Cherreads

Chapter 3 - Between the window light and the shadow's call

The day Angelita had always dreamed of had finally arrived—the first day at the Academy.

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting golden lines across the floor of her modest room. The faint hum of the city beyond the windows was a gentle reminder that today was not like any other. Today was the beginning of everything.

Angelita's eyes snapped open, and she instinctively turned to the clock on the nightstand. 7:02 AM. Her heart gave a small leap—not out of panic, but anticipation. She pushed the blanket aside and sat up, her long, flowing black hair slightly tousled from sleep. As she stretched her arms above her head, a soft yawn escaped her lips.

Just then, her mother's voice echoed from the kitchen, warm and full of affection.

"Angelita, breakfast is ready!"

"I'm coming, Mom," she called back, her voice still tinged with sleep.

Rubbing her eyes gently, Angelita rose to her feet and shuffled out of her room. The hallway was bathed in soft morning light, and the scent of freshly baked bread and eggs filled the air, wrapping her in a sense of comfort.

In the kitchen—small and neatly kept—her mother, Mina, stood near the stove in a faded apron. A gentle smile spread across her face as Angelita entered. She placed a warm plate on the table and leaned down to press a loving kiss to her daughter's forehead.

Angelita sat down, blinking slowly as she adjusted to the brightness of the morning. The table was modest, the plates mismatched, but the atmosphere was filled with quiet warmth.

Mina sat across from her, hands folded under her chin. Her eyes sparkled with emotion.

"It's your first day… isn't it? Do your best, sweetheart."

"I will, Mom," Angelita replied with a gentle smile, her voice full of quiet determination.

As she began to eat, her mind drifted to the future that lay ahead—of classes, new faces, challenges, and perhaps even something more. Somewhere in her chest, excitement and nervousness twined together like a living thing. She was finally stepping into the unknown.

And the unknown was beautiful.

A few minutes passed after breakfast. The warmth of her mother's kiss still lingered on Angelita's forehead as she stepped back into her room. The sunlight, now brighter and sharper, filtered through the curtains as if nudging her toward destiny.

She stood before the mirror and took a slow breath.

Her uniform was simple yet elegant—white shirt, a dark blue skirt that stopped just above the knee, and a matching navy tie snugly wrapped around her collar. The soft fabric outlined the gentle curves of her maturing figure. Her chest, full and firm for her age, pressed slightly against the buttoned shirt, creating a subtle tension in the fabric—a silent marker of the woman she was becoming. She adjusted the outfit delicately, brushing down the skirt and tucking a few strands of black hair behind her ear.

"It's time," she whispered to her reflection, her sapphire eyes glowing with purpose.

With that, Angelita left the house. As she stepped through the doorway, Mina called out one last time from behind her.

"Goodbye, Angelita! Do your best today!" her mother said, waving with a soft smile that tried to hide her emotion.

Angelita turned her head and smiled back. "I will!"

Then she began to walk.

The route to the academy was long, winding through modest residential streets and quiet city blocks. The world seemed to shimmer with energy—birds chirped in rhythm, distant voices echoed gently, and the morning air carried the scent of blooming flowers and fresh pavement.

It took her around thirty full minutes of walking before the towering gates of the academy finally came into view.

The building was massive and beautiful, its design a perfect harmony of modern structure and classical elegance. High white walls framed wide archways and large windows, and in the center, mounted above the grand entrance, shone the silver crest of the school—a large "WB" insignia polished to brilliance, catching the sunlight like a beacon of promise.

Angelita paused at the gate, gazing up at it with breathless admiration. Her eyes sparkled like stars, wide and filled with awe.

"So this is it…" she thought, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest.

Students were already arriving in groups. Boys in black trousers and blazers walked with casual confidence, while girls in matching skirts and ties chatted among themselves, some adjusting their uniforms or taking photos. Laughter and chatter filled the air like a rising tide of excitement.

Angelita, not wanting to stand out for too long, stepped through the gates and merged with the flow of students. Every step inside felt like a dream coming to life.

The interior of the academy was vast. Marble floors gleamed under her shoes, and chandeliers hung from the high ceiling like jewels. She followed the signs and the crowd until she reached a wide hall—an assembly room where all new students were gathering.

Rows of chairs filled the space, and at the front, a raised platform awaited the arrival of the instructors. The room buzzed with youthful energy—whispers, laughter, and the occasional shout echoed across the walls.

Angelita glanced around and walked confidently to an open seat. Her heart was racing, and her fingers fidgeted in her lap as she sat down, facing the stage.

"Oh, I'm so excited!" she thought, biting back a grin.

