'Wake up, Jake.'
'N-no'
'WAKE UP JAKE!!'
"NOOO!!" My eyes snapped open as I regained consciousness
"Haa... haa... haa..." I let out long, haggard breaths, clutching my chest.
I slowly calmed myself and scanned my surroundings.
I found myself in a bed surrounded by blinding white walls, a drip was attached to my left arm, and a machine was monitoring my heart rate; its beeping noise seemed to echo louder and louder with each beep.
The smell of antiseptic was thick.
"N-no..."
I didn't notice it, but my breath became more and more strained as I realized my surroundings.
"Ha-ha-ha-"
I forcefully pulled the drip from my arm and desperately dragged myself out of the room.
I found myself in a white hallway as I pushed my body to move.
"Haa... haa... haa... move... haa..."
My vision began to blur, but I didn't stop moving.
I needed to get out.
A few figures in white clothing approached me.
"Are you okay?" They reached out to help me.
"DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!!" I slapped their hand with all the force I could muster and continued to move down the hall.
The figure seemed to back off, but eventually more gathered and surrounded me.
They slowly approached.
"We are here to help you."
"Haa... STAY THE FUCK AWAY!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.
They all simply stared in my direction with...
Those eyes.
I was about to cast an enhancement spell, but...
"Wow, and they call me a drama queen." A rough feminine voice interjected.
Looking in the direction, I spotted her.
Unlike the others... her figure wasn't blurred.
I could see her clearly.
I immediately rushed toward her and buried myself deep in her embrace.
Looking up at her, I weakly spoke.
"g-get me out of here p-please."
Her eyes were wide, but she eventually smiled and patted my head, "...Okay."
I felt my consciousness slip as I held onto her.
I fainted... again.
-------
I opened my eyes slowly as my consciousness returned.
My eyes widened as the night sky came into view.
Stars spread across the sky, and the two moons shone bright overhead, making the scene... wait.
'Two moons?'
"Wha-?"
"You awake?" A voice came from above.
A face leaned into view, blocking the stars.
Nira.
"..."
My mind blanked.
"You're lying on my lap," She smiled. "In case you're wondering."
I tried to get up, but she shoved me back down. "H-huh?"
"You know," She gazed at the sky. "...You made quite the scene back there."
In an instant, memories of what had happened hit me like a truck.
'...fuck.' I covered my face with my hand as shame rose within me.
I thought I had overcome all of my past, whether it be Jake's or Cassian's, but it turns out.
'I was delusional.'
I had never truly gotten past it. I only shoved it deep into my mind, hoping it would never resurface.
"I'm sorry," I apologized.
"You should be."
I let out a weak laugh. "You're supposed to say you don't have to be sorry or something."
She raised an eyebrow and looked directly into my eyes. "And why would I do that?"
I let out a small laugh.
'She's really something.'
I stared at her.
'You'd have liked her, Mom.'
Her tone was rude, and her expression was disrespectful, but in that moment, it felt as though the world had stopped. I couldn't hear anything. Her glowing red eyes seemed to eclipse the surroundings, it was...
"Beautiful"
"..."
"..."
'Shit!'
I hastily got up from her lap and stood up. My posture was extremely stiff as I tried to avoid eye contact with her.
"Uhh... I meant the moon... I-I mean moons!!"
Her expression remained calm. Not blushing, not flustered.
Just... looking at me.
She didn't react at all.
Something in my chest twisted.
Disappointment?
I shoved it down.
"Anyway, thank you, princess. I hope to see you in the academy later."
I bowed and left without giving her a chance to reply.
------
After leaving Nira behind, I found myself in the middle of a courtyard surrounded by flowers of many different colors, assorted neatly in lines, and a smooth brick pathway in the middle.
I sat on a bench and allowed myself to relax.
I dragged a hand through my hair and let out a small laugh.
"So much for romance..."
I wasn't stupid; it was obvious I was attracted to Nira, and although it wasn't love, this was the first time in both lives that I'd ever felt this way.
Yes, I never dated before.
I grabbed my chest, feeling my heart rate rise.
'Calm down.'
"Haa..." I let out a long sigh. "She probably thinks I'm a weirdo."
"And why would that be?" A deep, calm voice came from behind.
My head snapped in the direction of the voice, and there I saw him.
"Nice to meet you, Cassian... or should I say, Prince Cassian"
A middle-aged-looking man stood before me in a neat semi-formal suit. His figure was massive, but despite his stature, his presence was calming... too calming.
He had a thick grey beard that didn't resemble the rest of his body, but what caught my attention was his face, or more specifically, the massive scar that lined across his left eye.
My brows furrowed.
'Of course, he knows who I am.'
I wasn't surprised.
I got up and bowed slightly.
"The pleasure is all mine... Headmaster."
The headmaster's eyes widened slightly. "You recognise me?" His eyes squinted. "...I don't believe we've met before... well, unless you remember your infancy."
"There are pictures of you in almost every academy article." I made an excuse.
"Hmm... that's true." He nodded, but I knew he didn't believe me, not fully at least. "Since you've called me headmaster, I can assume you're going to Aethon, yes?"
"That is my intent."
He smiled. "The entrance ceremony will commence soon, and I'm here to take you there."
My eyes widened. "Now?"
"Yes, Prince, now." His tone was firm.
'Fucking hell, I didn't prepare a speech or... wait.'
"What place did I get?"
"What place?"
"Yes."
He smiled again. "Isn't it obvious?"
"Oh..." It dawned on me.
He wouldn't have come to fetch me if I weren't first, or maybe he would have. He's always been unpredictable.
I stood right before him. His figure towered above me, but I matched his gaze.
"I... am no prince."
His smile widened. "Very well, follow me... Cassian."