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The bell was the first thing that assaulted my soul.
It rang and rang - honestly, if I had the mental energy to count, it had to be more than fifteen times. That demon bell didn't just ring; it vibrated through the walls, burrowed into my dreams, and dragged me out of unconsciousness by the throat.
I groaned, rolled over, buried my face into my pillow, rolled again, then finally cracked my eyes open. The ceiling stared back at me, judgemental and tired-looking, like it also hated being awake by 5:30 a.m.
Wait.
5:30.
I grabbed my alarm clock like it slapped me.
"Why the hell am I awake by 5:30?!" I hissed. "Is this a military school?! Did I mistakenly enroll in soldier academy?! God, I hate this place already."
My voice sounded like a dying cat - but understandable. No one should be awake at this hour.
I sat up slowly, stretching my arms above my head, yawning so wide a ghost could enter my soul. The room was quiet. Too quiet.
I glanced at the opposite bed.
Already made. Neat. Tidy.
Like it came straight out of a hotel brochure. Oh boy.
That's when I heard it - water running.
Noir.
Already awake. Already bathing.
At 5:30 in the morning.
What kind of human behaves like this?
Every part of me begged to fall back onto the warm bed, but I didn't know Mordsith's class schedule yet, and the last thing I needed was to get punished on Day One. So I dragged myself into the bathroom.
The bathroom was divided into two sections - shower area and sink area. So even though Noir was in there, he wasn't visible. Good. Because I wasn't ready to confront that face first thing in the morning.
I brushed my teeth, splashed water on my face, and finally felt half-alive. Back in the room, I took out the Monday uniform.
Mordsith had three uniforms:
Monday & Tuesday: suit jacket, vest, black pants, white shirt
Wednesday: sportswear
Thursday & Friday: blazer only
The Monday jacket felt like an insult to humanity.
I already vowed not to wear it in class. I cannot and will not suffer just because they want to pretend they're royal descendants.
I placed the uniform on my bed, then looked around.
...My side of the room looked like a war zone.
Wardrobe open. Buckets hats in a pile. Tote bags everywhere. Shoes. Socks. Scattered dignity.
"I'm not cleaning this," I whispered. "I'm not home anymore. No one can force me."
I grabbed my tote bag and shoved in my notebooks, pens, pencils, eraser, ruler - and my dead phone. Then placed my shoes by the bed.
That was when the bathroom door opened.
No footsteps.
No warning.
I turned.
Noir walked out - towel around his neck, water still dripping down his chest, shorts hanging low on his hips.
Only. His. Shorts.
My brain short-circuited so violently I almost said amen.
My eyes betrayed me and stared before I could stop them.
Then he said, cold as winter:
"Quit staring. It's rude."
Me: Oh.
So we're doing THIS today.
I clenched my jaw, marched past him into the bathroom like a dramatic queen, and slammed the door (not too loud-these walls old).
I bathed, came out in my shorts, polo shirt, and flip flops - clinging to what little dignity I had left. My waist was too tiny for normal male shorts, but my mom always bought the adjustable kind, so at least my shorts stayed up.
As I walked toward my bed, I realized Noir was staring at me.
I froze. Cleared my throat.
"Huh, senior Noir, it's kinda rude to stare at someone like that."
He didn't even look ashamed.
Just gave me a blank look and continued wearing his uniform.
Oh, okay. So he can stare but I can't?
This world is cruel.
I sat down, lotioned my skin, wore my pants, shirt, socks, shoes, then the vest - which was big on me because apparently Mordsith never expected male students to come in my size. I fixed my hair neatly, trying not to look like a forest sprite.
Finally, I asked,
"Hey, senior Noir... why did we wake up this early if we're going to sit here doing nothing?"
He spun a pencil between his fingers, his midnight eyes lifting to meet mine - piercing, unreadable.
"At six-thirty," he said in that calm, sinful voice, "we head to the library for Ancient Ruins class. Everyone takes it until graduation."
"Oh. Um, is it the same as Ancient Ruins and Language?"
He actually smirked. Lazy, slow, dangerous.
"No. This one is more like a briefing. Why this early? Don't know. Don't care."
I blinked, confused.
Then out of nowhere:
"Do you have a twin?"
I sighed. I already knew where this was going.
"No, I don't have a twin. I just unfortunately carry the wrong genetics."
He chuckled.
And somehow that soft sound echoed in the room and made my belly flip upside down like a pancake.
I looked away before I accidentally blushed.
The bell rang again. Loud. Annoying. Unnecessary.
"So..." I muttered, "Ancient Ruins now?"
He stood, placing his suit jacket over his arm. "Mm. Better hurry if you want a good seat. And remember what floor you're on... and what house you belong to. Don't expect orderliness."
Then he left.
I rushed after him, barely managing to shove my band onto my wrist.
Before he could leave again like at dinner, I asked,
"So since the fifth and sixth years are with the Dean... who is the prefect of our house?"
"The fourth years," he said simply.
"Who in the fourth year-"
He smirked.
"Me."
Then he walked away.
I stared at his back like it had personally offended me.
Then ran past him to the library.
---
The library was huge and already crowded. People scattered everywhere looking for chairs. I spotted Prince - our House Master - and walked to him immediately.
"Good morning, sir," I said.
He turned, smiling as though mornings didn't personally attack him.
"What's wrong, boy? Didn't eat last night?"
"I did, sir," I said. "I'm just looking for a seat for classes."
He grinned.
"Oh, I see. Considering your height, sitting anywhere might be... inconvenient. And I like my students happy."
Sir... YOU just called me short.
Indirectly but still.
Girls my height are considered tall, thank you very much.
He said, "Follow me. Kids call me Prince. You can too. What's your name?"
"Priest White," I answered.
He led me to a long table and pointed at a front seat.
"Sit here. You'll hear everything clearly."
I sat instantly.
The man's smile could make anyone obedient.
As he walked away, I whispered to myself,
"A charming House Master... and a seducing House Prefect. Blackwood really picks their leaders well."
I scanned the room for Noir again.
Didn't see him.
Gave up.
When the hall quieted, Prince walked to the podium.
"Good morning, kids."
"Morning, Prince!" the entire room chorused.
And so... another chaotic day began.
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