"I'll drop you off at the registrar so you can settle everything you need to fix. I'll be leaving now, Calista... I still have something to finish in the mortal world."

Before I could even respond, Ms. Gina suddenly vanished. I had no idea where the registrar was in this place, until a guard finally spoke.

"Please follow me, Ms. Vespera."

I didn't ask any questions, assuming he was taking me to the registrar anyway. We walked through a massive hallway lined with elegant doors on both sides. He led me to the left side of the door, then left me standing there alone.

I breathe and close my eyes for a second and knock on the door.

"Come in!"

I entered and I looked around and saw nothing but paintings, creatures I couldn't even identify. My eyes eventually landed on the name engraved on the registrar's door.

'Freeda Wales'

"Good morning, Ms. Vespera," she said coldly. "I have been expecting you for a very very long time. It's good to finally see you. This is your schedule."

She handed me a paper, which I immediately looked at.

"The days, time, and corresponding professors are all indicated there." She then gave me another small piece of paper. "This contains your dormitory number, key, and you are assigned to the Alpha Class."

"Alpha... what?"

"Alpha Class, Calista. No more questions. Now go to the west wing, to the admission hall, for your ID picture. And don't forget to secure your secondary name."

She was so rude, acting like she owned the entire place huh! I wanted to ask more questions, but she was already dismissing me, so I just walked out and headed toward the west wing.

How was I even supposed to know where that was? I was new here, hello! and she wouldn't even let me ask!? As if I already knew my way around Aetherion.

I kept walking until I finally reached the west wing mentioned by the registrar. When I found the admission hall, my heart sank, there was a very long line. Around forty students were waiting. Bruuuh! It would probably take an hour, and I hated waiting.

"Ms. Vespera! Come over here and take your ID picture."

I was startled when a man suddenly called out to me. He looked about my age, tall, with an impressive build. Without hesitation, I walked toward him. Who was I to refuse when the line was that long??That's a priviledge.

"What a bitch."

I heard a woman mutter those words as I walked past.

Did she really just call me a bitch?

I stopped and faced her.

"Pardon?" I asked.

She only rolled her eyes and stayed silent, so I turned away and entered the admission hall where the man had gone.

"Have a seat. I just fixed the printer, and we're ready to snap." I looked at his ID and saw that he is also belong to the Alpha Class like me.

"And oh.... by the way, you're in the Alpha Class.... huh?! We should hang out sometime. Wanna come join us on dinner?"

I looked at him, confused. How did he know I was in the Alpha Class? I hadn't even told him which section I belonged to or I haven't give him my section and paper.

"You're wondering how I knew?" he said, grinning. "Well... let's just say I can read other people's minds. So you guys better learn how to control it."

Dang. He could read minds? How cool. I was still wondering whether this was all real or if I was just dreaming.

"Here. Take a seat and smile."

I sat in front of the camera and smiled, though it annoyed me that I wasn't wearing any makeup. I was used to being in full glam.

"What is your secondary name?"

'Sarina ... ... sarina. .. ..... .. .sarina'

"SARINA..."

Why did I use that name?? Where did it come from?? Dang!

"Okay! All done! This is your ID. Wear it at all times so everyone knows which class you belong to. You can head to the dormitory now and arrange your things."

I took the ID from him, the surface still warm from the printer. My name stared back at me in bold letters, Calista Vespera.... with Alpha Class stamped beneath it like a warning rather than a title.

"Dormitory's at the north end," he added casually. "You can't miss it. The Alpha crest is carved above the doors. Abby and Aoife are there. They are really nice."

"Thanks," I said, clipping the ID to my collar.

As I stepped back into the hallway, the noise of the admission hall faded, replaced by an unsettling quiet. The air here felt different, thicker, heavier, as if the walls themselves were watching me. Students passed by, some whispering, others openly staring at the mark on my ID. A few nodded in recognition. A few were shock. Most looked... wary.

So this is what Alpha Class means, I thought.

The walk to the dormitory felt longer than it should have been. The architecture shifted the farther I went, arches grew taller, the lighting dimmer, and strange symbols were etched into the stone floor. When I finally reached the north end, the doors towered over me, carved with a sigil I didn't recognize but somehow felt familiar.

