Unexpected

"Tomorrow we are going to the training grounds to learn how to control mana and hone your bodies. But for... Erik paused when he looked at Aiden who was frozen in place.

"Aiden heyes! Erik voice boomed through the classroom, but Aiden didn't respond. A cold sweat prickled his skin, and his heart hammered in his chest. He was lost in a terrifying memory, the image of the shadow beast vivid in his mind

"Aiden?" Peter nudged him gently.

Aiden flinched, yanked back to the present. The classroom was silent, everyone staring at him. Shame flushed his cheek as he stammered.

"Y-yes sir?

"Do you know what mana is?"

Yes! Yes! She told me." Aiden blurted out, pointing at pelia. His cheeks flushed red as soon as the words left his mouth. 

" I see... Good! Very good! Now any questions?

Multiple hands were raised which caused a light smile on Erik's face. He spent twenty minutes answering some students questions until his lecture was finally over. The white haired girl bit her lip, her questions seemingly forgotten. Erik gave a curt nod. 

"We can discuss that later. Enjoy the rest of your day everyone." He said, leaving the class.

The bell blared, signalling the end of the lesson. Students flooded out the classroom, chattering excitedly about the ranking system and the upcoming challenge. The information about ranks and mysterious challenge swirling in Aiden's head. He glanced round the classroom most students had already left. 

Pelia was gathering her things on her desk, but Peter was nowhere to be seen. Disappointment pricked at Aiden. He was hoping his new classmates could shed light on this whole ranking system, especially the challenge. That part send shivers down his spine. He decided to approach Pelia.

"Hey, do you mind if I ask you something?" He said.

Pelia looked up, her eyes warm. "Sure Aiden. What is it."

Aiden hesitated. "This stuff about ranks and challenges.....it's a bit confusing. Is there anything else I should know?"

Pelia's smile faltered slightly. "Well," she began, then stopped. She glanced around the room as if checking for eavesdroppers. Leaning in closer she lowered her voice.

"There are rumors... about the challenge. From what I heard, it's most likely a..."

Just then, a strange sound erupted from the corner of the room. It was a high-pitched giggle that sent shivers down Aiden's spine. He spun around to see Peter leaning against the wall, a wide, unsettling grin plastered on his faces. His eyes glittered with emotions Aiden couldn't place.

"What was that about?" Aiden stammered, his unease growing.

"Nothing," Peter said, his voice too light. " Just something funny I remembered."

"Knock it off Peter, you're creeping him out." Pelia said with a playful nudge.

"So can I continue?" Pelia asked with a smile on her face.

"Wait." Aiden said. My room number is 56 do you know where I can find it?"

Peter's eyes widened in excitement. "Wonderful! That's the same number as mine!"

Pelia frowned. "Really? That's a coincidence. Are you sure you're okay with that, Aiden?" 

Peter jaw clenched. What's that supposed to mean?" He said, his voice tight.

"You're annoying." Pelia said nonchalantly.

"You want a piece of me little sis?" 

"Who are you calling little sis, mother gave birth to us at the same time." 

"So what! Peter eyes began to twitch.

"You're still brainless as ever." Pelia said with her eyes closed.

"Who are you calling brainless." 

Aiden felt trapped between two whirlwinds. Peter's sudden intensity and Pelia 's sharp retorts made him even more uncomfortable.

"Hey hey," Aiden stammered, stepping between Pelia and Peter. The air crackled with tension, and he doesn't know how to defuse the situation. " Maybe we should just head to our dorm rooms?"

Before Aiden started his first day class in Zeru's academy, Alex explained the dorm situation. The dorms were separated for male and female students. 

" That's better, I'm leaving anyways." Pelia said with a final glance at Aiden. She turned and headed out of the classroom.

"Hmph" Peter folded his arms, a faint frown lingering on his face.

Aiden watched Pelia leave,a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. Pelia has left without telling him more about the challenge they would face.

"Can you show me the library?" Aiden asked.

"Sure, this way." Peter replied.

Peter begins to escort to the library. Along the way, he bumped into a young, short dark haired girl.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." He stammered, his apologies trailing off as he met her gaze. Her eyes, a striking greyish black, held his with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine. The silence stretched, thick and heavy, broken only by students murmured whispers. Peter, sensing the tension, cleared his throat.

The girl blinked, her expression softening slightly. "No worries," she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper. She brushed past Aiden, heading down the hallway. Relief washed over Aiden, but a flicker of curiosity lingered.

"Who is that girl?" Aiden asked.

"That's Rhea Ironheart. I didn't expect to see her today." Peter said. " You're lucky you weren't sent flying towards a rock or something."

Aiden swallowed his saliva when he heard that.

"Sent flying?"

He slowly looks back and discovers she was no where to be seen.

"Where did she go?" Aiden thought to himself.

"Aiden come on! Peter snapped his fingers on his face. Aiden blinked, torn from his thoughts by Peter's snapping fingers. "Coming!" A grin spreading across his face. He hurried to catch up with Peter, his mind already racing with the possibilities of what he might find in the library.

Aiden followed Peter,his gaze sweeping over the library's grand entrance. Towering shelves crammed with books stretched as far as he could see, bathed in a warm, inviting light. The air smelled faintly of aged paper and leather, a scent that sent a thrill down his spine.

"This place is amazing!"

Peter chuckled. " Welcome to the heart of Zeru's academy. Let me show you around."

*****************

A lone figure stood in a clearing of an ancient forest. The man wore simple brown clothes, stained and dusty as if from a long journey. A wide smile stretched across his face, revealing teeth that gleamed an unnatural white in the dim light. 

"So you finally got what you wanted." He murmured.