Chapter 2: The Pale Faces of Saint Academy

Recognizing the figure, Anran quickly dismounted her motorcycle and called out, "Grandpa, why are you standing outside? You'll catch a cold!"

The elderly man, with a head of silver hair and a kind face, smiled warmly. "I just stepped out, my dear. How could I sleep knowing my precious granddaughter was on her way?"

His voice was strong and full of vitality, a testament to his years of martial arts training.

"There was some traffic, so it took longer than expected. Grandpa, it's chilly outside. Let's go in," Anran said, feeling a pang of guilt knowing he had likely been waiting all night.

"Alright, as long as my little Anran is safe, I'm at ease," he replied.

The truth was far from what Anran had described. To spare her grandfather worry, she hadn't mentioned the difficulties she'd faced. After getting off the bus, she had asked several people for directions, but no one seemed to know where Rosetown was. With only her grandfather's hand-drawn map to guide her, she had struggled to orient herself.

Near the bus terminal, her phone had no signal, and there were no public phones in sight. If she hadn't stumbled upon a delivery driver headed to Rosetown, she might still be wandering around come morning. She kept this to herself, knowing her grandfather would fret if he learned she had accepted a ride from a stranger. Instead, she simply blamed the delay on traffic.

"Sweetheart, I've prepared some snacks for you. Since you've been up all night, why don't we delay your school registration until the day after tomorrow?" her grandfather suggested, his voice filled with concern. "It's only a forty-minute walk from here to the school. I'll stroll over tomorrow and let the principal know."

Anran shook her head. "No need, Grandpa. I slept plenty on the way here, and I'm feeling great. I'll head over to register when the time comes."

Morning arrived.

The sun rose above the mountaintops, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape. The autumn air was crisp, and the sky was dotted with clouds that softened the sunlight. As Anran strolled through the town, she marveled at how peaceful and enchanting Rosetown was in the heart of autumn. The unique charm of the town's standalone buildings added to its relaxed, cozy atmosphere. Her grandfather's home, a quaint European-style cottage, stood at the end of one of the streets, its front yard adorned with vibrant yellow daisies.

Lining both sides of the road were rows of trees, their species unknown to Anran. Clearly, they had stood there for many years, their branches thick with leaves that were slowly turning yellow. A gentle breeze stirred the branches, sending a few leaves fluttering down, creating a poetic scene.

Anran imagined how breathtaking it would be once all the leaves had turned golden.

Lost in the autumn beauty, Anran soon found herself standing at the gates of Saint Academy.

As she took in the sight of the school, she couldn't help but feel astonished. In the early morning light, the imposing dark-red walls of Saint Academy stood as a barrier between the school and the outside world. Beyond the walls rose a series of solemn, majestic buildings, the one directly facing the gate crowned with a towering clocktress.

The entire campus was a masterpiece of European-style architecture, sprawling and grand. It rivaled—if not surpassed—the beauty of elite schools in major cities. If photographed, it could easily pass as a centuries-old institution abroad.

Anran was puzzled. How had she never heard of this school before?

Dressed in casual clothes, Anran stood out among the students in their blue uniforms. While she marveled at the school's grandeur, the passing students cast curious glances her way.

Feeling the weight of their stares, Anran realized her casual attire made her stand out. She quickly approached a boy who looked studious and friendly, smiling as she asked, "Excuse me, could you tell me where the principal's office is?"

Her radiant smile momentarily dazzled the boy. She doesn't seem like she's from Rosetown. Is she from outside? he thought.

Unused to being approached by girls, the boy blushed slightly and pointed to the central building. "It's… on the top floor of that building."

Anran's striking features—her large, expressive eyes, her hair tied simply into a ponytail, and her dimpled smile—made her appear lively and approachable. She exuded an air of confidence and ease.

"Thank you so much!" Anran said, oblivious to the boy's reaction. With a wave, she turned and headed toward the building.

As she walked through the campus, she found herself on a path flanked by dense rows of trees. This was Saint Academy's "Lovers' Lane." On the left side of the path, a group of boys in purple uniforms huddled together, whispering and occasionally breaking into soft laughter. Their gazes lingered on the girl in casual clothes who had just entered the school.

"Is she a transfer student? I've never seen her before. Maybe she's from outside?"

"Does it matter? She looks… healthy."

"I wonder if she's as sweet as she looks."

"Why not find out?"

"Honestly, I wouldn't mind giving it a try."

"Haha…"

They were talking about Anran, the casual-clothed girl who had stood at the school gates. The warm sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on their faces. Despite their handsome features, their complexions were unnaturally pale—almost sickly.