[ALPHA'S DORMITORY]

I hesitated before knock and pushing them open.

Inside, the dormitory was nothing like I expected. The ceiling stretched impossibly high, glowing softly as if lit by starlight itself. Floating orbs illuminated the halls, and staircases curved upward without visible support. It was beautiful, unnerving, but beautiful. It was like a whole mansion house not a dormitory.

"New Alpha?"

I turned to see a girl leaning against the railing, her silver eyes scanning me from head to toe. She smiled at me and walked.

"Sarina Vespera... from the Alpha.... class?" I said and it was like I'm asking them if I said it right.

Her brow lifted in interest. "Ah. That Calista."

"Your room's on the third door, in front of Atticus room, be careful to him, he is a living dragon," she continued. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it. By the way.... Alpha Class always attracts attention. Especially when someone new arrives without any training."

Without waiting for a response, she walked away, leaving her words hanging heavily in the air.

I tightened my grip on my bag and walked to my room, my heartbeat echoing in my ears. Every step felt like I was crossing an invisible line, one I couldn't turn back from.

Ms. Gina's words echoed in my mind.

'This world is no longer just watching you, Calista. It's waiting for you.'

And for the first time since arriving in Aetherion, I realized something chilling. Whatever Alpha Class truly was... I had been placed here for a reason.

When I entered the room, it was quiet and warm. A soft light came through the window and touched the bed and the floor. The curtains moved slowly as the air passed by. Everything inside the room felt calm, like it was waiting for me to rest.

I placed my things beside the bed and sat down for a moment. My thoughts drifted to Ms. Gina. I wondered what she was doing now. To me, she had been a real mother ever since my own mother left us when I was only four months old. Ms. Gina once told me that my mother was deeply buried in debt. As I grew up, it was Ms. Gina who paid everything for us, though I never understood why those debts even existed.

As I thought about those things, I didn't realize that tears were already falling from my eyes.

Knock. Knock.

I quickly wiped my face and fixed myself before opening the door.

"Hi!!! I'm Aoife! And you must be-" She paused, clearly trying to remember my name. Maybe she had heard it before and simply forgot.

"Sarina. I'm Sarina."

"Ouhh yeah! Nice to meet you, Sarina! Come join us for lunch at the cafeteria!"

She didn't wait for my response and immediately pulled my hand, dragging me outside. I glanced back at my room and saw my things still unpacked. I was starting to feel hungry, so I didn't bother refusing.

There was no one else in the dorm but the two of us. Where was everyone? And where was the person Abby mentioned, the one staying across from my room? Atticus, was it? Was he really a dragon? The kind that breathes fire? Did powers like that really exist here?

I noticed Aoife letting out a small laugh, so I asked her if she was okay.

"Sarina... Atticus is already in the cafeteria, waiting for us. And... nope, he's not a real dragon like what you're imagining, breathing fire and all. He's just... uhh, let's say strict, cold, and scary."

"H-huh?" I stuttered. How did she know? Could she read my mind too?

"Yes, Calista-" She suddenly stopped, then smiled awkwardly. "I mean, Sarina. I think we need to give you some lessons about Aetherion and the ability of each student here for you to be aware." She stopped in front of the cafeteria doors. "For now, shut your mind. The dragon might hear your voice in your head. Let's go."

I followed her immediately and forced myself not to think of anything. I didn't want them reading my thoughts again.

When we entered, we went straight to a table that looked different from the others. The chairs were more elegant, and the space was wider. While other tables could only seat four people, this one was clearly meant for more.

"Hey, hey! Yve, that's my seat! Get the hell out of my seat!" Aoife snapped.

Yve glared at her and raised an eyebrow, as if saying, Who are you to tell me what to do?

I felt awkward because I didn't know any of them. Aoife and Abby were the only ones familiar to me, and Abby already looked unapproachable.

"Whatever you say, arf arf," Yve replied mockingly before standing up and changing seats.

I sat where Aoife told me to sit, too shy to say anything.

