The sun filtered softly through the curtains of Ellona's room, casting golden streaks across the hardwood floor. Her fingers hesitated over the envelope again. The wax seal gleamed faintly - a crescent moon entwined with thorns.

"Are you going to open it or just keep staring at it?" her grandmother called from the hallway.

Ellona sighed, breaking the seal with a small blade from her nightstand. The parchment inside was thick, the ink a shimmering black-blue that seemed to shift in the light.

> Dear Miss Ellona Virelle,

You have been selected as a first-year student at the Astrea Academy, located in the city of Cylos, capital of Axelis.

Please arrive before the seventh dusk of the season. Further instructions will be given upon arrival.

- The Astrea Board

But that wasn't the only letter.

Beneath it sat another-no crest, but hand-written, and signed simply: Rodrigo.

Inside, there was a silver-edged card. A merchant card from Axelis. Unlimited.

> Use this for your needs while in Astrea. It will cover food, housing, and personal expenses. I trust you'll act wisely.

Signed only: Your Protector.

Ellona frowned. Another shadow in her life offering more questions than answers.

---

The train to Cylos was quieter than she expected. Her mother had remained silent the entire morning, her pale face turned to the window, lips unmoving. Her grandmother had done the talking.

"I still think this is a mistake," she muttered as she adjusted Ellona's coat. "She's not ready."

"I'm not a child," Ellona replied, biting back the sting.

"You're still something they don't understand."

Ellona turned her gaze outside. Maybe she didn't understand herself either.

---

[A few hours later - Arrival at Astrea]

The moment she stepped off the academy's shimmering platform, the noise hit her like a wave.

Colorful tents. Musical enchantments. Flyers fluttering in the air by themselves. Dozens of students mingling. Clubs shouted slogans and cast harmless illusions to catch attention.

One booth conjured a dancing flame sprite. Another had a levitating cauldron.

So this is Astrea, Ellona thought. Her hand gripped the strap of her bag tightly.

The crowd parted briefly, just long enough for a sharp voice to cut through.

"Seriously? They're letting anyone in now."

Summer stood near the sign-up booth, arms crossed, long braid falling over one shoulder like a crown. Her golden-brown eyes narrowed at Ellona.

They didn't know each other. But something in Ellona's presence seemed to irritate her instantly.

---

[Later that day - Club Exhibition Hall]

Inside the main building, Ellona scanned the club board. Participation was mandatory for first-years.

Combat Society. Potion Chemistry. Familiars & Binding. Paranormal Law.

She was drawn to a small booth in the corner. No fancy spells. No loud promotion. Just a handwritten sign: Mystic Theory Club.

Cyrus stood beside it, adjusting the display calmly. "You're new."

Ellona didn't answer at first.

"You don't smell like vampire, or witch," he continued, voice low. "Which means you're either really well-protected... or rare."

Ellona's brows lifted. "Excuse me?"

"I'm on the student council," he added. "I know who gets... special treatment."

He handed her the club form. "Join mine. You won't be bored."

---

[Shortly after - Cafeteria]

The hall was bright, warm, and echoing with student chatter. Ellona picked up a tray, ignoring the glances from older students. She was used to being watched.

She sat alone. Chose a corner seat. Eyes down.

She could feel it-people sniffing the air, whispering. Confusion.

"She's not witch."

"Not wolf either."

"She's not even wearing a crest."

But Ellona kept eating. The cafeteria keeper slid a small packet across the counter when she left.

"Snacks," the woman said. "In case you don't feel like joining the others later."

Ellona blinked. "Thanks."

---

[Early evening - Uniform Collection Room]

Ellona stepped into the uniform room. Robes in shades of night-blue, silver thread tracing ancient runes.

"Virelle, Ellona," the clerk read. Then paused. "Ah. You're... that one."

She returned with a slightly different set-trimmed with pale crimson.

"Yours is custom. Per request."

Ellona frowned. "Whose request?"

No answer.

---

[Elsewhere - Ellaire's Manor]

Somewhere far from Cylos, in a hidden manor surrounded by protective sigils, an old woman stood beside a sleeping figure.

Her voice was barely a whisper.

"She's entered Astrea, Ellaire. Our little girl."

No movement.

Then-faint.

Fingers twitched.

---

Ellona woke before sunrise.

Her room at Astrea was quiet—too quiet. No birds. No cars. Just the faint humming of barrier wards outside her window.

