Chapter 1. Episode 1. Welcome to Veliesteria Academy

In a world where beauty is paramount and ugliness a sin, where judgment reigns supreme regardless of right or wrong, and where mere existence feels oppressive.

..here I am

..looking forward to tomorrow

..hoping for the best but bracing for the worst.

I don't like this; I've never liked it. But what can I do? I can't fight fate, can I? This is who I am; I'll deal with it.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of rushing footsteps. My concealment was excellent, but they were better.

"She's here. I can feel her," a man said.

I hoped this tree branch could support my weight.

"Shit!" I swore, slipping from the branches.

"She's here! Come quickly!" another man shouted.

Then, perhaps, I'll die at their hands after all. Here I am, awaiting my doom. Maybe I'll be grateful; at least I won't have to suffer this cruel world any longer. Hello, doom? I guess…

GASP!

I gasped for air, my heart pounding as if I'd just run a marathon.

What now? Am I not dead? Don't tell me I'm immortal now. What kind of Aswang is both a monster and immortal?

I froze at a sudden movement and heard a voice.

"You're awake," said the man beside me, sitting as if he'd been waiting.

"Y-yeah," I replied, scanning the room. What kind of place was this?

"Do you feel fine?" he asked flatly, as if nothing were unusual.

"No," I said after checking myself. My clothes were ripped, and my body ached terribly.

"Who are you?" I asked when he finally met my gaze.

"I'm Petter," he said, his glance cold.

(Pics)

"What's your name?" Petter asked, ignoring my earlier statement about feeling unwell.

"Feliese. Feliese Dela Cruz."

We heard footsteps and a door opening. A beautiful woman entered; she resembled someone I knew and smelled of roses. We were told to come to the office. I didn't know where we were, but it was best to remain silent; I knew I'd learn everything eventually. The woman who'd summoned us knocked and entered.

"Ma'am, they're here," she said as we approached the desk. The woman, "Ma'am," looked me up and down. I felt nervous; she seemed to see right through me, as if all my secrets would be laid bare.

"Ma'am, I—I thank you for saving m-me," I stammered, feeling helpless under her gaze; it was like standing at the gates of hell.

"Well, I didn't save you," she said flatly, turning her gaze to the man beside me. "You can go first. I'll brief this young lady on her situation," she added, dismissing Petter and the other woman, who obeyed without hesitation.

"Feliese, right?" the woman asked.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied, looking around. It resembled a school office more than a hospital, I thought.

"I'm Mrs. Helda Drash, the head of this school. Here, fill this out. It's your enrollment and registration form," Mrs. Drash said casually, as if I'd already agreed to everything. So, it was a school.

"A-ah, Mrs. Drash, I'm already in my second year of college at St. Rose University. I can't enroll here; I'm sorry," I declined respectfully, taking the papers she offered. As I skimmed them, surprise washed over my face.

"This is…" I said, looking at Mrs. Drash with wide eyes.

"Yes, that's what you think it is. I know you're in college, and this is a university as well; you can transfer. However, you'll be starting in your first year since the curriculum and courses are different. This is tuition-free; you only need to provide personal items. Dorms and all amenities are free," she said, smiling amiably. At the end of the day, I'm still among my own kind. I would cry if I had any tears left.

"Mrs. Drash, I offer my deepest gratitude. Thank you for this incredible opportunity. I gladly accept this once-in-a-lifetime chance," I bowed sincerely. "It's nothing; I can only help our fellows," she said, sipping her tea. I stood and adjusted my ripped clothes; my body felt healed.

"Ma'am, may I ask if this is against school policy? This is a prestigious school; is it alright to admit someone like me?" I asked.

"Oh, I know you have questions. This is the school handbook; it contains everything you need to know about policies, rules, regulations, and faculty. You can submit your enrollment form later at 10 o'clock. Here's your dorm key. Ask Petter for directions," she said, shoving everything at me and pushing me out the door with an invisible force, as if eager to be rid of me.

As I walked through the door, it shut behind me. I looked around and saw Petter standing by the door.

"Hey, can I ask where the girls' dorm is?" I asked when our eyes met.

"Come this way," he said, starting to walk. As we walked, I observed the school building; we were on the third floor of the shortest building; others had four or more floors. When we reached the girls' dorm, Petter abandoned me without a word or direction. I was about to thank him when I turned around, but he was gone. This school will be my home.

Without further ado, I entered the dorm. I was excited about this new school. How could an unenrolled student already have a dorm? I was so grateful to be alive.

"Hey! Welcome to Veliesteria Dorm! Where's your luggage?" a girl behind the counter asked. Is that what she's supposed to ask?

