THE HISTORY OF ACADEMIA

"Bueno Ivi!" a nine-year-old girl shouted, calling the attention of an old man with white hair and a long beard.

"Bueno, you're back!"

The old man chuckled in a modest way. Even though his age was old, his eyes remain young, showing a glimmer of intelligence and wisdom. He looked at the little girl running towards the driven carriage he was in. It contains the items recovered from another village close by. He was planning to sell the goods in their Kingdom.

With the little girl running, the carriage immediately stopped running,

"Little lady," He laughed greeting, the child whose eyes was reflecting delight in them. "Once Sieta Luna saw you again running around, you will definitely be scolded again," he said, referring to the woman who was serving the child's family for years already.

Sieta Luna often takes care of the child due to the busy status of the girl's family.

"Bueno Ivi, do you have any new books that I can read?" the child asked with a wide smile lingering on her face. She ignored the old man's reminder.

She wanted to know what was inside the big carriage. Wanting to see the alluring illustrations in the book even though she doesn't have the ability to read the stories in it.

The child really wanted to know what strange things the old merchant was carrying with him. She likes to go with Bueno Ivi every time the man would pass by their house, but her father and mother would not allow it.

Every time she mentions it, her parents would show an unknown expression that she couldn't point out. That's the reason why she stopped when she noticed that.

But her desire to know which village Bueno Ivi was going to didn't leave her. Maybe, once she finally got older, she can leave and go there as well.

"Come, sit here next to me, and I'll tell you a story while we travel."

"Thank you very much, Bueno Ivi!" the girl loudly exclaimed with traces of joy reflecting in her eyes.

The child immediately climbed into the front of the carriage, sitting next to the old man. The child heartily laughed, seeing the smile on the old man's face. Seconds after the two black horses walked towards the center of the kingdom.

"I'll tell you about Greek mythology. The story about the woman named Medusa..."

Adrianne did not wake up well early in the morning. She suddenly dreamed of her past buried in depths of darkness. She wondered, how long has it been since Bueno Ivi came into her mind?

The village where the old man was going was still a big mystery for her— a big puzzle she couldn't solve. Even after being dead, she still doesn't have any ideas about it.

It was already their second day in the world of Intasia and only memories of her past would show up in her dream. The dreams would always disrupt her peaceful sleep. Reason on why she couldn't think straight about her plans now that she's back.

Because Adrianne was in her family's former land, she felt as if her ancestors were watching her from afar. She was curious about what would they think of her? In the past, she did not pay attention to this question.

She was too greedy for the blood of those who have ruined their family. She avoided thinking of anything that would break her concentration in order to get revenge.

But now everything has suddenly changed. She has already gotten justice for her family before she died. Were they happy with what she did? In her heart, she knew the answer. Her parents loved her so much, would they want to see her kill her fellow vampires?

"Abigail, are you sick?" Mady asked her worriedly.

"Do you want to borrow Teddy?" Aella questioned as she stood up, walking on Adrianne's side.

They are at a long table in the dining hall, eating breakfast. They were together with the other kids taken together with them. Adrianne roamed her eyes, looking at the faces of the kids who were chatting while eating. Some were quiet and had no appetite. Others are like Mady who somehow, has the desire to make a lot of friends.

They were not allowed to leave the building. The woman and the man from yesterday gave them no reason. They seemed to be waiting for the last group of children to arrive.

But finally, today was the start of their class. They can now enter that Academia.

"I'm fine," Adrianne replied sparingly to the two children. She could not believe that they were worried about her. They should think of themselves.

Adrianne shook her head to the side. What was she doing? This is not her! Her revenge was still not over. She needs to organize herself and plan what to do next. At the thought, she reburied the emerging emotions rising in her heart.

~~~

When they entered the old palace, they were all gathered in a large room. The chairs were arranged in an increasing manner that a hundred students could fit inside. Every corner of the palace displays luxury. Children like Adrianne are almost blinded by the elegant things they see.

The woman who first greeted them the day they arrived at school entered the room. Her name was Olivia, an Academia teacher.

The woman did not hesitate on introducing herself, giving them a quick explanation about the world of Intasia afterward. As well as the reason why they were here today.

"Intasia was a world secretly hidden in the world of humans— the earth. The land where the Academia was located was called Quirrene. Here the Vampires like you all live. And the Vampires have the ability to use dark magic," smiling Olivia explained.

A buzz of conversation exploded throughout the room. Children who came from the other world could not believe it. Vampires? Magic? They're real?!

"Magic that you can also learn in training because you yourself have the gift of the Blood Kings. Our ancestors that once came from this world."

Suddenly the children around Adrianne cheered. Even those who were five years older than her were obviously surprised yet immediately cheered after hearing what Olivia said. They seem to like the word magic.

Innocents. If only they knew how heavy the compensation would be. Their lives can be the price in return for it.

"Let me tell you about this school," continued the woman who looked happy hearing children's reaction. "The Academia was founded several hundred years ago. It was named after the eldest daughter of King Benedict and Queen Angelica, Iris, which means fortunate, the first princess..."