First Day

They entered the building.

Kellie made her way over the counter, where an old lady is silently reading a book. Adeleine took this time to take in the breathtaking craftsmanship while the lady exchanged words with the elder.

Compared to the plain walls of the outside, the interior was decorated with various tones. A warm cream color of painted walls in contrast to dark woods mixed in to balance the bright illumination of the chandelier hung above. Wooden furnishes made up the lobby. A few pieces of greenery, placed in slim vases, laid on top of coffee tables giving the area a sophisticated yet cozy atmosphere.

Her jaws slackened, gawking at the sight. Being holed up in the four corners of their house has done so much that Kellie was afraid that the girl will be easily taken advantage of, but at the same time, she chuckled. The girl had a kid's face admiring a candy shop and started mumbling.

A tap on the shoulders snapped the girl out of her trance. Kellie beckoned her to follow up the stairs.

They reached the third floor and Adeleine was out of breath, again. It took her seconds to regain her posture. Seeing the lady constantly waiting for her, without even breaking a sweat, made her raise an eyebrow in question on what sort of thing did the lady go through.

Kellie whipped out a key from her pockets as they stopped on one of the doors. "This," she swiftly turned the knob, "will be where you'll stay from now on."

The room was small, consisting of one bed and a wardrobe, with enough room to move comfortably.

Adeleine noticed the clothes sprawled on the white sheets. Black trousers skinnier than what she was currently wearing. Tucked under the maroon waistcoat was a white long-sleeved shirt, overlapped by a red frock coat. She held the piece up in the air. The hem of the coat was modified with subtle folds, fitting a woman's skirt, but it wasn't too much for it to be seen as girly nor consider as annoying for the wearer.

Then there are these small pieces that Adeleine presumes goes along with the outfit. It was no doubt, now that she has observed it from detail, that this uniform is similar to the one's that her capturers.

"We'll be waiting for someone to guide you around."

"Am I…" She shook her head in disbelief. "Am I entering an academy?"

"Unfortunately," someone said.

The door opened without warning snapping her out of her thoughts. Golden locks and an all too familiar amber-colored eyes greeted her with the same surprised face. However, the other was quick to recover and pulled in an indifferent expression, staring at the letherian girl, who was shocked.

It seems that the universe was so against her. Adeleine internally screamed. "You!" she pointed a finger at her.

Amalia narrowed her eyes at the rude display of manners. She switched to Kellie with an expecting gaze, her face evident with wanting an explanation.

Instead, Kellie looked at her nonchalantly and said, "Where's Clandes?"

"Pardon my intrusion, however, I'll be taking over for now as he has other matters at hand. As leader of the youth, it is my responsibility to welcome new students." She gave the woman a benevolent but graceful bow.

Kellie eyed the younger woman, knowing that she wasn't the type of person she just spoke. More likely, she was curious of the new student who was apparently the person they captured. But Kellie stood silent and nodded in affirmation. "Alright, I'll leave her under your care." And that she left.

Faced with an awkward silence, the Adeleine's didn't know what to do.

"Why aren't you in your uniform?" Amalia eyed the frozen girl who was like a deer in headlights. Her hard stare meeting the girl's wide frantic blue eyes. "Make it quick. Classes are starting." The redhead crossed her arms as she made her pick up the pace.

The girl awkwardly glanced at the piece of clothing on her bed and back at the young woman who was impatiently tapping her foot. She quickly fumbled through the uniform, clueless on what goes first and what goes next as she had never worn anything luxurious.

A minute passed and Amalia furrowed her brows as she watched her. Just how long will the girl take to change clothes?

The girl mumbled something.

"What?"

Adeleine looked away, embarrassed. "I need… privacy."

Amalia instantly turned around and crossed her arms, listening to her fumbling through the clothes. Precious time will be wasted if she let the girl continue like this, she still has places to be.

Grabbing the white long-sleeved shirt, she ordered the girl. "Remove your clothes."

Adeleine was stupefied in her place and the young woman raised a brow at the delay of her response. Even though they were both in the same gender, she would still like a little privacy. But the woman's impatient signals pressured Adeleine to just shut up and do what she was told. Plus, the faster she gets this done with, the faster she'll be able to satisfy her thirst for answers.

They moved swiftly and sooner, Adeleine was fully clothed, except for one. The redhead kneeled and opened a suitcase the girl didn't noticed until now.

"Is this yours?"

Without waiting for an answer, she opened the case and threw a pair of boots at the letherian girl. Adeleine, clumsy as she was, failed to catch the item and it ended up smacking her straight in the face. She grunted and rubbed the sore spot, inserting her foot at the boots at the same time while grumbling incoherent words. After that, she wordlessly followed the woman out of the building and into another one.

