At Minos, being in fourth grade meant keeping pace with classmates who treated strange abilities like after‑school clubs.
Pammi walks into line with a bit of nervousness; her usual friend group either isn't here or they're already inside. She wonders what will happen today, people tripping on her tail or making fun of her hair. "Never mind that," she says, shrugging it off, hugging herself with her tail for comfort.
At breakfast, she sees her friends, Amy Franza, Victor Vernner, and Cristine Yotta. They've all been friends together since 2nd grade, although Victor hasn't always been the brightest in the group. Backstory aside, he's more of a loner; he doesn't talk much, but he's great at combat and biology.
Amy asks, "Why are you so late, Pam? Did your dad forget he can teleport?" She laughs, "I'm just kidding, it's good to see you." Cristine responds to Amy with sass, "Amy! Maybe the line was long. You know the sixth graders hog it." Amy tells Cristine to relax, Victor pats the seat next to him, gesturing for Pammi to have a seat.
Pammi apologizes for her absence, anxiously smiling; seeing her friends brightens the mood, and her smile feels genuine and sunny. Still, despite her happiness, her tail wraps her waist like a tight belt. "Yeah, guys, the line was longer than usual. Also, you two really just need to relax and vibe. It's a nice morning, and I don't like all the yelling."
Amy and Cristine apologize, Victor says to Pammi, "What about me, you know I'm laidback. Also, good morning." Turning the attention to himself, Pam responds, "Of course I'm not talking about you, Viccy. I didn't even notice you until you said something. That all black outfit makes you look like a shadow." She says sarcastically, Victor blushes under his hoodie and continues to watch anime on his computer.
Pammi hugs Victor with one arm and whispers to use his powers to get them energy drinks. You see, Victor's father, Zinovy Vernner, passed down his mother's pendant to his son, the "Schattenkristall" or "Shadow crystal", a shard of obsidian shaped into a tulip, cured in resin in the shape of an elongated octahedron.
Victor wears the pendant on a silver watch; the pendant powers it. The main power of the Shadow Crystal is shadow manipulation (who would have thought, right. With the pendants will to help Victor, he can absorb shadows and use them like extra limbs, or to make it seem like he's another person or creature.
Victor uses the shadow of a snake, ejecting dark, nearly invisible shadows from his jacket sleeve and grabbing energy drinks all the way across from the dining hall. One of the drink slip out of the shadow, as Victor is still a bit inexperienced with his technique. "Darn, I'm sorry, ladies," he says while giving the girls their drinks. "Amy, you can just have mine, I don't need the caffeine." Amy chuckles, "Thank you, Victor," she winks at Victor.
During international history class at 9:15 A.M., the students engage in the discussion of Japanese history, particularly the history of Japanese animation. Amy nudged Victor and, louder than necessary, asked, "So who actually founded this school? It's a random thought, but nobody talks about the origin of Akademia Minos."
Victor glanced at the small, metal statue depicting a glowing arrow lodged in a young boy's head and shrugged. "Radelf Schratter's son," he stated, the name rolling off his tongue. Although the specifics of the tale were blurry, he began to explain the most popular story that signified the school's construction.
He sighs, "Radelf's kid. As far as I can remember, the boy got hit by a strange radioactive arrow one snowy night. His dad thought he was gone, but nope, the accident messed with his DNA, giving him super brains. Just like that, overnight, he went from normal to solving stuff even geniuses couldn't figure out. That's the gist, although I'm not completely sure."
The teacher, Mr. Hugo, interjects Victor's explanation, "Yes, that is correct, Mr. Vernner. Nickolas Schratter was struck by an arrow, granting him immense knowledge and having his father build and fund this academy, rest his soul." The class abruptly stops, the chatter fading into a low, uneasy silence. A few students glance at the metal statue near the door—the boy with the arrow frozen in his skull—suddenly looking a little less like school décor and a little more like a warning.
Amy leans back in her chair, eyebrows raised. "Okay… that's darker than I expected." Nobody ever mentions the logo of the school, a skull with 2 arrows crossing behind it. It only adds more depth to the origin.