The unknown was ahead. And Angelita was ready to meet it.

Time passed, and the murmurs of excitement gradually faded into silence. All the students, both boys and girls, had taken their seats in the vast academy hall, the air thick with anticipation. The ceiling above stretched high, adorned with crystal lights that shimmered like stars, reflecting softly off the polished marble floor. Rows upon rows of young talents sat upright, their eyes fixed on the grand stage before them.

Then, footsteps echoed—light, deliberate, powerful.

Onto the platform walked a woman with a presence that shifted the very atmosphere of the room. She moved like a goddess descending from the heavens, her beauty undeniable, her aura overwhelming. Her long, snow-white hair flowed gently down to her lower back, cascading like silk woven from moonlight. It glimmered with every step she took, soft and fluid like snowfall under starlight.

Her eyes—deep blue and fathomless—shimmered with intelligence and something far older, far colder, than the youthful energy around her. They resembled still oceans holding countless untold secrets beneath their surface.

She wore an elegant white suit tailored to perfection. The fabric clung to her body with graceful precision, highlighting her statuesque figure. Her proportions were flawless—her curves both alluring and commanding. Her chest, full and proud, gave her an air of sensual elegance without compromising her noble aura. It was the kind of femininity that didn't beg for attention but seized it through quiet power. Her thighs, firm and fluid in motion, suggested not only beauty but a subtle physical strength, the kind honed through experience, not vanity.

Her long black stockings extended from delicate feet to the tops of her thighs, their silky texture enhancing the clean lines of her legs. Every movement she made spoke of authority—measured, poised, yet naturally graceful. Her white eyelashes and eyebrows gave her pale face a ghostly, captivating glow, and her soft pink lips were the final touch—a tender hint of warmth in an otherwise distant, otherworldly elegance.

"She's… breathtaking,"Angelita thought, her heart nearly skipping a beat. Her wide sapphire eyes locked onto the woman as she approached the center of the stage, stopping in front of the microphone.

But before the woman spoke, a sudden interruption echoed silently inside Angelita's mind:

–– Error ––

–A giant aura has been detected from that character. Caution is recommended.

Angelita flinched. Her eyes widened, startled. A warning… from the system? She blinked quickly, trying not to draw attention, her gaze still fixed on the mysterious woman now preparing to speak.

The woman touched the microphone gently and adjusted it with smooth fingers.

"Welcome, dear students," she said in a voice like snow falling in a silent forest—soft, melodious, but with a sharp chill at its edge.

The hall responded with quiet awe.

Some students near the back whispered among themselves.

"Oh man, she's insanely beautiful.""Yeah… and seriously hot too."

Angelita heard the comments behind her, and though her expression turned pale with cartoonish shock, she couldn't deny the truth in their words. She quickly shook her head, trying to refocus as the woman continued speaking.

"My name is Ruby Miyamura, Assistant Principal of the Academy. It's an honor to stand before you all as we begin this new academic year," she said with a confident smile. "Now, please welcome the one who leads us all—the Principal of WB Academy!"

She stepped aside, descending from the platform as the next presence made itself known.

Angelita's breath caught in her throat.

From the side entrance, another woman emerged—familiar and striking. As she walked toward the stage, her short golden hair gleamed under the lights. Her eyes were a piercing green, sharp as blades. She wore a crimson blazer that clung snugly to her form, paired with a dark skirt and black thigh-high stockings that emphasized her swift, confident stride.

"Wait… that's—!""That's the examiner I was with before seven days!" Angelita exclaimed inwardly, her eyes turning bright white in comical disbelief.

The golden-haired woman reached the platform. Ruby Miyamura stood respectfully beside her.

She didn't waste time.

"Five hundred successful applicants," the Principal said. "Two thousand failed."

A collective gasp rippled through the hall.

"This academy is for the elite. We do not offer second chances. Those who cannot meet our standards will be expelled without hesitation."

Angelita's heart pounded. She had known the exam was harsh… but that number. Two thousand students—gone.

"Here, your father's name, your family's wealth, your outside connections mean nothing," she continued. "The only law that governs this academy is my law. Obey it—or leave."

A deep silence fell across the room. No one dared speak. Even the air felt heavier.

"You may call me Principal Roxy Shizuo," she said, her voice like thunder wrapped in silk. "I hope this year will be a great one. Make this academy proud."

Her final words rang like a command. The students, almost involuntarily, stood up and shouted together:

"YES!!"

Thunderous applause erupted across the hall.

Principal Roxy's eyes scanned the sea of students—and for a brief moment, they landed on Angelita.

She smiled.

