Erica's eyes fluttered open, pulling her from a surprisingly deep and restful sleep. She had told herself to stay awake—to keep guard in this strange, hostile place where danger could lurk in every shadow. But her body had betrayed her, surrendering to exhaustion without a fight. Sunlight poured through the room's window, mixing with the soft glow of the overhead lights, but neither bothered her vision. Her eyes adjusted instantly, clear and sharp, as if her senses had sharpened overnight to handle the brightness without a hint of discomfort.
Hovering just inches above her face was Airenne, her pink eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and determination. She wore a loose baggy sweater that hung off her shoulders, paired with comfortable baggy jeans and crisp white sneakers—a casual look that made her seem approachable, almost friendly. A smile played on her lips, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
Erica bolted upright, scrambling to her feet in a defensive stance, her heart racing. "What the hell are you doing?" she demanded, her voice laced with wariness, already scanning Airenne for any sign of threat.
Airenne opened her mouth to respond, but she paused, wrinkling her nose and stepping back a pace. Erica's long black hair was a wild tangle, matted from sleep, and she still wore the same sweat-soaked clothes from yesterday—rumpled, stained, and carrying the sharp, unmistakable odor of someone who hadn't bathed or changed. The scent hit Airenne like a wave, forcing her to hold her breath for a moment.
"Morning," Airenne said finally, her tone light but edged with disdain. "I don't know how you managed to sleep like that, but since you're finally awake, it's time to send you to your real room."
With that, Airenne grabbed Erica's arm and yanked her toward the door, her grip firm and unyielding. "We're going to Principal Morganne right now. We'll sort this out in no time, and you'll be in the room where you actually belong."
Erica's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait—what?" She dug her heels in and pulled back hard, turning the moment into a tense tug-of-war, with her arm as the straining rope between them. Pain shot through her shoulder, but she held on, her muscles burning with effort.
"I'm sorry to ruin your little hotel setup," Erica shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she tailored her words to hit Airenne's entitled attitude, "but this *is* my room. If you have a problem, take it up with Morganne yourself."
Airenne tugged harder, her pink eyes flashing with irritation. "Stop fighting back, or I'll make sure you're not only sent to another room but punished for it."
Erica opened her mouth for a sharp retort, her mind racing for a manipulative twist to turn the situation in her favor, but the door swung open before she could speak. Morganne stepped inside, her presence commanding and immediate. The two girls froze, releasing each other in a panic. They straightened their clothes and smoothed their hair, erasing any sign of the struggle, standing at attention like nothing had happened.
"Good morning, Principal Morganne," Airenne said quickly, her voice polite and eager to please, masking her earlier aggression.
"Good morning, Miss Morganne," Erica echoed, her tone more cautious but steady.
Morganne ignored the greetings entirely. In her hand was a sturdy box, neatly packed. She extended it toward Erica without a word. "These are your new clothes. A perfect fit for your size."
Erica reached for the box, grasping the handle. But Morganne didn't let go, holding it firm. Their eyes met—Morganne's expectant and unyielding, Erica's confused at first, then understanding the silent demand for gratitude in this hierarchical world.
"Thank you, Miss Morganne," Erica said, forcing the words out while internally rolling her eyes at the power play.
Morganne's lips curved into a satisfied smile, and she released the box. The weight settled in Erica's hands, a small but tangible reminder of her new reality.
Airenne shifted uncomfortably, then spoke up, her voice stumbling at first as she tried to regain control. "Principal Morganne, I umm... I umm would umm... she is in the wrong room. I told her, and she started fighting with me. She threatened me, even though I politely asked her to follow me to your office so we could settle things with you, but..."
Morganne cut her off with a raised hand, her expression unchanging. "Oh, that's right—I forgot to introduce you two properly. Airenne, this is Erica Elara. No, she named herself that. And Erica, this is Airenne Ignara."
Erica's eyes widened in shock. "Wait! She's Ignara? The descendant of the first wielder of the Element Concept Bloodline?"
Morganne replied bluntly, her tone dry and unamused. "That's right. Go on ahead—keep asking me questions. After all, you pay my salary."
Erica was taken aback by the sarcasm, her tongue momentarily silenced as she processed the jab.
Morganne turned to Airenne, who was still struggling to accept Erica as her roommate—her secret plans with Lucen now shattered. "So, you don't think you're the only one special here? Erica is the human who awakened a Bloodline."
Airenne's eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth falling open slightly.
Morganne continued, her voice firm. "Oh, and Airenne—you'll show Miss Elara around the academy and prepare her for the new term party. See you there."
With that, Morganne turned and left, the door clicking shut behind her.
Erica blinked, still processing. "What party?"
But Airenne ignored the question, her shock exploding into a scream at the top of her lungs. "You are *that* human? The whole LOST Realm has been talking about you!"
Erica's surprise deepened, her mind reeling. "How does the whole LOST Realm know? It's only been like... a day."
Airenne threw her hands up in exasperation. "You—a *human*—unlocked a Bloodline, and you're asking how the whole Realm already knows? Seriously? But I expected you to be... different. Anyway, since you're you... I'm so pumped up. At least my roommate isn't boring."