Cristine mutters, "Why do we even have that statue in here? It's creepy."
Mr. Hugo clears his throat, smoothing his tie as if trying to reset the mood. "History is not always pleasant, Miss Yotta. But it is important. Akademia Minos was built on sacrifice, innovation, and the belief that extraordinary children deserve a place to grow safely."
Pammi shifts in her seat, her hands clenched together, looking at her lap. She wasn't sure she believed that—not when kids still tripped over her tail or whispered about her hair. But she returns her eyes forward toward the board, pretending the statue doesn't bother her.
Victor sinks into his hoodie, mumbling to Amy, "Scary, right?"
Mr. Hugo continues, "Now, if we're done with the secondary lesson, let's return to our discussion on early Japanese animation." He unrolls a sheet of metallic film across his floating podium; the chalkboard behind him dissolves into a wide holographic display, the title of the main lesson shimmering across it.
"Students, take out your Techscrolls and activate the voice‑command function. Once it's on, say the access code: Seven‑Eight‑G‑G to enter the presentation."
A soft chorus of clicks ripples through the room as students press the activation buttons on their capsules. Each Techscroll unwinds into a 5-inch by 3-inch sheet, like a sidekick phone from the early 2000s, projecting a thin, OLED hologram above the desks. Blue light washes over the classroom as the students sync their devices, the floating screens rearranging themselves as they load the passcode screen.
Pammi's Techscroll hums to life a second late—her tail had bumped the button—and she quickly taps through the floating menus, pretending she isn't flustered.
Victor's Techscroll, of course, is already on the presentation; he barely had to glance at it.
Amy's projection glows bright pink—she always customizes her hologram—and Cristine immediately elbows her with a grin sharp enough to cut glass.
"Pink? Really?" Cristine whispers, leaning in with theatrical disbelief. "I mean, I get that the rolls are customizable, but girl… you're one glitch away from turning this whole room into a bubblegum commercial."
Amy rolls her eyes, but she's smiling. Cristine smirks, satisfied—she lives for these tiny moments of commentary, the kind only she can deliver with equal parts affection and attitude.
Mr. Hugo shifts the lesson into a brief history of early shōnen, highlighting classics like Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Yu Yu Hakusho. The holographic display flickers with old animation stills, casting warm light across the room.
Victor leans forward almost imperceptibly, eyes narrowing with interest. He doesn't say a word—he never does when he's excited—but his fingers tap lightly against his desk, and Pammi catches the tiny smile he tries to hide under his hood. He loves this stuff, and Pammi can tell.
The rest of the class drifts between mild curiosity and students who were drawn in by the media playing. Opening soundtracks, discussing art mediums, and showcasing the creativity of Japan from the 1960s onward. Mr. Hugo's questions intrigued the class, making it even more lively. Despite the energy, a calm atmosphere settles in, the soft hum of the projector filling the spaces between voices.
By 10:45, the bell finally rings, snapping everyone out of the lesson. Thanks to the school's high‑tech systems, participation grades are logged instantly the moment the audio catcher detects a student's response. Students gather their Techscrolls and shuffle toward second period while Mr. Hugo thanks them for their focus and enthusiasm.
The only group not heading to class is the eighth‑grade biology students and "Wild Life Hybrid or WLH club", who chatter excitedly about their upcoming field trip to N.A.S.H.—the National Animal Safe Haven, a research facility dedicated to studying and healing endangered species.
Luckily, Pammi and Victor just so happen to be a part of the WLH moderate club, who still count as a part of the WLH club. Pammi is in the club because of her kokuen lineage, appearing like a leopard and human hybrid. Victor's main appearance is a dark hawk, so he was able to slip through the cracks and join the club. As the students get to class, the field trip participants are already on the bus.
Pammi sits next to Victor since they both don't really have a lot of friends. Pammi starts to use her tail to tell Victor that she's comfortable, wrapping her tail around his shoulder, keeping him warm. Victor covers his face in shadow to hide the immense redness on his face. Pammi looks out the bus window and uses her pendant at the end of her tail like a candle, shining a bit of light in Victor's face to show his blush.
