Chapter 5 Do Not Spill A Drop Of Blood!

The courtyard had just gone quiet when the whispers began again.

"Look at those shoes," a girl on Ivy's right whispered, eyes wide with admiration. "They're designers. Probably worth hundreds of millions."

Ivy blinked, glancing down at the feet of the two senior students, Caspian and Selene. Their shoes looked like... shoes. Well-polished, yes, but nothing she would have thought twice about. Hundreds of millions for a pair of shoes? Why would anyone spend that much money on something you walk on?

"And their watches," another voice chimed in, this time a guy behind her. "That's pure luxury. Only the top five richest families wear those."

She looked again. The watches were shiny, sleek, with elegant details, but Ivy couldn't quite see what made them so special. She'd never owned a real watch herself, just a knockoff plastic one she shared with Aurora sometimes. Expensive still felt like a word that belonged to someone else's dictionary.

Before she could think more, someone cleared their throat loudly.

Cough.

It was the male student.

Instant silence.

He stepped forward, "Welcome to Bloodmoon Academy," he began, his voice calm and smooth but holding just enough edge to command attention. "For those of you who don't know, my name is Caspian Hale. And this is Selene Morano. We are your senior representatives, and today, we'll be leading your orientation and tour around the Academy."

Selene took a step forward, she had a graceful posture but in a cold untouchable way. She didn't bother to smile. "Most of you already know why you're here," she said flatly. "Some of you are still trying to figure it out. Either way, by the time your stay ends, you'll understand everything."

Ivy's stomach twisted. What does that even mean?

She glanced around. Did anyone else hear how creepy that sounded? Most of the other students were nodding like everything made sense.

Was she the only one who didn't get the memo?

Caspian didn't wait for questions. "We'll begin the tour now. Stay close."

With that, he and Selene turned and began walking, and the crowd obediently followed.

Their first stop was the Academy's grand library, a towering building with stone pillars and gothic windows.

"This library holds more than just books," Caspian explained. "We have ancient records, personal manuscripts, and restricted sections accessible only to advanced students."

Restricted? Ivy raised a brow. What kind of school restricted parts of a library? She glanced around to see if anyone else looked confused, but no one said a word. Were they just used to this already?

Next, they arrived at the Combat Wing, a vast training arena surrounded by high stone walls. Weapons, neatly arranged by type and size, lined racks on either side. Ivy's jaw dropped.

"You'll all be training here," Caspian said. "Remember, this is an academy. Not just a school. You're here for specific training, elite combat, arts, and other disciplines. You should have been briefed before arriving."

Briefed? Ivy nearly choked. Mrs. Harrington never said a word about combat or specialized training. She thought this was just some rich kids' boarding school with slightly fancier walls.

Selene turned and addressed them directly. "Bloodmoon Academy does not tolerate weakness. Show it, and you'll be sent home."

A heavy silence followed. Everyone nodded, some swallowing hard. Ivy felt her heart thudding in her chest. What have I gotten into?

They continued through a maze of corridors and majestic halls, the kind that could belong in a castle. Ivy felt dizzy with how much she had to take in. If she got separated, she was convinced it would take a week to find her way back to her room.

Eventually, they stopped in front of a tall iron gate. The arch above it was carved with twisting vine patterns, and a dark plaque read:

THE OBSIDIAN WING.

Caspian's tone sharpened. "This part of the Academy is off-limits. No exceptions."

The Whispers started again.

"Why?" a girl asked timidly.

Selene turned to her with a look so cold that Ivy flinched for the girl, even though the stare wasn't aimed at her.

"Because the rules say so."

The girl shrank back without another word. So did Ivy.

As the tour continued, students began huddling into smaller groups, whispering more openly now. Ivy drifted close to one of the clusters and listened as one person spoke.

"That's where the Top Five hang out," someone whispered.

"The Top Five?"

"You don't know?" another voice responded in a hush. "They're the most powerful students here. They have everything, money, brains, connections. Even the teachers treat them like royalty."

"I'm going to do everything I can to get one of them to notice me," someone added with a dreamy sigh.

Ivy took a step back. Hell no. That was the exact kind of attention she wanted to avoid. People like that? Dangerous. Untouchable. Better to stay invisible.

After the tour, they were guided into yet another massive hall. Seriously, how many grand halls did this school have?

Each student was given a bag containing their uniforms and shoes. Ivy clutched hers like it was a life jacket

Then, the far doors opened, and a tall woman entered.

She wore a long, flowing black coat that whispered against the marble floor. Her silver hair was pulled into a tight bun, and her sharp eyes surveyed the room with a predator's focus.

"It's her," someone whispered. "Headmistress Valeria Nightbane."

How do they know all this already? Ivy thought bitterly. I thought we were all new.

The headmistress stopped in front of the group. She didn't speak, yet the room fell silent under her gaze.

"Welcome to Bloodmoon Academy," she said, her voice was calm but had authority.

"I came here to share the one rule above all. A rule you must never break." She paused, letting her eyes sweep over the students again. "Do not spill a drop of blood."

The silence that followed was deafening.

"This school is unlike any other. An injury, no matter how small, can put you in grave danger. If you are hurt even slightly, you are to report to the school nurse immediately."

Her voice left no room for argument, and her next words only deepened the tension.

"Follow the rules, and you will succeed. Break them..." Her eyes narrowed, the shadows in the hall seeming to deepen around her. "And you will regret it."

Ivy involuntarily stepped back, a cold sweat forming at the back of her neck.

"Welcome to Bloodmoon Academy," the Headmistress repeated. "Dismissed."

She turned and left, flanked by Caspian and Selene.

The moment the doors shut, the students began to disperse like nothing had happened. Chatting. Laughing. Smiling.

Ivy stared at them, horrified. How are they acting normal right now? The school just warned them that bleeding could be dangerous, and they acted like it was a weather report.

She felt sick.

I wasn't briefed on any of this, she thought, eyes narrowed. Mrs. Harrington... Mr. Doyle... She stabbed them both a hundred times in her imagination, each one more dramatic than the last.

She clutched her bag tighter and followed the crowd out.