Chapter 3: Awakening and Encounters

Alexis Taylor jolted awake to the obnoxious blare of her alarm clock, begrudgingly sliding out of bed while rubbing the sleep from her eyes. With a tired yawn, she made her way to the bathroom, promptly filling the bathtub and beginning her morning routine.

In her world, where speaking her mind earned her a reputation for rudeness, Alexis didn't give a damn about others' opinions. What mattered to her was being able to express herself freely.

Forty minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom, donning the uniform neatly hung in her closet: a white long-sleeved blouse with a maroon necktie, a matching maroon coat, and a knee-length skirt. She slipped on her black shoes with three-inch heels. The male students, on the other hand, wore dark blue coats and neckties with black slacks.

Surveying herself in the mirror, Alexis couldn't help but admire her own beauty. After applying eyelashes, eyebrows, eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush, and red lipstick, she let her pink hair cascade freely. Satisfied with her appearance, she headed downstairs, encountering her impatient companions.

"About time," Lucy complained, raising an eyebrow at Alexis.

"So what? Want to trade bodies? Nah, I'm not into cheap ones," Alexis retorted, earning a smirk from Lucy.

"You're so mean. But hey, I'm cute and sexy," Lucy said, feigning tears.

"Let's go," Chaos intervened, his voice cold. Alexis begrudgingly followed, annoyed by his seriousness.

As they walked through the hallway, they couldn't escape the stares of other students, who seemed to view them as gods and goddesses. Alexis, however, paid them no mind, uninterested in their worship.

"Guys, there's a new student."

"Yeah, and she's gorgeous, like a princess."

"She gives me chills."

"But she's probably nice."

"Her gaze is so cold."

"Well, she's undeniably beautiful."

Alexis bristled at their whispers, feeling a surge of indignation. What did they mean, she's surpassed us? If they dared confront her, they'd regret it. Infuriating!

"Who do you think the new student is?" Sophie asked, catching Alexis off guard.

"I don't know," Scarllet replied.

"Should we ask?" Lucy suggested.

"Stop it, all of you!" Alexis scolded, earning synchronized pouts from her friends. If only she could shove their noses in the mud to knock some sense into them!

"Tss, just say, Alex, that you're jealous because someone's prettier than you," Parker chimed in, emphasizing 'prettier.' Hell no! Alexis was not insecure.

"Shut up, Parker," Alexis snapped.

Their conversation halted as the other students' murmurs grew louder. They all turned to see the newcomer, and Alexis's jaw dropped at her beauty. She had to admit, she was stunning—no, more than that, she was divine. Her graceful figure and fair complexion accentuated her school uniform.

Clamping her mouth shut, Alexis glanced at her companions, who were equally dumbfounded, except for Chaos, who remained stoic. Stone-faced as ever.

Meanwhile, Blaire Icefire Snow Peachthrees Mackenzie, a girl raised among fairies in the Forbidden Forest of Ogygia, walked through the hallway with an air of indifference, paying no heed to the admiring gazes of her peers. She glanced at the group she'd encountered yesterday but continued on her way without a hint of emotion.

"Hi," the Royalties greeted her, to which Blaire responded with silence.

"I'm Lucy Charlotte, 18, princess of the Amilous Kingdom, and an Animal user," Lucy introduced herself with a smile.

"I'm Sophie Winter, 20, princess of the Icenerous Kingdom, and an ice user," Sophie added, blushing.

"I'm Scarllet Brooklyn, 19, princess of the Earthenous Kingdom, and an earth user," Scarllet said, extending her hand, only to retract it when Blaire ignored the gesture. The guys snickered, annoying Scarllet.

"Princess Alexis Taylor, 19, from the Manirous Kingdom, and a mind manipulator," Alexis introduced herself with a hint of arrogance.

"I'm Prince Parker Callan, 19, from the Liusonous Kingdom, and an illusion user," Parker said, hesitantly smiling. He had brown hair and eyes.

"I'm Prince Miles Rowen, 20, from the Waterous Kingdom, and a water user," Miles said, with blue hair and eyes.

"I'm Prince Acel Langston, 20, from the Aircous Kingdom, and an air user," Acel introduced himself, scratching his head. He had white hair and black eyes.

"I'm Prince Kade Haines, 21, from the Piosorous Kingdom, and a poison user," Kade said, winking. He had black hair and eyes.

The friends turned to Chaos, who had yet to introduce himself. "Chaos Four Halton," he said curtly, his deep voice sending shivers down their spines. He had red hair and eyes that seemed to burn with fire. The group grinned at his nonchalant demeanor.

"He's the prince of the Firehexous Kingdom and a fire user. He's 21," Scarllet explained. They fell silent, waiting for Blaire to introduce herself.

"Blaire Icefire Snow Peachthrees Mackenzie, 19, an ice user," Blaire said simply, stunning them all with her aloofness.

"Um... so you and Sophie have something in common," Lucy tried to break the tension.

"So, where do you live? Icerenous Village?" Alexis asked, her tone sharp.

"Sorry, I don't know that place," Blaire replied, furrowing her brow. She had dark blue hair and eyes.

The group fell silent, waiting for Blaire to speak again, but she rose abruptly. "Excuse me," she said before teleporting to her dormitory.

In her room, Blaire rummaged through her belongings, her eyes glowing green as she retrieved a necklace—a gift from her dream companions. Smiling at the heart-shaped pendant, she slipped it on before heading back out.

Walking through the hallway toward her classroom, Blaire ignored the curious glances of her peers. She sat beside her dormmate, Aubrey Tsaves, 18, a thunderbolt user with black hair and eyes.

"What did you go back for, Snow?" Aubrey asked, surprised. Blaire simply smiled sheepishly, avoiding eye contact.

Turning her attention to the front, Blaire listened intently as their history lesson began, her eyes turning ashen as she absorbed the tale of Zeus, Hera, Hades, and the struggle between light and darkness. But just as the teacher was about to continue, the bell rang, snapping Blaire out of her trance.