First Day at St. Edenia Academy

My steps slowed as I reached the front grounds of St. Edenia Academy. The school building towered above me, its classical-modern architecture majestic and refined. Elegant white pillars stood tall at the main entrance, and a vibrant garden welcomed every student who arrived. Even the morning air felt different—crisper, more alive.

"Wow..." I breathed softly, my eyes scanning the surroundings. "So this is my new school…"

A flurry of feelings stirred inside me—nervousness, excitement, fear, and curiosity. It felt like stepping into a whole new world I'd never touched before.

I followed the flow of students heading toward the main building. Around me, children walked with ease. Some were dropped off in luxury cars, chauffeured like royalty. Others strolled in laughing groups, chatting with friends.

I looked down briefly, realizing how different I was.

But I didn't want to compare. I had my own fire inside me.

"You can do this, Raeya."

I glanced at the folder in my hands—the school map we received during registration. But the building in front of me looked nothing like the one drawn on the paper.

"Umm… Is this Building A or B?" I mumbled nervously, taking the wrong turn. The further I walked, the more unfamiliar everything became—spiral staircases, endless corridors, and confusing signs.

"Oh no… Am I lost?!"

Suddenly, a warm voice came from behind me.

"Are you new here, miss?"

I turned around and saw an elderly man in a security uniform, smiling kindly.

"Yes, sir… I'm Raeya. I'm supposed to be at the orientation hall, but I got a little lost."

The guard chuckled softly. "That happens a lot your first time here. Come, I'll walk you there. The orientation room is on the second floor of the main building. You were almost at the labs."

I let out a small embarrassed laugh. "Oh no… Thank you so much, sir!"

We walked together. Along the way, he told me bits of the school's history, student habits, and even where kids liked to hang out for lunch.

"Don't worry, child. Everyone feels out of place at first. But you'll get used to it. This school is big, sure, but it's full of great people. You'll be one of them."

His words felt like a hug on a chilly morning.

"Thank you, sir. I feel better now."

He left me at the doors of the orientation hall.

"Well, here you are. Welcome to St. Edenia, Raeya."

I bowed slightly with a wide smile.

"Thank you, sir. I hope you have a wonderful day!"

✧༺♥༻✧

I paused in front of the large doors that read:

Orientation Hall – St. Edenia Academy.

My heart thudded wildly.

This is it… my first day at my new school.

I took a deep breath, adjusting the grip on my gray backpack.

Unlike the designer bags and sleek leather satchels I saw earlier, mine was plain.

But I liked it.

I wanted to look like an ordinary girl.

Not as Raeya Evaleen Alvera.

Not as the daughter of Valencorp's CEO.

Just… Raeya.

When I pushed open the door, soft lights from the crystal chandelier greeted me. The hall was grand—grander than I had imagined. White marble floors shimmered underfoot, and soft blue and white banners with the school's golden crest lined the walls.

St. Edenia Academy – A Place Where Greatness Begins.

I stepped in slowly, avoiding clusters of new students already seated in groups.

They laughed, chatted, looked comfortable.

Confident.

I walked down the aisle and picked a seat in the middle row. Fourth from the right.

Alone.

I sat quietly, clutching my bag on my lap.

Thump… thump… thump…

My heart still raced. Amazed. Anxious. Afraid.

In the midst of all the chatter and laughter, I sat silently.

No one spoke to me.

But that was okay.

I wanted it this way—to start from zero.

No labels. No spotlight.

But only minutes later, I heard hushed voices behind me.

"Isn't that the girl who walked in earlier?"

"The one with that auntie? Yeah, I saw her. She didn't come by car."

"Seriously? She walked here? Her bag's so plain…"

I stiffened. My eyes widened slightly.

Their voices were low—but sharp. Cutting.

"She's probably a scholarship student. Listen to how soft she talks. And look at her clothes—nothing branded. Not like anyone from our families."

They giggled under their breath.

I lowered my head, pretending not to hear.

But my chest felt tight.

Then came another voice—cooler, slower, with a higher tone that wrapped every word in a thin veil of mockery.

"Hmm. Funny. So our elite school takes anyone now?"

Light footsteps clicked toward me. Someone sat directly behind me.

"Let's see how long she lasts. The ones like her usually disappear within a month."

I knew that voice even before I turned.

Cassandra Elvareth Vareen.

Grade ten.

Daughter of the Headmaster.

Her face was beautiful—pale porcelain skin, sleek black hair tied low, a golden clip shaped like a crown resting at her temple.

But her eyes… they stood out the most.

Cold. Calculating. Dismissive.

The girls around her giggled softly, but none dared to speak over her.

Cassandra wasn't just popular—she was feared.

Known as the school's "Unofficial Queen."

Her words could ruin someone's reputation in a single day.

I could feel her gaze burn into my nape—like a knife that cut without bleeding.

I clenched the hem of my uniform skirt tightly.

Don't react, Raeya. Don't show anything.

"She looks like she's from the lower district," she murmured again.

My head bowed lower. My nose stung.

But I bit my lip.

I wouldn't respond.

I wouldn't cry.

This is what you wanted, right, Raeya? To be just a normal girl.

This is part of it. This… is your test.

I couldn't tell them who I really was.

I couldn't say, I'm the daughter of Valencorp's CEO.

Because the moment I did, their entire world would shift.

They'd grovel. Pretend to be kind.

But I didn't want a fake world.

I wanted to see… who would accept me without my last name.

---

The hall gradually quieted. A video began playing on the giant screen—a welcome message from the Headmaster.

But I didn't hear it.

All I could hear were the echoes of their sneers behind me.

All I could feel was Cassandra's eyes saying:

You don't belong here.

---

I took a deep breath, my eyes fluttering shut.

If this is how it begins,

If this is how they see me,

Then I'll wait.

I'll wait for the moment I can show them who I truly am—without the name Valencorp.

But for now… I have to be strong.

I have to be just Raeya.

Raeya, who stands on her own.