Aldrin
The college had changed. A lot.
It was nothing like I remembered from the last time I attended one — which, if I recall correctly, was over two centuries ago. The buildings were taller, the uniforms more relaxed, the atmosphere too loud and chaotic for my taste.
The second-year students came around and told us, the so-called "freshmen," to assemble in the auditorium once classes ended. Apparently, it was some kind of tradition. Probably the orientation. They handed each of us a T-shirt with the college name boldly printed on the front and a name card with our student ID.
How amusing.
"Master," came a voice so soft that no human ear could pick it up. But to me, it was unmistakable.
I turned slightly, trying to contain my irritation.
"What are you doing here, M?" I asked flatly.
M — my most timid but loyal follower — stood behind me, wringing his hands nervously.
"Please don't be mad, Master. It was Zen's idea. He sent me in case you needed assistance. Direct order from Her Majesty…"
"How did my sister find out?"
M winced. "I… I might've let it slip when I was organizing your enrolment documents."
I sighed and walked past him. There was no point in fighting it. Once my sister — the Queen of Vampires — made up her mind, even I couldn't sway her. Annoying as she was, she was still one of the very few I trusted. Along with Zen. And… M, I suppose, when he wasn't trembling like a leaf.
I had hoped college life would offer me a brief escape from the centuries of monotony. But it turned out to be even more boring than the vampire kingdom. The humans here were selfish, shallow, and far too noisy. No one with a pure soul. No mystery. No challenge.
I began regretting my decision.
"Master— I mean, Aldrin—" M corrected himself mid-sentence. "If you're not mad, I have one more thing to report…"
I turned to him, already suspicious.
"I also brought Tess with me."
He dropped to his knees. "I'M SO SORRY! I panicked! I didn't know what to do!"
I sighed again but this time with a small smirk. "Let it be. It'll make the investigation faster. The sooner I finish this, the sooner I leave this dull place."
I narrowed my eyes. "And don't call me 'Master' here. It's Aldrin. Got it?"
"Got it!" M nodded rapidly.
We gathered in the auditorium, all of us dressed in the college T-shirts and wearing our ID tags like obedient little sheep. I was just about to slip out — nothing about this environment felt worth my attention — when the doors opened.
A group of guys in blue coats walked in and among them there was a girl.
Their posture, their confidence, their aura — it screamed seniority. Authority.
Ah, yes. Orientation. A human tradition introduced only about 150 years ago. The purpose was noble on paper: to foster unity between seniors and juniors. But more often than not, it was just a display of ego.
And then — he entered.
A girl in the blue coat, walking in front. Fierce eyes. Annoyed expression. And yet…
Adorable.
She looked far too cute to be shouting like a prison warden. But there she was, barking instructions at the entire hall like a general.
Kyra.
One of the college head.
Interesting.
Something about her pulled at my curiosity. Maybe it was the contradiction — a stern voice from such a soft face. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the way he looked like she could snap at any moment.
I wondered how she'd react if I teased her.
I raised my hand lazily.
"Aldrin. 0465. Permission to speak," I said loud enough for all to hear.
She glared. "Speak."
"The time limit is too short. Getting 1,000 senior signatures after doing the task they say after introducing ourselves in one week is impossible."
I smirked. "That is… unless you can do it yourself."
The room went still. Her expression tightened.
Clearly, I'd pissed her off.
Perfect.
She barked an order: "100 sit-ups. Now."
A punishment, huh? I could do that in my sleep. But I got on the floor anyway, slowly, making a show of it — and not breaking a sweat. My enhanced strength made this a joke.
But the way her face flushed with annoyance?
Worth it.
Suddenly, this place didn't seem so boring anymore.
"And for your record I have received more than 1000 signature you coward" She spat with high pitched voice for the entire crowd to hear and walked straight out of the door.
Interesting. The fire. I liked it