THE GIRL FEARED BY THE WIZARD CREATOR

At twenty years old, I never imagined my final year would begin at a place people whispered about but have never truly talked about.

Haneul Ridge Academy.

The academy stood high on a mountain which was perfectly hidden behind towering pine trees and From a distance it looked less like a school and more like an old fortress that had refused to age some how…

The taxi rolled to a stop in front of the enormous iron school gates.

“We are here,” the driver said as he stepped out and placed my luggage beside me.

I thanked him briefly and climbed out balancing my largest box carefully on my head..

And the very moment I stepped through the gates…I felt it.

Dozens of eyes.

Students walking along the driveway slowed down as their conversations fading as they looked in my direction. Some openly stared while others whispered behind raised hands.

I shifted the box slightly.

Is this how every transfer student is welcomed?

Before I could take another step, the weight on my head suddenly disappeared.

A hand had already lifted the box away.

Startled, I looked up and standing before me was a tall young man dressed in the academy’s black uniform. His features were sharp with his posture straight and his expression was impossible to read.

“I can manage,” I said, reaching for the box.

“You probably can.”

His voice came out low.,

“But I will carry it.”

There was something about the way he spoke,not commanding but it simply sounded like someone who expected to be obeyed and without waiting for my answer, he turned and started walking.

After hesitating for a second, I hurried after him.

The strange thing wasn’t that he was helping me.

It was everyone else’s reaction.

Students immediately stepped aside as he walked past,some lowered their heads and others avoided looking at him completely,no one greeted him neither do they stopped him.

“I appreciate it,” I said after a long silence as he nodded once.

“I’m Raven Soo.”his voice suddenly came out in a whisper…

“I’m Jina Park.”

“I know.”

“You know me?

“You are the transfer student.”

His answer sounded ordinary but yet something about it made me wonder if that was really all he knew and together, we climbed the long staircase leading toward the female hostel.

A cool breeze drifted through the corridor, lifting a few strands of my hair,I quickly glanced at Raven but he didn’t react as his eyes remained fixed ahead as though he hadn’t even felt the wind.

When we reached the last room on the hallway, he gently placed my box on the floor.

“This is your room.”

He gave a small nod before turning around and not once did he tried to look back.

I watched him disappear down the hallway before unlocking my door.

The room was covered in dust when I entered,the mistress had explained that the student assigned to stay with me had fallen seriously ill months ago and never returned.

For now…I would have the room to myself.

I found a broom resting in one corner and started sweeping,and as I pushed the broom beneath one of the beds, something suddenly burst out.

It was a black bird which suddenly shot from beneath the mattress and flew straight through the open window.

I gasped and stumbled backward as my heart pounded so hard I could hear it.

Taking a deep breath, I hurried to the window,the bird landed on a nearby tree and standing beneath it…

…was Raven.

Almost as though he had been waiting.

He looked up at me and smiled faintly.

“Sorry about that, Jina Park.”

He slipped both hands into his pockets.

“Things like that always happen to new students.”

Then after a brief pause, he added,

“You will get used to it.”

Before I could ask what he meant, he turned and walked away without another word.

I remained standing by the window.

The academy already felt strange.

I’d heard stories about Haneul Ridge before coming here.

Stories about students who practiced things ordinary people couldn’t explain.

Stories that sounded too ridiculous to believe.

I never came here because I believed those rumors.

I came here for one reason.

My father!!!

He had been one of the country’s best investigators,Months ago, he was assigned to a case connected to this academy and after that investigation…

He was never the same,he barely slept and he became distant, then one month before he died,he transferred me here.

He never told me why and that was exactly what I intended to find out.

A knock interrupted my thoughts.

I opened the door.

Standing outside was a tall girl with long white hair resting over her shoulders,she wore a warm smile that immediately softened her otherwise cold appearance.

She stretched out her hand.

“I am Jan-Dee.”

She smiled.

“But everyone calls me Jan.”

“I am Jina.”

“I know.”

She grinned.

“The whole academy knows we have a transfer student.”

Without waiting for another reply, she continued.

“My room is the first one after yours.”

She pointed down the hallway.

“Oh and you’d better hurry because dinner starts soon and if you’re late…”

She laughed.

“…trust me, it won’t be fun.”

Before I could ask what she meant, she waved and walked away.

After freshening up, I stepped outside and jan was already leaning against the wall opposite my room with her arms folded.

The moment she saw me, she smiled.

“I knew you’d need someone to walk with.”

She pushed herself off the wall.

“Lucky you,you found one.”

I couldn’t help smiling.

“I… don’t really know anyone here.”

“You do now.”

She winked.

As we walked through the hallway, she looked ahead and said casually,

“Welcome to the least pleasant school you will ever attend and I hope you survive long enough to enjoy it.”

My footsteps slowed.

“What do you mean by that?”

Jan laughed.

“You will find out soon.”

She nudged my shoulder.

“Don’t worry,I will help you survive.”

Several students greeted her as we passed,some bowed politely while others whispered after we walked by.

She acknowledged them with a nod but never stopped walking.

“We should hurry,” she said.

“If we are late, they will make us stand while balancing food trays on our heads.”

She shivered dramatically.

“You really don’t want that.”

We entered the dining hall and it was already crowded.

Jan quickly claimed two empty seats and waved me over.

I sat beside her while quietly observing everyone around us as conversations floated through the room.

Every now and then, I caught someone glancing in my direction.

“The transfer student…”

“…She’s prettier than I expected.”

The whispers faded as another figure entered the hall.

Raven.

The room seemed to change the moment he walked in,he moved quietly toward another table,jan quickly called his name and he stopped and turned slightly.

She gave her a respectful nod and then continued walking without even looking at me.

“That guy,” Jan whispered as she tore a piece of bread, “is the strangest person in this academy.”

“He barely talks to anyone.”

She leaned closer until her lips were almost beside my ear.

“I heard…”

Her voice dropped to a whisper.

“…he’s a vampire.”

She quickly looked around.

“Shhh.”

“Don’t say anything about this to anyone.”

Then she sat back and continued eating as though she hadn’t said anything at all,i stared at my plate.

A vampire?

I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or start worrying,maybe coming here had been a mistake or maybe I should abandon my father’s investigation before I ended up sharing his fate.

“Hey, newbie.”

A cheerful voice interrupted my thoughts.

Someone pulled out the chair opposite mine and sat down without asking.

He looked about my age, with bright eyes and an easy smile that made him seem approachable from the very first glance.

“I am Minho.”

He pointed at himself proudly.

“Class president.”

“I heard we have a new transfer student.”

“So…”

He leaned across the table.

“…you are Jina Park.”

I nodded as he smiled wider.

“You look far too innocent for this place.”

Jan rolled her eyes.

“Don’t start.”

Minho completely ignored her and instead, he rested his chin on one hand and studied me for a moment.

“Tell me something.”

He lowered his voice.

“Have you started your investigation yet?”

Every muscle in my body froze.

My face must have changed because Minho suddenly burst into laughter.

“I am joking Jina park.”

He stood up, still laughing.

“Welcome to the world of fantasy.”

“I hope you enjoy every bit of it.”

He gave Jan a playful salute before walking away.

Jan sighed and gently squeezed my hand.

“Don’t mind him.”

“Minho enjoys teasing new students.”

I quickly forced a smile but my appetite had disappeared because only one question echoed inside my head.

How did Minho know I came here to investigate?