Chapter 2 Beyond The Veil: The Academy Awaits

When Rose was just five years old, her life was shattered. Her mother and father were tragically killed in a car accident, leaving her utterly alone in the world. With no relatives to take her in, she was placed in an orphanage. Despite the bleakness of her circumstances, Rose thrived academically. Her sharp mind and quick learning abilities earned her constant praise from the orphanage teachers, who marvelled at her resilience and potential.

One crisp autumn day, a man with streaks of grey in his hair and a commanding presence visited the orphanage. His name was David Agrest. His sharp suit and polished demeanour marked him as a successful businessman. He was searching for a bright and capable girl, someone who could match his ambitious plans. The head of the orphanage immediately thought of Rose and summoned her to the office.

The moment Rose entered, she felt an unsettling shift in the air. The man's piercing gaze studied her intently, and she knew instinctively that he was assessing her potential. With a nod of approval, he completed the necessary paperwork and took Rose into his custody. As they drove away from the orphanage, Rose couldn't shake off the feeling that her life was about to change dramatically.

When they arrived at the businessman's lavish home, Rose was introduced to her new family. The oldest stepbrother, Dain, greeted her with a cold, calculating smirk. His black hair and intense red eyes gave him a menacing appearance. 

The second stepbrother, Ray, was no less intimidating with his fiery red hair and dark, mocking eyes. From the moment Rose stepped into the house, the brothers made it clear that she was an outsider, subjecting her to constant taunts and cruel pranks.

Life in her new home was harsh and loveless. Her father was often away on business trips, leaving Rose with their butler to fend for herself against her merciless step-brothers. Despite the oppressive environment, Rose remained determined to carve out a better future for herself. When she turned fifteen, she seized the opportunity to enrol in a local school with dormitories, preferring the school's relative safety over her hostile home. To support herself, she took on a part-time job, balancing her studies and work with admirable tenacity.

Her hard work and dedication paid off when she applied for a scholarship to a prestigious academy. Rose poured her heart into the application, dreaming of a life where she could escape her tormentors and pursue her passions. The day she received the acceptance email was one of the happiest moments of her life. She felt a glimmer of hope, a promise of a brighter future.

But fate had a cruel twist in store for Rose. That evening, as she walked home from her part-time job, she was attacked. A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, and before she could react, she felt a sharp, searing pain in her abdomen. She had been stabbed. The world around her blurred as she collapsed to the ground, her scholarship email clutched in her hand.

"I'm sorry, Aria, I didn't mean to remind you of your dreadful past," Ruby said gently.

"It's okay," Aria replied with a soft smile. "I hope to find happiness in this life, especially with you by my side, Ruby."

Ruby's face lit up with a cheerful smile. She cupped Aria's face tenderly with her small hands, feeling a warmth spread between them.

They held each other close, finding solace in their bond, and soon drifted off to sleep in a peaceful embrace.

As the morning sun filtered through the thin curtains, Aira stirred from her sleep, feeling an unfamiliar sense of calm. She stretched and yawned, her thoughts drifting to the events of the previous day. The strange new world, the academy, and the whimsical magic shop all seemed like fragments of a dream, but the presence of Ruby perched on her pillow reminded her it was all too real.

"Good morning, Aira!" Ruby chirped, her ruby-red eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ready for your first day at the academy?"

Aira sat up and took a deep breath, the weight of the day ahead settling on her shoulders. "I guess I have no choice. I need to figure out what's happening and find a way back to my own life."

Ruby nodded sympathetically. "Remember, you're not alone. We'll face whatever comes together."

Aira got dressed in her school uniform, a crisp white shirt paired with a sleek black tie adorned with the school's emblem. The tie featured an elegant crest, symbolizing the academy's prestigious history. Her blue skirt, pleated and neatly pressed, fell just above her knees, completing the polished look.

"You look great, Aira," Ruby said, her voice a blend of cheer and encouragement. 