Pammi feels the safest around Victor due to his demeanor and the efficiency with which he can use his pendant. She can relate to Victor's nervousness, and that only strengthens the bond. Meanwhile, the bus driver runs a safety scan through the school's fiber‑optic WiFi system, logging the event details and confirming the number of students registered for the trip.
Everything appears secure—until the system flags one student missing. A few kids pull out their Techscrolls to ping his location, but no signal comes through. Confused murmurs ripple through the bus aisle.
Ms. Wool steps forward, clapping her hands once to gather attention. "Alright, everyone, eyes up here," she says, her voice calm but firm. "The system's just telling us one student didn't check in. That happens sometimes."
A few students exchange worried looks.
She softens her tone. "Listen, she's probably homesick, or his parents forgot to update the attendance log. It's nothing to panic about. We're still on schedule, and everyone who's supposed to be here is here."
Someone in the back asks, "If she isn't here, then why does her TS profile show her online and estimated in the building? She could be holding us up!"
Ms. Wool smiles gently, attempting to reassure the students. "Techscroll profiles aren't always one‑hundred‑percent foolproof," she explains. "Even with today's technology, firewalls that block certain services still exist—same with VPNs and hotspot blockers. Those tools are usually for child safety, but they can also interfere with signals. Technology has its flaws, even now."
She gives the group a reassuring nod. "If there were a real emergency—or if he were actually holding us up—the school would've triggered an alarm or notified the S.S.I. We're clear."
Her steady confidence settles the bus. The driver closes the doors, and the vehicle hums to life. With everyone accounted for—at least officially—the bus pulls away from the school and heads toward N.A.S.H.
(And yes, buses still exist in this futuristic world. Minos uses them intentionally—to teach students patience and remind them that the journey matters as much as the destination. On major highways, certain vehicles like ambulances and school buses can activate hyperspace road portals for safe, rapid travel. Anyway—back to the saga.)
Victor is a bit unsettled by the situation, wondering who the missing student could be—no one ever said a name. Unless… her name is Student. The thought doesn't help.
As Pammi keeps him warm with her tail, Victor suddenly feels a cold breath drift across the top of his head. He freezes. Slowly, he looks up—and sees a pair of glowing eyes staring down at him from the ceiling, along with a long tongue dripping with saliva.
"Pammi," he whispers, voice tight, "please look at me."
Pammi turns toward him, worried. "What's wrong, Viccy?"
Victor removes the shadow covering his face, his expression pale. "I am terrified right now… something is drooling on me."
Pammi's eyes widen. She looks up just as the woman above Victor retracts her tongue and flashes a wide, mischievous grin, her eyes narrowing with delight.
"Hello, Victor Vernner," her voice airy and echoing, like someone speaking through a tunnel. Her opacity rises, revealing a ghost‑like figure draped in a gothic dress. She descends from the ceiling with slow, eerie weightlessness and lands beside Victor — a little too close for comfort.
"Sorry," she says, tilting her head, "I don't really understand personal space yet."
Victor lets out a startled squeak, shadows flaring around him like a shield. "I—uh—Pammi—help—"
Before he can finish, she swirls around him, making his entire body feel cold and appearing behind him. Her presence leaves a cold tingle on Victor's skin, sending a shiver up his spine. His face heats up from pure panic. Pammi's tail tightens around Victor, pulling him in. She lets out a slight frown, but her eyes narrow just a bit. Who does this ghost think she is, appearing next to Victor like that?
"My name is Amethest Ghostein," the woman continues, her voice echoing directly into their minds. "Sister of Poppy Ghostein… and head of the WLH club." She circles them slowly, her gaze lingering on Victor with a mix of curiosity and interest. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced."
No one else on the bus reacts. No one else can see or hear her.
"If you're wondering," she goes on, "the Wild Life Hybrid club is for animal‑human hybrids. Some students are born from tragedy, others from mutation or experimentation…" Her eyes flick to Pammi, then back to Victor. "But you two… you're different."
