The sound of the door closing was louder than it should have been.
My hand was still on the doorknob.For a moment, I didn't let go.
I was finally going to escape this hell, at least for a while.With that thought in mind, my fingers slowly loosened, I let go of the doorknob, and stepped outside.
I was going to Virelion Academy, a boarding school.
It wasn't a school just anyone could attend.
In this world, there was something called Nucleus.
A kind of aura… or power.
Nucleus was divided into four main types.
Everyone had at least one…but the levels were different.
I didn't know what level I had.Or maybe I did.
I was just too young back then… I don't really remember.
At Virelion Academy, they taught how to use these powers… and how to control them.
I slowed my steps.
The street was almost empty, except for the distant sound of passing cars.
I wanted to enjoy this moment.A small piece of freedom.
The school was about ten, maybe twelve hours away from here.So technically… I was going to a different city.
Normal.
But that place… wasn't really normal.
Unidentified things, strange incidents, creatures…a lot of things that couldn't be explained.
My family had warned me many times about it.
"Eira, be careful.""Eira, don't forget to call.""Eira, don't forget to text."
Whatever…
If I stayed any longer, I would miss the bus to school.
I took a deep breath.The cold air filled my lungs.
I felt a little cold.
I quickened my steps and soon reached the bus stop.
The bus slowed down as it approached the stop, and I leaned forward slightly.
As the engine noise grew closer, that strange feeling inside me stirred again.
The bus stopped.The doors opened.
And—
A scream cut through the air.
I flinched and looked up.
Someone jumped off the bus in a panic.
People immediately gathered around, trying to figure out what had happened.
Curious, I stepped closer.
There was nothing.
Just a small bug.
"…seriously?" I muttered under my breath.
The girl was still panicking.
But the people around her had already started laughing.
"You screamed for that?""That's a bit much…"
The girl's expression fell.
She didn't say anything.
She just lowered her head and quietly got back on the bus.
I let out a small sigh.
Everyone has fears.
Laughing at them like that… was unnecessary.
The crowd slowly dispersed.
I picked up my suitcase and got on the bus as well.
Inside, my eyes searched for an empty seat.
Most of them were taken.
Then I saw her.
The same girl.
Sitting alone by the window.
I paused for a second.
Then, without thinking too much, I walked toward her.
"Is this seat taken?" I asked.
She looked up at me.
Her eyes still carried a hint of embarrassment.
She hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"Yeah…"
I sat down next to her.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
The bus started moving again.
"Bugs…" she said quietly."I don't like them."
The corner of my lips lifted slightly.
"I noticed."
She glanced at me.
Then we both let out a small laugh.
"I'm Eira."
"Lina," she said.
"Virelion?" I asked.
Her eyes lit up slightly.
"You too?"
I nodded.
"Good," Lina said softly."At least I'm not alone."
I looked out the window.
The bus was already on the move.
"Yeah," I said.
"We're not anymore."