Chapter Five:

A girl sat in the seat next to me. Her short pink hair fell to her neck, and her skin wasn't green or overly pale it was comfortably normal to look at. I finally felt like I had met someone who seemed normal in this strange world. Her features were beautiful and calm, not carrying the sharp or mysterious looks I had seen in the eyes of others since I arrived at the academy.

She looked at me while I was staring at her unintentionally, and she gave a slight smile that made me feel some reassurance, so I returned the smile. There was no conversation between us, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable; it felt like a small safe space within this place full of secrets.

Suddenly, two girls passed by her, and by chance, one of them accidentally hit her desk, but she didn't apologize or even look at her. She only gave a condescending side glance and continued walking. As for the girl with pink hair, fear appeared on her face, and she lowered her head as if she were used to this kind of treatment.

I felt anger rising inside me, but I couldn't do anything. I also didn't know what might happen if I intervened. This place isn't like my world, and I don't even know its rules yet.

Then I remembered my life at my previous university. Everyone respected and loved me, even the professors. I was well-known among the students, even throughout the city. My name was mentioned with admiration, because of my wealth, beauty, and kindness that I didn't hide. I was confident, strong, moving freely without fear. But now, I was just a scared girl who didn't know what awaited her next.

I sighed quietly, then slowly approached the girl and said,

"Hi, are you okay?"

She looked at me, embarrassed, then gave a small smile and said softly,

"Yes... I'm fine."

Just looking into her eyes made me feel something strange. It was as if I knew her, or had some connection with her at some point. A familiar feeling passed through me, but it was hazy, like a memory I couldn't unlock.

I said to her,

"My name is Iris, what about you?"

She seemed more nervous than before, and replied stammering,

"I... my name is Julia Skort."

Then she leaned back slightly in her chair and turned her head away, but her body was still trembling. I wondered to myself, why is she acting like this? Or perhaps did the owner of this place do something to her?

Before I could find an answer, the professor entered the classroom, and everyone immediately sat in their seats. As soon as my eyes fell on him, I felt my heart pounding. He was strikingly handsome. His long hair was pulled back, and on his head were prominent horns that added to his grandeur and authority. His red eyes made his gaze firm and confident.

I sat staring at him unconsciously. I hadn't expected to feel such sudden attraction. And when he began speaking, his voice sounded deep and clear.

He said:

"Hello, I'm Professor Lucas, the mathematics teacher. Pleased to meet you. I want each of you to tell me your name."

The students began introducing themselves one by one. When it was my turn, I said firmly:

"Iris Parkju."

Professor Lucas looked at me for a long moment, then said:

"You're one of the nobles here?"

I remembered the message where Carla mentioned she was a noble, so I said:

"Yes, of course."

The rest of the students continued introducing themselves, but throughout the class, I watched him silently. I tried to focus on the lesson, but the beauty of his muscles and agility didn't let me be.

When the class ended, everyone stood up. I stood as well and looked at Julia beside me, asking:

"What do we have now?"

But she didn't answer. She lowered her head and left quickly without looking at me. I felt annoyed. Why is she acting like this? She smiles at me at first, then avoids me as if I were a threat?

I decided to go to Maya's class. As I walked down the corridor, I caught sight of Kevin with his group in the distance, smiling and laughing. Our eyes met for a moment, but he immediately turned his head as if he didn't know me. I did the same, passing by him without looking back.

Suddenly, Maya appeared in front of me, quickly came toward me, grabbed my right arm, and whispered:

"I can't believe it! That's Kevin! He's the prince of the Demon Clan! I can't believe he's really handsome."

I looked at her in shock:

"What? Prince of the Demon Clan?"

She said excitedly:

"Yes, he's one of the strongest and most handsome princes. Just seeing him is a dream for many. I don't know who his roommate is, but she's very lucky."

I froze in place. I'm his roommate. But I didn't dare tell her. I tried to change the subject and said:

"How many princes are here?"

She looked at me in surprise:

"Shouldn't you know? They are the elite of the academy and the entire world."

I tensed slightly and said:

"I just wanted to make sure."

