(Calista's POV)
The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of my room, scattering golden light across the silk sheets. For a moment, I lay still, staring at the ceiling, replaying everything from last night—the speech, the whispers, the sharp eyes of enemies hidden in the crowd.
But when the maid knocked softly on the door and murmured, "Breakfast is ready, Princess," I shook the thoughts away.
A new day. A new battlefield.
After a quick bath and dressing in a crisp uniform, I descended the grand staircase. The scent of fresh bread and coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the faint polish of marble floors.
At the breakfast table, my brothers were already seated, both looking entirely too smug for this early in the morning.
"Well, well, well," Damian drawled, raising his teacup like a toast. "The Shadow Queen graces us with her presence."
"Don't start," I muttered, sliding into my chair.
Adrian smirked. "Relax, sister. We're only mourning the loss of our peaceful mornings. The academy won't know what hit them."
I lifted my fork, stabbing into the eggs with more force than necessary. "Better me than you two."
That earned a bark of laughter. But as the teasing faded, Father spoke, his tone calm but firm. "Your suitcases are ready. And remember—the academy may feel like a second home, but never lower your guard. The world outside still watches."
I nodded, catching the flicker of concern in his eyes. He would never say it aloud, but I knew—he didn't like letting me go.
After breakfast, we stepped outside into the mansion courtyard. Lined up neatly beside the sleek black cars was something that immediately caught my attention.
My bike.
It was perfect. Matte black body, sharp angular lines, a subtle golden trim running along the sides like veins of fire. Beside it, a matching helmet gleamed, along with a custom-fitted riding suit designed for both speed and protection.
I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. "Finally."
"Don't look so smug," Damian said, tossing me the keys. "We're still riding with you—behind, in the car. Bodyguards included."
I caught the keys midair and twirled them around my finger. "Then try to keep up."
The driver looked pale, but my brothers chuckled.
As I slid on the helmet and zipped up the suit, I felt a rush of freedom ripple through me. For years, I had been caged between shadows, duties, and titles. But here, straddling the sleek machine, I felt something else—control.
The engine roared to life beneath me, a deep, satisfying growl.
Father stood at the top of the stairs, watching silently. For just a moment, his lips curved upward in the faintest smile. Then he lifted a hand in farewell.
And with that, I sped forward, the gates of the Langford estate opening wide.
The academy awaited.And this time, I wasn't just arriving as a student.
I was arriving as a storm.
The bike purred beneath me as I cut through the morning air, the world blurring past in streaks of green and gold. My brothers' black cars trailed behind, bodyguards inside, their tinted windows flashing briefly in the sunlight.
The closer we got to the academy, the more crowded the streets became—students in sharp uniforms, some walking with books, others showing off the smallest sparks of magic in their palms.
But when the deep growl of my bike echoed down the road, every head turned.
"Who's that?""Is she… riding a bike to school?""Look at those cars behind her—are those bodyguards?!""She must be someone important…"
I smirked beneath my helmet. Exactly the reaction I wanted.
At the academy gates, the security gave a respectful nod and opened them without hesitation. I rode straight in, the courtyard buzzing with students. The sleek machine came to a halt with a smooth twist of the handle, and I swung off gracefully.
The whispers erupted like wildfire.
"Whoa, that's not just a bike—that's custom…""Did you see the trim? That's gold-plated!""She's insane… but in a good way.""Wait—wasn't that the girl from the gala last night?"
I pulled off my helmet, shaking my hair free. For a heartbeat, silence fell. Then the noise doubled, whispers tumbling into shocked murmurs. The "Ice Princess" had arrived on a bike, flanked by cars and guards like royalty entering her palace.
Damian carried one of my suitcases toward me, shaking his head. "Honestly, sister, if you keep making entrances like this, the poor school won't survive you."
Adrian smirked as he handed me the second. "Maybe that's the plan."
I rolled my eyes. "Don't you two have better things to do than narrate my life?"
"Nope," they chimed in unison, grinning.
The student assigned to guide me appeared then—a girl with sharp eyes and a clipboard clutched tightly in her hands. She bowed slightly before speaking.
