"I'll drop you off at the registrar so you can settle everything you need to fix. I'll be leaving now, Calista... I still have something to finish in the mortal world."
Before I could even respond, Ms. Gina suddenly vanished. I had no idea where the registrar was in this place, until a guard finally spoke.
"Please follow me, Ms. Vespera."
I didn't ask any questions, assuming he was taking me to the registrar anyway. We walked through a massive hallway lined with elegant doors on both sides. He led me to the left side of the door, then left me standing there alone.
I breathe and close my eyes for a second and knock on the door.
"Come in!"
I entered and I looked around and saw nothing but paintings, creatures I couldn't even identify. My eyes eventually landed on the name engraved on the registrar's door.
'Freeda Wales'
"Good morning, Ms. Vespera," she said coldly. "I have been expecting you for a very very long time. It's good to finally see you. This is your schedule."
She handed me a paper, which I immediately looked at.
"The days, time, and corresponding professors are all indicated there." She then gave me another small piece of paper. "This contains your dormitory number, key, and you are assigned to the Alpha Class."
"Alpha... what?"
"Alpha Class, Calista. No more questions. Now go to the west wing, to the admission hall, for your ID picture. And don't forget to secure your secondary name."
She was so rude, acting like she owned the entire place huh! I wanted to ask more questions, but she was already dismissing me, so I just walked out and headed toward the west wing.
How was I even supposed to know where that was? I was new here, hello! and she wouldn't even let me ask!? As if I already knew my way around Aetherion.
I kept walking until I finally reached the west wing mentioned by the registrar. When I found the admission hall, my heart sank, there was a very long line. Around forty students were waiting. Bruuuh! It would probably take an hour, and I hated waiting.
"Ms. Vespera! Come over here and take your ID picture."
I was startled when a man suddenly called out to me. He looked about my age, tall, with an impressive build. Without hesitation, I walked toward him. Who was I to refuse when the line was that long??That's a priviledge.
"What a bitch."
I heard a woman mutter those words as I walked past.
Did she really just call me a bitch?
I stopped and faced her.
"Pardon?" I asked.
She only rolled her eyes and stayed silent, so I turned away and entered the admission hall where the man had gone.
"Have a seat. I just fixed the printer, and we're ready to snap." I looked at his ID and saw that he is also belong to the Alpha Class like me.
"And oh.... by the way, you're in the Alpha Class.... huh?! We should hang out sometime. Wanna come join us on dinner?"
I looked at him, confused. How did he know I was in the Alpha Class? I hadn't even told him which section I belonged to or I haven't give him my section and paper.
"You're wondering how I knew?" he said, grinning. "Well... let's just say I can read other people's minds. So you guys better learn how to control it."
Dang. He could read minds? How cool. I was still wondering whether this was all real or if I was just dreaming.
"Here. Take a seat and smile."
I sat in front of the camera and smiled, though it annoyed me that I wasn't wearing any makeup. I was used to being in full glam.
"What is your secondary name?"
'Sarina ... ... sarina. .. ..... .. .sarina'
"SARINA..."
Why did I use that name?? Where did it come from?? Dang!
"Okay! All done! This is your ID. Wear it at all times so everyone knows which class you belong to. You can head to the dormitory now and arrange your things."
I took the ID from him, the surface still warm from the printer. My name stared back at me in bold letters, Calista Vespera.... with Alpha Class stamped beneath it like a warning rather than a title.
"Dormitory's at the north end," he added casually. "You can't miss it. The Alpha crest is carved above the doors. Abby and Aoife are there. They are really nice."
"Thanks," I said, clipping the ID to my collar.
As I stepped back into the hallway, the noise of the admission hall faded, replaced by an unsettling quiet. The air here felt different, thicker, heavier, as if the walls themselves were watching me. Students passed by, some whispering, others openly staring at the mark on my ID. A few nodded in recognition. A few were shock. Most looked... wary.
So this is what Alpha Class means, I thought.
The walk to the dormitory felt longer than it should have been. The architecture shifted the farther I went, arches grew taller, the lighting dimmer, and strange symbols were etched into the stone floor. When I finally reached the north end, the doors towered over me, carved with a sigil I didn't recognize but somehow felt familiar.
[ALPHA'S DORMITORY]
I hesitated before knock and pushing them open.
Inside, the dormitory was nothing like I expected. The ceiling stretched impossibly high, glowing softly as if lit by starlight itself. Floating orbs illuminated the halls, and staircases curved upward without visible support. It was beautiful, unnerving, but beautiful. It was like a whole mansion house not a dormitory.
"New Alpha?"
I turned to see a girl leaning against the railing, her silver eyes scanning me from head to toe. She smiled at me and walked.
"Sarina Vespera... from the Alpha.... class?" I said and it was like I'm asking them if I said it right.
Her brow lifted in interest. "Ah. That Calista."
"Your room's on the third door, in front of Atticus room, be careful to him, he is a living dragon," she continued. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it. By the way.... Alpha Class always attracts attention. Especially when someone new arrives without any training."
Without waiting for a response, she walked away, leaving her words hanging heavily in the air.
I tightened my grip on my bag and walked to my room, my heartbeat echoing in my ears. Every step felt like I was crossing an invisible line, one I couldn't turn back from.
Ms. Gina's words echoed in my mind.
'This world is no longer just watching you, Calista. It's waiting for you.'
And for the first time since arriving in Aetherion, I realized something chilling. Whatever Alpha Class truly was... I had been placed here for a reason.
