Evaline:
The next morning, I was standing in front of the gates of Silver Moon Academy.
It felt unreal.
A pair of towering, wrought-iron gates were stretched out before me, embellished with symbols I recognized from the Academy’s crest, it were two wolves circling a moon.
As I stepped through, my heart started pounding in my chest, not from fear, but from awe.
The Academy was... magnificent.
It looked like something out of a storybook - grand, ancient, even though I knew it had only been built five years ago.
The path leading to the main building had tall trees standing on both sides with leaves falling down as wind whispered by.
The path was long, especially when I was dragging a huge suitcase and a bag along with me. But I wasn’t the only one. Dozens of other students were also on their way to the administrative building that finally came into view.
The stone walls of the main building were rising high into the sky, their gray surfaces were softened by thick, twisting ivy that was clinging to every crevice.
Red and gold autumn leaves were speckling the ivy in patches, catching in the wind and fluttering like confetti. Today was the last day of August and the mountain air was cool and crisp, hinting at the nearing season change.
The grounds were stretching endlessly in every direction. Wide, paved paths were cutting through lush green lawns, lining with tall, evenly spaced trees. There were students scattered about, some were moving luggage, others chatting in small groups, while a few were standing alone like me... still taking it all in.
I glanced around, hoping to spot a familiar face. Kyros. Mallory. Selene. Noah. But there was no sign of them.
Though Mallory handed her number to me before leaving, I ended up misplacing that piece of paper. And now, I had no way to contact her.
So, I decided to settle down first before looking for them.
At the reception, a woman in her early thirties was waiting. She was dressed in a sharp and elegant black dress with the Academy crest pinned to her chest. She greeted me with a polite smile.
"Ms. Evaline?" she asked to confirm as she glanced at the monitor sitting in front of her.
"Yes," I replied, clutching the strap of my bag tighter.
"Welcome to Silver Moon. Here’s your dorm key and identification badge. You are in Dorm 2-B, second floor. You can scan the QR code here to join the Academy’s official website as a new student. You will find your class schedules, academy map, and other information there."
"Thank you," I murmured as I accepted the envelope with the key and badge before quickly scanning the QR.
My footsteps echoed quietly against the stone path as I made my way to the dormitories.
The dorm building was standing off to the west side of the Academy, tucked just behind a line of towering pine trees. It was a ten-story structure, rectangular in shape with old-fashioned lanterns lit even during the day along its walls.
Unlike the grandeur of the main building, the dorm had a slightly humbler look, with wooden accents, climbing vines, and the scent of lavender drifting from a nearby garden.
I entered through the wide, arched doorway and followed the signs until I reached my dorm.
With a soft click, the key turned, and I stepped inside.
The space was... nicer than anything I had imagined. Far too nice for someone like me.
The main door opened into a shared common room, complete with a couch, a bookshelf, and a small round table near the fireplace. The pastel blue-colored walls were clean and unmarked, and the wooden floors looked freshly polished. There was even a small kitchenette tucked into the corner.
Two doors branched off from the common area and I chose the one on the left.
Inside was a shared bedroom with two beds on either side, separated by glass doors that skide open into a small balcony. The far wall held two desks and matching closets. Soft light was pouring in through gauzy white curtains, casting gentle patterns on the floor.
I walked over to the balcony and pushed the door open. A soft breeze immediately greeted me, cool and refreshing.
The garden below was quiet, framed with blooming shrubs and neat stone benches. Beyond that, the mountain range rolled into the horizon with its sharp, jagged peaks covered in evergreens. And far to the left, just past a rocky outcrop, I saw a waterfall, glinting silver in the morning light as it cascaded down a cliff like liquid light.
It was breathtaking.
A tree was standing just outside the balcony, its branches close enough to touch. I rested my hand on the wooden railing and breathed in deeply.
This... this could be my home. At least for now.
I turned back inside and placed my bag on the bed near the window, the one with the better view. Since my roommate hadn’t arrived yet, I got to pick first.
I spent the next hour or so unpacking my essentials - books, notebooks, the uniform I had folded neatly, my shoes, and my daily clothes. Everything was placed in their right places.
After finishing, I headed out to grab lunch as it was almost noon.
The map was a savior as it made finding the dining hall easier. The Academy was not only huge, but also confusing, especially for a new student like me.
The hall was massive with long rows of polished oak tables lining the area. Stained glass windows were towering overhead, and golden chandeliers were hanging from the high ceiling.
The air was buzzing with conversation, laughter, footsteps. Students were everywhere now as most of the second and third years had already arrived during the past couple of days.
No one paid me much attention as I got my food and found a quiet corner to sit in.
I chose my meal carefully. Vegetables, rice, grilled tofu, a small fruit bowl, a slice of bread, and a cup of herbal tea.
I needed to eat properly now. Not just for me. But also for the baby.
Once I was done with the lunch, I set out again to continue exploring more of the academy.