the plane landed, it was still dark outside. The airport clocks showed 3:38 a.m. in the morning or night.
Most passengers looked tired and sleepy. But she walked calmly, as if she still had enough energy.
After finishing the airport work, she reached the academy dormitory where she would stay. The building looked large and strict.
She entered her room and placed her bag near the bed.
Instead of resting, she changed into training clothes and went outside again.
Cold air touched her face as she worked toward the academy ground. The field was almost empty. Only a few street lights were on.
She started her workout.
Running.
Stretching.
Strength training.
Her moments were controlled and practiced.
After some time, she suddenly felt comfortable. She felt like someone was watching her. She stopped for a second and looked around.
From the upper corridor, she noticed a figure standing in the dark. The person looked like a shadow because the light was too dim to see their face.
She could not understand who it was.
She felt strange.... But she ignored it and continued her workout.
The shadow stayed there until she finished.
By, 6:15 am, the academy started filling with students. Voices and footsteps replaced the early morning silence.
She returned to her dorm, took a shower, and went to the cafeteria.
The time of the cafeteria's breakfast was 7:00 am to 7:30 am. The cafeteria was full of noise and laughter. She took a simple breakfast and sat alone.
A group of 3 students sat across from her. They were joking and laughing loudly. Sometimes they looked at her and whispered to each other.
She ignored them and quietly finished her meal.
At 8:00 a.m., classroom sessions began.
She entered her classroom and walked silently toward the last desk, sitting down without attracting attention.
But attention found her anyway.
Students whispered. Some laughed quietly.
After a few minutes, the homeroom teacher entered.
He wore glasses that partially hid his eyes. His hair was neatly trimmed, and his oversized shirt gave him a strict, disciplined appearance.
"Good morning," he said.
The class greeted him together before sitting down.
His gaze slowly moved across the room… until it stopped at the last desk.
"You are new, right?"
She nodded silently.
"Come here and introduce yourself."
She stood up and walked toward the front of the class. Dozens of curious eyes followed her every step.
Standing beside the teacher, she felt something unfamiliar.
Nervousness.
This was her first classroom experience. She had never studied in a normal school environment before.
The teacher lightly tapped her shoulder, signaling her to speak.
She looked at the class.
"…Good morning," she said softly.
"What is your name?" the teacher asked.
"Saelith… Saelith Nightshade."
The classroom fell silent for a second.
Then sudden laughter erupted.
"That sounds like a novel character!" someone whispered loudly.
She didn't react.
She simply returned to her seat.
During recess, a few girls approached her desk, mocking her messy dark hair, quiet nature, and oversized hoodie.
" Look at her, she is wearing a mask maybe she has an allergy, eww!!!"..
Soon, a group of boys joined them.
" Hey, bro look. Her dark black eyes going to cry. Hahaha!"
One of them grabbed her notebook and threw it across the floor. Pages scattered everywhere.
She quietly bent down to pick them up.
A girl stepped on her hand, forcing her to stop.
"Stay in your place," she sneered.
Before things could continue—
One girl suddenly shouted,
"He is coming!"
Instantly, the corridor erupted into excitement. Students rushed toward the windows and hallway.
"Look at me!"
"Over here!"
Three boys entered the corridor.
All of them were handsome.
But one…
One stood out.
He was extremely tall. Broad shoulders. Strong, balanced physique. His fair face contrasted sharply against his dark hair. Strands of black hair fell slightly across his forehead, giving him a wild but controlled appearance.
And his eyes—
Bright. Unnaturally bright.
A rare mixture of greenish-blue and gray shimmered inside them like polished diamonds.
Students stared in admiration.
She had no interest in looking at him.
But someone beside her forced her chin upward.
"Look."
She did.
And for the first time…
She paused.