While a certain someone busied himself weaving plans around Rhea, the student in question had quietly been spinning on her own.
Not once had she seen any of the bullies since arriving at the academy. It was strangely odd, considering their arrogance. Perhaps it shouldn't have surprised her either. The truly entitled ones did as they pleased, even if it meant vanishing from the radar completely. She was in no hurry to deal with them, and this would give her enough time to properly understand how the popularity system worked around here.
Brushing the thought aside for the meantime, she followed the man in uniform without a word. He used the opportunity to give her a brief tour around the academy's premises, and there were so many classrooms Rhea was sure she lost count. Apparently, this particular building was dedicated toward the tech students of the academy, and she even spotted some of the students crafting heaven knows what in what appeared to be a tech lab.
Finally, they exited the building and stepped into a stunning landscape that seemed almost too serene for what lay beneath the surface.
The campus quad stretched out before them like something from a dream– the manicured lawns rippled in the breeze, framed by cherry blossom trees in full bloom. Towering academic halls shimmered beneath the golden afternoon light, and their glass panels reflected the sky like rippling water. A state-of-the-art gym glistened nearby, its roof crowned with a garden where flowering vines spilled over railings.
Since classes were over, students reclined beneath sun umbrellas, sipping lattes from nearby kiosks or darting past in sleek, electric scooters.
"The campus quad's where most of the students like to unwind after lectures," the man said, his accent thick,possibly Eastern European. Each word was pronounced with crisp precision as he led Rhea along a winding path. "It's also the safest place to be on campus… unless you'd rather bolt yourself behind a locked door."
Rhea darted a glance his way and pretended to be clueless. "What do you mean by safe? I'm not sure I follow. So far everyone here seems nice, and the academy is beautiful. I'm really honored to be part of such an incredible learning institution, and it'll stay that way."
The man offered her a fleeting glance, but made no further comments on the subject. He shifted smoothly back into guide mode, pointing ahead at a building.
"That's the art department there– over three buildings dedicated to practical work and theory. Sculpture, fashion, digital design, all of it. The building to the right," he gestured with a gloved hand, "will be used for Orientation tomorrow.You'll want to get familiar with this path before then. The academy's got no patience for lateness. In Novarion, rules are rules, and they don't bend easily here. Though there are some who have the power to act at will.
Rhea could guess what he was talking about, but she didn't pry into it. She has faced far more worse people to cower in front of whoever he was referring to. But she was grateful for the warning, though she didn't actually need it.
The path they took led to the East Residential Wing, and Rhea's pupils dilated behind her shades. A trio of low rise buildings shaped with modern grace came into view, their surfaces a seamless blend of ivory and black steel. Glass skywalks arched between them like suspended ribbons of light, and a female dorm supervisor scanned Rhea at the entrance. Her expression was unsmiling, and when she was done, the double doors opened to grant her entrance.
"I'll take it from here," Rhea turned to the uniformed man who had escorted her over.
He simply nodded, knowing he couldn't go any further than this. Rhea clutched her luggage once more and stepped in.
She really couldn't blame Lila for wanting to attend such a prestigious academy. Everything about this place was aesthetically designed to captivate the eye– from sleek architecture to soft ambient lighting, and a kind of curated elegance that made every corner feel like it belonged in a magazine spread. The entire place was huge, even bigger than most colleges.
As Rhea ascended the grand staircase, she passed two students perched on the steps, posing confidently for selfies. They had already swapped their uniforms for high-end designer outfits, looking more like influencers than scholars.
"Excuse me," Rhea said, pausing beside them. "Do you know where I can find the dorm with three figures?"
The blonde holding a camera stick paused mid-pose. Her gaze flicked to Rhea's suitcase, then-without a word- she casually pointed upward toward the third floor before turning back to her friend and resuming their impromptu photoshoot, unbothered and utterly absorbed in capturing the perfect shot.
Rhea resumed her way up the stairs, and when she made it to the third floor, she stopped before a dorm room distinguished by a matte-black door. She swiped her key card with a practiced flick, and a muted chime responded before the door slid open to reveal the elegance she had walked into.
The moment she stepped inside, her breath caught, but not from the room's elegance, though it was undeniable. The space was stunning: The room was filled with a warm natural light. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the garden below, where koi ponds glimmered and lanterns floated on rippling water. If this wasn't the perfect room she had ever laid eyes on, then Rhea couldn't tell what was.
Three satin-draped beds, with gauzy privacy curtains in soft twilight hues were divided elegantly within their own space. Sculpted sconces glowed from the walls, but the admiration was cut short by a fragile, almost hidden sound.
A soft sniffle.
Someone was crying.
Cautiously, Rhea moved closer, and her gaze settled on a particular dark-haired student who was curled up in her bed. She was crying softly, her shoulders trembling with each breath, and Rhea blinked. A set of leg braces glinted faintly beneath her blanket, hinting at the effort it took for her just to move.