The night was as dark as ink, the city's neon lights flashing blindingly. I was walking down the street, my phone clutched tightly in my hand, when I suddenly felt a strong pull—as if invisible hands were grabbing me and lifting me off the ground.
"Ah—!" I tried to scream, but my voice shattered into countless fragments, leaving only a low-pitched buzzing in my ears. The world before me fractured like glass, light and shadow twisting, and the air turned icy cold.
When I opened my eyes again, I was standing in the center of a vast courtyard. The sky was a deep, shimmering blue, lit by silver starlight, yet there was no moon. Before me stood a massive, ancient academy. "Carlos Academy" was engraved in gilded letters on the gate. Its spires soared into the sky, and the entire building radiated a mysterious, almost menacing aura.
I looked around. Besides me, there were several unfamiliar figures. They had all been teleported here, yet each looked equally bewildered. Except for the young man standing to my right—Ling—whose presence radiated a cold, impenetrable barrier, I recognized no one else.
"Where... are we?" I whispered, my voice trembling as it echoed through the courtyard.
A clear, slightly trembling voice replied: "It's over... we're finished..."
I turned toward the voice. A girl about my age was trembling slightly, clutching herself. Her eyes were filled with fear, as if even a single breath could disturb something. This was Chenuo. My intuition told me she wasn't entirely innocent.
On her other side stood a boy, hands in his pockets, glancing coldly around. His eyes were as dark as the night, emotions barely discernible. This was Ling. I sensed a hidden connection between him and the principal, and an unexplainable pull made me feel as if I were being drawn into a dangerous, indescribable vortex.
The air suddenly vibrated, and a booming voice announced:
"You are the new students. Welcome to Carlos Academy. The days ahead will be the most extraordinary journey of your lives."
After the announcement, silence returned to the courtyard, broken only by the wind echoing through the spires.
I approached Chenuo. She trembled as she asked, "You... are you new here?"
I nodded, a sense of inexplicable unease welling up inside me. She seemed timid, yet carried a strange aura, as if concealing an unpredictable power.
Then the principal appeared. He wore a black suit, his eyes flickering with a mixture of warmth and coldness beneath gold-rimmed glasses. "New students, your journey is about to begin. Remember, every choice carries a price."
His gaze made my heart race. Leaning slightly forward, he added in a gentle yet unwavering tone: "Don't be afraid. I'll be watching you."
Ling stood nearby, his eyes sharp as a knife. "Watching? Don't forget, my responsibility here is to maintain order."
The principal smiled faintly, raised his hand, and gently stroked Ling's cheek, a teasing glint in his eyes. "You're always so serious. I like you that way."
Ling shuddered slightly but quickly regained his composure, suppressing some emotion. "Don't smile like that in front of me," he said softly.
I secretly observed their interaction, a strange thrum in my chest. This academy was more than just a school; every corner was filled with unknowns, dangers, and temptations.
As my thoughts swirled, Chenuo suddenly grasped my hand, her voice trembling and urgent: "Don't leave me..."
Her palm was cold, yet her grip held an irresistible force. My heartbeat raced, and her gaze deepened, frantic and desperate, like a warning—but also a plea: "If this world takes you, I will destroy it."
My breath quickened under her power, yet I couldn't look away. In that moment, I realized Chenuo's fear was only the surface. Beneath it lay another presence—intelligent, terrifying, and far more sinister: North.
---
Night fell, and I was led to my dorm. The room was simple, with only a few beds, and a chilling atmosphere. I lay down, replaying the day's events in my mind: the principal's smile, Ling's stern expression, the rune on Chenuo's hand, and the strange eyes from my dream.
In the mirror, my reflection's lips curled into a cold smirk as it whispered, "Finally... I see you."
The next moment, darkness engulfed the room, stealing my breath. Chenuo reappeared, clutching me, her voice trembling: "Don't... don't go..."
Her eyes shifted from fear to a cold, frantic intensity. "If this world takes you away, I will destroy it."
I realized then that this academy—and these people—were no ordinary existence. Every small action, every choice, would affect a fate I could not yet comprehend.