Not a polite or distant smile—but that smile. The same mysterious one she had worn during the trial seven days ago.

And then she winked.

Angelita's pulse surged. That smile again... What did it mean?

"Come on, Ruby," Roxy said as she stepped down. "We've got work to do. Prepare everything."

"Yes, Miss Roxy," Ruby replied, following behind.

Angelita remained standing, caught in a daze. Something was off. That smile wasn't just a coincidence.

Angelita didn't have time to dwell on the previous events. She rose from her seat and exited the academy hall, stepping into the long corridor. As she walked, she noticed the student lockers lining both sides of the hallway—uniformly spaced, each marked clearly with a nameplate.

"Everything here is so well organized… Do I have a locker, too?" she wondered silently.

She hadn't walked far when her eyes landed on a familiar name: Angelita Albert, engraved in elegant script on one of the lockers.

"Oh! Perfect," she whispered to herself with a satisfied smile.

Opening the locker, she found only a few standard academy books stacked neatly inside. Nothing else.

"Hmm, looks like every locker is just like this. Makes sense… I guess?" she muttered to herself, her eyes narrowing with comical skepticism.

But before she could think more, time seemed to slow.

A massive ball of fire hurtled toward her from behind—its heat could already be felt.

"E-Eh!?" Angelita gasped, her eyes widening in alarm.

Suddenly, the voice of the system echoed in her mind.

– Warning! –

– Hostile target detected. Estimated damage: Catastrophic bodily burns.

– Immediate use of Probability Manipulation is recommended.

Without thinking, Angelita instinctively raised her hand.

"Probability Manipulate…!" she commanded.

At once, reality twisted.

The giant fireball veered sharply off course—bending through the air like a puppet on strings—before crashing into a wall far from her, leaving behind a scorched crater.

Angelita stared at the smoldering wall, then looked down at her hand, slightly trembling.

"…Amazing. This ability is… amazing," she whispered in awe.

Before she could catch her breath, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed behind her. A girl ran toward her—clearly the one who had unleashed the attack.

She had an enchanting presence, her long, layered purple hair flowing down her back like silken ribbons. The soft gradient in her strands glistened subtly under the corridor lights. Her eyes shimmered with an unusual hue—a blend of violet and pink—resembling the magical twilight of an imagined world.

Her figure was graceful and confidently feminine. Her curves, including her noticeably full chest, were accentuated by the school's uniform in a way that felt elegant rather than showy. She carried herself with poise, power, and a charm that drew attention with each step she took.

Angelita stood frozen, wide-eyed and silent, unsure how to react as the mysterious girl finally came to a stop in front of her.

Then, without warning, the girl bowed deeply.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to attack you," she said quickly, her voice sincere.

Angelita opened her mouth to speak, but the girl rushed on.

"Some idiot annoyed me outside the classroom, so I fired that ability to warn them. I didn't expect the fireball to keep going like that. Then it just—somehow curved and hit the wall near you… weird, right?" she said, scratching her head in visible confusion.

Angelita let out a small sigh of relief. "Don't worry. We all make mistakes," she replied with a gentle smile.

The girl looked up, visibly grateful, and smiled back before extending her hand confidently.

"My name's Aurexia. Student #152, Class 2-B. And you are…?"

Angelita brightened at the friendly gesture. She took Aurexia's hand and shook it warmly.

"I'm Angelita Albert, Student #155, Class 2-B. It's an honor to meet you!"

"Oh! We're in the same class?" Aurexia said cheerfully. "I hope we get along well."

"M-Me too!" Angelita replied, eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Would you like me to guide you to our class?" Aurexia offered with a warm smile.

"Yes, that would be kind of you," Angelita replied politely.

Aurexia nodded, then began walking at a relaxed pace through the grand corridor of the academy. Angelita walked beside her, admiring the hall's refined architecture—tall stained-glass windows lining the walls, marble floors gleaming beneath their feet, and magical chandeliers hovering elegantly above.

As they made their way, they chatted lightly, exchanging small observations about the academy, their uniforms, and the peculiar yet prestigious environment surrounding them. Despite the short time they'd known each other, Angelita found Aurexia's company strangely comforting.

Eventually, they arrived at Class 2-B.

Angelita stepped into the classroom, and her eyes widened. The space was luxurious, like a private lecture room in a noble family's estate. Velvet curtains, polished oak desks, glowing magical projectors—everything screamed prestige. Still, given what she'd seen so far, she wasn't surprised. This was clearly a place for the elite.

Aurexia walked over to a desk and sat down, then smiled as she motioned toward the adjacent seat. "You can sit here if you like."

