The classroom buzzed with chatter like any ordinary group of teenagers, but Arvard sat quietly by the window, alone on the last bench.
The room was outfitted with the latest technology: a smart board stretched across the front wall, and students were allowed to use any device to take notes. Interestingly, there was no traditional teacher's desk—just a small station at the front with an attendance notebook, some stationery, and a stun gun for emergencies.
Despite the silver rosary around his neck—designed to dull his heightened senses—Arvard could still hear what the others were saying. Most conversations revolved around him, but only one caught his attention: Alissa's.
She sat a row ahead, distracted while her friend rambled about fashion. Her gaze slowly drifted toward the back of the room, landing on Arvard. He was looking out the window, deeply lost in thought.
"What do you think about the new guy?" her friend asked, also peeking in his direction. "He's hard to read."
"I don't know…" Alissa murmured, placing a hand over her chest. "It's strange, but I feel like I know him. Like I've met him before."
That made Arvard's eyebrows twitch slightly. Could she be remembering something from her past life? No... It shouldn't be possible. Not consciously. But still—she had described it as a feeling.
Her friend nudged her shoulder. "Then go ask him."
Alissa hesitated. "What if…"
But her friend interrupted, smiling slyly. "C'mon. You've always had a good gut. And I think he's hiding something too."
Good friend, Arvard thought to himself, grateful for the girl's instincts.
Alissa stood. "You're right."
Taking a deep breath, she turned and began walking toward Arvard.
But just as she reached the halfway point—
"Hey, Albert!"
Arvard looked up to see Mai waving enthusiastically as she approached.
Suppressing a sigh, he managed a polite, "Hi."
Alissa halted mid-step, her face falling in disappointment. She returned to her seat without saying a word.
Karen—Alissa's friend—looked from Alissa to Arvard. Her eyes widened.
A vivid image surfaced in her mind:
A man cloaked in black dusty robes, standing beneath a moonlit sky. Beneath him, a field of white roses shimmered in the moonlight. The only part of his face visible beneath the hood—those eyes. Crimson and gleaming.
The same eyes.
She recognized them instantly. The same ones Alissa had described from her dreams.
"Had trouble finding the classroom?" Mai asked kindly.
"Not really. I found some helpful company on the way," Arvard replied.
"I hear you've made a few friends in Class 2," she added playfully.
With a soft laugh, he said, "You sure gather information quickly."
Blushing, she added, "Don't get the wrong idea! The student council keeps an eye on all new students… especially special ones like us."
Meanwhile, Karen glanced at Alissa. "I think he seems like a nice guy."
Arvard noted that. I should thank her later… maybe even get her a gift when this is all over.
Alissa looked skeptical. "You think so?"
Karen grinned. "You know I've got a knack for reading people."
"Oh no," Alissa blushed. "Don't start."
"Ooooh! You're blushing! That's a first. You really are cute, no wonder you're ranked fourth on the goddess list."
"Stop it, Karen!"
Arvard smiled, watching the exchange. They're good people.
"If you need anything, let me know," Mai said with her usual bright smile as she turned to head to the front row.
Just then, the classroom door opened. Saina entered, her expression soft and warm—and, to Arvard's eyes, just slightly flushed.
The students hurried back to their seats.
A well-built boy with round features and shaggy gray-black hair called out, "Hey, Ms. Saina!"
"Hey, Alfred. How's it going?" she replied, cheerful as ever.
Alfred... Biltus' great-grandson, Arvard noted mentally.
"You're in a good mood today, ma'am!" Alfred said, scratching his light brown cheeks.
Saina turned to Alissa. "Would you mind helping me with attendance?"
Caught off guard, Alissa stood nervously. Saina had always acted strangely around her—sometimes cold, sometimes oddly kind.
As Alissa approached, the entire class watched. Even Arvard lowered his hand to see what Saina was planning.
Alissa handed her a sleek tablet. After scanning her fingerprint, Saina returned it and gestured for her to continue down the rows.
As she moved, Saina turned to Arvard. Gently patting his head, she asked softly, "Is something wrong?"
He lowered his hands and gave a crooked smile. "No… I'm fine."
Alissa paused briefly. Something about seeing Saina touch him unsettled her. Why did it bother her so much?
When she reached Arvard, he simply smiled and scanned his finger. That smile made her heart skip, and a strange warmth rose within her—something confusing, unfamiliar.
She wanted to stay, but—
"Go on," Saina said kindly as she sat down… on a nerdy boy's desk.
The poor student looked like he might faint.
"You don't mind, do you?" she asked sweetly, twirling her green hair around one finger.
The boy just nodded furiously, trying to keep calm.
Turning to Arvard, Saina asked, "So… Albert. Made any friends yet?"
"A few," he said, smiling back.
"Nice." She turned to gaze out the window.
The sun had vanished, and the sky was now covered in thick, gloomy clouds. Her smile faded.
"I hate this weather," she said softly. "That day… it was just like this. Rainless black clouds. And beneath them, everything was—"
"Miss, are you okay?" Arvard cut in gently. "I don't quite follow."
Saina wiped at dry eyes anyway. She knew tears weren't far behind.
Everyone in class was staring now.
She suddenly stood and walked quickly back to the front.
At the same moment, Alissa finished the attendance.
"You can return to your seat now," Saina said, not looking up.
Arvard's heart ached. He wanted to comfort her, to say something—anything. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
He sent her a vampire emoji with big puppy eyes and the message:
"Can I taste your blood?"
Her phone buzzed in her back pocket. Without a second thought, she pulled it out—right in the middle of class.
When she read the message, she chuckled.
But it wasn't the message that made her laugh. It was the absurdity of it. The legendary Crimson Prince… the Moon Admirer… the so-called Mermaid F— she stopped herself from completing the thought.
And he had just sent her a silly emoji.
That laugh brought her back. The dark cloud lifted.
The students were baffled.
Last time she taught, she was all cool and composed. But now? She was laughing out loud, flushed pink, like a schoolgirl.
"Is something wrong, Ms. Saina?" Alfred asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"Just an important message," she replied casually, fingers still dancing on the keyboard.
"Ms. Ele—I mean Alissa, please start reading from page 169," she added.
Alissa had anticipated it and immediately stood to read.
As Saina stopped typing, Arvard's phone buzzed.
Everyone turned to stare.
Was it a coincidence?
"Talk about timing. Mr. Albert?" she said with mock sternness.
"Sorry," Arvard mumbled, silencing his phone.
Saina smirked. Still not used to it yet... even with someone else's memories inside him.
"Please continue," she said, and Alissa resumed reading.