[POV: Selene]The sun had barely risen when Selene emerged from her room, still shaken by what had happened the previous evening. Revalios, patient and composed, awaited her in the corridor, ready to escort her to the Headmistress. As they passed through a series of hallways lit by oil mps, Selene realized that the Lunar Academy was far rger than she had imagined: statues of lunar stone, tapestries embellished with intertwined moons and winged dragons, stained-gss windows projecting colorful reflections onto white marble floors.

  After several corridors and flights of stairs, they reached a wide dark-wood door inid with silver motifs echoing vampiric and runic symbols. Revalios knocked gently, then motioned for Selene to enter.

  Inside, the Headmistress’s study revealed a space both intimate and solemn: shelves crammed with ancient books, a rge table carved with scenes of lunar battles, and on the ceiling a mosaic depicting the phases of an eclipse. In the gentle light from a Gothic window stood a woman with raven-bck hair, who turned toward them with a keen smile.

  “Welcome, Princess Selene,” she said in a firm but not unfriendly voice. “I am Aurelia Nocturne, Headmistress of the Lunar Academy.”

  Selene gave a small bow, her gaze mixing timidity and curiosity. “It’s an honor to meet you, Headmistress Nocturne.”

  “You may call me simply Headmistress. Please, have a seat.” She gestured to a dark velvet armchair, while Revalios stood respectfully behind Selene. “I heard about your arrival st night and about the… slight trouble you encountered in the Academy’s corridors.”

  A fsh of embarrassment crossed Selene’s expression as she recalled the group of vampires bullying a young elf. “Yes, I saw some rather… discordant behavior,” she admitted hesitantly.

  Aurelia nodded, folding her arms behind her back. “The Lunar Academy was founded centuries ago with the intent to welcome all races eager for knowledge—vampires, elves, humans, and even representatives of rarer peoples such as the sirenids or the naga. Here, they study magic, history, art, diplomacy, and much more. Yet the path toward peaceful coexistence isn’t always an easy one.”

  She moved to a shelf, running her fingers along the spine of an old tome. “Each people has its own cultural roots and age-old rivalries. Some of these differences endure: the more traditionalist vampires believe they are the dominant lineage, the prouder elves struggle to accept sharing space with those they call ‘dark-bloods,’ and so on… But our Academy attempts to overcome such barriers, teaching that each individual’s abilities can enrich the entire community.”

  Selene lowered her gaze, remembering the bullying scene. “I see. And how can I contribute? I wasn’t even aware of many of my people’s customs until recently.”

  The Headmistress offered a faint smile. “Precisely because you are only now discovering your nature as a vampire, you can become an example of open-mindedness, Princess. You don’t carry the prejudice of generations behind you, but rather the curiosity of someone who stands between multiple worlds. And your formal, political role could help break some of the chains of intolerance.”

  She paused, then turned and looked at Selene intently. “This afternoon, we’ll hold a welcoming ceremony for all new students, during which I’ll present the Academy’s values. I’d like you to be there. Later on, as the Heir to the Empire, you might even give a brief speech to the students—if and when you feel ready.”

  Selene’s eyes widened at the unexpected request. A public speech? She hadn’t anticipated that. Yet a small spark of excitement mingled with her nervousness: maybe this was a way to try to make a difference from within. “Yes… I’ll attend. I’ll do my best.”

  Aurelia Nocturne nodded, satisfied. “The ceremony will be held in the Honor Courtyard. You’ll see—it's an important event, and there will be representatives of various factions, including some noble vampires, certain Elven Dukes, and even a few human envoys. The Academy is, after all, a crossroads of cultures. And like at every crossroads, there are those who respect diversity and others who, rather, seek to impose themselves.”

  A fleeting sadness crossed the Headmistress’s face. “Our job is to remind them that true strength lies in colboration and mutual understanding, not domination or intimidation. And the fact that you’ve already stepped in to protect an elf in distress shows that, deep down, that principle already lives within you.”

  Selene felt her cheeks grow warm. “I just… followed my instincts.”