They were greeted by quiet halls and only the sound of footsteps filled in the silence. She shifted stiffly from the deafening lack of noise and from her foreign clothes. It's not as tight as how she initially thought it would be but the high-materials used was like a tickle to her skin.

"Adeleine."

The girl perked up. "Ahm, yes?"

"Your name is Adeleine, is it not?"

"Yes," she answered politely, not knowing what to say anything else.

"The headmaster said..."

Adeleine's face brightened at the thought of finally being enlightened.

"Meet him at his office during lunch, when you're able to finish half of the day. Go ask someone else to take you, I won't be able available during that hour."

"Why not now?"

Amalia stopped to look at her. "He was summoned to attend a council meeting by the jury and the King."

The woman stopped by the mahogany doors. She knocked. The sound of large doors creaking had numerous eyes turn towards them, filled with curiosity. As soon as their sight landed on the black-haired girl, murmurs erupted and their faces filled with scorn and disgust.

"Miss Nora," Amalia greeted. "Please excuse our late arrival. I've brought the new student."

This time, students roared in disbelief as the murmurs got louder until they were shouting their oppositions. Shock was an understatement. A letherian is among them, studying with them, learning with them; they brought in a person who they were supposed to eliminate. This puts questions on the purpose of this academy.

Right now, they don't know what in arvistia the higher-ups are thinking.

The teacher smacked her palms at the table and glared, silencing them. The woman then turned at the two with a smile. "Hurry up. The class is already starting."

Her oversized thin robe fluttered as she faced them. A large white v-shaped line with another green line within, starting from her shoulders and ended meeting at her chest, was a contrast to the maroon-colored robe. She looked like a scholar instead of a teacher.

Adeleine waddled her way over to the other woman after being pushed by the senior. She felt a shot of pain traveling up her spine that made her momentarily shock. She spun to face her classmates who stared with open hostility. Despite knowing that, she can't help but mesmerize of the scene right before her. They looked so bright and blinding—like holy light.

And it made her stand out like a sore thumb.

"Adeleine," Amalia whispered lowly. But she was met with no response. She glanced at the girl who had her jaw hung and her eyes sparkling. This made her mentally face-palm. "Adeleine," she called again, this time nudging her shoulders to snap her out of trance.

"Why don't you introduce yourself." Miss Nora gave the girl a smile.

"Introduce?"

"Just say your name and age," the redhead added.

"Are you kidding me?" she grumbled. She gripped the pendant, feeling it under her uniform, silently wishing herself good luck, a habit she developed over the years and never got rid off.

"Hello. You can refer to me as Adeleine. I am twenty years old and I hope to be friends with everyone." She faked a big smile to show her how friendly she is, but the faces of her peers remained unconvinced.

"So young," one of them whispered.

"She's one year younger than me, what?"

"Tell us more about yourself," Miss Nora urged.

Her mind instantly went blank. For starters, she can't just spring up and tell that her home was attacked by a bunch of monsters and killed her mother, leaving her alone only to be found by a bunch of weird people. They'll just assume she's a seeker of attention.

"Moon, help me out," she whispered under her breath, but after a few moments of silence, it dawned to her. "…oh." She felt an indescribable pang in her chest and realized how alone she was in this situation.

She sent a look, asking for help from the but Amalia didn't even give her a glance. Seeing that she won't be able to receive any help, she turned to the teacher who was smiling, waiting for a reply. Now, she realized it was hopeless. The girl was forced to meet the judging stares from her now-classmates and she swallowed.

She nervously glanced at the teacher once again, signaling for help. Miss Nora seems to get it and she was able to heave a sigh of relief.

"Alright everyone, why don't we shut our mouths just for a moment. Alline needs silence."

Her relief turned to instant regret. She can't help but also notice the wrong call of her name and winced. The students snickered.

Trying to act humble, she smiled sheepishly and scratched her head. "I'm sorry but it's Ade—"

"I highly suggest that you should start your classes now, Miss Nora," Amalia cuts her off. "You shouldn't waste your time on her."

Adeleine felt offended. She eyed her with annoyance.

"I see," Miss Nora hummed. "Then you may now take your seat."

Adeleine did as she was told, forcing a smile despite sweating from the uncomfortable stares she was receiving.

"Stay out of trouble," Amalia warned, loud enough for only the girl to hear. Adeleine's spine stood straight as she nodded vigorously keeping her scowl hidden while the young woman left.