She began explaining to me:

"First, there's Crown Prince Oliver Kailey, nicknamed the Fourth Heir because he holds the powers of the three classes and unites them. And his sister, Princess Sophia Kailey, princess of the Ghoul Clan. Then Kevin, prince of the Demon Clan, and his younger brother Andrea. And there's the vampire family consisting of five princes, led by Princess Navarin. "

After that, Maya suggested we go to the cafeteria. The line was long, and the students waited patiently. When it was my turn, I placed a piece of raw meat on my plate and a glass of blood juice. I looked at it with disgust. As for Maya, she got green juice and a piece of meat that looked rotten.

We sat at the table, and Maya started eating immediately. I felt nauseous watching her. She said to me:

"Come on, Iris, didn't you say you were hungry?"

I didn't know what to say. But suddenly, I felt something change inside me a strong urge to eat. Unconsciously, I grabbed the piece of meat with both hands and began devouring it quickly. I drank the blood juice in one gulp. I was behaving with an unusual greed.

Maya looked at me in shock. As for me, I couldn't stop; I felt an even greater need. I looked at her in a way that made her tense. I was still extremely thirsty, so I quickly stood up to prevent myself from attacking her and left the place.

I ran through the corridors until I reached a courtyard, feeling a strange thirst. I could no longer control myself. Suddenly, I saw a boy sitting on the ground, his head covered by his jacket hood.

I approached him without thinking. I sat on top of him and noticed a previous bite mark, so I placed my fangs over it and drew the blood as vampires do. I felt my thirst gradually subside not only that, but also a comfort I had missed...

Then I snapped out of my shock. What had I done? I moved away from him quickly and looked at his face. He was awake, looking at me calmly.

I stood up quickly and said in a flustered voice:

"I'm so sorry, I don't know how I did that. I really apologize."

He stood up as well and said calmly:

"It's alright, it's just a small bite."

But for me, it wasn't small. I had been running from monsters, and here I was turning into what I had feared. I stood there, feeling the weight of the truth pressing on my chest. It was no longer just suspicion. Something was changing inside me.

I raised my eyes to him again. He was still unexpectedly calm. This calm scared me more than any scream he could have made.

I whispered to myself:

"What have I become?"

And for the first time, I had no answer.

Chapter Six:

I tried to apologize to that young man; I was extremely nervous as I said: "I... I'm really sorry."

He looked at me with stern eyes, then said in a sharp voice as he sighed: "This happens a lot."

Then he turned and left as if it meant nothing to him. I felt even more confused, so I hurried and grabbed his hand before he walked away and asked him: "What do you mean?"

But before he could answer, he suddenly disappeared before my eyes, and nothing remained in his place except thick gray smoke. I started coughing hard as I waved my hand in front of my face to push the smoke away. I looked right and left, but there was no trace of him; he completely vanished before my eyes.

I stood for a few moments trying to comprehend what had happened. Everything was stranger than I expected. Teleportation, disappearance, horns, food... this place does not resemble anything I have known in my life.

I sighed slowly and decided to go back to look for Maya. After a few minutes of wandering through the long corridors of the academy, I found her standing in one of the hallways, looking at her phone. I approached her, but as soon as she lifted her head and saw me, her face immediately changed. She looked extremely frightened, and her body began to tremble.

I stopped in front of her and said hesitantly: "Maya... I'm sorry for what happened earlier. I know I behaved badly."

But she looked at me with even more fear and said in a low voice: "This happens a lot."

I froze in my place the same sentence again.

I said anxiously: "What do you mean? Why does everyone say that?"

She tried to avoid it at first and turned her face away, but I held her arm slightly and said pleadingly: "Please, Maya, tell me."

She finally sighed and said: "Alright, Iris... you belong to the vampire clan. It's one of the strongest clans here, so it's easy for you to make those weaker than you your prey."

I was shocked. I quickly said: "But I really am not one of them!"

Maya suddenly laughed and said: "Iris, just a moment ago you were eating greedily as if you were ready to devour everyone."

I paused for a moment, then smiled lightly. It was good to see her return a little to her normal self after the fear that had appeared on her a few minutes earlier.

---

The rest of the school day passed relatively quietly.

Nothing worth mentioning happened, but my head was filled with thoughts and questions. When the classes ended, we left the academy and returned to the campus where the student residences are located.

But Maya's residence was far from mine, so we parted ways on the road. I walked alone until I reached the apartment. I opened the door and went in, but I immediately stopped.

Kevin was there... half-naked again.

I quickly closed my eyes and said while shouting: "Kevin, remember that you have a roommate."

He replied coldly without even looking at me: "Ah... sorry. But in the end, I'm the owner of this apartment."