  “Sometimes instinct is the purest truth,” Aurelia concluded with a soft smile. “Now go—rest or explore the Academy; you still have some time before the morning activities begin. We’ll meet again in the afternoon. And remember: if you ever have doubts or fears, my door is always open.”

  With a bow, Selene rose from the armchair, thanked the Headmistress, and left the study, accompanied by Revalios. As she made her way through the corridors leading to the inner courtyard, her heart pounded: on one hand, she feared the tensions among the races and the power struggles just beginning to reveal themselves; on the other, she sensed her presence here might indeed have meaning. If she found the courage to act, perhaps she could inspire a change in the world she now called home.

  By early afternoon, the expansive Honor Courtyard of the Lunar Academy was bathed in a gentle golden light, while the sun’s rays danced upon the banners along the walls—banners embzoned with moons entwined with winged dragons. On either side, professors and returning students stood watching, while new enrollees formed a semicircle in the central area.

  A small, raised wooden stage, intricately carved with runic symbols, stood at the north side atop a ptform of lunar stone. At its center was a wrought-iron lectern and, behind it, a rge tapestry depicting the Academy’s emblem: a crescent moon cradling an azure globe, symbolizing knowledge and hope.

  Selene, standing apart beside Revalios, surveyed the crowd with a hint of nervousness. Not far away she spotted Arya, who returned her gnce with fleeting hesitation. Various students—elves with golden hair, curious humans, and vampires with grayish hair—mingled about, some showing skepticism, others genuine interest.

  A solemn bell tolled, signaling the start of the ceremony. An expectant hush settled over the courtyard. From a side entrance emerged Aurelia Nocturne, the Headmistress, followed by a small retinue of professors. She walked with assured steps, her long bck silk gown flowing in time with her movement.

  Once on stage, Aurelia lifted a hand, releasing a faint blue glow that swept through the crowd like a magical whisper, calling for silence. When all voices had quieted, she spoke in a clear tone to the new students:

  “Welcome to our opening ceremony. I am Aurelia Nocturne, Headmistress of this Academy for many years now. As tradition dictates, I wish to formally welcome you to a pce of study, exchange, and—we hope—peaceful coexistence among the diverse races who gather here.”

  She gestured to the instructors lined up behind her. “You’ll come to know our professors: Professor Revalios for vampires, Professor Ethrian for elves, Master Eldon for humans, and many more. Each of them will introduce you to unique aspects of the magical and cultural knowledge we cultivate beneath these vaults.”

  A brief round of appuse echoed her words. Some students listened with captivated expressions; others wore skeptical looks. Selene noticed a group of noble vampires—likely tied to some ancient house—bearing aloof or disdainful attitudes.

  Aurelia continued, “The Lunar Academy is built upon four core principles: Knowledge, Respect, Courage, and Lunar Light. These four pilrs have their roots in the visions of Archmage Lunaris, our founder. Centuries ago, he believed the different races could transcend their ancient hostilities and create a new pact of cooperation, each contributing with their own talents.”

  After a solemn pause, the Headmistress surveyed the audience. “These ideals have never been taken for granted, nor will they be this year. It’s up to you, new students, to prove you want to uphold and nurture them, rather than suffocate them with distrust and hostility. Remember: whoever uses force or intimidation against others shall face our Academy’s strict regutions.”

  A second round of appuse arose, more moderate and den with conflicting undertones. Arya felt slightly lighter at heart, thinking maybe there was a setting where she could study with dignity despite the rumors that haunted her. Selene, for her part, was torn: the Headmistress’s words resonated with the hope of a better world, but she had already seen, just st night, how far from perfect that harmony was.

  Raising one arm slightly, Aurelia pointed at Selene in the crowd. “And speaking of Archmage Lunaris and visions that might inspire us, I’d like to invite here onto the stage Princess Selene de Lunaris, Heiress to the Empire of the Moon, so that she may honor us with a few words.”

  A murmur rippled across the crowd. Selene’s eyes widened, caught off guard: Aurelia had not warned her of this. Revalios gave her a reassuring tap on the shoulder, and the Princess, heart pounding, threaded her way through the startled and curious gazes until she reached the stage.

