Chapter 31: First Day at the Academy

【Lilith PoV】

I arrived at the academy with bright eyes and a racing heart.

The tall stone gates stood proudly as I stepped into a world full of new possibilities.

I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as I walked along the polished courtyard.

Every building and garden around me promised secrets waiting to be discovered.

I clutched my bag tightly and took in the fresh air that replaced the chaos of my old home.

The academy was a place where experiments and magic were celebrated, and I could finally pursue my passion.

I wandered through busy corridors filled with students talking and laughing.

The sound of footsteps on stone and the rustle of leaves made the place feel alive.

I marveled at the neat rows of classrooms and sparkling laboratories.

Every corner sparked my curiosity for new experiments and discoveries.

I stopped in a sunny courtyard and noticed a familiar figure waiting near the entrance.

I recognized her immediately as Elizabeth, a student known for her clever ways.

I took a deep breath and walked toward her with a friendly smile.

“Hello, my name is Lilith!”

“I am Elizabeth,” she replied coolly.

“You are new here, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am. I am very excited about all the experiments I can do here!”

“You really love experiments?”

“Yes, I do. I study magical reactions, explosions, and other exciting things. I even collect strange ingredients for my potions!”

Elizabeth looked at me with a calculating gaze.

Her eyes were sharp, and her smile hinted at secrets that I could not yet understand.

“You are quite innocent, Lilith,” she said carefully.

I tilted my head, feeling a little confused.

“Really? Innocence sounds like a good thing!”

Elizabeth shook her head slowly.

“It means you are unaware of some of the dangers around here.”

I blinked and asked, “What dangers do you mean?”

Elizabeth stepped closer, her tone calm and controlled.

“I mean that you must be careful with your experiments and with people. For example, you must know that I am married to Eksu.”

I stared at her, surprised by her words.

“Married? That sounds very serious!”

Elizabeth nodded, her expression serious and cool.

“It is. Eksu is mine, and you must remember that if you cross our path.”

I felt a small pang of confusion mixed with my natural excitement.

“I think experiments are the best part of school. I worry more about my potions and reactions than about romance.”

Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed slightly as she regarded me.

“You must learn that here, relationships can be as dangerous as magical spells. I learned that long ago.”

I smiled brightly, unaware of the hidden meaning behind her words.

“I love learning new things in my lab! I want to make discoveries and try out new ideas, even if they sometimes explode!”

Elizabeth gave a slight, knowing smile.

“That is exactly why you must be cautious. The academy is full of secrets, and not everyone is as innocent as you.”

I looked down at the small vial of ingredients in my hand.

“I hope my experiments only make things better and not cause trouble,” I said softly.

Elizabeth’s voice turned cool and measured.

“Remember this, Lilith: I am married to Eksu. He is not available for your experiments or distractions.”

I blinked, trying to understand.

“Married means he belongs to you, right? That is so interesting!”

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.

“It means he is mine. Do not expect to find romance or friendship with him if you get in the way.”

I frowned slightly, feeling a twinge of disappointment.

“I only want to make wonderful discoveries and share my work with others.”

Elizabeth’s eyes softened a little, but her tone remained firm.

“You must be wise and focus on your studies, not on matters of the heart. The heroes here have their own dangerous ways.”

I nodded, my mind swirling with thoughts of experiments and magic.

“I will do my best to keep my experiments safe. I only want to learn and grow.”

Elizabeth looked at me with a mix of amusement and caution.

“You are very naive, Lilith. But that may serve you well in time.”

I smiled brightly, completely unaware of the deeper schemes behind her words.

“I am excited to be here and to start a new life at the academy!”

We walked together along the stone corridor toward the dormitory building.

The cool breeze and soft light made the path seem welcoming and calm.

Elizabeth’s steps were measured and graceful.

My own steps were quick and filled with anticipation.

We reached the dormitory, a modest building with neat windows and quiet hallways.

The building looked like a safe haven from the busy academy.

I held onto my bag tightly as we approached the door.

I felt the thrill of a new beginning in every heartbeat.

Elizabeth stopped briefly and looked at me with a steady gaze.

Her eyes were clear and focused, and her voice was cool and assured.

“You have a good head for experiments, Lilith,” she said.

I grinned happily.

“Thank you! I can’t wait to try out my new potions and reactions!”

Elizabeth’s expression remained unchanged.

“It is best that you focus on your work and not on distractions.”

I nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes, I promise I will work very hard!”

We both entered the dormitory building.

Inside, the corridors were lined with lockers and the murmur of other students filled the air.

I followed Elizabeth down the hall until we reached our room.

The door opened to reveal a small, shared space.

I looked around with wide, curious eyes.

There were two beds, a desk, and a bookshelf filled with various texts and scrolls.

Elizabeth glanced at me as she stepped inside.

Her tone was calm, her mind clearly on matters beyond my simple excitement.

“This is your room, Lilith,” she said.

I smiled brightly, happy to have my own space.

“Thank you, I am so excited to start my experiments here!”

Elizabeth paused and then said, her voice even and cool,

“I am married to Eksu, so do not expect any help in that area.”

I blinked in confusion, still focused on my work.

“That is very interesting!”

Elizabeth nodded, her eyes sharp and knowing.

“Now, come. We have much to do. The academy awaits, and we must settle into our rooms.”

I followed her into the small dormitory room with a mixture of excitement and a little worry about her serious tone.

Together, we began to unpack and arrange our things in the new space.

I set up my small table and carefully arranged my experiment tools.

Every movement filled me with hope for the future.

Elizabeth silently placed her few belongings on her side of the room.

Her face gave nothing away, only a steady, controlled expression.

I took one last look around the shared room.

I felt both a thrill for what was to come and a tinge of nervousness about sharing a space with someone so cunning.

With a final, hopeful smile, I began to plan my next experiment.

The day at the academy had only just begun.

I knew that while my experiments would be my focus, I would also have to learn to live with the secrets and schemes around me.

I looked forward to discovering more about magic, science, and even the dangerous hearts of heroes.

Together, Elizabeth and I stepped deeper into the dormitory hall, each of us ready to face the challenges of this new world in our own way.