I said impatiently: "But I'm your roommate too, so you need to show some respect."

He didn't respond; he just turned around, went into his room, and closed the door behind him.

I sighed as I muttered: "What a long night."

Despite the exhaustion I felt, the day wasn't entirely bad. But the idea that Kevin is the prince of demons was still spinning in my head. I felt as if I had moved into the world of a fantasy novel, not just an exchange between two worlds.

I quickly changed my clothes, then lay down on the couch and turned on the TV. I wanted to learn more about this world.

The channels were somewhat similar programs, news, and some advertisements. But what caught my attention was a news report talking about something called "the rebels."

I muttered: "What does rebels mean?"

Suddenly, I heard a voice behind me say: "Damn... I can't believe this has started again."

I turned around quickly; Kevin was standing behind me, looking at the TV.

I asked him: "What does this mean?"

He looked at me in surprise and said: "Do you really not know? You're kind of stupid."

I frowned and said: "Just tell me."

He sighed and said: "The rebels are a small group that does not believe in the unified system between the clans."

I said: "So they want to rebel against this system?"

He replied: "Exactly. And if things continue like this... we might go into another war."

I froze in place war? Even here there are wars?

I screamed inside: "Damn it... I want to go back to my world, I don't want to get into trouble!"

After several hours... I don't know exactly when, sleep overtook me while the TV was still on. I woke up the next morning to find myself still asleep on the couch.

I got up slowly. The room was quiet, and the TV was still on with the volume low.

I went to the kitchen and opened the cabinet, where I found some pieces of bread. I ate a little of it; I didn't have the courage to go out today after what happened yesterday.

I went back to the room and started putting on some of the clothes in the closet. They were a bit strange compared to my clothes in my world, but they were still beautiful. I stood in front of the mirror, looking at myself as I tried on these clothes, and suddenly... my reflection disappeared.

I froze in place, quickly turned around, and looked behind me... no one. I looked back at the mirror, and my reflection was gone. Then suddenly, the face of the girl who had swapped places with me appeared in the mirror.

I screamed: "You! Damn you! Please send me back to my world!"

She smiled calmly as she looked at me.

I felt irritated and said: "Is what I'm saying funny?!"

She opened her bag and took out a lipstick, then started writing on the mirror. The words appeared in front of me reversed, then settled by a mysterious force so I could read them.

She wrote: "Sorry. I can't hear you. And you can't hear me either. Writing is our only way to communicate."

I quickly searched for a pen until I finally found one. I wrote: "Please, send me back to my world."

She shook her head and wrote: "I can't, Iris. You have to get used to it."

Anger flared inside me, and I tried to break the mirror with my hand, but it didn't shatter.

She wrote again: "I'm sorry, Iris... but I needed your place. And if you want, I can tell you news about your family how they are and your friends."

I wrote angrily: "Damn you."

Suddenly, my reflection returned to the mirror, and she disappeared.

I fell to the ground as I began to recall some memories memories with my grandfather... and with Mark. My life there was calm and happy compared to what I am living now.

---

In the evening, when it was time to go to the academy, I quickly got dressed and went out, meeting Maya at the gate where she was waiting for me.

I ran toward her so we could enter the academy together.

Maya said to me: "Iris, can you accompany me to the bathroom? I want to fix my makeup."

I replied: "Of course."

We entered the bathroom... and what we saw made us stop in our tracks. Julia was on the ground, and a few girls were standing around her, harassing her.

Chapter Seven:

Suddenly, right in front of my eyes, one of the girls placed her foot on Julia's shoulder while she was on the ground. Then she bent down slightly and grabbed her by the hair harshly, saying in a voice full of contempt:

"What did you say, you little slut?"

I froze in place as I looked at her.

I couldn't move or even speak. It felt as if my body had suddenly become heavy, as if the words had disappeared from my mouth. The scene was brutal, and Julia didn't try to resist. She was only trying to protect her head with her hands.

At that moment, the girls noticed Maya and me entering the bathroom. One of them turned and looked at us with a cold stare that sent shivers through my body.

Before I could do anything, Maya grabbed my hand tightly and pulled me outside quickly. We stepped into the hallway, and she closed the door behind us. I bent slightly, placing my hands on my knees as I tried to breathe slowly.

I said:

"Maya... why did we leave?"

