The gates of the LOST Academy grew larger and more intimidating as the car drew closer. The plain iron barriers looked old but strong, carefully maintained over the years. The car's headlights cut through the darkness, casting long shadows on the metal.
As they approached, the gates swung open on their own, as if sensing their arrival. They drove through without stopping, and the gates closed behind them with a heavy clang, sealing them inside the academy grounds.
Erica strained her eyes to see the compound, but the night was too dark. There were no street lamps to light the paths, only faint moonlight filtering through the clouds. Morganne drove to her private parking spot, pulled in smoothly, and turned off the engine. The air conditioning hummed to a stop, leaving a sudden silence that made Erica's thoughts spin wildly.
("This is really happening,") she thought. ("I'm leaving my home, my entire realm, for a place that was never meant for someone like me—a human.")
Morganne's voice broke through her worry. "The academy officially opens tomorrow, so not many students have arrived yet—just a few early ones. Come on, I'll show you to your room."
They stepped out of the car and walked toward the student hostel. The moonlight guided their steps, casting eerie glows on the ground.
The academy felt like a ghost town—completely silent, with no one around. A cold night breeze whispered through the trees and colorful ornamental flowers, shaking loose dried leaves that fluttered down like silent warnings.
"Will I be the only one in my room?" Erica asked, her voice soft and hopeful. She twisted her fingers together nervously, dreading the answer.
"That's not possible, Miss Elara," Morganne replied firmly. "But I'll make sure your roommates treat you right."
Erica's heart raced with panic. "I... I... I'd rather stay alone. You said it yourself—your kind hates humans like me. How can I possibly share a room with them?"
"Those are the rules, and they won't change for anyone," Morganne said. She stopped walking, forcing Erica to halt too. She looked straight into Erica's eyes, her gaze intense and unyielding. "You'll need friends to survive here, Miss Elara. No one makes it alone in this place."
Morganne held her stare until she saw a flicker of understanding in Erica's face. Only then did they continue walking.
After a few more minutes, they reached the student hostel. It was a large, sturdy building with a simple wooden door at the entrance. They stopped right in front of it.
"Go inside," Morganne instructed. "Your room is number 50—the last one down the hall. You'll see two staircases: one going left, the other right. Take the left one."
Erica's eyes widened in shock. "What? You're leaving me here alone!?"
Morganne turned back with a warm, reassuring smile. "Yes, Miss Elara. You need to get used to your new home." She paused, then added, "Here's your official room assignment paper, just in case your roommates question it. It'll keep things orderly."
Erica took the white sheet of paper from Morganne's hand, her fingers shaking slightly.
"Perfect. Your new clothes will be delivered to you soon." With those words, Morganne walked away, vanishing into the dark night.
Erica stood there for a moment, her heart pounding. Then, with trembling hands, she pushed open the door.
Creak.
The sound echoed through the empty hall like a warning. She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. The hall was brightly lit but plain and simple—white walls, no decorations, just empty space. At the far end were two staircases: one curving to the right, the other to the left.
Erica walked slowly, trying not to make her footsteps echo too loudly. She reached the stairs and chose the left one, climbing up step by step. The hallway below faded away as she ascended.
At the top, a long passage stretched out before her. Wooden doors lined both sides, each marked with a number. Soft lamps on the walls cast a warm glow, but the hall was still empty and unnervingly quiet.
Erica glanced back at the stairs, her mind screaming to run away. But she turned forward again, took a deep breath, and whispered to herself, "I am Erica Elara..."
The words trailed off as a terrifying memory flooded her mind: the mirror in the bathroom, the strange message from her panel about a bear, and the ghostly woman who had attacked her. Dread gripped her like icy fingers.
Erica bolted forward, her eyes darting to the numbers on the doors. Her brain tricked her into feeling like the bear woman was chasing her, hot on her heels.
Finally, at the end of the hallway, she spotted room 50. Without thinking, she slammed the door open.
"Lucen, why... Who are you?!" a girl's voice screamed from inside.