Aira glanced in the mirror, adjusting her tie one last time. "Thanks, Ruby"

Ruby said, "Now, let's go conquer the academy." 

With a deep breath, Aira grabbed her bag and headed out, Ruby floating alongside her.

She made her way to the Avalon Academy. The walk to school was filled with a mixture of nervousness and determination. She would need to be cautious and clever to navigate the challenges of this world.

"Why don't you fly to the school?" asked Ruby

"Am I supposed to fly?" said Aira. 

But she didn't know how to fly. Ruby tried to help her and said"For now I will levitate you, just relieve on me Aira"

Upon arriving at the Avalon Academy, Aira couldn't help but marvel at the majestic building. It was a blend of classical architecture and modern design, with towering spires and intricate stonework. She couldn't see the beauty of the building last time as she was nervous.

She saw a board in her class. It said that Aira was first in the scholarship exam while Beatrice was second. That's not what happened in the original story.

"Maybe this is why, they treated you like that. How lowly of a lowly can think," said Ruby furiously while Aira didn't understand a thing.

"Maybe it's not the only thing, it is the reputation of Aira, not me. There must be a reason," said Aira.

"Aira, maybe your grades from your past life are implemented here" proclaimed Ruby. Aira nodded in astonishment.

A sudden announcement echoed through the school corridors: "Attention, everyone. Please gather in the auditorium."

As the students convened, it was Mr. Dusseldorf, the esteemed headmaster, who addressed them. He disclosed the process of grouping the students, a critical organizational step for the upcoming academic term.

"As you know, the holy lyre was stolen yesterday so we will celebrate the ceremony today, I would appreciate it if you don't mind yesterday's situation," said Dusseldorf.

Amidst the chatter of students, Aira found herself captivated by the elegance of the auditorium, notably the intricate chandelier overhead.

Mr. Dusseldorf proceeded to outline a unique procedure—a summoning circle. Each student would stand within it, and through an undisclosed mechanism, the circle would assign them to one of four groups:

- Blue: Azure

- Red: Ignis

- Green: Verdant

- Yellow: Heliod

The atmosphere became charged with anticipation as the circle commenced its task of allocation. Aira, consumed by nerves, trembled with anxiety. 

It was then that her Ruby's encouraging words broke through the tension: "Aira, you'll excel in any group, especially if I'm with you." Ruby's steadfast support alleviated Aira's apprehension.

When Aira's turn arrived, the summoning circle seemed to deliberate longer than usual. Time stretched as anticipation mounted. Finally, the circle revealed its decision: Aira was assigned to the Blue group, 'Azure'.

Aira consulted the letter she had found in her room, which contained her schedule and the location of her classes. Her first class was Advanced Potion Theory, held in one of the older wings of the academy. She navigated the corridor, her heart pounding in her chest.

When she finally found the classroom, she hesitated at the door. She bumped into a girl. It was the main lead Beatrice Sweeny. 

"Sorry," said Beatrice. Aira was shocked to see her appearance. She had Blonde hair and captivating blue eyes. Aira said, " It's okay".

Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside and was immediately met with curious stares. Aira scanned the room, spotting a few empty seats near the back. She quickly made her way to one of them, avoiding eye contact with the other students.

"As Professor Magnus strode into the classroom, his towering figure commanded attention. The students greeted him eagerly, their anticipation palpable. With a deft wave of his hand, he summoned bespoke coats for each group, each garment intricately adorned to reflect their distinctive identities. 

Aira received the coat and tie of Azure, feeling the weight of the deep blue fabric in her hands. As she inspected it, she noticed delicate azure lining that traced the edges, adding a touch of elegance to the ensemble. The colour reminded her of clear skies on a perfect summer day, evoking a sense of calm and serenity.

Aira saw that Beatrice had a green lining coat and tie, mirroring Verdant group. According to the novel, she was supposed to be in Ignis but she is in Verdant. And she suddenly realised that Aira was supposed to be in Verdant. She was so confused. 

"Pay attention" said Mr. Magnus and started the lesson.