  Silence reigned. She could hear her own breathing clearly. She cleared her throat, meeting Aurelia’s kind gaze as she signaled to her.

  Selene, nerves aflutter, took a deep breath, briefly touching the medallion at her neck.

  “G-good afternoon, everyone,” she began, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m… Selene de Lunaris, a new student here and, by fate, the future Empress. But… in this Academy, I feel first and foremost like all of you—eager to learn and grow.”

  A mild rustle passed through the front rows, where a faction of noble vampires watched with haughty expressions. One of them, gray-haired and wearing a heraldic emblem on his uniform, scoffed quietly, folding his arms in a dispy of boredom.

  Selene caught that gesture from the corner of her eye, but carried on:

  “Just st night, upon arriving, I experienced something unpleasant. I witnessed an elf being bullied by some students. It troubled me deeply to see that in a pce meant to unite different races, acts of hostility and dominance can still occur. And yet…”

  She paused briefly, casting a gnce over the audience. She spotted Arya clutching her newly granted Academy insignia, her gaze lowered yet tinted with a faint hope. She also noticed Elina, the envious elf, turning her head with an impassive expression, likely irritated by those words.

  Continuing, Selene said, “Yet I believe that this school’s true purpose is to show that different races can cooperate, sharing talents and knowledge. Archmage Lunaris founded the Academy believing that only by coming together could we move beyond ancient prejudices. And I… I want to believe he was right.”

  A faint stir traveled through the crowd. Among the group of noble vampires, the same one who had harassed that elven girl the night before turned to his companion with an annoyed look: “Listen to her, sounding so altruistic… We’ll find a way to show her how things really work.” His eyes, full of scorn, briefly fixed on Selene.

  Elsewhere, a sincere-faced human boy not far from Arya was listening attentively to the Princess’s speech. He smiled softly, whispering to a cssmate, “At st someone with the courage to openly name these acts of bullying…”

  Selene inhaled again, feeling an unexpected confidence well up inside her—the memory of Akira, the former student council president from her past life, guiding her in speaking to an assembly.“I know it’s not easy. I know many of you harbor doubts about me, about what I represent, and about this concept of living together in harmony. But I ask you not to let rancor or rumors drive you apart. This is a pce of learning and dialogue. And if we all commit, step by step, to defending the vulnerable instead of attacking them—if we try to fulfill Lunaris’s dream—wouldn’t that be worth it?”

  A ripple of mixed reactions spread through the audience.

  Some elves exchanged gnces of curiosity and approval, looking pleased that a Vampire Princess was taking a stand for the rights of every race.

  Elina, the noble elf, appeared annoyed that her companions were somewhat moved by Selene’s words, and merely shook her head as if in disbelief.

  Among the more skeptical noble vampires, a few silently gnashed their teeth, deeming such phrases the “weakness” of a Princess unworthy of the royal bloodline.

  Arya felt a strange warmth stir inside her, like a spark of hope. She lifted her eyes slightly, fearful but impressed, wondering how such a brief speech could grant her a sense of lessened loneliness.

  Selene regarded the crowd with newly found poise. Deep down, Akira was guiding her with the surety of someone used to addressing rge groups, just as he had in council assemblies.“I don’t have many certainties, except that all of us here are newcomers to something. We can each choose whether to fight one another for supremacy… or to strive together for something greater. Thank you for listening to me. I’ll do my best to honor this institution and its values.”

  An instant of surreal silence, and then an appuse—initially timid—arose from several groups of students. It merged into a swelling ovation that wasn’t unanimous, but loud enough to fill the air with hope.

  Revalios appuded with dignified pride, gazing upon the Princess with approval.

  Aurelia Nocturne nodded in satisfied acknowledgement.

  The group of more obstinate bullies exchanged only mocking elbow nudges, remaining stiff.

  Arya, unexpectedly, joined in the appuse, cheeks flushing. She had never heard anyone so openly confront the Academy’s internal bullying, and for a moment, felt shielded.

