Morning came too fast.
Vael barely slept.
Every time he closed his eyes, he felt that heat in his blood again — like something alive under his skin.
He stood in front of the mirror.
Still 6'1.
Still built.
Still… different.
His hoodie hung open, showing faint rune-like tattoos along his chest and collarbone.
"…guess this real."
He tied his dreads back loosely and headed out.
🚶 Walk to School
The city felt different today.
Or maybe he was different.
People glanced at him longer than usual.
A beastkin woman walking past slowed slightly, eyes lingering before she looked away.
Two girls whispered as he passed.
Vael noticed.
"…okay that's new."
Then it happened.
A shoulder slammed into him.
Hard.
"Watch where you walking, half-blood," a tall human guy scoffed.
Vael looked at him calmly.
Old Malik might've snapped fast.
New Vael felt something else.
A pulse in his chest.
The guy kept talking.
"You mixed types think you special—"
That's when Vael felt it.
His emotions sharpened.
His irritation focused.
The world felt slightly… slow.
The guy's voice echoed weirdly.
Vael's golden eye flickered faintly.
Without trying—
The guy suddenly felt like everyone around was staring at him.
Judging.
Laughing.
His confidence cracked mid-sentence.
He stumbled over his words.
"I—whatever man."
He walked off annoyed, shaken for no clear reason.
Vael blinked.
"…did I just do that?"
A warm hum answered in his chest.
First activation.
Unintentional.
🏫 Arrival at Academy
The academy courtyard buzzed with students.
When Vael walked in—
Conversations paused.
Heads turned.
Whispers started.
"Who is that?"
"New student?"
"He's kinda—"
"Is he a noble?"
His presence pulled attention naturally.
Some girls stared too long.
Some guys frowned in jealousy.
Vael just kept walking.
Then—
"Vael?"
He turned.
A pale, sharp-looking boy with crimson eyes stared at him.
Recognition hit.
Lucien.
His vampire friend.
Lucien walked closer, squinting.
"…Vael Soryn?"
Vael smirked.
"Yeah. Who else?"
Lucien's eyes widened.
"No way. You grew like a damn tree overnight."
Nearby students gasped.
"That's Vael??"
"The same Vael?"
"No shot."
🐾 The Beastkin Girl
Then she approached.
The busty beastkin girl who rejected him yesterday.
Suddenly smiling sweet.
"Vael… hey. You look different today."
Vael raised a brow.
She stepped closer.
"Maybe we could talk later?"
Ah.
Spin the block energy.
Vael clicked his tongue.
"Nah. You had your chance."
She pouted.
"I was just shy—"
He waved it off.
"You acting like a thot now."
She blinked.
"A… what?"
"A thot."
"…what is that?"
Students nearby murmured.
"Is that human slang?"
"Is it an insult?"
"Is it a title?"
Lucien leaned over.
"…I don't think that word exists here."
Vael chuckled.
"Don't worry about it."
She looked offended but confused.
No one in this world had heard that term.
📚 Entering Class
When he walked into class—
Even the teacher paused.
A young elf woman.
She blinked twice.
"…you're… Vael Soryn?"
"Yes ma'am."
Her cheeks tinted slightly pink.
She cleared her throat and adjusted her glasses.
"S-seat down."
The classroom atmosphere felt thick.
Girls stealing glances.
Guys sizing him up.
Curiosity everywhere.
Vael sat by the window.
Inside, he felt it again.
That hum.
That heat.
That awareness of emotions around him.
Desire.
Jealousy.
Curiosity.
Fuel.
He exhaled slowly.
"…so this how my new life starting?"
His reflection faintly showed in the glass.
One gold eye.
One purple.
Both glimmered slightly.
Something inside him whispered:
You're only beginning.
Vael leaned back in his seat, smirking.
"Yeah… this might be fun."