Whispers of the moonborn

Eira stepped down from the stage, her graduation gown brushing softly against her legs. The college grounds was wide and spread out before her, more beautiful than she'd ever imagined. Ashmoor College wasn't just any school, it looked like something out of a fairy tale. Tall stone buildings with plants crawling up their walls, big trees gave shade over the neat paths, and colorful stained-glass windows catching the sunlight just right. The whole place felt like it belonged in a different time.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. This was the moment she had dreamed of, the moment her passion had earned her a chance, a full scholarship that no one outside knew about. She was here because she wanted to study and no just be in a world of magic, and nothing else. No one needed to know where she really came from or who she was. That part of her life was hers alone, and she'd promised herself to keep it that way.

Pulling out her phone, she checked the message again. The registrar's office was in the smaller building behind the main hall. With her bag over one shoulder, she made her way through the bustling crowd of students, most chatting loudly or hurrying to their next class. The energy was contagious.

The registrar's office door creaked open before she could knock. Inside, a middle-aged woman smiled warmly at her. "You must be Eira, right?"

Eira nodded, feeling a bit shy but grateful for the kindness. "Yes, that's me."

The woman nodded like she already knew all about her. "Of course. We have your room key, sportswear for the PE classes, and a map to help you find your way around. Here."

She handed over a small envelope with the key, a neatly folded set of sports clothes, and a campus map. Eira took it all, grateful for the clear instructions.

"Good luck settling in. If you need anything, come see me anytime."

"Thank you," Eira said softly, stepping back into the hallway.

With the map unfolded in her hands, she started walking toward her dorm building. She was so focused on finding the right room that she didn't see the person rushing straight at her.

The collision knocked her off balance, and she stumbled, falling onto the cold stone floor.

When she looked up, the guy had already moved past her without so much as a glance or an apology.

A group of students nearby gasped and started whispering excitedly.

"Senior Miklan got himself a new target," one said with a smirk.

Everyone expected him to act like he usually did, intimidating, cruel, making a scene. But this time, he didn't even look at Eira. The students seemed shocked, unsure what to make of it.

Eira didn't say a word. She stood up slowly, brushing dust off her sleeves. No point in making a fuss over someone who didn't care. Quietly, she folded her map and headed toward her dorm.

When she pushed open the door to her room, two girls were already there. One of them jumped up right away, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"You must be Eira!" she said, grabbing one of Eira's bags without waiting for permission. "Tell me, do you like chocolates? K-dramas? Witches and werewolves stories? What about vampires?"

Eira blinked, surprised by the sudden warmth. So this girl was just... human. No magical secrets, no mystery.

The girl grinned and tugged Eira toward the bed nearest the window. "I'm Talia. Don't mind the other one."

Eira glanced toward the other girl, who was sitting with her arms crossed, eyes glued to her phone. She didn't even look up.

Talia shrugged like it was normal. "She's been like that since school started. Don't take it personally."

Curious, Talia asked, "What department are you in?"

"Magic and Enchantment," Eira answered, her voice quiet but steady.

Talia's face lit up like she'd just found a kindred spirit. "No way! Same here!"

As Talia unpacked, her eyes landed on a box of chocolates Eira had brought. Without thinking twice, she tore open the wrapper and popped a piece into her mouth.

Eira stared, caught off guard.

The other girl let out a low hiss and stormed out of the room.

Talia just laughed, chewing happily. "See? You're already fitting in."

The room felt warmer somehow with Talia's energy buzzing around. Eira sat on the edge of her new bed, watching as Talia unpacked her things and chattered like they'd known each other forever.

"So, tell me more about you," Talia said, plopping down beside her. "What made you choose Ashmoor? I mean, it's not exactly the easiest place to get into."

Eira shrugged, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I've always loved books and history. Ever since I was little, it fascinated me. I worked hard, took every chance I could to learn, and... well, I got lucky with a scholarship."

Talia nodded, eyes shining with genuine interest. "That's awesome. Most people here just want the title or to be part of some fancy clique. But you? You actually care."

Eira smiled softly. "Yeah, it's the passion that matters. Not the status."

There was a pause, then Talia leaned in, lowering her voice. "Between us, though? You should watch out for Senior Miklan."

Eira frowned. "He's the guy who just bumped into me earlier, right?"

Talia nodded. "Yeah. Everyone's scared of him because he's got this reputation, kinda a bully, but it's like no one's brave enough to stand up to him. Except... well, he doesn't pick on just anyone. Usually, it's students who get in his way or those he wants to make an example of."

Eira glanced down at her hands, the memory of the fall still fresh. "He didn't even look at me."

Talia smirked. "Maybe you're not the kind of target he's used to. Or maybe he's got other things on his mind."

Eira shrugged. "Whatever it is, I don't want trouble."

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and the other girl from the room walked back in, slamming the door behind her. She didn't say a word but gave Eira a cold look that made the room feel icy for a moment.

Talia rolled her eyes. "Ignore her. She's like that with everyone. Some people just never learned how to be nice."

Eira nodded silently, still unsure what to make of her.

Talia jumped up, stretching her arms. "Okay, enough unpacking. Let's check out the campus before classes start. You'll want to know where everything is."

Eira hesitated for a second, then grabbed her bag. Walking beside Talia, she felt the strange thrill of starting fresh, new friends, new challenges, and a whole new world waiting to be discovered.

As they stepped outside, the sun was dipping lower, casting long shadows over the college grounds. The air smelled faintly of blooming jasmine and freshly cut grass.

Talia looked over at Eira with a grin. "Ready to make your mark?"

Eira smiled back, feeling a spark inside her. "Yeah. I think I am."