Ryo awoke refreshed but uneasy. The residual burden of the Status Window last night still lingered at the periphery of his mind. As he stood up from bed, the happenings of the previous day came rushing back to him—his unexplained regressions, freshly unlocked skills, and the mysterious girl with red eyes.
'What the hell is going on with me?' he thought as he stretched.
Before he left, he made up his mind to call his parents. He had not talked to them since he arrived at the academy, and he needed to reassure them that he was okay. Trying to keep his voice calm, he did not mention anything regarding his new powers, the weirdness of the academy, or the fact that someone had just announced him as their fiancé. He particularly omitted the mention of having to meet her father in the near future. Instead, he maintained a lighthearted tone, informing them that classes would formally start today and that he was settling in fine. His parents appeared relieved and wished him well, closing the call on a positive note.
Forgetting his lingering thoughts, he dressed into the academy uniform, and proceeded to the cafeteria for breakfast. The academy corridors were filled with students, some in deep conversations, others rushing to their destinations. Ryo fit in, even though he felt more detached from all around him.
As soon as he stepped into the cafeteria, he heard a familiar voice calling him.
"You woke up slowly," the girl with silver-red hair and crimson eyes said, standing next to a vacant seat.
Ryo braced himself for an instant before imposing a mask of mild curiosity over his features. He still didn't recognize her, but there was something about her that seemed dangerous and alluring at once.
"I suppose I needed the rest," he said carelessly, sitting down across from her. The other students appeared to grant her a respectful space, but it only served to make him all the more curious about who she was.
"Did you sleep well?" she inquired, her red eyes looking at him with intensity.
Ryo paused. "Well enough."
She! smiled, but he detected something unreadable in her face. "Good. You'll want to have energy for the lessons. And you should begin getting yourself ready! "
Ryo scowled a little. "Preparing! for what?"
Her smile faded a little. "To meet my father, naturally. Now that you're my fiancé, it's only proper!"
Ryo almost gagged on food. "Fiancé?!"
"Yes. I declared it yesterday, and you didn't object," she said smoothly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Ryo rubbed his temples, feeling an impending headache. "You can't just declare something like that on your own."
She tilted her head. "Why not? My father will expect to see you soon, so don't keep him waiting too long."
Before he could ask more, the meal was brought out. He chose not to pry. yet. If she mattered, he would learn who she was.
They ate in silence, but Ryo's thoughts went back to the Status Window and the new skills he had acquired. He had to try them out, but in secret. Blood Puppetry? Hemokinesis? What in the world did they do? The names themselves were frightening possibilities.
Once he'd finished eating, Ryo got up to leave, but the girl leaned in closer at the last minute. "Be careful today, Ryo Takashi."
He went stock-still, his gaze narrowing. "You know my name."
"Of course," she said coolly. "Everyone will, soon enough."
And before he could say anything else, she just walked away, leaving Ryo with more questions than ever.
The morning's first class was History of Supernatural Races. Students poured into a large lecture hall, where a towering, robed professor stood before them. Ryo sat down in the middle row, still lost in thought from his previous conversation.
"Welcome, students, to session one of this course. As most of you are aware, our world is defined by the interactions of an infinite number of races—humans, elves, vampires, dragons, demons, and others. Learning their histories will inform you of your place in it."
As the professor lectured, Ryo struggled to concentrate. He had to learn about this world, its abilities, and most importantly—his role within it. But before he was able to get comfortable, a shiver crept up his spine.
Someone was observing him.
He shifted his head, taking in the room. At the end of the hall, half-concealed in the shadows, a pair of deep purple eyes encountered his.
A sudden, inexplicable feeling of danger swept over him. His heart raced, instincts yelling at him that this individual was not normal.
The instant he blinked, the person vanished.
Ryo breathed slowly, his hold on the edge of his desk growing tighter. 'What the bloody hell was that…?'
For the first time since he regressed, he experienced something that genuinely disturbed him.
A warning of something considerably more sinister in the wings.