Erica stepped through the wide doors of the hall, the cool evening air giving way to a warmer, more enclosed space. The interior was brightly lit, with a stable, golden glow coming from an enormous chandelier hanging high above. The chandelier was a masterpiece of crystal and metal, its many arms holding bulbs that cast even light across the room without harsh shadows, creating an atmosphere of elegance and anticipation. The hall itself was vast, with high ceilings and polished stone floors that echoed faintly underfoot. At the far end, on an elevated platform like a stage, stood four grand tables, each with matching chairs arranged neatly. The one facing the entrance—the grandest of all—had intricate carvings of swirling elements on its legs and a high-backed chair that looked like a throne. Each table bore a name engraved in gold lettering: Nethraal, Ethemar, Feran, and Ignara for the largest one.
There were no food or drinks laid out yet—the tables were bare, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Below the platform, students and their parents gathered in loose groups, standing and chatting in low voices. The air buzzed with excitement, snippets of conversations floating around about the new term, family expectations, and old academy stories. Parents adjusted their children's outfits or shared proud smiles, while students shifted nervously or laughed with friends. The room felt alive with energy, but there was an undercurrent of formality, as if everyone knew something important was about to happen.
Erica tried to take it all in, her eyes scanning the crowd and the setup, but in her distraction, she bumped hard into someone. She stumbled back a step, steadying herself. "Sorry, I—"
The person turned, and Erica recognized him immediately—it was the boy from last night, Airenne's secret boyfriend. He balanced himself too, a look of surprise crossing his face before it turned awkward. "I am so sorry... oh, it's you. We meet again."
They both straightened up, the moment hanging between them like an unspoken reminder of the night before.
"At least... this time it's more appropriately," Erica said, stretching out the word "appropriately" with a hint of teasing, her eyes meeting his steadily.
He nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. I'm Lucen, by the way."
"Erica," she replied, keeping it simple.
Lucen glanced around, then leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. "Please, about me and Airenne... I appreciate it if you don't tell anyone."
Erica tilted her head, her expression neutral. "Yessss, I won't. Your girlfriend already threatened me on that. Funny how she's been so sweet to me otherwise."
Lucen's eyes widened, and he shook his head rapidly, eager to defend her. "Yeah, Airenne is the nicest person you'll ever meet. She has a good heart, and she would never ever threaten anyone."
Erica raised a brow, surprised by how quickly he jumped to her defense, but she let it go. Before she could respond, the doors at the far end of the hall opened with a creak, drawing everyone's attention. A group of people entered, moving with purpose and grace. Among them was Airenne, looking stunning in her deep blue gown that flowed like water around her. But her face was plain, void of any emotion—her usual bright smile gone, replaced by a neutral mask that made her seem distant and unapproachable. Walking beside her was a girl who looked almost identical, with the same striking features and build, but different eyes—cooler, more piercing—and hair styled in a sleek updo instead of Airenne's loose waves.
The group split into families, each walking to the elevated platform and taking their seats at the labeled tables. Airenne sat at the Ignara table, her expression still blank, as if she were a statue herself. The parents and students below fell quieter, the chatter dying down in waves.
Erica, her curiosity burning, turned to Lucen. "Who are these people? Enlighten me."
Lucen looked surprised that she didn't know, but he seized the chance to explain, warming up to her with a friendly tone. "They are the direct lines of the founders of the Bloodline powers. The founders discovered their powers and shared them with other families, but the founders' own families remained the originals—the purest and most powerful."
Erica listened closely, absorbing every word as the pieces of this world started to fit together.
"Before, all the families were equal in power," Lucen continued, "but now, the Council of Men has made the Ignara Bloodline the rulers. They're like puppets, controlling us on behalf of the humans. The rest are ranked under them: Nethraal, then Ethemar, and Feran, which is currently the weakest ever since the war. But the Ferans are trying to change that through her..."
Erica followed his subtle gesture to a girl sitting at the Feran table with her family. She had long black hair that framed her face, and she wore a nose mask that partially obscured her features, giving her an air of mystery. She sat quietly, her posture alert but reserved.
"Who?" Erica asked, leaning in.
"Word has it she's one of the successful projects of the Feran family," Lucen whispered. "She's joining us in the academy this term."
Erica nodded slowly. "Wow." Then she pointed to the girl beside Airenne. "And her? The one who looks like Airenne?"
Lucen glanced over. "That's the prodigy of House Ignara—Airenne's elder sister. She finished the academy already and is waiting to take over ruling after their mother."
Erica let out a thoughtful "Hmmmm."
Lucen added, "Rumors say she created a powerful fire-based concept and named it the Flames of the 8 Kings... but they're just rumors."
Erica's curiosity peaked—she wanted to ask what "creating a fire concept" even meant, how it worked in this world of Bloodlines. But before she could form the question, a woman stood up from the Ignara table, where Airenne and her sister sat on either side of her. The woman was tall and commanding, her presence alone demanding respect.
The entire hall fell silent in an instant, all eyes turning to her. The chatter stopped, replaced by an expectant hush as everyone gave her their full attention. The ceremony was about to begin.