The Grimhour Institute was unlike any other university.
For the past two decades, it had consistently ranked among the top five most prestigious campuses in the country, known for producing elite educators. Some saw it as a breeding ground for future leaders in education.
Others… called it a playground for the privileged.
The campus stretched across vast grounds, adorned with classical architecture and neatly curated gardens. Sleek cars filled the parking lot, silent indicators of the wealth many of its students came from.
Amid them, a silver SUV rolled in and came to a smooth stop near the main building, drawing a few curious glances.
The door opened.
A pair of white sneakers with black stripes touched the ground first, followed by long legs wrapped in stockings.
Then she stepped out.
A light blue jacket rested neatly over her uniform. Her sapphire eyes caught the light, framed by soft bangs, while her half-up bun let strands of hair fall gently down to her waist.
"Finally… we're here," she exhaled softly.
Her voice carried a natural charm, the kind that made nearby students instinctively turn- and smile.
It wasn't surprising. She was, after all, something of a campus idol.
The other door opened.
A tall young man stepped out, his blond hair catching the morning light. His uniform was worn with a bold, almost effortless style, giving off the unmistakable aura of someone with attitude.
He adjusted his sleeves, his expression sharpening as his gaze swept across the area.
"Don't get too comfortable," he said flatly. "We still have four reports to finish today."
That was Dellon Harrison, Chairman of the Faculty Student Council for the Faculty of Science and Technology Education.
And the girl beside him- Aidera Tassania.
First Secretary of the council… and widely known as the Queen Bee of this institute.
"They say stress makes you age faster, you know?" Aidera said lightly, swinging her bag as she started walking. "Relax. We're not robots."
Dellon clicked his tongue. "You keep treating those old wives' tales like they're facts. Try being realistic for once."
She puffed her cheeks slightly. "Why are you always so serious? You really need to loosen up."
"I'll relax when our responsibilities are done, Ai."
"Such a liar. You're always like this, everywhere."
A faint smile tugged at Dellon's lips. "That just means… that's who I am."
Even this early in the morning, the two were already bickering like usual. And yet, for people who seemed so out of sync… they were strangely close.
Close enough that most people assumed they were a couple.
"They look perfect together, don't they?" someone whispered nearby.
"Yeah… they kind of balance each other out," another replied with a soft chuckle.
Not far from them, a figure came sprinting across the courtyard.
She clutched what looked like a folded piece of clothing in her arms- and judging by her badge, she was part of the student council as well.
She stopped right in front of them, slightly out of breath.
"Milady… welcome."
Without hesitation, she handed over a red blazer- the official symbol of the campus.
"Ah, Clara." Aidera smiled as she took it. "You came early and brought my blazer? I thought I lost it earlier."
She slipped off her blue jacket and replaced it with the red one in a single smooth motion.
"Sorry for not telling you beforehand," Clara said politely. "I just thought it might trouble you if you had to carry it yourself."
Aidera sighed lightly. "It's just a campus blazer. It's not like it's a burden. And I told you… stop being so formal with me."
Honestly, she was a little annoyed. Being treated like some kind of princess still didn't sit right with her.
"But it's my responsibility," Clara replied, her expression firm. "I'm your maid, after all."
"Forget responsibility. We're friends," Aidera said, nudging her shoulder lightly. "Haven't I told you that enough times already?"
"Even so, there should still be boundaries. I need to know my place, Milady."
"When we're on campus, we're both student council members. That makes us equals."
Dellon exhaled quietly, then shook his head.
"Ai's right," he said. His tone turned firm as he looked at Clara. "You'd better focus on the financial report for next month. We still have a lot of projects, and I don't want us falling behind."
Meanwhile…
Inside Classroom A41, Building A.
A group of students gathered near the window, their attention drawn outside. Even from this distance, the parking area was still visible.
"Wow… our seniors are seriously good-looking."
"Yeah, especially Aidera. She's basically a celebrity here."
A few of the new students exchanged knowing looks, clearly thinking the same thing.
Among them stood a blond guy with short, slightly messy hair- Kriss.
Just catching a glimpse of someone like Aidera this early in the morning already felt like a mood booster.
"I wonder… if we join the council, do you think we'd actually get to meet them?" the class president asked.
Kriss shrugged. "They're faculty-level council. We're… well, nobody right now. Even if we get in, we'd probably just stay within our department."
"Huh? Seriously?"
"Well…" he scratched the back of his head. "Maybe. I don't really get how college works yet."
*THUD—!
The classroom door slammed open. Several students flinched at the sudden noise.
"Ugh…"
A young man stood by the doorway, having clearly taken the full force of it. His uniform was slightly disheveled, his hair still damp- as if he had rushed here right after a shower.
No one laughed.
Not because it wasn't funny… but because no one knew each other well enough yet. So the silence lingered.
"Hey… you okay?" the class president asked carefully.
"I… I'm sorry," the guy muttered. "I forgot to bring my glasses."
Then he looked up.
His eyes… sharp. Crimson pupils, cold and unwavering, like something that didn't quite belong in an ordinary classroom.
Kriss narrowed his eyes slightly, curiosity flickering across his face as he stepped closer.
"Hold on. You got here without your glasses?" he said, trying to read the situation.
He wasn't intimidated. If anything… he was intrigued.
"You're Zeyn, right? If I remember correctly?" he continued, grinning. "Nice to meet you. Name's Kriss Howard- just call me Kriss."
He extended his hand.
For a brief moment, those red eyes sharpened.
And then,
*Bzzzt—Whung.
"Huh…?" Kriss blinked.
The guy was gone. He was already behind him, heading straight to his seat as if nothing had happened.
Kriss slowly turned his head… then looked down at his own hand.
"…What?" His brows furrowed. "What just happened?"
"What are you doing?" the class president asked, clearly holding back a laugh.
"I was about to shake his hand and… he just vanished."
"Meh- you probably saw it wrong," he replied, chuckling. "You look ridiculous."
Kriss lowered his hand, still frowning.
"That was… weird."
* * * *