Pammi brings Victor closer to her, nearly touching cheek-to-cheek. Victor, still flustered, whispers, "Pammi… she's staring at me too-uh... Intensely, like I did something wrong..."
Pammi glares at Amethest. "Back off. You're scaring him."
Amethest's grin widens, delighted. "Oh, I didn't see you there," she teases, her voice mocking, soft and playful. "You're a protective one, how adorable." She circles back around Victor, leaning in far too close for comfort, her eyes glowing faintly. "I think I prefer you, Victor; you show a special talent I'm interested in." Victor's heart starts racing. "What do you mean by that..."
Amethest laughs softly, the sound echoing like a chime. Nestling her head in between Victor and Pammi, "How long have you two been in the club? And don't worry—whatever you say right now is for my ears only. My saliva releases a little mist that makes us invisible and inaudible to everyone else on this bus. So go on. Speak freely."
Victor jolts slightly, then summons a shadow shaped like a gorilla's arm, uncovering his face and grabbing her by the head gently, and standing her up. Amethest lets out a jolt. "AH! What the-" shocked, a grin spreading slowly across her face. "You can touch me? Well, I didn't suspect that..."
Her voice carries a note of impressed delight, like she's just found a new anomaly to study.
"I control shadows… they're practically the same as ghosts," Victor pants, trying to steady himself. "So don't be so shocked that I can—" he gulps for air, "—grab you." Victor stammers, face burning. "Please stop harassing me." Breathing intensely, "The only person I like being close to is P—" He cuts himself off, eyes darting toward Pammi, panic rising. Pammi catches the sudden turn of his head. A soft blush warms her cheeks, and she quickly looks toward the window. Her pendant radiates a gentle heat — a tiny pulse of embarrassment she can't quite hide.
Amethest tilts her head, intrigued by the slip. "P…?" she echoes softly, savoring the letter. "A‑anyway," Victor blurts, trying to recover, "stop bothering us, ma'am. I don't like it, and I don't think Pammi likes that either. We need our space."
His voice trembles, but the boundary is firm.
Amethest floats back a few inches, hands raised in playful surrender. "Noted," she says with a teasing smile. "But I must admit… You surprised me, Victor Vernner."
Pammi interrupts the moment, "Ehem... We've been in the WLHM for about 3 weeks now. I enjoy it because there are so many interesting and unique people around." Victor adds on, still trembling from the cold and self-embarrassment, "I like it too... The club has really good snacks."
Victor asks quietly, "So, uuh… d‑do you know anything about the missing student, or… is that you?" Amethest chuckles, delighted. "You're quick, Victor. A smart young lad, good for you." Her eyes glimmer. "You might be one of the most skilled 4ths I've ever met."
She floats above the pair, "I'm in AG — advanced grade. Special course for older students." A playful smirk. "And yes, I'm the missing student. I can block electrical signals when I want. That's why my Techscroll still showed me online," she winks.
Pammi watches the exchange, jealousy prickling under her skin.
I wish I were able to be so social, talking to us like we've known each other forever.
Her tail tightens around Victor again, almost choking him. She mumbles under her breath, "Lame ghost girl..."
Victor looks at Pammi. Pammi looks at Victor. Victor forms a shadow of a leopard tail and tries to free himself from her grip. Pammi realizes her mistake and retracts, "Sorry, Viccy!!! I didn't realize you were there, talking to that ghost for long. Victor even took off his hoodie. "Didn't you catch anything I said?" "I said to Amethest, 'We need our space"
Pammi's eyes light up a bit, resting her head on Victor's shoulder. Victor puts his hood back on and only shades his eyes with the shadow of a hawk. Amethest mocks the moment, "Aww, two little birds in a nest, don't let the snake come and get ya." She hovers over Victor and Pammi, watching from above. Victor sighs and pulls out his classic smartphone to scroll through social media.
From there, the ride was smooth and clean, eventually arriving at the N.A.S.H. Center.