She changed into the black-and-silver uniform she’d picked up yesterday. It fit perfectly, like it was tailored just for her. Maybe it was.

She tied her boots, took the snack bag from under her pillow, and muttered, "Let’s see what kind of mess this school really is."

---

The walk to her assigned class wing felt like a stroll through a living museum. Stained glass windows painted soft colors on the marble floor, and faint magical runes pulsed underfoot.

Then—bam.

Someone bumped into her. Hard.

“Oh no—sorry!” A cheerful girl with twin braids looked up, startled.

Ellona’s eyes narrowed.

“Didn’t see you coming,” the girl said, brushing off her sleeve. “I’m Tatiana! First-year, Witch class. You?”

“…Ellona,” she replied, flat.

Tatiana’s eyes sparkled. “Cool name. You new too?”

Ellona just nodded.

A tall boy stood behind Tatiana, quiet but observant. “I’m Timothy. Her twin. Sorry about that. She doesn’t really look where she’s going.”

“I was distracted,” Tatiana defended herself.

Ellona stepped aside. “No harm done.”

“Want to walk to orientation together?” Tatiana asked. “Class D?”

Ellona hesitated… then said, “Sure.”

---

They entered the grand Orientation Hall, where dozens of students filled the air with murmurs and the scent of nervous anticipation.

A tall woman in sharp navy robes stepped to the center stage as magical banners floated above.

“Welcome,” she said. Her voice echoed with power.

“I am Headmistress Virell. You are standing on sacred ground. Astrea is not just a school—it is the final bridge between the old world and the future of Axelis.”

She raised a hand. “Each of you must represent your kind with dignity. But first, let’s review what matters: rules and points.”

Some vampires scoffed quietly. A few werewolves let out restrained howls. Humans looked uncertain. Ellona didn’t flinch—pressure was something she knew.

Tatiana leaned over to whisper, “Here we go.”

---

“Each class starts with 2,000 points,” the headmistress continued. “Points can be lost for breaking rules… or gained for excellence. At the end of the year, any class below 500 will repeat the year.”

Groans spread across the room.

“Also, every six months, the Interclass Challenge will be held—a tradition of teamwork, strategy, and mystery. Winners gain 500 points.”

Davon crossed his arms, unreadable. Summer whispered, “Sounds like a lot of pressure already.” Cyrus, as usual, looked like he knew something no one else did.

Ellona listened, expression calm.

---

Later, the cafeteria buzzed with noise and floating trays. The scent of herbs, roasted meats, and something sugary filled the air.

Ellona scanned the room, tray in hand. Most tables were full or too loud. Then—

“Over here!” Tatiana waved from a corner.

Ellona joined them reluctantly.

“So,” Tatiana began, “where are you from?”

“Outside Axelis. Human territory.”

“Big change, huh?”

Ellona gave a shrug. “I’ll live.”

Timothy studied her. “You don’t act like a normal human.”

“I’m not,” Ellona replied.

Tatiana laughed. “You’ve got that ‘mystery girl who might stab someone’ vibe.”

“I get that a lot.”

An awkward silence broke as Dylan appeared. “Mind if I join you?”

Tatiana nearly gasped. “You’re—Dylan. Third-year. Vampire class.”

Dylan grinned. “I like sitting with interesting people.”

He looked at Ellona. “You’re… interesting.”

“Don’t get used to it,” Ellona said.

From another table, Davon’s eyes flicked to Dylan. A flicker of tension passed unspoken. Summer, from across the room, narrowed her eyes.

Whispers rose around them as a few older students noticed Ellona. Her presence was different—and they could feel it.

---

In the afternoon, they entered the Spell Hall for their first class.

Professor Orlen greeted them with a giddy smile. “Today: mana detection! No casting, just sensing.”

Floating orbs shimmered to life above each student. Tatiana’s glowed pink. Timothy’s was green. Davon’s shone icy blue.

Then came Ellona’s turn.

Her orb sparked violently—gold, violet, black—and then vanished in a burst of magic that rustled hair and deepened shadows across the room.

“Fascinating…” Professor Orlen muttered.

“She’s cursed,” someone whispered.

Ellona crossed her arms. “Finished?”

The orb didn’t return.

---

That evening, Ellona unpacked in her room. Books. A sketchpad. Her mother’s old locket.

She opened the locket. Inside, folded carefully, was a faded note and a tiny protective charm wrapped in silk.

The handwriting was soft, old:

“To protect what matters most.”

A knock at the door.

