"Thank you so much, sir." I breathed out earnestly, feeling extremely grateful.
This man was a total stranger who sighted me walking by the road, and offered me a ride, not caring about my tattered state. Apparently, he was present at the talent showcasing ceremony so he recognized me, hence he knew I was undoubtedly heading for hillstone.
"Just call me Zero, and here's my card. Call me if you ever need help. I'd be happy to help if i can." He handed me a card containing his name and number, smiling easily and I hesitated, not wanting to disrespectful. At first, I hadn't want to accept the ride, fearing that he might be someone creepy, but I was too desperate so I ended up entering his vehicle while hoping he'd be safe.
"Thank you, Mr zero but I don't think I will…"
He shook his head. "I insist. Have fun in there and be sure to survive till graduation." He called out as he drove off, leaving me gaping after him.
What did his parting words mean?
When I swiftly turned around, my luggage in one hand and my fruits in the other— I was hit in the face by a hard body, one that had my fruits falling to the ground at once.
The person- the dude, sighed in annoyance, his voice deep, vibrating and irritated. "Watch where you're going."
Most of the students walking around stepped on the fruits before I could save them and I felt hot anger fill my veins.
I had only eaten an apple from the dozen fruits which were gifts from that kind wolf, and now it's all been wasted…
I blinked up at the person who made me lose those fruits, annoyance gripping me hard.
"Watch where I'm going? You walked into me and made me lose my stuff!" I cried out, my hands clenched by my sides.
The guy didn't respond and I slowly looked him over.
He was tall, dressed in dark pants, and a dark coat over his body. A hood was over his head so I couldn't clearly see his face, but he was scowling.
Wait.
Isn't this one of the supernaturals in this school? A powerful being, most likely.
Panic settled within me as that thought appeared in my mind. Was i supposed to have spoken a supernatural like that?
I awkwardly cleared my throat, deciding to back off for my own good. I wouldn't want to get into any trouble on my first day here. And worst, I'm clearly way weaker than whoever this guy is.
I mean, my head didn't even go past his chest… how pathetic.
Seriously, I hated this body that I got reincarnated into.
Before I could attempt to apologize, the guy brushed past me, making me feel like I just committed a crime I'd have to pay for later in the future.
Fuck. I hope not.
I looked at my squashed fruits on the ground with longing before dragging my luggage along with me into the academy through a large platinum gate that had four words on top of it.
'Welcome to Hillstone Academy.'
I sent a silent prayer to the heaven for that flood Samaritan who gave me a ride. What would I have done if not for him? Probably keep walking until I pass out.
I looked around, noting a bunch of students walking around, mostly in pairs. They were all dressed in exquisite clothes and jewels, making me stick out like a sore thumb in my clothes that was dirty and caked with mud.
I wished I had thought of changing first this morning.
My eyes bulged out of their sockets when I caught sight of a few people flying in the air with actual wings, circling the air like they made of paper
Another person just moved past me super fast, like air itself. That was definitely a vampire.
Awe settled over me. This is really an academy for supernaturals.
"All new students, make your way to the bay to get registered, please." A voice filled the air and when I looked up, I saw the image of the man speaking in the clouds. His face was purple and horns were on both sides of his head. After the brief announcement, an arrow appeared in the clouds, pointing left then right, before all the images in the cloud disappeared.
My eyes were still wide from shock.
Was that magic? Or some kind of tech?
Whatever it was, was really cool!
I could feel my excitement start to build. Since I was already seeing such display of powers, I couldn't wait to see more of what this academy has to show me.
I followed majority of the crowd gathered around me towards where the arrows pointed. Which meant we were all newbies right now.
I looked around, wondering if I should approach one of these newbies and try to make a friend. I hesitated based they were all in classy clothes while I was in dirty rags right now.
"Did you lost your way here, boy?" A snippy voice called out and I stiffened. Everyone glanced over at me at once.
I looked over at the girl who just spoke to me. Her beautiful dress had on stones that look cost enough to buy my entire life. The two girls standing beside her looked me up and down, wrinkling their nose.
She's definitely from money. I wonder what class of supernatural species she is.
"Oh, my. Why does he look so dirty…?"
"Was he coming from a pig farm?"
"Honey, he is the pig. Clearly."
"Are those eyes normal?"
"They look weird and creepy."
"What family is he from?"
They all spoke at once around me before one of them sniffed the air. "Wait, guys. He's human."
At once, they all went still before slowly grinning.
"Ah, this is interesting." One of them stated while laughing.
I shifted around in discomfort and was thankfully saved by a voice announcing that registration has began so everyone should line up.
By the time registration finished, I intend to leave for my dorm fast to go freshen up but no one was allowed to leave, and we were all asked to go into a hall first for the principal to address all of us.
There was drinks positioned at the side of the entrance of the hall, and some the students were helping themselves to it before going into the hall. I was starving and parched and on nearing there, I accepted a steaming cup of what tea.
It warned up my cold hands and I couldn't wait for it to warm up my insides.
As I got into the hall, I felt a hand roughly push my back.
I yelped as I stumbled, desperate to not spill my drink.
However, I didn't see the person walking in my direction, and I crashed head first into his chest. I gasped in horror as my hot drink poured over his arm and chest, his light blue outfit instantly having a large brown stain.
"I'm so sorry!" I cried out frantically as I stumbled away in shock, feeling mortified and sorry as I quickly tried to find a way to salvage the situation. The tea which had spilled on the ground ended up making me slip and I yelped, my hands flaring for a moment before I grabbed his arm in reflex.
Gasps filled the air, making me more mortified.
"The commoner spilled tea on a Blackbird."
"Isn't that a death sentence?"
"It is."
"The human is as good as dead."
"Who in their right mind messes with a blackbird of all people? Much less their mad prince?"
I stiffened as those words floated around me, making a large dreaded feeling enveloped me.
That name. Blackbird. Mad prince.
I'd remember that name anywhere…
That was the male lead of this manga!
Oh god.
Oh god.
Oh god.
Panic flared within me and I abruptly let go of his bulging arm, my face on fire as I stepped away. The formed apology died in my throat when I blinked up at his face.
Oh heavens.
It was him. The male lead.
It was really him.
A thin scar went from his left brow to his hairline. His dark hair framed his ridiculously handsome face and his eyes were as dark as night. He looked even more fierce and powerful in real life than in the manga. And he was clearly mad, his mouth in a scowl that looked so similar to that of the dude I ran into at the entrance of the school a while ago.
I gasped as realization clicked into place. It couldn't be him that I ran into out there, could it?
The apology previously formed in my throat instantly died. I couldn't utter a word even if I tried.
Run, Varney. Run.
After taking one more step back, my luggage which I had completely forgotten about, got in between my legs and succeeded in making me crash to the ground in a fall.
Worst, the crash destroyed the worn out luggage and all my ratty outfits spilled out, in the presence of everyone.
All under a minute.
Oh god.
Please, universe, let me just die now.