"I don't have any." I noticed the girl's expression change; her face seemed to ask, What happened to you? as she looked at my clothes.

"Which floor is room 205?" I asked, ignoring her disgusted expression.

"Second," she replied. I went directly to the elevator. I didn't know if I had a roommate, but I expected as much. The elevator doors opened to a long, spacious hallway. I could see the door with the plaque "205."

I was about to knock when I remembered my key. Instead, I unlocked the door and entered. I was about to appreciate the spaciousness when I felt a strong sense of danger.

My fangs grew in seconds, along with long, sharp fingernails. Instinctively, I slashed behind me without looking. This was my life we were talking about. I slashed again to the side and took a step back. My eyes turned yellow with vertical lines like a snake's; my senses heightened as I glared around. I heard a whimper as I saw blood dripping from my fingernails. There, wounded, with a long gash on her arm, she staggered back to the sofa.

"I'm sorry," I said, watching her lick her wound and whimper. She was wearing only a bra and panties; a glimmering beauty.

"You're a girl, alright? Stop drooling!" she said, covering herself with a robe.

"Why did you attack me?" I asked. Of course, her intention was to kill me. It was dangerous, and anyway, I was only appreciating the beauty God created—or did He create her? I thought.

"I wasn't informed someone was coming," she said, getting up and going to her room. It had to be her room. I realized she hadn't used a weapon; had she relied solely on physical strength? I wanted to ask more, but she clearly wanted to be left alone. She smells like trouble anyway.

Veliesteria University. The only hidden university from mortals, where unique students are admitted. From the headmistress to faculty, students, and staff—all unbelievable creatures.

I filled out my form. It asked for my classification; what kind of Aswang? In the end, I left it blank. Let them find out who I am.

I decided to walk around the school after submitting my forms. Even without help, I was sure I wouldn't get lost. I looked at my schedule; it was best to know my classes and room beforehand.

CLATTER!

"OUCH!" I cried, picking up my papers from the floor before looking at the culprit.

"Bryan?" "Fel!?" We both shouted our names in unison. He looked more terrified than surprised. What was he doing here? Even after decades, I recognized him instantly.

"I'm sorry, Fel. Let's get out of here; I'll explain later," he said hurriedly, grabbing my hand. I held him tighter, pressing ourselves against the wall as I whispered, "Conceal." I told him not to move as we watched a group of people approaching.

We didn't have time to run; it was better to observe. As they drew closer, I heard their conversation.

"It's not noon yet. What are we doing? And inside the building, too? Aren't we going to get caught?" a girl in pink said worriedly. She looked young; how could she be a college student?

"Oh, Charlie, we won't get caught if no one sees us," said the girl in red, seemingly the leader.

"Sheryl, not good. Look ahead," said the one at the back. They abandoned Bryan and hurried back where they came from. I looked where they'd been looking and saw Petter.

"Feliese, I can see you. What are you doing concealing yourself?" he asked. I dropped my concealment; it wasn't meant for him anyway.

"Bryan was being pursued by some people; they didn't look friendly."

"You mean the noontime hunt—kill or be killed?" he asked, clearly knowing about it. What kind of horror is this?

"Yes, they pursued me even after I entered the school grounds and followed me into this building. They'd been watching me even though it's not noon yet," Bryan said, livid.

"What kind of school is this? Why would the headmistress allow this?" I asked, dazed. My confusion was obvious.

"It's not a real killing, you imbecile. It's a program for changing student council members," he said, turning and disappearing into the shadows.

"Want to come to my place?" Bryan asked, looking at my stunned expression. I thought it was a real killing. I couldn't blame myself; I'd nearly been murdered on my first day, in my own dorm, by my own roommate. I nodded; I still couldn't speak, especially after Petter called me an imbecile. He's insane!

"What's really happening here? You know how it feels to be in the dark and know nothing, right?" I asked a little later.

"Fel… you know this isn't what we should be talking about right now. How did you get here? Why are you here?" Bryan asked, confused. Bryan was my childhood friend. His family was rumored to be Aswang, which is why they moved, and I hadn't seen him in years. Now I knew he wasn't ordinary. Being in this school proved you possessed something that shouldn't be revealed to mortals.

"You're here, so it proves that…" I interrupted him.

"Yes… yes, Bry, I'm an Aswang since birth… that's why I know that concealment spell. I came here by accident; I don't know this place's location… I was being pursued by mortals. I thought I was going to die. When I woke up, I was already in this school," I said, shoving a burger into my mouth. That's not really what I wanted to talk about.

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