  Selene, her heart pounding, gave a slight bow and returned to Aurelia’s side, still astonished at what she had just done. She noticed encouraging smiles on the faces of some professors, and worried looks from others who knew well how many rivalries and tensions still simmered in the Academy.

  After the welcoming ceremony, students filtered out of the Honor Courtyard, chatting in groups or heading off to the various Academy halls and cssrooms.

  Selene paused to speak briefly with a few professors, while Arya, still somewhat overwhelmed by emotion, sought a quieter spot with Lyrion.

  Arya and Lyrion walked along one of the covered walkways overlooking the inner garden. Although the early-afternoon air was mild, Arya still felt a weight in her chest: Selene’s speech had buoyed her spirits, yet she sensed someone’s hostile gaze trailing her.

  Suddenly, that arrogant vampire—the very same noble who had sneered at Selene behind her back during the ceremony, muttering: “Listen to her, sounding so altruistic… We’ll show her how things really work.”—blocked their way with an aggressive lunge.

  “You, elf… do you really believe in the fairy tales that the Princess just fed you?” he hissed, crimson eyes gring. “You think everyone here must answer to the same rules? Foolish dreamer.”

  Lyrion tried to step between them, but the vampire shoved him aside with force. Arya’s heart drummed wildly. “W-what do you want from me?” she managed, trying to keep calm.

  “I want to show you how this Academy really works, especially for someone who brags about having Duke Eldrin’s favor…” he scoffed. “If you’re all that good, defend yourself!”

  His hands traced swift arcane gestures: red sparks leapt from his fingertips, condensing into a crackling orb of energy. Arya attempted to raise a small Elven shield—one of the defensive spells she knew—but thirsting for power and revenge, the vampire intensified his magic. The orb in his hand grew, humming with dark electric charges.

  “Stop!” Lyrion yelled, lunging forward, but a wave of magical force flung him against a pilr. Arya’s legs quivered. Though she yearned to defend herself, she recognized the vampire’s spell as dangerously potent, possibly banned on Academy grounds.

  A sudden fsh assailed her, sending icy jolts against her Elven shield, causing fractures to form. Arya grit her teeth, concentrating with all her might, but the impact was too overwhelming. The shield shattered, the crimson orb closing in menacingly.

  At that very moment, a voice cut through the chaos:

  “Enough.”

  The vampire’s energy faltered. At the edge of the walkway stood Selene, her face set with resolve. Without hesitation, the Princess raised her hand, a lunar glow radiating around her. In mere seconds, Selene’s aura surged through the area like an invisible wave: the crimson orb instantly extinguished, and the vampire’s runic sigils dissolved as if soaked in water. Arya felt the magical pressure vanish, as if all the magic in that space had been nullified at once.

  The vampire recoiled, shocked, trying to cast another spell but failing to conjure even the slightest spark. “W-what…?” he stammered, eyes wide.

  Selene stepped closer, wearing a proud expression, still encircled by that palpable lunar power. “Did you think you could assault a fellow student with impunity? Is that your idea of honor?” Her voice was steely, filled with a cold fury.

  The vampire clenched his fists but found himself powerless—any attempt to invoke magic was choked off by Selene’s ability to suppress the ambient magical field. Even Arya and Lyrion felt they couldn’t cast even the simplest spell.

  “If I were you, I’d stop acting tough before you completely break the Academy’s rules,” Selene continued, drawing nearer to the vampire’s face. “You should respect the will of Archmage Lunaris—and of Headmistress Aurelia Nocturne. Or would you rather face their punishment and leave here in disgrace?”

  Gritting his teeth, the vampire tried to muster a rebellious tone. “You… Princess…” But under her impcable gaze, he found himself paralyzed. It was as if the blood in his veins—normally so proud—quailed before that lunar aura’s power.

  Several professors and students had by now arrived, drawn by the cmor. Lyrion managed to stand, hurrying to Arya to check she was all right. Arya, still panting, managed to stammer, “Th-thank you… Princess Selene…”

  Selene gnced briefly at Arya, then returned her withering gaze to the vampire. “I order you to leave at once and present yourself immediately to Revalios or the Headmistress. If you refuse or try to run, believe me, that suppression spell is only a sample of what I can do.”

