Aira sat stiff in her seat as Mr. Morningstar strode to the front of the classroom. He was tall, sharp-eyed, and had an unsettling calm about him, like a man who knew every secret in the room. His voice was smooth but carried weight, silencing even the loudest kids.
"Abilities," he began, "are never random. They're tied to your essence—your fears, your emotions, even your bloodline. Some powers are blessings. Some," he paused, his gaze briefly sweeping over Aira as if he already knew, "are curses."
The students murmured among themselves—vampires whispering to wolves, wolves growling back under their breath. Aira shifted in her chair, feeling smaller and smaller. She didn't even know how her powers worked. She barely knew what she was.
By the end of class, her head was swimming. She trailed after Zara, who was cheerfully dragging her across the campus. "C'mon, you'll love this place," Zara said, pointing out the training fields, the enormous library with glowing runes etched on its doors, the sparring arena where older students were practicing moves that looked terrifyingly real.
For a moment, Aira let herself feel impressed. The school was alive in a way no place ever had been.
Then it happened.
A shout split the air—low and vicious. On the edge of the training ground, a group of vampires had squared off against three wolf kids. Fangs flashed, claws scraped the ground. Within seconds, the air was filled with snarls and the sickening sound of bodies colliding.
"Not again," Zara groaned, tugging Aira's sleeve. "They're always at it—"
But before she could finish, one of the wolves broke free, charging straight toward them. His claws gleamed, eyes blazing red. He wasn't aiming for Aira. He was going for Zara.
Aira's chest squeezed tight. She froze, every nerve sparking. No, no, no—
And then it happened.
The air around her bent, a sharp crack of energy bursting from her skin. The wolf didn't just stumble back—he was thrown, hurled through the air as if invisible hands had slammed into him. He crashed into the dirt several meters away, dazed.
Silence fell.
Every vampire and wolf turned to stare. Zara blinked at her, wide-eyed, while Aira's hands shook violently. She hadn't meant to do that. She didn't even know how she had done that.
From the edge of the courtyard, a slow clap broke the silence.
Aelric stepped into view, half-hidden in shadow as always, his smirk curling like he'd been waiting for this exact moment. His silver eyes locked onto Aira's, unreadable yet sharp enough to make her shiver.
"Well," he drawled, voice smooth and cutting. "Looks like the government didn't send us just anyone."
Aira's heart pounded, the whispers of students buzzing in her ears. She wanted to disappear—but deep inside, that same dangerous pulse of energy was still alive, begging to be let out again.
Teachers swept in, separating vampires from wolves with a single command, but Aira barely heard them. Her chest still heaved, her skin buzzing as though electricity lived under it.
Within an hour, she was summoned.
The meeting room was colder than the rest of the school, its high ceiling casting shadows that seemed to move on their own. Aira sat at the end of a long table, her hands twisted together, while several teachers whispered among themselves. Mr. Morningstar was there, his piercing gaze never leaving her. The Principal sat at the head, her white hair gleaming like snow under the dim light.
Finally, the Principal spoke. Her voice was calm, but carried a weight that pressed on Aira's lungs.
"Normally, new students are not tested immediately," she said. "We allow them time to grow accustomed to this place, to understand who they are among others like them. But in your case…" Her eyes sharpened. "We cannot wait. Your trial will be in three days."
Aira's heart plummeted. Three days?
Mr. Morningstar leaned forward, fingers steepled. "You need control before you become a danger to others—or yourself. To help you, we've chosen students with advanced mastery of their abilities. They will train you. If you cooperate, you may stand a chance."
The door creaked open.
Aelric walked in first, his expression unreadable, but that damned smirk tugging at his lips as his eyes fell on her. He didn't look surprised. He looked… entertained.
Behind him came another student, an Asian boy with sharp features and calm, focused eyes. His posture was straight, disciplined, and unlike Aelric, he didn't waste a glance. He walked to the front with quiet confidence.
"This is Joshua" the Principal said. "He has control over kinetic energy—one of the most disciplined abilities we've seen. And you already know Aelric." Her tone dipped ever so slightly, as if she didn't fully approve of his presence, but allowed it regardless.
"These two," she continued, "will train you for the next three days. They will push you. They will test you. If you can withstand it, you will take the trial. If not…"
Her words cut off, sharp as a blade.
Aira swallowed hard. She wanted to ask. She wanted to demand, What happens if I fail? But her voice caught in her throat, trapped by the Principal's piercing gaze.
She nodded instead, her silence sealing the weight in her chest.…