Freya’s POV continues~~~
“Miss Eva, or should I call you ma'am Eva?”
“Any that suits you, Miss Moore.”
I took a deep breath. “I still think you're wrong about me. Clearly you can see my mentor isn't even interested in tutoring me. I am human, I’m sure of it. I don't think I would be accepted in this school.”
“Nonsense,” she said, standing up from her chair and walking towards me. “I know how hard it is coming to a new environment and starting from scratch, but I assure you, Freya, this place is your place. Once you learn to manage your powers, you'll enjoy Moonclaw Academy.
“This place is just like any other school you grew up with in the human world. The difference is… we’re supernatural.”
A knock interrupted her little pep talk. She raised her voice. “Come in.”
A tall, slim girl with ginger curly hair walked in. She looked about eighteen or nineteen, her brown eyes soft but sharp at the same time.
Is this a school for supernaturals or for good-looking creatures? I thought inwardly.
“Good morning, Dean. You called for me?” the girl said politely.
The dean turned to her while I just stood there watching them intensely.
“Miss Brianna, this is the student I told you about. You're among the best uprising students in this school, so I deem it fit that you'll be able to be a tour guide for our new student here.”
“It's my pleasure to be of help, Dean Eva.”
“Well, Freya,” the dean said warmly, “since that's settled, you're officially a student of Moonclaw Academy. Welcome to the family.”
I didn’t even say a word. Still, I felt like I was in some sick dream.
“You can follow her, and she'll show you around and then to your dorm, where you'll sleep. Everything has already been arranged for you. All you need to do is follow the rules and regulations. Brianna will explain further. You can begin your lessons tomorrow.”
Finally, I was out of the dean's office, forgetting I had a tour guide until she spoke.
“Hi, Freya Moore. My name is Brianna Faire, and I will be your official tour buddy.” She smiled, bringing out her right hand for a handshake.
“I’m not interested in acting friendly with you, Goldilocks. Just show me around like you’re told to and take me to my room. After that, I’ll be able to find my own way. Besides, I don’t need a babysitter.”
That statement alone made Brianna smile, and she retracted her hand. “Well, that’s a first—and I expected it.”
She straightened herself and spoke, “Let’s go then.”
****
After walking down the hall, I felt the weird vibes and looks the students standing around and chatting were giving me.
Soon we reached the grand hall of the academy.
“This is where banquets take place, parties, conferences, or any other occasions. Sometimes students are gathered here for meetings, just in case the dean has a very important announcement to make.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Later on, we got to the dining hall.
“This is the cafeteria, Freya. It opens to all students by 10 a.m. sharp for breakfast, and then dinner is 7 p.m. We all must attend our eating times whether we like it or not.”
“Wait—so even if I don’t have an appetite, I must come? Is this a boarding school or something? No one can force me to eat or not.”
“I never said you’re going to be forced. You can come to the dining hall—it isn’t a must you eat if you don’t want to. Now let’s go.”
We walked past a large door which took us to a long hallway and into a big library.
“Woah,” the word left my lips. I was speechless at how large the library was.
“This is going to be my best place,” I muttered.
“I see you love books a lot,” she questioned.
I didn’t even reply. It was rude I know, but I didn't trust her yet. What was wrong with me today?
Leaving the library, she then took me to the combat arena.
“We supernaturals are taught to heighten our skills in combat, because you may never know—your powers may fail you, and self-defense may come in handy. What kind of power do you possess?”
“Hmm, I am human,” I said flatly.
“That wasn’t what Dean Eva said.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You were already notified about my predicaments, so why ask me further?”
“I… I just… you know what, never mind.”
“The places we’ve been to are the mains of this academy. We’ve sports places too, classrooms, and then regional rooms that differentiate our abilities. But I think you’ll be able to understand that better tomorrow.”
“Hmm, okay.”
As I walked behind her, she pointed out the rules of the school.
“You are not to fight anyone in this school or you’ll be expelled. Jot this down—not every student is your equal.
“You must attend all your lectures and classes unless there’s a valid reason for missing, and you’ll be asked to submit a report on why you were absent.
“Phones are allowed but cannot be used while in class.
“Most of our grades are usually assessed by our abilities and how well we perform in class.”
All Goldilocks’ speech was tiring me out, and I couldn’t help but yawn. “Too much talk,” I said to her.
“Really, Freya? I am trying my best here to explain the rules to you, and you aren’t even taking me seriously. Don’t you know it’s rude to make people feel like they’re boring you out? Here’s my advice, Freya—if you want to survive in this school, never act sarcastic to anyone, or you will be setting yourself up to be killed.