"Princess Langford, welcome once again. I'll be showing you to your dorm. But before that…" She handed me a folded piece of paper. "This is your weekly schedule."
I unfolded it, scanning quickly. The classes were spread across both academics and combat training, with additional slots for "Magical Affinity Development."
The guide continued, her tone brisk and informative. "You'll notice a few unique features. Your combat classes are paired with evaluations—your performance there contributes to your overall ranking. You also have open lab sessions for exploring your power. Those are optional… for most students." Her eyes flicked to me meaningfully.
I arched a brow. "And for me?"
"They'll be watching closely," she admitted. "You're expected to attend."
As we walked, she lowered her voice, almost conspiratorial. "There's also the Student Council elections coming up. But don't be fooled—those elections aren't about popularity. Whoever controls the council controls resources, permissions, even disciplinary actions. It's practically running a kingdom within the academy. And… rumors say the Oracle influences them too."
Oracle again. My lips curved into the faintest smile.
I folded the schedule neatly, tucking it under my arm. "Tell me," I asked as we approached a towering stone building adorned with ivy and silver banners, "what exactly are you? A student guide? An assistant?"
She hesitated, then gave a wry smile. "Let's just say… I'm someone who sees more than most. And someone who knows better than to underestimate you."
I stopped, her words sparking my curiosity. But before I could press further, she gestured toward the entrance.
"Here we are. Your dorm."
The massive oak doors loomed before me, carved with ancient runes that shimmered faintly in the light. A place that held secrets, friendships, rivalries… and battles yet to come.
I stood still for a moment, suitcase in one hand, helmet in the other, the weight of everything pressing down on me.
The princess, the shadow queen, the heiress of the world's most powerful clan—now standing at the threshold of a dorm room like any other student.
Except I wasn't like them. And I never would be.
The oak doors opened with a low creak, and the first thing that hit me was not the smell of dust or stone, but warmth. The dormitory looked nothing like I had expected.
The door opened with a soft chime, and for a moment I thought I had stepped into a hotel, not a dormitory.
The wide hall stretched before me, polished marble floors gleaming under the warm glow of a chandelier. A long velvet rug ran down the center, dividing four polished wooden doors—each with a golden nameplate. Mine shimmered faintly, engraved with letters too elegant to be crafted by a mere human hand:
Calista Seraphina D'Angelis
I froze for a second. It wasn't just a name. It was a reminder. A princess. An heiress. A shadow queen. Here, I was supposed to be a student—yet even the walls knew what I was.
A faint whisper drifted from the open window at the far end of the hall. Outside, I could hear the muffled chatter of students passing by."She's in this dorm… the Princess herself.""Why her? That dorm is for top-ranked students only!""If I were her roommate, I'd never sleep at night—imagine the pressure."
I rolled my eyes and pushed the whispers out of my head. Let them talk. They always did.
That's when the door across from mine opened with a soft click.
A girl with wavy chestnut hair and wide hazel eyes stepped out, freezing the instant she saw me. Her eyes sparkled as though she'd spotted a celebrity.
"You're—" she gasped, then clapped her hand over her mouth, cheeks flushing. "Sorry! I just—wow—I can't believe I'm actually rooming with you! I'm Elara. Elara Veyra."
Her voice carried the kind of warmth and excitement that made me almost… soften. Almost.
"Nice to meet you," I replied smoothly, though my guarded smile betrayed little. "I'm Calista."
"I know," she said too quickly, then winced at her own eagerness.
Before I could respond, another door creaked open. A girl with sleek black hair stepped out, her steps measured and unhurried. Her storm-gray eyes swept over me with a calculating sharpness before curving into a polite smile.
"Liana Crestfall," she introduced herself, voice smooth as silk, but cool. "Welcome to the dorm, Princess."
The way she said "Princess" wasn't mocking, but it wasn't exactly reverent either. More like a chess player acknowledging her opponent's move.
"Elara," she nodded to the first girl, "I think you've already overwhelmed her with enough starry-eyed introductions."
Elara pouted. "I was just being friendly."
