Chapter Five:
A girl sat in the seat next to me. Her short pink hair fell to her neck, and her skin wasn't green or overly pale it was comfortably normal to look at. I finally felt like I had met someone who seemed normal in this strange world. Her features were beautiful and calm, not carrying the sharp or mysterious looks I had seen in the eyes of others since I arrived at the academy.
She looked at me while I was staring at her unintentionally, and she gave a slight smile that made me feel some reassurance, so I returned the smile. There was no conversation between us, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable; it felt like a small safe space within this place full of secrets.
Suddenly, two girls passed by her, and by chance, one of them accidentally hit her desk, but she didn't apologize or even look at her. She only gave a condescending side glance and continued walking. As for the girl with pink hair, fear appeared on her face, and she lowered her head as if she were used to this kind of treatment.
I felt anger rising inside me, but I couldn't do anything. I also didn't know what might happen if I intervened. This place isn't like my world, and I don't even know its rules yet.
Then I remembered my life at my previous university. Everyone respected and loved me, even the professors. I was well-known among the students, even throughout the city. My name was mentioned with admiration, because of my wealth, beauty, and kindness that I didn't hide. I was confident, strong, moving freely without fear. But now, I was just a scared girl who didn't know what awaited her next.
I sighed quietly, then slowly approached the girl and said,
"Hi, are you okay?"
She looked at me, embarrassed, then gave a small smile and said softly,
"Yes… I'm fine."
Just looking into her eyes made me feel something strange. It was as if I knew her, or had some connection with her at some point. A familiar feeling passed through me, but it was hazy, like a memory I couldn't unlock.
I said to her,
"My name is Iris, what about you?"
She seemed more nervous than before, and replied stammering,
"I… my name is Julia Skort."
Then she leaned back slightly in her chair and turned her head away, but her body was still trembling. I wondered to myself, why is she acting like this? Or perhaps did the owner of this place do something to her?
Before I could find an answer, the professor entered the classroom, and everyone immediately sat in their seats. As soon as my eyes fell on him, I felt my heart pounding. He was strikingly handsome. His long hair was pulled back, and on his head were prominent horns that added to his grandeur and authority. His red eyes made his gaze firm and confident.
I sat staring at him unconsciously. I hadn't expected to feel such sudden attraction. And when he began speaking, his voice sounded deep and clear.
He said:
"Hello, I'm Professor Lucas, the mathematics teacher. Pleased to meet you. I want each of you to tell me your name."
The students began introducing themselves one by one. When it was my turn, I said firmly:
"Iris Parkju."
Professor Lucas looked at me for a long moment, then said:
"You're one of the nobles here?"
I remembered the message where Carla mentioned she was a noble, so I said:
"Yes, of course."
The rest of the students continued introducing themselves, but throughout the class, I watched him silently. I tried to focus on the lesson, but the beauty of his muscles and agility didn't let me be.
When the class ended, everyone stood up. I stood as well and looked at Julia beside me, asking:
"What do we have now?"
But she didn't answer. She lowered her head and left quickly without looking at me. I felt annoyed. Why is she acting like this? She smiles at me at first, then avoids me as if I were a threat?
I decided to go to Maya's class. As I walked down the corridor, I caught sight of Kevin with his group in the distance, smiling and laughing. Our eyes met for a moment, but he immediately turned his head as if he didn't know me. I did the same, passing by him without looking back.
Suddenly, Maya appeared in front of me, quickly came toward me, grabbed my right arm, and whispered:
"I can't believe it! That's Kevin! He's the prince of the Demon Clan! I can't believe he's really handsome."
I looked at her in shock:
"What? Prince of the Demon Clan?"
She said excitedly:
"Yes, he's one of the strongest and most handsome princes. Just seeing him is a dream for many. I don't know who his roommate is, but she's very lucky."
I froze in place. I'm his roommate. But I didn't dare tell her. I tried to change the subject and said:
"How many princes are here?"
She looked at me in surprise:
"Shouldn't you know? They are the elite of the academy and the entire world."
I tensed slightly and said:
"I just wanted to make sure."
She began explaining to me:
"First, there's Crown Prince Oliver Kailey, nicknamed the Fourth Heir because he holds the powers of the three classes and unites them. And his sister, Princess Sophia Kailey, princess of the Ghoul Clan. Then Kevin, prince of the Demon Clan, and his younger brother Andrea. And there's the vampire family consisting of five princes, led by Princess Navarin. "
After that, Maya suggested we go to the cafeteria. The line was long, and the students waited patiently. When it was my turn, I placed a piece of raw meat on my plate and a glass of blood juice. I looked at it with disgust. As for Maya, she got green juice and a piece of meat that looked rotten.
We sat at the table, and Maya started eating immediately. I felt nauseous watching her. She said to me:
"Come on, Iris, didn't you say you were hungry?"
I didn't know what to say. But suddenly, I felt something change inside me a strong urge to eat. Unconsciously, I grabbed the piece of meat with both hands and began devouring it quickly. I drank the blood juice in one gulp. I was behaving with an unusual greed.
Maya looked at me in shock. As for me, I couldn't stop; I felt an even greater need. I looked at her in a way that made her tense. I was still extremely thirsty, so I quickly stood up to prevent myself from attacking her and left the place.
I ran through the corridors until I reached a courtyard, feeling a strange thirst. I could no longer control myself. Suddenly, I saw a boy sitting on the ground, his head covered by his jacket hood.
I approached him without thinking. I sat on top of him and noticed a previous bite mark, so I placed my fangs over it and drew the blood as vampires do. I felt my thirst gradually subside not only that, but also a comfort I had missed…
Then I snapped out of my shock. What had I done? I moved away from him quickly and looked at his face. He was awake, looking at me calmly.
I stood up quickly and said in a flustered voice:
"I'm so sorry, I don't know how I did that. I really apologize."
He stood up as well and said calmly:
"It's alright, it's just a small bite."
But for me, it wasn't small. I had been running from monsters, and here I was turning into what I had feared. I stood there, feeling the weight of the truth pressing on my chest. It was no longer just suspicion. Something was changing inside me.
I raised my eyes to him again. He was still unexpectedly calm. This calm scared me more than any scream he could have made.
I whispered to myself:
"What have I become?"
And for the first time, I had no answer.