Chapter 18: The Mysterious Transfer

A few days later, whispers began circulating around the school about a new transfer student in the Epsilon Class. What caught Alex's attention wasn't the fact that someone had joined their class, but the unusual circumstances surrounding her transfer. According to the information he had overheard, the girl had been in the Beta Class, one of the elite rankings in the academy, before suddenly being demoted.

"What would cause someone from the Beta Class to drop to Epsilon?" Alex wondered, intrigued.

The next morning, as Alex headed to class, he found himself curious about the newcomer. When he entered the classroom, his eyes immediately locked onto her.

She sat in the back corner, away from the other students, her presence almost unnaturally silent. The girl had pale skin that seemed to glow faintly in the dim classroom lighting, and her bright red eyes gave her an intense, otherworldly appearance. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, adding to her mysterious aura.

The other students avoided her, sneaking glances in her direction but keeping their distance. It was clear that her mere presence unsettled them.

Throughout the lesson, Alex couldn't help but notice how quiet she was. While most students at least tried to engage with the lecture, she sat motionless, staring at the desk in front of her. There was something different about her something that set her apart from everyone else.

---

When the class finally ended, Alex did something that shocked everyone. Instead of leaving like he usually did, he walked straight toward the girl.

The room fell silent.

"Is he... actually approaching someone?" one student whispered.

"No way. Alex never talks to anyone but Jasper," another muttered.

Ignoring the murmurs around him, Alex stopped in front of the girl's desk. She looked up at him, her red eyes meeting his with a calm, almost detached expression.

"You're the new transfer student, right?" Alex asked, his tone neutral.

The girl tilted her head slightly, studying him before nodding. "Yes."

"What's your name?"

She hesitated for a moment before answering. "Crystal. Crystal Heart."

"Crystal, huh?" Alex said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to read her expression. "Why'd you transfer to Epsilon?"

Crystal's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Curious, aren't you?"

Alex didn't respond, waiting for her to continue.

"It's not something I'm obligated to explain," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.

Her response intrigued Alex further. There was a confidence in her tone, a subtle defiance that told him she wasn't someone to be underestimated.

"Well, welcome to Epsilon, I guess," Alex said before turning to leave.

As he walked away, he could feel the stares of his classmates boring into his back. They were clearly stunned by the interaction, but Alex paid them no mind.

---

Later that day, Alex did some digging into Crystal's background. What he found surprised him.

Crystal Heart wasn't just any student she was a prodigy. She had been one of the top-ranked students in the Beta Class, known for her exceptional combat skills and intelligence. But what truly set her apart was her Tay: a rare and powerful entity known as the Vampire Tay.

The Vampire Tay was infamous in the academy's history. It was a Tay that granted its user incredible strength, speed, and regenerative abilities, but it came with a price. Those bonded with the Vampire Tay were often shrouded in controversy, as the Tay's abilities were said to feed off the life force of its host and others.

"She's not just another transfer," Alex muttered to himself. "She's dangerous."

---

The next day, Crystal's presence in the classroom continued to draw attention. Students whispered about her in hushed tones, speculating about why she had been demoted to Epsilon. Some said it was because her Tay was too unstable, while others believed she had been involved in some kind of incident that forced the academy to lower her rank.

Alex, however, wasn't interested in rumors. He wanted answers.

During a break between classes, he approached Crystal again. This time, she was sitting under a tree outside, reading a book.

"You don't seem to like people very much," Alex said, sitting down next to her.

Crystal glanced at him, her red eyes glinting in the sunlight. "And you do?"

Alex smirked. "Fair point."

There was a brief silence before Alex spoke again. "Why'd you come to Epsilon? You don't belong here."

Crystal closed her book, her expression unreadable. "What makes you think I don't?"

"Because you're too good," Alex said bluntly. "I've seen the way you move, the way you handle yourself. You're not like the rest of us."

Crystal's lips curved into a faint smile. "You're observant."

"So? What happened?"

Crystal sighed, leaning back against the tree. "Let's just say... I needed a fresh start."

"That's vague," Alex said, raising an eyebrow.

"That's intentional," Crystal replied, her tone cool.

Alex decided not to press further. For now, it was clear she wasn't ready to share her story.

---

As the days went by, Alex and Crystal continued to interact, though their conversations were often brief and guarded. Despite her aloof demeanor, Alex found himself intrigued by her. There was something about her that felt... familiar, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Meanwhile, the rest of the class couldn't believe what they were seeing.

"Is Alex actually... friends with her?" one student whispered.

"No way. He doesn't even talk to us, and now he's hanging out with the new girl?"

Whatever the case, Alex didn't care about the rumors. He had a feeling that Crystal Heart was going to play an important role in the events to come, and he wasn't about to let her out of his sight.