I raised a brow but said nothing. Friendliness and calculation—two halves of the same coin. Perhaps they could become friends, or perhaps not.
A faint ripple brushed through my chest. She's here. Star's voice echoed softly inside my mind. The third one is close.
I glanced at my suitcase. For a second, I considered unpacking, but my instincts told me to wait. Whoever the third roommate was, they would arrive any moment now—and I wanted to see them before settling in.
"I'll take a quick look at my room first," I said, slipping past them.
The door swung open with a soft hum, as though the room itself recognized me.
Inside, it was far larger than I expected. Dark oak furniture lined the walls, with emerald green curtains flowing by the wide arched window. A carved desk stood in the corner, the perfect size for a computer setup, and the wardrobe gleamed with golden handles. It felt less like a dorm room and more like a private suite in a manor. My taste. My style.
I set my suitcase on the bed and slowly unzipped it, placing only a few things on the desk before stopping. A faint shimmer flickered across the wall, like hidden runes glowing for the briefest second. Star pulsed inside me.
This place holds secrets too. Be careful, Calista. Choose your allies wisely.
I straightened, eyes narrowing. Secrets in the walls, whispers outside the window, and two roommates with very different energies.
And now… the third one.
Because even before the knock came, I already sensed her presence just outside the door.
The knock came sharp and quick.
Three taps. Precise. Almost deliberate.
Elara perked up instantly, rushing to the door. Liana, on the other hand, folded her arms, as though already weighing whoever was about to enter.
The door swung open, and a girl stepped inside.
She wasn't shy, nor did she glance around with hesitation like most newcomers would. No—she walked in as though she owned the place already. Her stride confident, her posture straight. Midnight-blue hair, cut short at her shoulders, framed a face with striking golden eyes that seemed to glow faintly in the light.
Her gaze swept over the hall, lingering briefly on Elara and Liana before settling on me. Unlike Elara's awe or Liana's calculation, her stare was steady. Neither impressed nor intimidated.
"So," she said casually, setting her bag down with a soft thud, "this is the famous dorm everyone whispers about."
"You must be our third roommate," Elara said brightly, trying to break the tension. "I'm Elara, this is Liana, and—"
"I know who she is." The girl cut her off smoothly, her golden eyes still locked on me. "Calista Seraphina D'Angelis."
For a second, silence stretched in the air.
Then she smirked—not mockingly, but like someone acknowledging a worthy opponent. "Didn't expect to share a roof with the Princess herself. Interesting."
Liana's gray eyes glinted. "And you are…?"
The girl finally looked away from me, sliding her hands into her jacket pockets. "Seren. Seren Vale."
The name lingered in the air. Strong, sharp. It suited her.
"Nice to meet you!" Elara chirped, though her voice was a little too high-pitched now. Seren's presence was heavier, more commanding, and it clashed with Elara's lighthearted nature.
Seren tilted her head, studying me again. "I wonder," she said slowly, almost teasing, "if the rumors about you are true. Or if the Princess is just another spoiled royal with a crown."
I raised a brow, lips curving into the faintest smile. "Why don't you stay long enough to find out?"
A flicker of amusement danced in her golden eyes. She didn't back down. "Maybe I will."
The room thickened with unspoken challenge. Elara fidgeted, caught in the tension, while Liana simply watched, smirking faintly as though she enjoyed the storm brewing between us.
Finally, Seren dropped her bag on the bed opposite mine, glancing around the suite with approval. "Not bad. At least it's bigger than the last academy I was stuck in."
"You've transferred from another?" Liana asked curiously.
Seren shrugged. "Something like that." Her tone was final, warning not to pry further.
I leaned back against my desk, crossing my arms. Something about her aura wasn't ordinary. Not just confidence—there was power there. Something veiled, hidden, like a blade she hadn't unsheathed yet.
Star's voice stirred faintly within me. This one is dangerous, Aira. A shadow wrapped in gold.
I didn't respond—not to Seren, not to Star. Instead, I filed the thought away.
Dangerous or not, Seren Vale was my roommate now.
And in this academy, alliances—or rivalries—could mean everything.