Chapter 60: Running Late

Starlight walked briskly down the academy corridor. That motherfucking psychopath. The sheer audacity of the so-called Imperial Prince Nikolai made her blood boil so hot she could barely think straight. Who gave him the right to grab her face like that? He was lucky he was the prince of this empire, otherwise she would have smashed that smug face of his.

And don’t even get her started on that fake-ass, made-up disciplinary nonsense. What the fuck were those two even planning? Whatever twisted trap they were trying to spring, she would rip it apart before she let them gain the upper hand.

She frowned, glancing back at the reception desk. Where had the Headmistress even gone? Had she really left the entire administration building just to give the prince privacy to manhandle her? Fuck, this whole thing was making her head hurt. She paused, pinched the bridge of her nose, and squeezed her eyes shut for a brief second as she took a deep, steadying breath. A few seconds later, she snapped her eyes open and continued walking.

I hope I’m not late for Combat Class, she thought. Starlight had been looking forward to that class ever since she found out there was such a thing at the academy. Slipping a hand into the side pocket of her skirt, she pulled out her phone, still mildly impressed by how the academy had somehow managed to seamlessly add practical side pockets to their uniforms.

That had to be the only thing they had gotten right in her eyes. She checked the time and found that she still had two minutes before class began. Relieved, she picked up her pace, knowing she could still make it if she hurried.

Thanks to the ongoing lecture period, the corridors were unusually quiet. Starlight didn’t run into a single soul on her way. She didn’t have to deal with the hushed whispers and usual stares that seemed to follow her everywhere now, nor did she have to deal with anyone stopping her, calling her name, trying to force her to take a picture with them, or annoying students attempting to corner her with stupid questions.

For once, the academy’s endless hallways worked in her favor, allowing her to cut through them uninterrupted as she hurried toward her destination. By the time she pushed open the door to the female locker room, she immediately knew she was running later than she had thought. The place was practically empty, which meant everyone taking Combat Class had already changed and headed out.

Her earlier relief vanished instantly. She was running late, if not already late.

The female locker room was ridiculously luxurious, as though it belonged in an upscale resort or an exclusive country club rather than a school. It seemed like what Asterion was really good at was making everything extravagant and unnecessarily expensive-looking.

Rows of blue steel lockers lined the walls, each bearing a neatly printed nameplate indicating the student it belonged to. They’re organized too, Starlight thought. The floor was made of smooth white marble, and a faint floral scent lingered in the air, giving the room a fresh, clean atmosphere. A long row of full-length mirrors stretched along one side of the room, and farther in were private shower cubicles separated by frosted glass partitions. Everything was immaculate and polished to perfection, but unfortunately, Starlight neither had the time nor the patience to admire the place.

She could do that later.

Starlight found her locker near the far end of the room, number 247, and quickly spun the combination lock. The locker access code had been included in the welcome pack every new student received upon arriving at the academy. The door clicked open, revealing her training gear neatly folded inside. She grabbed it and began changing right there. There was no point heading into one of the private cubicles when the locker room was completely empty, and besides, she didn’t have the luxury of wasting time.

The training gear consisted of a fitted red performance shirt made from lightweight, stretchable fabric that hugged the body without restricting movement. Blue and white panels ran along the shoulders and down the sides, giving it a sleek, athletic appearance that looked more suited for professional athletes than students.

The academy crest was stitched neatly over the left side of the chest, while the matching training pants featured the same blue-and-white detailing running from the hips all the way down to the ankles. Reinforced stitching around the knees suggested the uniform had been designed to withstand far rougher treatment than an ordinary school outfit. The ensemble was completed with a pair of blue training shoes built for speed, stability, and combat drills.

Within record time, she was fully changed and already rushing toward Combat Class.

The moment Starlight stepped into the training hall, a familiar voice immediately called out to her. "Hey! Star, over here!" Elle shouted, waving both arms above her head to make herself visible among the crowd of students.

"Come over here! You’re just in time!"

Standing with her were Chloe and Ariel, both stretching. The moment the two girls spotted Starlight, their faces brightened noticeably.

Starlight nodded slightly in acknowledgment and started making her way toward them. They were standing near one of the large square training areas marked out on the floor with thick white lines. She had barely taken a few steps when her gaze snagged on a figure talking to another student across the hall.

Her feet stopped moving immediately.

Every muscle in her body locked.

The sounds around her seemed to recede into the distance. The conversations, the laughter, even Elle’s voice calling her name, all of it became muffled and distorted, as though she had suddenly been submerged underwater.

Her pulse stumbled as a cold wave swept through her body. Her fingers curled tightly at her sides, and her breathing turned shallow.

The training hall blurred around the edges, and suddenly she wasn’t seeing the crowded room anymore. She was back in that hallway leading to Otto’s room three years ago.

-------------------

What would you love to see in the story?