Deep in her dreams, a woman's ethereal voice murmured to the dreamer, "Your wings and fate are tied to Re—" before abruptly cutting off, like a phone call dropped without warning. "What is she trying to tell me?" the creamer wondered, lucidly aware.
On a cold, pitch-black Thursday night, a white school bus screeched to a halt in a decaying village in Transylvania, Romania. The bus, bearing the emblem of Silver Lining University, carried only two passengers: the weary driver and a slumbering teenage girl.
SLU (Silver Lining University) was renowned as a prestigious institution, famous for its advanced research in magic and the highest caliber of education in the universe.
The journey from Seattle, Washington had taken nearly 25 hours, and the long trek had clearly worn on both driver and passenger. With a heavy yawn, the driver spoke into the bus's speaker with a tired voice, "Final stop, Professor Virgo!"
The young professor stirred from her muddled sleep, slowly lifting her head from the bag resting beside her. "Ugh—bollocks, that intrusive dream again," she muttered, holding her jet-lagged head with one hand. She wiped the drool from her pale face and fumbled for her prescription crystal-colored glasses,
encased in a small box on the seat next to her.
Groggily, she sat up straight and rummaged through her bag, eventually pulling out a purple scrunchie. She gathered her disheveled, long blonde hair into a neat bun. Stretching her neck, back, and legs, she stood up with a satisfying crack, then began to collect her belongings, carefully stowing them in her duffle bag before slinging it over her shoulder.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Ready at last, she made her way to the front of the bus, stiflin' a yawn as she murmured, "Scuse me," in her soft Irish lilt. "Thanks a million, sir, for drivin' me all the way from the university. Really appreciate it," she added, giving a polite bow.
The bus driver nodded in return. "No problem, professor. But are you sure this is your destination?" he asked, his brow furrowing.
She gripped the strap of her bag and met his gaze. "Aye, it is."
Turning fully in his seat, the driver gave her a skeptical look. "No offense, but what would a prodigy professor from Silver Lining University want in this dump? I've heard rumors... they say vampires once hid in this village. Not exactly a friendly bunch.".
The young elf scholar nodded. "Ah, I appreciate yer concern, but my job's to learn an' uncover the unknown. This 'dump' is exactly where I need to be." Her sky-blue eyes sparkled with determination. "Me goal's to find a vampire and learn more about 'em and their magic for me research."
The driver let out a chuckle. "You really live up to the crazy stories I've heard. Snooping around in vampires' business is a kind of crazy no ordinary elf would go for," he said, shaking his head.
He turned back to the wheel, preparing to depart. "Well, I've got to head back to the University, but before I go..." With a fluid motion of his index fingers tracing a circle in the air, the bus driver conjured a delicate swirl of Consuete air magic. The pen and paper rose smoothly, cradled by a shimmering spiral of mystical wind, and drifted effortlessly into his hands. A soft click echoed as the pen activated, its tip emitting a faint, magical glow. The air around him resonated with a gentle hum of enchantment as he scanned the list of names on his checklist. "What's your full name again, professor? Need it for the report."
Stepping off the bus, the girl replied, "Me names, Belle Virgo and don't forget it."