"You dimwit, it's not arf arf!" Aoife shouted.

Yve ignored her and turned to me instead. "You're Sarina, right? Dang, I knew it! I told you, Abby, the new student is an Alpha."

"Whatever," Abby replied coldly, reading a book while eating.

Yve stopped talking and sat beside me. "Hmm... where's the second boss?" Aoife asked while whispering, but before she could say anything else, a plate of food was suddenly placed on the table in front of us.

"I can hear you."

The voice was low and calm, yet it sent a chill down my spine.

I slowly lifted my head.

He was tall, much taller than everyone else at the table. His presence alone felt heavy, like the air itself had shifted the moment he arrived. He look at me.

"You are the one I call earlier in the Admission Hall right?" he asked flatly.

Aoife grinned. "Yep, that's Sarina. Sarina, that's Dio. And Dio, she is also an Alpha."

His gaze fell on me. I felt my chest tighten, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

"...Alpha... oh yeah I remember now," he muttered. I swallowed hard and nodded.

"Where is Atticus?"

"He's gonna be here in any minute. Just finishing some things in the Admission Hall. Maybe five minutes," Abby said and continue to read her book.

"Your ability is kinda cool, Abby. I hope I can have that too."

Abby did not pay attention to what Yve said. She just continued reading her book. I could not tell what kind of book it was, or why she was reading in the middle of eating.

"I'm reviewing for the upcoming quiz after lunch, Sarina. I heard your mind. It's too loud," she said.

I was shocked by what she said. It looked like all Alphas could read thoughts. I wondered how they stopped others from reading their own minds.

"Uhm... can I ask if-"

"You fucking bitch!"

We turned our heads toward where the voice came from. I saw the same girl who had also called me a bitch earlier. I saw her eyes turn blue, and her body suddenly changed. It looked like she was surrounded by wind mixed with water, spinning around her body.

"I'm not the one who did that, Eulisse! It's your fault! You're a bitch!" she shouted. Her body had crawling veins that looked like tree roots, and it was scary to look at.

I looked at the people at our table, but they had no reaction. It was like they were just watching a simple show while eating.

"That's from the B Class. As always, they're on a fight," Abby said. I frowned at what Abby said. "B Class?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Beta Class. Next after Alpha. The Betas are always fighting each other just for a deity gift and ranking," Yve said.

"Deity gift?" I asked again.

"Yeah. Monthly, we have a fight or sparring in the Arena with digital creatures for ranking then if you win, you gonna have a gift from a deity. Just like Yve. He belonged to Beta before, but because of the ranking system, he became Alpha. And it is also based on your ability," Dio said.

I understood Dio's explanation a little, but our attention returned to the two Betas who were fighting. I noticed they were about to attack each other, and I could feel the power of both of them in my body. Until...a loud voice echoed in the whole cafeteria.

"ENOUGH!"

We all turned our heads toward the one who spoke. It was terrifying, like the voice didn't belong to a normal human. His voice was so loud. If I were the one he shouted at, I probably would have cried already. He was like a dragon breathing fire, but without the fire.

"Sarina! Stop it!" Abby whispered into my ear.

I was confused about what she meant by "stop it" because I wasn't doing anything. I was just looking at the man and the two Betas who were fighting.

"YOU TWO, GO TO MS. WALES. NOW!"

The man said, and the two girls immediately ran out of the cafeteria. So they were cowards after all, so brave starting a fight inside the cafeteria.

I was still staring at the man when I noticed his gaze turn toward me. My heart immediately panicked, and I didn't know what to do. I looked at Aoife and Dio to see if they would do something or if they even noticed that the man was staring at me.

"Uh oh... the dragon is here," Aoife said as her eyes moved back and forth between Dio and Abby.

"Uhmm... w-why is he staring at m-me?" I asked them, stuttering, but before they could answer, the man had already walked toward us. He stopped in front of the table, right in front of me, so I quickly avoided his gaze and lowered my head. This is so embarrassing! Who is this guy? He's scary.

"Move."

I didn't know if he was telling me to move or the person beside me who was frozen, staring at the man standing in front of us.

