The woman with blue hair—Airenne's mother—stood tall at the Ignara table, her presence commanding the room like a force of nature. She let her gaze sweep slowly over the gathered crowd, taking in the students and parents below the platform. Her eyes lingered a moment longer on a certain black-haired girl seated at the Feran table, the one with the nose mask, before she began to speak. Her voice was steady and resonant, filling the hall without effort, drawing every ear to her words.
"I welcome everyone—parents and students—to the LOST Academy. This term will kick off with Morganne Pierce as our principal and the guardian of our children."
She gestured toward Morganne, who stood off to the side. The room erupted in applause, hands clapping in a wave of appreciation. Morganne smiled warmly and waved back, acknowledging the crowd with a graceful nod.
Airenne's mother waited for the clapping to die down, then continued, her tone shifting to something more intimate, like a shared secret. "Should I tell you a secret? I believe this party... this speech... is all for nothing. I believe this party and speech—and so many other things in our lives—take something away from us."
The hall grew pin-drop silent, everyone leaning in, hanging on her every word. Parents exchanged glances, students shifted in place, the air thick with anticipation.
"It takes away the time we need to become stronger," she explained, her voice rising with conviction. "Right now, you students should be in your classrooms, growing more powerful, learning how to harness your gifts. But we let things distract us from our goals. Boyfriends... girlfriends."
Her eyes flicked subtly to Airenne, who sat beside her, her face still blank and emotionless. The glance was quick, but it carried weight, a silent reminder that made Airenne's posture stiffen just a fraction.
"We always let acceptance distract us," the woman went on, her words cutting through the room like a blade. "'I'm not good enough.' 'It's impossible.' 'I'm not like her.' 'We are slaves.' So, I won't say this party is to celebrate. Instead, it's to spend one more precious time with your parents before you focus fully on your goals. Cut off anything that doesn't serve those goals. Only allow forms of rest that recharge you, that make you stand up stronger and keep chasing what you want. If we do this... we will rise."
The applause that followed was powerful but quiet—not a roaring cheer, but a steady, determined clapping of hands. It echoed through the hall like a heartbeat, unified and resolute. Some students, who had been clinging to their parents with fear of the term ahead, now straightened their shoulders. In their minds, they pictured the versions of themselves they could become—stronger, unbreakable. The speech had ignited something, turning hesitation into resolve.
Airenne's mother raised her hand for silence, and the clapping faded. She leaned forward slightly, her expression turning grave. "Now, to address the rumors that have been spreading... yes, a human—a *freaking* human—has unlocked a system tied to a Bloodline. And we don't even know how or which one. Now, they want her to attend the LOST Academy. Something isn't right. Too many unknowns."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd—parents nodding in agreement, students whispering to each other. The news wasn't entirely new; whispers had spread like wildfire, but hearing it confirmed from such a high authority made it real, stirring unease and anger.
"But this doesn't mean we have lost," she declared, her voice rising like a battle cry. "This only means it's a calling for us to wake up and show the humans who truly owns these Bloodlines."
The response was immediate—a war cry of sorts erupted from the hall. Students and parents alike shouted in unison, fists pumping in the air. The sound was raw and powerful, a surge of defiance that shook the chandelier above. In that moment, students fantasized about their futures: training harder, pushing limits, becoming the warriors their history demanded. The air crackled with energy, a collective resolve to reclaim their power.
Airenne's mother silenced them with a raised hand, her blue hair catching the light as she composed herself. "Now, not to ruin the evening... let's return to sharing this special time with your parents and children."
The atmosphere eased almost instantly, the tension melting away as conversations resumed. Waiters appeared from side doors, carrying trays of food and drinks—steaming platters of roasted meats, fresh fruits, and sparkling beverages. Laughter filled the hall again, parents hugging their children, toasts being made. The party flowed on, a blend of joy and underlying purpose.
Erica stood frozen in the crowd, her face pale like a ghost's. The speech had hit her like a storm, every word about the human intruder feeling like a spotlight on her back. She turned to Airenne, who was now looking at her from the platform—emotionless, her earlier warmth gone, replaced by a blank stare that sent a chill down Erica's spine. Then Erica's gaze shifted to Morganne, who met her eyes with a subtle nod, as if saying, "Welcome to the real game."
Erica looked away quickly, her heart pounding, her mind a whirlwind of fear and doubt. She wanted nothing more than to bolt back to her room, to hide from the eyes that might soon turn on her. But leaving now would only draw attention. She cemented her resolve once more: no using the Bloodlines, no learning them. Slack off, stay invisible, and pray the Council of Men would deem her worthless and send her home.
("That's the only way out of this mess,") she thought, forcing herself to blend into the crowd as the party swirled around her.