  Realizing he was completely at Selene’s mercy, the vampire backed off a couple of steps, then turned and fled, only to be wayid by some instructors as he left. Meanwhile, Selene exhaled and gradually withdrew her aura: that sense of absolute magical negation dissipated, allowing Arya to sense the mana flow once more.

  A handful of bystanding students watched the Princess with awe and fear. Someone murmured, “I’ve never seen that kind of magic… She literally blocked the entire energy field!” Another, equally impressed, said, “The power of Princess Selene is incredible…”

  Selene, heart thudding in her ears, kept her composure. Then she turned to Arya, concern shining through her harsh demeanor. “Did he hurt you?” she asked in a gentler tone, dropping the severity she’d shown only moments earlier.

  Shaking slightly, Arya shook her head. “I… I’m all right, thanks to you. I really thought I was done for…”

  Selene nodded, a flicker of sadness passing through her eyes. “This Academy was founded to foster harmony among all races. Yet some have clearly forgotten that. I won’t let bullies destroy Lunaris’s ideal.”

  At that precise moment, Arya perceived an ethereal voice resound in her mind: “Arya, seek the strongest vampire. Your destinies are intertwined. But remember, you cannot reveal this message to her, because vampires are not connected to my presence.”

  Arya started slightly, staring at Selene in wide-eyed astonishment and curiosity, suddenly realizing that the “strongest vampire” must be the very one who stood before her. And while she recognized it, she felt a strange pressure on her chest, as though some unknown pain bound her in silence.

  Revalios, having just arrived, took charge of the situation and escorted Selene, Arya, and Lyrion toward the infirmary, while several professors dealt with the fleeing vampire and interviewed the bystanders.

  Along the way, Aurelia Nocturne quickly arrived, having been alerted by the rush of students. One gnce at the damaged colonnade and the remnants of canceled spells was enough for her to assess the gravity of the situation. Approaching Selene, she spoke in a low voice:

  “Princess Selene… I’ve heard you suppressed the entire magical area to stop an attacker. Is that correct?”

  Selene nodded, with a mix of resolve and fatigue.“I couldn’t just stand by while he tried to hurt another student. Maybe I overdid it with the suppression spell, but…”

  Aurelia regarded her with a look combining admiration and approval.“You acted to protect a cssmate, which does you credit. Your power is impressive, Princess, and your rank cannot be overlooked. If anyone attempts to challenge your authority, they’ll have to face the strength you just dispyed. I trust you’ll manage things with the same resolve you showed today.”

  With that, the Headmistress turned to the professors and firmly ordered,“Prepare the disciplinary paperwork. That young man shall be suspended from magic lessons until we crify his conduct. And notify his House: if they fail to grasp the seriousness of his actions, we’ll be the ones to remind them of the Academy’s rules.”

  A faint murmur spread among the faculty—some startled by the Rettrice’s severity, though all understood an incident like this undermined the school’s core principles.

  Meanwhile, Arya walked beside Lyrion and Selene, her heart still pounding. She could not stop thinking about the mysterious voice that urged her to “seek the strongest vampire.” She knew it referred to Selene, the one who had just saved her.

  Why me? she wondered, a lump forming in her throat. And if my destiny truly is tied to hers, as that voice says… I’m quite sure she’s the strongest vampire… But if I can’t tell her anything, how will I ever figure this out?

  Each step felt heavier, yet Arya sensed an unexpected reassurance in having the Princess by her side. Part of her recalled fragments of her past life, and a sense of guilt for not having been able to “continue something” she still couldn’t name. Now, amid the echo of footsteps and hushed voices in the corridor, that ethereal voice reverberated in her mind, compelling her silence.

  Selene, for her part, sensed Arya’s gaze upon her—filled with gratitude and turmoil. She wanted badly to offer further comfort, but simply walked in silence, her thoughts on the consequences of what had just happened.