Evangeline's blood carried a scent—sweet, heady, and intoxicating. To most supernatural beings, it was more than just alluring... It was addictive. With blood like that, it wasn't a surprise she caught the attention of every lunatic with a nose... and the five troublesome male leads.
So much for being the heroine.
At Draconveil Academy, the illusion of equality was painted over every polished stone and gilded banner. Humans and supernaturals were said to be treated the same, but beneath the surface, reality was crueler. The strong thrived, and the weak were left to suffer in silence. To survive here meant one thing—get stronger, or be crushed.
Survival in this place didn't depend on fairness. It depended on strength.
Veronica tightened her grip on her books as her gaze landed on the scene before her. Evangeline's expression had changed from confusion to guarded resolve, her fists clenched at her sides. She looked ready to fight… even if she stood no chance.
But no matter how fierce her stance was, Evangeline wasn't strong enough to take them all down. Not yet.
"There's no need to look so tense, Miss Evangeline," one of them drawled with a mocking smile, stepping closer. His eyes gleamed red as he lifted a hand toward her face. "We just wanted to give you a proper welcome. That scent of yours... mm, it's something else."
Veronica narrowed her eyes.
"Back off, don't make me fight you," Evangeline said coldly.
A fireball flickered into life in her palm, casting a faint orange glow that only made the sneering faces around her look more sinister.
Any second now, one of the male leads was supposed to swoop in and save her... At least, that's how the original storyline went. But Veronica had no intention of letting things play out the same way.
Not this time.
Veronica's stomach twisted, her instincts screaming for her to stay out of it. Yet as she saw Evangeline standing there, shoulders squared but clearly outmatched, something inside her hardened. Taking a deep breath, Veronica stepped out from the shadows.
"You're not stupid enough to face those senior students, right?" Yumike's hushed voice quivered in her ear.
"Shut your trap and keep a low profile," Veronica hissed, her eyes never leaving the group.
"Tch. Suit yourself. Don't blame me when they tear you apart," Yumike muttered before vanishing from sight.
Familiars were allowed in the academy. However it wasn't exactly the same case with Yumike. It was best to try not to attract any unnecessary attention.
Veronica strode confidently toward the group like she owned the hallway, forcing a bright, cheeky grin onto her face.
"Big sis! There you are!" she called out, waving.
Evangeline blinked, surprised. "Veronica?" she whispered, relief and worry flashing across her face. "You need to get out of here. Now."
Aww. Protective big sis mode activated. Even when she was surrounded, her first thought was to keep Veronica safe.
Before she could answer, one of the older students tilted his head and scoffed. "Well, well… look who wandered in. Isn't that the magicless human who somehow crawled her way into Dragonspire Class?"
The others chuckled darkly, their gazes turning predatory as they closed in tighter, forming a wall of shadows around the sisters. Their whispers were venomous: "Magicless… and she thinks she belongs here?"
"Impossible… a human in Dragonspire?"
"So pathetic. Do you think she seduced the instructor of the Dragonspire Class somehow?"
I honestly did not want to be in that class too, alright?!
"So, I will just take my sister here and leave," Veronica forced a smile. She grabbed Evangeline's hand and tried to retreat toward the door.
But before she could take more than two steps, a shadow blocked their way.
"Where do you think you are going? We are not done yet." The voice was low, mocking, belonging to a tall boy with pale hair and sharp amber eyes. His name was Ronan and everyone in the academy knew he was the ringleader of the worst kind of seniors.
Veronica's breath caught. Instinctively, she pulled Evangeline behind her like a shield.
Ronan smirked, and the other seniors around him exchanged amused glances before laughter rippled through the group. It wasn't friendly laughter, it was cruel, cutting, like knives scraping bone.
"Are you… trying to protect her?" sneered Mira, the only girl among them, her nails glowing faintly with a dangerous light. She tilted her head, watching Veronica like a cat cornering a mouse.
Ronan stepped forward until his shadow swallowed Veronica whole, his hot breath brushing against her cheek. "You can't even protect yourself."
"Try me," Veronica smirked.
The laughter ceased. The sudden silence was worse—thick, suffocating, pressing against her chest until it felt like she couldn't breathe. The air itself seemed charged, waiting for blood.
Benjamin, another senior with silver eyes, cracked his knuckles and grinned. "Fine then. Let's see how long a magicless human lasts."
His claws extended in a flash, reaching for her throat.
Veronica didn't think. She bent, snatched up a jagged rock from the ground, and hurled it straight at his face.
Crack!
It struck Benjamin across the cheek, splitting skin. His grin faltered as he stumbled back, rage flashing in his crimson eyes.
"You little bi...!" he hissed, fangs bared.
Before Veronica could catch her breath, she was suddenly shoved hard. The force knocked the air from her lungs. She staggered, choking, but somehow stayed on her feet. Once more, she placed herself firmly in front of Evangeline.
"Veronica, stop!" Evangeline cried, sparks of fire igniting at her fingertips.
But Veronica shot out a hand, halting her. Her voice was sharp, desperate. "Don't."
Evangeline's eyes widened. Why? Why not fight back?
It was one thing for supernaturals to bully humans. But if a human dared to strike back, the punishment from the academy itself would be merciless.
A boot slammed into Veronica's stomach, sending her sprawling onto the cold stone floor. Agony tore through her ribs. Her vision blurred.
Veronica wasn't sure when it happened, but the corridor had filled up.
Dozens of students had gathered around the scene, forming a circle like vultures circling prey. Their expressions all shared one thing: disgust.
"I thought she had some kind of talent for the Dragonspire Class to select her."
"Turns out she's just a useless human."