Erica froze in the doorway, her eyes quickly scanning the room. Candles flickered everywhere, casting dancing shadows on the walls. A thick, sweet scent filled the air—a mix of feminine perfume and something more masculine, like cologne.
Her gaze locked on the girl in the room. She had long blue hair that cascaded like a waterfall, and striking pink eyes that glowed with surprise. Her face was stunningly beautiful, with flawless skin and sharp features. She looked about 19—the same age as Erica.
The girl—Airenne—was wearing a short, transparent gown that left nothing to the imagination. Her chest, stomach, and other private areas were clearly visible through the thin fabric.
Erica quickly looked away, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Airenne grabbed her bedsheet and wrapped it around herself like a shield.
"Who are you?!" Airenne demanded, her voice sharp and cold. She scanned Erica in return: long black hair, deep black eyes, fair skin, and a pretty face. But to Airenne, she seemed ordinary—nothing special.
"Your new roommate," Erica said, stepping inside and closing the door behind her.
"What?! This room was supposed to be mine alone!" Airenne protested, her body tensing with anger.
"Well, sorry about that. Miss Morganne assigned me here," Erica replied. She walked to one of the empty beds and sat down on its crisp white sheet. Her body still buzzed with adrenaline from her panicked run.
A minute passed in tense silence, then five more. Airenne stood there, still in shock that her private space was no longer just hers.
"What's with all the candles?" Erica asked, breaking the quiet. The flames made the room feel too warm and stuffy.
Airenne answered quickly, "I love reading in this kind of atmosphere. I was about to start a book."
Erica nodded, accepting the explanation. But then, the truth revealed itself in the most awkward way.
The door swung open again, and a boy walked in. He headed straight toward Airenne, not noticing Erica at all.
"Airenne, I got your message," he said.
"Lucen, what are you doing here? And what message?" Airenne replied, trying to sound confused. She subtly gestured to him, warning him that they weren't alone.
"Your message saying we should have sex..."
Erica's ears perked up, listening closely now.
Lucen continued, his voice soft and sincere. "I love you, Airenne—more than anything in the world." He gently cupped her flushed cheek. "But I can't take that from you. Something so special... you deserve to save it for the man you marry, not just the guy you're dating. You're my princess, and I won't steal that pride from you. If we get married someday, then your body will be mine. But right now? Your heart is all I need."
He finished with a warm, genuine smile.
Tears welled up in Airenne's eyes. She stared at Lucen, lost in the moment, forgetting everything else around her.
Erica cleared her throat loudly, breaking the spell.
The two turned their heads toward her, eyes wide with surprise.
"Who is she?" Lucen asked, startled.
Airenne snapped into action. She tightened the bedsheet around her chest, leaving her shoulders and the gown's thin straps exposed. Then she rushed to the open door, slammed it shut, and marched toward Erica with a fierce look—but to Erica, she just seemed like a flustered bride on her wedding day.
"You'll tell no one about this, or else," Airenne warned, her voice low and threatening.
Erica blinked, unfazed.
"I'm waiting for your answer... girl," Airenne pressed.
("Girl?") Erica thought, surprised by the dismissive tone.
"Yes, I won't tell anyone," Erica replied calmly.
Airenne let out a relieved breath, then turned to Lucen. "She's my temporary roommate. By tomorrow, I'll talk to Principal Morganne, and she'll be out of my private room."
Erica raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"I... I'll get going now," Lucen said awkwardly, then slipped out of the room.
Silence filled the space once more.
Airenne grabbed some fresh clothes from her drawer and headed into the bathroom, leaving Erica alone with her swirling thoughts.
("Not the welcome I was hoping for,* Erica reflected. *I was wrong. I can't survive here. This place isn't for me. The guardian statues, the talking ones, that bear woman... Why was I even given a Bloodline ability—and access to all of them? What am I supposed to do?")
Erica lay down on her bed, not caring if her sweaty clothes stained the white sheet.
("I'll keep a low profile and avoid using these Bloodlines")
she decided.
("Hopefully, the Council of Men will see me as useless and let me and my family go free... Right?")