Feeling incredibly down and upset over her failed plan to run away, Yvonne stepped out of the carriage and gawked at the breathtaking structure towering before me.
The building was magnificent—built like an ancient castle, its towering walls stretching high into the sky. Perched proudly at the very top was a massive statue of a Phoenix, its wings spread wide as if ready to rise into the heavens. The Phoenix was the sacred symbol of Valeria, a reminder of rebirth, sacrifice, and power.
Wow… this is Alessandra's school?
Her gaze shifted uneasily as she took in her surroundings. The academy was heavily guarded, armed sentries positioned at strategic points along the towering walls.
And as if that wasn't unsettling enough, the entire school stood at the edge of a cliff.
A cliff.
If Yvonne had been upset before, now she was downright angry.
Is this a school or a prison?!
Why so much security?
And how was she supposed to escape from a place like this?
Just like the ride here. The carriage was heavily guarded as if a wind spirit would suddenly come and snatched her away!
Oh dearest Valeria goddess! how was supposed to escape especially from a place like this?!
"Miss Alessandra?"
Yvonne turned at the sound of her name to see Naomi—the maid assigned to serve her due to her so-called memory loss the doctor concluded on —standing behind her with a gentle expression.
"Shall we go in?" she asked.
Yvonne let out a tired sigh and nodded, following Noami up the wide stone staircase that led to another gate—smaller than the first, yet still imposing. Words were engraved across its surface in bold lettering. Yvonne stared at them, curiosity gnawing at her.
The letters blurred before her eyes, meaningless symbols carved into the stone. She felt a flicker of humiliation crawl up my spine.
Alessandra would have known what they meant.
But she did not.
If anyone realized she couldn't even read a simple inscription, the truth would unravel faster than Yvonne could contain it.
Yvonne wanted to ask what they said.
But she couldn't.
Saying something as simple as 'What does that say?' would immediately raise suspicion. So she stayed silent.
The gate opened automatically, as it's sensed their presence.
The moment Yvonne stepped inside, she froze.
If the exterior of the academy had been breathtaking, the interior was on an entirely different level. Elegant designs adorned the walls, intricate patterns glowing faintly with enchantments she couldn't identify. Students walked past in groups, chatting casually, dressed not in ordinary uniforms but in fitted attire that resembled combat or training gear.
Some students carried weapons openly at their sides. Some have floating books in front of them. A student was casually using wind magic while another group of students argued while sparks fly.
No one looked relaxed.
This was not an academy for nobles to gossip and sip tea.
This was a place that trained something far more dangerous.
She felt painfully out of place.
Like a fish thrown onto dry land.
"Miss, this way," Naomi said softly, leading Yvonne forward.
She followed closely, focusing on her steps so she wouldn't get lost in the unfamiliar corridors.
That was when she noticed Noami struggling beneath the weight of several bags.
"Naomi," Yvonne called.
She stopped and turned to her. "Yes, Miss?"
"Give me the bag."
Her eyes widened in shock as she instinctively shook her head. "No, Miss, I—"
Yvonne didn't let her finish. She reached out and grabbed one of the bags from Naomi arms.
The next thing she knew, she was on the floor.
A loud thud echoed through the corridor as Yvonne fell alongside the heavy bag, pain shooting through her body.
"Miss! Are you alright?" Naomi rushed to Yvonne, concern etched clearly on her face.
Yvonne groaned as she sat up, rubbing her arm. "What on earth is inside this bag?!"
Naomi chuckled softly. "I heard it's something Miss is fond of. They instructed me to bring it along, saying it would keep you company."
She frowned, curiosity bubbling up, but Yvonne didn't press further. With Naomi's help, she stood up again. When Naomi tried to take the bag back, Yvonne refused.
Adjusting her grip on the bag, Yvonne ran her fingers over the bag's surface, feeling an odd, unfamiliar sensation pulse faintly beneath her touch.
For a brief second, the sensation felt… alive.
She quickly pulled her hand away.
What exactly had they packed for Alessandra?
She was just about to ask Naomi what was inside—
When suddenly, she was shoved hard.
"Are you blind, Alessandra?"
Yvonne stumbled and looked up, stunned.
A dark-haired girl stood glaring at her, her eyes filled with open disgust. Behind the girl were two others—one blonde, the other red-haired. Yvonne didn't recognize any of them, but their expressions mirrored the same contempt.
Please don't tell her that disgust is directed at her…
"Who are you?" Yvonne asked, steadying herself with the help of the maid.
The dark-haired girl's expression shifted to shock. "What?"
Yvonne pressed on. "Who are you—and why did you push me?"
They must have history with Alessandra, Yvonne thought, quickly assessing them.
The girl sneered, looking at Yvonne as though she were something unpleasant stuck to her shoe. "Alessandra. Must I punish you before you learn your place?"
Punish?
"What?" Yvonne asked, confusion clouding her thoughts.
And then—
The girl thoughts reached her.
It's good to have someone to punish on the first day of resumption. No need to feel guilty. She deserves it.
Before her mind could fully process what she had just heard—
A sharp ringing filled Yvonne ears. Her cheek burned, pain exploding across her face.
It took a moment for reality to sink in.
The girl had slapped her.
"You stepped on me and dare to question why I pushed you?" the dark-haired girl sneered. "Why are you still standing? Clean the dirt off my shoe!"
The two girls behind her laughed loudly.
"What are you waiting for?" one mocked. "Clean it!"
They enjoyed this.
Watching Alessandra—the second daughter of the Questrie family—tremble and submit had always been their entertainment.
Slowly, she turned her head back toward the dark-haired girl. The image of Alessandra in Yvonne mind began to fade.
"Did you just slap me?" Yvonne asked quietly.
For a split second, Yvonne considered lowering her head.
Maybe that was what Alessandra would have done.
Maybe that was what would keep suspicion away.
But she was not Alessandra.
"What?" She burst into laughter along with her friends. "Yes, I did. So what? Do you want to—"
Her palm cracked across Kaylyn's cheek.
Before anyone could react—
Another slap landed from the opposite side.
The sharp sound echoed through the hall, silencing nearby conversations.
The dark-haired girl collapsed onto the ground, clutching her cheeks as she stared at me in utter disbelief. She hadn't expected Alessandra to fight back—let alone slap her.
The shock was shared by her friends, the surrounding students, and even the maid.
My hands trembled, itching to strike again.
How could she allow someone to step on me like that?
If Alessandra endured this… she won't.
She wasn't Alessandra.
And she would never allow anyone to take advantage of her.
"Kaylyn!" the red-haired girl snapped, rushing to her friend's side with the blonde's help.
Oh. Kaylyn is her name.
"What just happened?" Kaylyn asked, her voice shaking, eyes wide with confusion.
"I slapped you," Yvonne said calmly.
Kaylyn stared at Yvonne, stunned.
"I slapped you—and I will do it again. If you ever raise your hand at me… no. If you ever bully me again, it won't end with just a slap."
Judging by their reactions, this wasn't the first time Alessandra had been treated this way.
But Yvonne wasn't going to accept it.
Kaylyn stepped back instinctively, fear flickering across her face.
Is this really Alessandra? she wondered.
"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!"