Part 0 — Volume 0 — Chapter 3
The Awakening of the Rabbits
ouis, 18 Mes 911 Aven
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The room was silent.
Four beds. Two superimposed on each side.
At 7:00 AM, a shrill alarm sounded.
Four finger snaps sounded in unison.
The alarm went off immediately.
Beven stood up slowly, still numb.
—Songan… why set the alarm so early? Class starts in an hour and a half...
"Life belongs to those who get up early," replied Songan dryly. I hate laziness.
Songan, straight figure, short hair bristling upwards, always wore this severe expression accentuated by his thick eyebrows. His long earrings swayed slightly as he spoke.
— As usual, the other two are still absent... Sonic is still sleeping.
—Sonic is no problem. Mirya is in the bathroom. As for Maria...she's probably already gone.
— Normal for a vampire.
Beven put on his outfit while thinking.
I am a sound spirit. A whole, complex category. With Moza, we had to identify, recompose, merge sounds. Apparently, few succeed.
This dormitory brings together students of different levels. Songan and Sonic are in fourth grade. Songan is a Zedian Liht, a warrior of light. Sonic belongs to the speed tribes, close to sound.
Maria… Lord Maria Bellissimo, vampire. Still with Mirya Mikael, apprentice hero. They share a bed. The security system requires four presences. So they cheat.
We are all in the music department. Except that for them, it's just an option. The Eden School is strange… but logical. Seen from above, each department forms a perfect symbol.
—What are you thinking about? Songan asked.
—How much my life has changed.
They left the room together.
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08:25 AM
A watch vibrated in another room.
A figure jumps out of the bed.
Hair stood up like lightning.
A lightning-shaped mark on the cheek.
In less than thirty seconds, Sonic was dressed, out of the dorm, and into class.
She popped a bubble gum as if it had never left its place.
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08:30 AM — Yreia 3
The classroom was full.
A woman entered, smiling.
Pink hair, bright green eyes.
- Hello everyone. I am Anne Shirle Drheséph, your biology teacher. I'm not completely human. I am a shepherdess.
The students introduced themselves.
When Beven's turn came, Anne nodded.
— Important reminder. The most powerful creatures are dragons and gods. Then come the spiritual, semi-spiritual, quasi-spiritual beings... and the non-spiritual.
—And you, mademoiselle? Beven asked.
— Shepherds are quasi-spiritual by nature.
— By what power?
"Curiosity is essential in science," she replied with a smile.
Then she asked a question:
— What is a mammal?
—It's the females with breasts! replied Nars Hercule, proudly.
An awkward silence fell.
"Interesting…" Anne murmured. Tell me, who are your parents?
— My father is Hercules!
— I see... Next week, you will be excused from classes. You're too... early.
The students sighed inwardly.
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Yes, 19 Jes 911 Aven — 10:05 AM
In the canteen, a boy with a wooden sword ordered a sandwich and a pot of honey.
Later, outside, he trained.
Jumps. Throws. Receptions.
But with the last leap, the meal disappeared.
He crashed to the ground.
- Who are you ?!
Another student stood in front of him, his foot resting on the meal.
—Seishiro Nagi.
— Your real name.
— …Raniela Shiro.
—A shapeshifter?
"Without me, you would cry for your meal," Raniela replied.
—A good meal is sacred.
A voice rose:
— Hobbit, Lord of the Rings... here I am, the Wizard of Oz!
A little rabbit in a jacket appeared.
"You're not Oz. You are Ozias Rice.
Raniela smiles.
— Official presentations. Raniela Shiro, Primaia, fifth.
— Luó Xuán, Primadia, third.
— Where is your mask? Oz is waiting for us.
The bracelets appeared.
Rabbit masks too.
Numbers 3 and 5.
— When does the hunt start? Luó asked, a black flame in his eye.
— Calm down. Our next class is with Anne Shirley.
— So let's hurry before we become his prey.
They put on the masks.
The pain was excruciating.
Torn skin.
Reshaped faces.
"You get used to it," Raniela murmured.
"You have to suffer to become powerful," said a soft voice.
The ground opened up.
A hole shaped like a rabbit's foot.
They fell.
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End of Chapter 3
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