Luckily for Noah, as he held Lamia tightly after seeing the abomination outside the window, it occurred to him that the latter had already fallen asleep. He let out a long breath of relief, but the fear lingering inside him refused to let him even glance toward the window again.
Then again, it wasn’t exactly his fault.
Who would have imagined that those so-called flesh-eating creatures were actually real? Much less that he would witness one standing right outside their window.
It wasn’t only their horrifying appearance or the suffocating aura they carried.
There was something else.
Something about that creature made his skin crawl.
It felt... familiar.
As though, somehow, he already knew whoever—or whatever—it had once been.
That single thought refused to leave his mind as he lay on Lamia’s bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
What if that creature was the missing piece?
What if Ashton’s death had something to do with discovering something he wasn’t supposed to know? What if the reason he died wasn’t an accident at all?
And then there was the forbidden magic book.
He had clearly seen it lying carelessly on Ashton’s desk.
Why would Ashton have a book on dark magic?
The story had painted Ashton as nothing more than a powerless extra who couldn’t even defend himself. If that were true, why would someone like him be reading forbidden spells?
Unless...
Unless Ashton wasn’t the person the narrative wanted everyone to believe he was.
Could that also explain why the Alphas were strangely interested in him?
The more Noah thought about it, the more everything stopped making sense.
He desperately wished he could inherit Ashton’s memories already.
Unfortunately, fate seemed determined to make him work for every single answer, and honestly, that annoyed him to no end.
"Tch..."
Maybe he was thinking too much.
Perhaps he should just relax for a little while.
Ironically, the moment that thought crossed his mind, sleep quietly claimed him.
...
The next thing Noah felt was something heavy crashing against his head.
Thud!
"Ouch!"
He rubbed the sore spot on his forehead before glaring ahead.
"That hurt! Why would you do that?"
Looking around, he realized sunlight was pouring through the curtains.
Morning.
Never in his life had Noah been happier to see daylight.
At least daylight meant there were no horrifying monsters staring through windows.
Hopefully.
"Do you know," Lamia grumbled, folding his arms with an irritated expression, "you took almost the entire bed. I woke up sleeping on the damn floor."
Before Noah could defend himself, another pillow came flying toward him.
This time he managed to dodge it.
"So dramatic," Noah muttered as he sat upright.
Now that it was morning...
What next?
"So," he asked excitedly, stretching his arms, "where are we going today? Are we exploring the academy? Meeting new people? Looking around? Finding hidden places? Maybe—"
Lamia simply stared at him.
Once Noah finally stopped listing random ideas, Lamia sighed deeply.
"We’re going to class."
He answered so flatly that Noah blinked.
"That’s all?"
"Yes. That’s all."
Then Lamia checked the clock.
"And in case you don’t know, we’re already fifteen minutes late for the first lecture."
Noah shot off the bed so quickly he nearly slipped.
"What?!"
He hurriedly looked around the room in complete panic.
"You traitor!" he cried dramatically. "Why didn’t you wake me up?"
Instead of answering, Lamia picked up a neatly folded white uniform and tossed it toward him.
It landed perfectly in Noah’s arms.
"Put that on."
He pointed toward a small door.
"The bathroom’s on the left."
Then he narrowed his eyes.
"And don’t you dare use my soap."
Noah blinked.
"...Why?"
"It’s for scrubbing my butt."
Noah’s face twisted instantly.
"Why would you even tell me that?!"
Ignoring his complaint, Lamia waved him away.
"Just hurry up."
Noah grumbled under his breath before disappearing into the bathroom.
Soon the sound of running water echoed throughout the room.
Meanwhile, Lamia leaned against the wall and decided this was probably the best chance he had to prepare Noah before today’s inevitable disaster.
"I already know you’re a walking catastrophe," he began loudly, making sure Noah could hear him through the door.
"So let me save both our lives."
A lazy hum came from inside the bathroom.
"The Alphas usually stay around this dormitory. Two of them are almost always outside playing games or hanging around."
Another hum.
"So whatever you do..."
Lamia emphasized every word.
"Avoid them."
Noah continued bathing.
"If they order you to do something..."
Lamia sighed.
"Just do it."
"Hmm."
That was good enough for him.
"Secondly..."
Lamia continued.
"There are three girls."
He shivered slightly.
"They’re basically evil spirits in human form."
No response.
"If you value your peace, don’t let them notice you."
Silence.
"Although..."
He rubbed his forehead.
"They’ve already noticed you, so I guess it’s too late for that."
Still nothing.
Lamia frowned.
"Are you even listening to me?"
"Okay, Mom!" Noah shouted from inside.
Lamia immediately face-palmed.
"You’re impossible."
Still, he couldn’t leave Noah alone.
Not after everything that had happened.