She turned to me quickly and said:

"Are you crazy? Did you see how scary they are?"

I couldn't respond. I felt something heavy in my chest. It was a feeling of shame. I knew what happened was wrong, but I didn't do anything to stop it.

I said in a low voice:

"But she needed help."

Maya fell silent for a moment, then said:

"We can't get involved in everything here."

I looked at her, then asked:

"Maya... isn't your clan made up of ghouls? You're strong, right?"

She shook her head and said:

"No, actually we're the weakest among all classifications because of our lack of influence in this world."

I was surprised by what she said. She seemed strong compared to me.

Then she added with a faint smile:

"And my level is average, so I can't stand against all of them."

If she was among the weakest category, then what would I be? A question crossed my mind and remained unanswered.

After that, we went our separate ways, each heading to their own section.

I entered the classroom and sat in my seat, waiting for the lesson to begin. The room was quiet; some students were talking, while others were looking at their phones.

After a few minutes, the door opened and Professor Lucas entered.

The moment I saw him, I forgot everything I had been thinking about. As usual, he looked elegant and calm, but his presence was strong in a way that drew attention effortlessly.

His long hair was tied back, and his horns gleamed slightly under the classroom lights. He stood confidently in front of the board and began arranging some papers.

I felt my heart beating faster.

At that moment, the door opened again, and Julia entered late. Her face was covered with light bruises, and some of her hair looked messy.

She quietly walked to her seat and sat next to me without looking at anyone.

I felt sad seeing her like that. I leaned a little closer and said in a low voice while Professor Lucas began explaining the lesson:

"Hey Julia... are you okay? You should go to the infirmary."

She looked at me suddenly and said coldly:

"No, thanks."

I was surprised by her response. Her tone was full of anger.

I didn't understand the reason. Was it because I ignored her when she was being bullied? Maybe... and maybe she was right to be angry.

After that, I chose to stay silent and looked back at the board.

Professor Lucas was explaining some mathematical rules related to magical energy. I didn't understand much, but I tried to follow the lesson.

Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed somewhere inside the academy. I quickly covered my ears and bent down slightly, but strangely, everyone in the classroom remained calm. They didn't seem worried at all.

Professor Lucas raised his head slightly and said calmly:

"It seems the combat class has started."

One of the students shouted excitedly from the back:

"Yes! This is the best part of the academy!"

Some students laughed, while a girl raised her hand and asked:

"Professor, what is your combat level?"

Professor Lucas smiled slightly and said:

"My level? It's Monster."

The students gasped all at once.

Some of them started praising him and talking about how strong he was, as if what he said was something impressive. As for me, I remained silent, not understanding anything that was happening.

I leaned slightly closer to Julia and said quietly:

"What does that mean?"

Julia looked at me in surprise and said:

"Are you really a vampire and don't know this?"

Then she added:

"How were you even accepted into the academy in the first place?"

I felt embarrassed at that moment and didn't find anything to say. I stayed silent and looked forward again.

After the class ended, I headed with Maya to the cafeteria. The place was crowded as usual, and the students were sitting in different groups. We sat at a table near the window. I was talking with Maya about the lessons when a movement at the entrance caught my attention.

Kevin entered with his group.

The moment he appeared, all eyes turned toward him. He walked with clear confidence, as if the whole place was used to his distinct presence. Even Maya stopped talking and looked at him.

She said excitedly:

"Wow... that's Kevin. He looks very handsome."

I looked at her and said:

"What? Do you like him?"

She nodded and said:

"Yes."

Then she leaned in a little and said:

"Look, Iris... that beautiful girl over there is Princess Sophia, Prince Kevin's fiancée."

I looked in the direction Maya pointed, where a girl was standing next to him tall, with long silver hair reaching the middle of her back. Her skin was very pale, and her eyes shone calmly.

I sighed and said:

"She's very beautiful."

Maya said with a smile:

"Yes, she is. She's our princess."

Then I suddenly exclaimed in surprise:

"But she doesn't look like you! She doesn't have green skin or a strange appearance!"

Maya laughed and said:

"That's because she's half vampire."

I looked at Sophia again. Her presence was calm, yet she drew attention easily. She was speaking quietly with Kevin while the rest of the students watched from afar. I felt something strange inside me as I looked at them. It wasn't jealousy, but a vague feeling I couldn't explain.

I looked back at my plate, trying to ignore the thought.