I was about to stand up, but Yve stood first and moved to sit beside Aoife and Dio. The man I didn't know sat beside me. Who is this guy? Is he an Alpha too? Why does Aoife seem so unbothered by the man who just sat at our table?

"CAN YOU PLEASE SHUT YOUR MIND?"

I flinched because of the man's shout beside me. That was too much, he was right next to me.

"Sorry, I didn't know how to control this," I said because I didn't know what else to say to him. If I talked back, I might just get erased from the world of Aetherion.

"How did you become an Alpha if you don't know how to control it?!" he asked irritably, and I couldn't speak. Even I don't know how I became an Alpha, how I got these abilities and powers.

"Chill, bro. That's Sarina, and she's just new. You know it takes time to control our abilities," Dio defended me.

The man didn't reply and simply closed his eyes. He looked extremely tired even though it was only midday. Who even is this gu-

"Loving the view?"

I immediately looked away and distracted myself by looking around. Gosh, Calista! How embarrassing. What did you do? Why did you look at him? And how did he even know that I was looking at him?

"Atticus, Ms. Rea said that the history class is about to start in twenty minutes. Let's go, I don't want to be late to her boring quizzes," Abby said as she quickly packed her things.

Wait! I haven't even eaten lunch yet. I'm already hungry, and class is starting right away. This guy is really something.

And wait.... Atticus? Is this the one they were talking about? The living dragon in the Alpha dorm?

"I heard all of that, Ms. Vespera," Atticus said coldly. Gosh! I forgot that he can hear what my mind is saying. I guess I shouldn't think inside my head anymore.

They packed their things and immediately stood up, walking toward the afternoon class. They said our class now is History Class.

"Wait," I said in panic. They stopped, except for Atticus.

"Is there a problem, Sarina?" Yve asked.

"Uhh... I haven't changed into my uniform yet. I think I'll just follow you later. I'll go change first."

"Yeah, I think you should change because Ms. Rea doesn't want students who are not wearing uniforms in her class, even if you're just a new student,"

Dio said, nodding. Aoife was already holding a book, probably Abby's book from earlier. It looks like she's rushing already reviewing for the quiz.

"Uhm... you guys have a quiz, right? What about me? I didn't review anything because I'm just new. How would I kno-"

"Don't worry. Ms. Rea is not strict about that. She will understand," Abby said as she walked toward the hallway.

"Go change now, Sarina. You still have fifteen minutes."

I nodded and immediately ran toward the dorm. Even though it was far, I forced myself to run faster because I didn't want to be late for my first class. When I arrived at the dorm, I immediately went to my room. I opened the uniform that Ms. Wales gave me earlier at the registrar. I put it on, and when I was done, I looked at myself in the mirror.

I stared at my uniform neatly I am wearing in front of me. It was made of deep, dark fabric, smooth to the touch, with fine gold lining tracing the edges of the sleeves and collar. The emblem of the academy was stitched on the chest, glowing faintly under the light, as if it carried its own quiet power. When I held it in my hands, it felt heavier than ordinary clothes, like it carried responsibility along with it. I fixed myself, put a little.... lipstick, makeup, powder, and I arranged my hair just like I always do.

When I checked the time, I realized I still had five minutes left. It should have been enough, yet a strange uneasiness crept into my chest. I reached for the door, ready to leave the room and rush to class, my hand already on the handle. Before I could take a single step, a cold black hand with long, jagged nails suddenly clamped around my arm. Its grip was unnaturally strong, freezing my body in place as fear rushed through my veins.

Slowly, I turned my head. Standing behind me was a woman, or at least something that once looked like one. A thick, dark aura surrounded her, swirling like living shadows, suffocating the air around us. Her skin was dark and cracked like a witch, her eyes hollow and dark red, as if all light had been drained from them.

Her mouth stretched into an unnatural smile, too wide, too wrong, and when she leaned closer, the cold grew heavier, pressing against my chest until it was hard to breathe. Every instinct in my body screamed danger, and I knew, without a doubt, that this was not a being from Aetherion.