Maya battled her dormmates for a piece of delicious, fresh pastry their housekeeper would prepare in the morning — the usual morning routine. Quickly wolfing it while gulping her coffee, she proceeded to rush outside to make her way to the academy.

The day was cold, but the weather was sunny. Her breath was visible as she shivered while quickly putting on her mittens.

Her gaze was captured by a dark-haired girl standing outside. She was clad in black from head to toe, staring at the sky with uncertainty. As she turned to face Maya, her sapphire blue eyes were striking as the only colour in her visage.

The image may seem unassuming, but the reality was quite remarkable. This was a vampire standing in broad daylight.

Maya smiled at her. "Are you ready to go?"

The question was unnecessary as the answer was clearly a no. Even if sunlight was not harming her, she still preferred the comfort of darkness. And the situation was quite absurd, as Maya had convinced a wolf to attend the academy of sheep.

Earlier, Jenny had apologized again to both of them for assuming Elena was gone. While Jenny was being conscientious to right her wrong, Maya noticed the way Elena looked at people had changed.

Previously, Elena's expression had been one of languid disinterest and boredom. Now, however, her eyes were slightly wider, and she seemed more alert—as if anticipating Jenny might pounce at any moment. This reaction was paradoxical, given that Elena was the true predator in this scenario.

Their appearance at the academy was stressful for both of them. They were walking on eggshells, with Maya being very conscious of Elena, and Elena being very conscious of everything around them. Leo was secretly tasked with keeping an eye on Elena when Maya was unable to.

Elena allowed Maya to entertain this idea of her returning to normal life, simply to prove to her that it was no longer possible for her. She couldn't be around people, and this only resulted in them finding peaceful and quiet parts of the academy to avoid any living soul during breaks. Maya couldn't leave her alone, and Elena wished nothing but to be alone.

The tension between them burst at one moment in the main hall concerning the subject of the practical part of the classes that come later. Maya was diligent in bringing Elena as close to normalcy as possible, but one thing she could do nothing about was the loss of her element. There was no point in her attending Elemental Practice.

"The most powerful water mage of the generation at your service," Elena bowed to her ironically. "But the services will be postponed indefinitely."

They argued in a cryptic way that no one could decipher the true meaning of their dispute. To onlookers, it might have seemed like Elena was bragging about her status, when in reality, she was mocking what had become nothing more than an empty title attached to her name.

In the middle of their heated argument, Maya's eyes caught the stunned expression of the Headmistress who had been passing by. The Headmistress had been moving through the corridor adjacent to them. Although she didn't engage with them, her expression at the sight of Elena was unmistakable.

Amanda wore a look of confusion and disbelief, and Maya couldn't help but notice. It was as though Amanda had suspected that Maya's explanation of Elena merely being ill was far from the truth.

The woman quickly moved on, expression returning to her dutiful mask.

And soon, the final trial of the day was quickly upon them—the lunch break. As they entered the cafeteria, the ground began to tremble lightly. The room took a collective pause, but quickly returned to its usual rhythm once it was gone.

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"I can't believe we're still experiencing tremors," Andrea commented as they proceeded toward the food stands. "Sometimes it feels like the whole academy is trying to shift its position."

"It's quite common that after a larger earthquake, there are many minor ones following for a time," Isaac explained.

It did turn into quite a frequent occurrence. Nowadays, people weren't even bothered by them.

"Isn't it strange that they are more pronounced on the academy grounds?" Linda brought up a peculiar observation.

"Are they?" Isaac was unsure of her hypothesis.

"Don't you think so too, Elena?" Linda suddenly pulled absent-minded Elena into the conversation.

"Huh?" Elena, who was investing all of her energy to keep herself calm, was taken aback.

Maya mirrored her surprise. It seemed strange that Linda would conclude that Elena was the best candidate to confirm her theory. However, the observant Linda most likely noticed Elena was feeling out of sorts and wished to include her to cheer her up.

"I—I…"

"Could you pass me that sauce?" a girl nearby, asking Isaac for help, interrupted the strange atmosphere.

"Here you go," he handed it over instantly without even attempting to look at her. If he did, he would have seen what all of the other girls saw; the girl's interest didn't lie in the sauce but in Isaac.

"Ah. T…thank you," she took it sheepishly, lowering her gaze as if disappointed.

Maya felt pity for her.

"Some girl is eyeing your man, and you are just letting it slide," Andrea quietly elbowed Linda.

This time, Linda only gave her a jaded look.

"Anyways, I've made a big decision recently," Andrea announced. "I'll tell you at the table."

Andrea, Linda and Isaac had picked their lunch for today and moved toward their usual spot. Maya lingered beside Elena, who, perhaps for the first time ever, exhibited indecisiveness.

It was only natural since human food was no longer her source of sustenance. Maya looked at her patiently as Elena stared at the food choices with a nauseated expression. What would usually be a plate with a towering amount of food now sat empty on her tray.

Then came another shock to her system. Keith appeared at the dining room entrance. Elena's eyes locked with his instantly, and he froze in place. Then, he took a step backwards and decided against having lunch today, fleeing quickly.

Disheartened, Elena rejected her food tray and gave up on the food, starting toward their table.

"Troubles in paradise?" It was Adam's underhanded remark delivered under breath as they bumped shoulders. He'd been nearby and no doubt noticed Elena's and Keith's exchange.

To that, Elena snapped and grabbed Adam by the throat.

Her strength left him wide-eyed in shock, and people around them gasped. Someone even dropped their tray with a loud clatter.

"ELENA!" It was Maya's cry that stopped Elena from crushing his windpipe.

Elena instantly released her grip, and Adam dropped to his knees, coughing for breath in bewilderment.

"I think this was enough for today," Elena said, her voice trembling slightly.

Maya silently nodded at her, and Elena quickly left the cafeteria. The pressure to hold herself back must've reached its peak for today.

Maya glanced back at Adam—saved by her once again. Despite him being a sudden victim of Elena's aggression, Maya felt no sympathy. Her outlook on him had changed.

After hearing his malicious comment directed at Elena, Maya wondered how she ever thought of him as charming. He was clearly someone who took pleasure in others' misfortunes and enjoyed creating spectacles of things.

He had hurt her tremendously, so he no longer deserved a second glance from her. Maya raised her head high and moved on toward her squad's table.

Joining her friends, she had quite a bit of explaining to do, but settled it quickly. Girls supported her, but Isaac gave her a rather cold look.

"Anyway," she changed the subject. "What was the announcement, Andrea?"

"Oh, yeah," Andrea grinned. "I've decided that this trimester I would start pursuing Kasper more actively," she stated, proudly raising her chin.

Everyone groaned at that.

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