Tatiana poked her head in. “Want to study later? I brought sparkberry juice and sarcasm.”

Ellona gave the faintest smile. “Maybe.”

---

Back in the mountain home, Ellona’s grandmother stood beside the sleeping figure of Ellaire.

“She’s started her first day,” she whispered. “You’d be proud.”

A flicker passed through Ellaire’s face. Her fingers twitched—this time, more than before.

Morning sunlight filtered through the enchanted windows of Astrea, casting soft hues across the dorm walls. Ellona sat up, rubbing her eyes. Her mind buzzed with the events of the previous day—Tatiana’s energy, Dylan’s charm, and the strange reaction of her mana orb. None of it made sense, but she couldn’t shake the growing curiosity clawing at her chest.

After a quick change, she met Tatiana and Timothy outside the dorm. Tatiana was already chattering about the day’s schedule, waving a glowing class list in the air.

"First up, Theory of Werewolf Coexistence," she said. "Sounds intense. I hope it's not all growling and no content."

Timothy rolled his eyes. “It’s important.”

Ellona glanced between them. “Werewolf and human pairings... is that real? Like, how does that even work?”

Timothy blinked. “You mean imprinting?”

Tatiana giggled. “Ooooh, she’s asking the juicy stuff already.”

---

In the lecture hall, Professor Drest, a tall werewolf with silver-streaked hair and sharp amber eyes, began the lesson.

“Werewolf bonds aren’t just instinct—they’re ancient. Imprinting happens when a werewolf recognizes a soul that completes them. It doesn’t follow logic, or species. Human, witch, vampire—doesn’t matter.”

He paused, gaze sweeping across the room. “But understand this. Imprinting changes a werewolf forever. Their loyalty becomes absolute. Their rage, if that bond is threatened, can become catastrophic.”

Ellona scribbled notes, heart oddly tense. She caught Timothy glancing her way, then quickly looking away.

When the class ended, the halls buzzed with chatter. But before they could leave, a soft magical pulse rippled through the air.

---

Back in the mountains, Ellona’s grandmother lit a candle near the resting body of Ellaire. She whispered softly to the sleeping witch, “Rodrigo better protect her, as he promised. What happened seventeen years ago cannot be repeated. Especially if the traitor is still among us.”

Ellaire’s fingers twitched once again. This time, her breathing shifted ever so slightly.

---

That evening, in a lavish room lit by crimson lanterns, Davon stood in front of a mirror, buttoning his uniform shirt. His room was stark but elegant—more vampire estate than school dorm.

His eyes flickered to his own reflection, then narrowed. “That girl… Ellona,” he muttered. “She doesn’t smell like any race I’ve met. Not vampire. Not witch. Not hybrid.”

He tilted his head. “Interesting.”

---

In the cafeteria the next morning, breakfast passed with quiet energy. Ellona ate quickly, aware of occasional glances from upper-year students.

Tatiana rambled about club trials. Timothy sat silently, eyeing the exits. Davon walked in late, nodded toward Ellona, and sat alone near the window.

Before the bell rang, Professor Drest’s voice echoed through magical orbs across campus.

“All students—report to the Main Hall. Now.”

---

The tension in the hall was thick. Students whispered as they gathered in small clusters. Ellona stood near the edge of the crowd with Tatiana and Timothy.

Tyler and Leon—both werewolves—stood at the center of the gathering storm. Their shoulders tense, jaws clenched.

“What’s your problem, Leon?” Tyler’s voice was low but laced with warning.

“You think you can just do what you want 'cause your parents are Crimson Pack?” Leon snapped. “You act like you're above the rest of us.”

“I didn’t ask for you to follow me,” Tyler replied. “Back off.”

Leon growled. “Maybe someone should knock that pride out of you.”

Before anyone could stop it, Leon shoved Tyler.

Tyler stumbled back, but his eyes burned gold as his claws extended. The crowd gasped.

Timothy stepped forward, voice firm. “Tyler, stop!”

But Tyler didn’t hear. His rage flared—sudden, feral.

Ellona watched, heart pounding. Then Tyler’s eyes locked with hers.

Something in his expression shifted—confused, alarmed. But his body moved on instinct.

He lunged.

Everything happened in a blur.

Ellona’s feet froze, her breath caught. She could feel the raw heat of his aura closing in.

“Tyler!” Timothy roared, tackling his cousin mid-air.

The crowd screamed. Professors rushed in from the sides. Ellona stood stunned, adrenaline still rushing through her veins.