Taking another deep breath, he continued.
"Last rule."
His tone became serious.
"Don’t ask teachers unnecessary questions."
"They’re terrifying."
"They’re also on the Elite’s side."
"So people like us don’t matter."
He folded his arms.
"In summary..."
"Avoid the Alphas."
"Avoid those three girls."
"Avoid the teachers."
"If you can manage that..."
"You might actually survive this semester."
The bathroom door suddenly opened.
"I’m ready!"
Noah stepped out wearing the spotless white academy uniform.
The white jacket rested perfectly over his shirt, while polished boots completed the outfit.
Noah couldn’t help staring.
"I’ve got to admit..."
He looked Lamia up and down.
"You’ve got amazing fashion sense."
Considering how poor Lamia supposedly was, Noah was honestly impressed.
Everything looked clean, simple, and surprisingly stylish.
No wonder they became best friends.
Noah dramatically struck a pose.
"I’m here to conquer this academy!"
He suddenly paused.
"...Actually."
He turned toward Lamia.
"What’s the name of this school again?"
Silence.
Lamia slowly turned to look at him.
"You..."
His jaw literally dropped.
"You don’t know the name of the school you’ve attended for years?"
Noah shrugged casually.
"That doesn’t answer my question."
For a brief moment, Lamia genuinely wondered whether Ashton had ever attended classes mentally.
"It’s Aetherion Academy."
He sighed.
"Please remember that."
Noah nodded without looking particularly interested.
"Cool name."
He grabbed an exercise book from the table before turning back to Lamia.
"I still think you’re slaying, though."
Lamia frowned.
"What?"
"Seriously."
Noah pointed toward his boots.
"Those boots are incredible."
"You really know how to dress."
Before Lamia could respond, a loud metallic bell echoed throughout the entire academy.
RINGGGGGGG!
Lamia’s eyes widened.
"We’re dead."
He immediately rushed toward the door.
"We absolutely cannot miss this lecture."
"Missing it is asking for trouble."
Unfortunately for Noah...
His bladder suddenly decided otherwise.
"Oh no."
He awkwardly crossed his legs.
"Lamia..."
"What now?"
"I need the restroom."
Lamia stared at him.
"...Now?"
"Yes."
"Out of every possible moment..."
"Now?"
Noah scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"I’ll catch up."
Without waiting for permission, he sprinted down the hallway.
"Ashton!"
Lamia called after him.
"Don’t get lost!"
But Noah was already gone.
Lamia could only sigh before heading toward class alone.
Meanwhile, Noah had absolutely no idea where he was going.
Every hallway looked exactly the same.
He simply kept moving forward, hoping luck would guide him.
Students passing by slowed their steps to watch him.
Some exchanged confused looks.
"Isn’t that the Moonlight Alpha’s territory?"
One boy whispered.
"Why’s he heading there?"
Another student frowned.
"Was he summoned?"
The first boy’s eyes lit up mischievously.
"I can’t wait to tell Slyvia."
Without another word, the two hurried away.
Completely unaware of the growing attention around him, Noah finally spotted an elegant room with its door slightly open.
"Jackpot."
He quickly slipped inside.
Thankfully...
There was a restroom.
Finally relieved, he shut the stall door behind him and took a deep breath.
Only then did a familiar deep voice echo from outside.
Noah froze instantly.
Every hair on his body stood on end.
"...Oh, no."
His gaze slowly wandered around the luxurious restroom.
Mounted proudly on one wall was a large portrait of Damian.
His heartbeat skipped.
"...Please don’t tell me..."
His face slowly drained of color.
"I walked into the Alpha’s territory..."
Seconds later, the door flew open with a bang. Damian stepped inside, still talking.
"I told you, Marcus, to stop closing the door. What the fuck is your problem?"
His sharp eyes suddenly locked onto the unexpected figure in front of him. His lips curled into a dangerous, predatory smile.
"Aren’t you an impatient one? If you wanted to see me nude, you could have just asked. I’d give you the full show—but there’s always a price."
He winked. Noah stumbled back to his feet in panic, only to realize he was still clutching a pair of Calvin Klein boxers that had been left behind.
A raw, terrified scream tore from his throat.
"Archhhhhhhhh...!"
The sound echoed off the tiled walls as Noah’s mind raced for an escape. Damian’s presence filled the space like a storm, his tall frame blocking the doorway and his intense gaze pinning Noah in place.
The alpha’s dangerous smile didn’t waver; if anything, it deepened with amusement at the chaos he had walked into. Noah’s heart hammered against his ribs. Every warning Lamia had given him that morning flashed through his head—avoid the alphas at all costs, especially in the dorm. Yet here he was, trapped in what was clearly their private territory, holding someone else’s underwear and screaming like a fool.