“So drop the arrogance, because these creatures can smell fear in place of arrogance. And I know you wouldn’t want anyone preying on your weakness.
“I understand how you feel, and maybe the only way for you is to keep your guard up. But please, I assure you, I am a friend. I was in your position too. This school was all new to me when my parents brought me here for enrollment.”
“Wait—you were once human?”
“No,” Brianna said bluntly. “But when I got admitted into this academy, it all felt completely crazy for me. You’re one lucky girl. At least you have me, your tour guide. I had to find out things on my own. Anyways, let’s go.”
****
As we walked down the hallway again, this time around we took another path at the left wing where castle statues of knights were placed.
It made me wonder how old this academy was.
Now, we were surrounded by students—not just any kind of students, but good-looking ones. The kind that would make your jaw drop.
They were all dressed in their school uniforms, just like Mr. Rude and Goldilocks.
Yeah, I call him Mr. Rude because that was the first impression I got from him when we first talked.
All of a sudden, my eyes wandered to a fragile-looking girl with pink hair, being taunted by one of the students. Especially the one with purple hair, like she used too much dye.
Didn’t Brianna say students aren’t bullied in this school?
I hate bullies because I had my fair share of it from my old school. I was done getting bullied. My mind warned me to stay out of their case, but my heart pushed me to step in and stop whatever they were doing.
Walking past Brianna, she put a hand in my way to stop me.
“Are you crazy? That’s Avery Holstein, one of the school’s top elite students and the main bully. She’ll destroy you. I don’t think you would want to get on her bad side on your first day here.”
“Then watch me,” I said, pushing her hand out of my way.
****
“I… I told you two to leave me alone,” the pink-haired girl stuttered.
“Why should we, April?” one of them mocked. “Done stuttering? Making a complete fool of yourself when you couldn’t even tell Lila about your feelings?”
Her eyes went wide. “How do you know about that?”
“Who doesn’t know about your little crush? In fact, maybe we should do it for you—and then wear you diapers.”
“Oh, would you look at that—are you going to cry?”
“Hey! Stop bothering the poor girl!” I barked.
Avery stiffened at my command and turned to face me. “And who the hell are you?”
“Someone that doesn’t take nonsense from bullies like you. Shouldn’t you be ashamed of yourself, bullying the poor girl just because she can’t talk about her feelings? People like you irritate me. Go get a life, bitch.”
Brianna rushed over, holding me close to her.
“Avery, I am so sorry. She doesn’t know what she’s saying.”
“Do you even know who you’re talking to?” Avery yelled.
“No, she doesn’t.” Brianna laughed nervously. “She’s new and just arrived. Don’t worry, we’ll be on our way now.”
Avery looked at me intensely, then walked slowly, leaning toward my ear just enough for me to hear.
You've guts but… “I would watch my back if I were you, new girl. Next time, you wouldn’t jump into things that don’t concern you. Let’s go, girls.” And she left.
****
“What the hell, Freya, are you nuts?” Brianna snapped.
I rolled my eyes, ignoring her, and walked up to the shaken girl.
“Are you fine?”
All she did was nod. “Thank you,” she said softly, then whisked away.
“With all my warnings, you still chose to do what you like,” Brianna scolded.
“Relax, Goldilocks.”
“My name is Brianna.”
“I know, but I choose Goldilocks better.”
We were about leaving until My eyes landed on a group of students.
There was something utterly different about them. They didn’t look like the rest of the students—they were like gods. I could feel the aura around them. It was so unsettling and power-drawing.
Then my gaze locked onto a particular student in the group—his silver-white hair and his intense icy-blue eyes. They were so mesmerizing.
I felt like I was being pulled to look at him. There was this inexplicable and magnetic pull I couldn’t explain.
Brianna followed my gaze, and her expression changed to horror. “Oh no,” she muttered.
“Those are the Golden Mystics. They’re teachers’ pets and are clearly untouchable in this school. The ones with brown hair are Jaden and Willow— they’re shapeshifters. Then you have Judith— she has raven black hair. That’s River’s ex, though some say they didn’t really break up since they’re still seen together. And lastly… River— the white-haired one.
“He’s the oldest among them. More dangerous and unpredictable. You don’t want to cross paths with any of them. Try as much as possible to avoid them. Don’t look at them, don’t speak to them, don’t even try to cross their paths. Stay away from them, especially him—the white-haired one. They’re on a completely different level. No one can succumb to their level of power.”
I nodded, but my eyes were still glued to River. River. I let his name echo in my mind.
Although I was warned against him—him being the beast or some kind of death mane—it didn’t scare me. Instead, it only deepened my fascination and curiosity about him.