Erica tilted her head, wary but curious. "Why aren't you angry or trying to kill me? I thought we hated each other."
Airenne shrugged, her tone casual but with a hint of pity. "Well... our history books say we hated each other. And I already pity you. You're a lamb in a den of lions."
Erica felt a wave of relief wash over her, though she didn't fully trust it yet. Airenne's words eased some tension, but the underlying warning lingered.
Then Airenne screamed again, her excitement bubbling over. "Didn't you hear? We have a tour and a party to get to! Go bathe so we can cover more ground before the rest of the students start arriving!"
Erica nodded and started rummaging through the box on her bed, pulling out fresh clothes and a towel. "What party?" she asked again, her voice tinged with suspicion.
Airenne waved her off. "Don't worry—I know you're pumped up, but first things first. Get rid of that odor. We tour, and then we prepare for the party!"
Erica paused, considering. "Is it possible if I skip the whole party thing?"
Airenne nearly had a heart attack, her eyes widening dramatically. "Wow... so you don't like parties? Well, sorry, but this one is to celebrate the start of the term. Parents will be there, so no students are allowed to skip."
Erica nodded reluctantly and headed to the bathroom. It was simple yet well-made—clean tiles, a basic shower, and a mirror—not much different from those in the Realm of Men. As the warm water cascaded over her, she let her thoughts wander. ("This is becoming real") she reflected. ("At least Airenne isn't going to be a thorn in my side. Remember the plan: lay low, don't use the Bloodlines, slack off, and maybe the Council of Men will see me as useless and send me back home.")
She finished quickly, drying off and dressing in a pair of comfortable baggy trousers, an unbuttoned jacket over a black t-shirt—practical and low-key, matching her intent to blend in. She dropped the towel on her bed and headed out with Airenne.
They opened the door and stepped into the passageway, now buzzing with movement—students chatting, carrying bags, the air filled with excited voices. Airenne noticed Erica's tension and leaned in. "Don't be scared. No one knows who you are yet."
As they reached the stairs leading down to the hall, Airenne paused. "Now... our room isn't just a room—it's a clan room. Everyone staying together forms a team. The academy recognizes it. We do projects, events, everything as a group. We'll need to give our clan a name soon."
They exited the building into the bright morning light. Outside was a whirlwind of activity: parents hugging their children, cars pulling up with luggage, voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony of arrivals and greetings.
"Will your parents be coming for the party?" Airenne asked casually.
Erica met her gaze dead-on, her black eyes unblinking and intense, until Airenne shifted uncomfortably. "Okay, let's continue," Airenne said, dropping the subject.
She led Erica along a stone pavement flanked by huge, ancient trees, their branches forming a natural canopy overhead. They approached the classes building—a tall, box-like structure painted in the same gray as the rest of the academy, with large glass windows reflecting the sky. It loomed imposingly, a hub of knowledge and power.
Inside, the air was cooler, with wide hallways echoing their footsteps. Airenne gestured around. "Not much to see here—just where you'll learn everything. Social classes, Bloodlines history, practicals, Bloodline systems... Wait, oh my goodness, I can't believe I forgot—please tell me your Bloodline is Ignara..."
Erica was taken aback but answered honestly. "I don't know... all I see is a red panel."
Airenne's face brightened with hope. "There's still a chance." She turned and exited without bothering to enter any classrooms or laboratories, eager to move on.
Outside, Airenne grabbed Erica's arm again, chuckling with excitement. "There's a building I *have* to show you." The pavement connected all the structures, trees flanking both sides like silent guardians. They were now far from the bustling car park, the noise fading behind them.
They reached the building, and Airenne spread her arms wide. "Welcome to the Hall of Fame."
It was the only structure painted in gleaming gold, with no windows and a tall tower rising from its roof like a sentinel piercing the sky. Airenne urged Erica inside.
The interior was lit by soft bulbs, revealing a wide passage that stretched endlessly forward. On both sides of the walls hung pictures of students—row after row, capturing faces from across generations.
"This hall goes on forever," Airenne explained. "No student has ever reached the end. These are pictures of every single person who ever attended the academy."
Erica mouthed a quiet "Wow," genuinely impressed by the scale.
Airenne grabbed her hand and dragged her deeper. "I want you to see my favorite student's picture." After a long trek that left Erica breathing heavily and glaring at Airenne like she was a maniac, they stopped.
Airenne pointed to a picture on the left wall: a woman with long black hair and piercing black eyes, her posture calm yet radiating an aura of overwhelming power that seemed to leap from the frame.
"The strongest being across all Bloodlines who ever lived," Airenne said reverently. "Sadly, she's from the Nethraal Bloodline. I so want to be like her."
Erica glanced at it without much interest, then looked at the next picture—and froze. She stared harder, her breath catching as flashbacks assaulted her: the mirror, the message, the terrifying woman who had attacked her. It was her—the bear woman.
Erica stepped back, her voice trembling. "Who is *she*?!"
Airenne looked and shrugged. "I don't know... probably just a student."
Erica's chest tightened, her breath coming in short gasps. "We should leave." She turned and ran toward the exit, leaving a confused Airenne trailing behind.
As their footsteps echoed away, the eyes in the bear woman's picture shifted for a split second—watching—before returning to normal.