Angelita smiled back and took the offered seat, letting herself relax slightly. As more students trickled into the classroom one by one, a faint anticipation hung in the air.

Moments later, the classroom door opened again—this time with quiet authority.

A woman entered.

She wore a sharp black suit tailored to perfection. Her long red hair cascaded past her shoulders, and her crimson eyes seemed to glow with hidden intensity. Long black stockings emphasized the strength in her legs, and she carried a stack of books and documents in her arms. She strode confidently to the front, placed her materials on the teacher's desk, and turned to face the class.

Everyone fell silent.

"There will be no classes today," she announced flatly.

The entire class gasped. It was their first day—how could there be no lessons?

"But..." she continued, her voice now lower, colder, "To properly assess your worth, the academy will conduct a virtual battle three days from now. That evaluation will determine who belongs here… and who doesn't."

A crimson aura shimmered subtly around her. Her sharp smile sent a chill down Angelita's spine.

"You can spend the day however you like—rest, train, or waste time. It won't matter. Only those who deserve to stay will remain."

The oppressive pressure in the room kept everyone silent. No one dared ask a question.

"I understand some of you may want to socialize or get to know your classmates... but that can wait. Friendships mean little if you're expelled. So—get acquainted after you prove yourselves."

Everyone nodded quickly.

"Good." The teacher collected her materials once more. "Now, if you'll excuse me—I have a meeting to attend." She turned and left, shutting the door behind her with a loud, echoing thud.

"...Damn, that woman is terrifying, right, Angelita?" Aurexia whispered.

"Yes... very terrifying," Angelita whispered back, still tense.

As time passed, the academy slowly emptied out. Students from all classes began leaving, heading out to prepare for the upcoming virtual battle. Angelita and Aurexia followed suit.

"Sorry, Angelita. I'm heading off to train now!" Aurexia said with a spark of energy in her eyes.

"Yeah... maybe I'll do the same," Angelita replied, a little less enthusiastically.

Aurexia waved cheerfully before sprinting off, and Angelita waved back, walking slowly in another direction.

She wandered through the academy's outer streets, soon finding herself amidst an array of eccentric shops. Her eyes skimmed the bizarre store signs:

"Higher than Layer Cakes? Perhaps.""120 Layers of Rice—What Could Be Better?!""Life Isn't Meant to Be Sad... Maybe You'll See Its Beauty."

Angelita blinked slowly.

"...Why do none of these slogans have anything to do with actual food?" she muttered, her eyes turning comically pale with confusion.

She sighed and rubbed her forehead. "But seriously... what do I do now? I don't know how to train—or how to even develop my abilities."

Then suddenly—ding!

An idea struck her. Her face turned catlike and mischievous.

"I've got it!" she declared dramatically.

She sprinted with purpose, running non-stop until she reached her humble home about thirty minutes later. But instead of going inside, she slipped through the garden gate and stepped into the small courtyard—where patches of grass and a few modest plants welcomed her back.

Standing in the middle, she closed her eyes and clasped her hands together, raising her voice softly:

"Oh, Creator… You blessed me with this new life… You gave me the chance to chase my dreams. I beg you—please… I need someone to train me. Even just for a few hours… Please."

She remained in that position for a while—hands together, eyes shut—hoping, praying.

Then…

The wind shifted.

Particles of golden light began swirling in front of her—atoms of divine energy converging unnaturally in a vortex of glowing formation. It was a shape Angelita recognized—not because she had seen it before, but because a seed of it had been placed inside her from the beginning.

Her breath caught in her throat. She trembled, yet refused to move.

Suddenly, the system spoke in her mind:

– Warning! ––

–Unknown force detected. This entity defies the laws of metaphysics at the meta-level.–

–Spatial – distortion around entity registered. The concept of speed itself is being rewritten.

–All natural laws are being bent or broken around the target. Extreme caution advised.

Angelita's heart pounded at the system's warnings, but she didn't falter. She stood tall, silently bracing herself.

The golden atoms aligned into a humanoid form.

The brilliance faded.

And from that divine light stepped a tall figure—his black suit gleaming under the fading sunlight. His tousled black hair danced gently in the air, and his pale yellow eyes—cold as dying stars—locked onto her.

It was him.

Donovan.

"I'll help you," he said in a voice that seemed to ripple through the air itself—low, quiet, but impossible to misunderstand. "Not because you asked, but because I simply feel like it."

He stepped forward, and the air shifted again.

"Let's move the plot forward, shall we?"

She didn't know what awaited her, but she felt it—Like the echo of a forgotten promise, whispered by a world she hadn't yet seen.

More Chapters