Inside the office, the principal sat stiffly behind his desk, adjusting his glasses like he needed that small movement to steady himself before attending to them.
"Please, have a seat. How may I help you ladies?" he asked, his tone polite but careful.
They sat..
Before he could say any else, Corelia leaned forward, one hand resting slightly on the desk between them, her other hand curled around her necklace she held his gaze—unblinking ..
"We transferred to this school today" She said calmly, her voice carrying something heavier beneath it "You are going to prepare the transfer papers to prove it".
Her eyes began to glow.
Each words wrapped around him, pulling him deeper until his expression went blank, he was caught in her spell.
"You...both transferred here today" He repeated slowly.
And just as quickly he blinked and straightened up immediately like nothing happened.
"Of cause I would have your papers ready
right away" He said, rising up from his seat "Someone would guide you through the school activities and you'll be shown to your dorms, I'm sure you would enjoy it here"
"We better" Mishell muttered under her breath.
The moment the principal stepped out, Mishell was on her feet.
"I don't feel any negative energy yet" She said, pacing slowly around the office "There are a lot of emotions but nothing... evil."
"If she is really here" Corelia replied, watching the door, "then she's hiding well, covering her tracks".
Mishell paused, then frowned "Wait...I hope we're not actually attending classes, are we?"
Corelia glanced at her "We might have to. We need information—about this place and the people in this building and we can't risk exposing ourselves.
Mishell groaned softly "More human interaction? Exhausting ".
Corelia studied her "Why do you dislike them so much?"
She shrugged but there was a tension in it. "Because we can't trust them, They've never meant well for our kind. The only reason they are nice now is because we look like them.Take off this disguise...." She exhaled, shaking her head "and they'd turn on us instantly".
She wasn't wrong.
Humans had never been allies, their selfish desires always overcloud their judgements.
"I understand that" Corelia said gently. "But this feels like more than that. You don't just distrust them—you also don't like being here at all".
Mishell hestitated, then looked away "I don't know how you adjusted so fast. For me, everything is hard...even the transformation."
Corelia let out a quiet breath. "Honestly I thought it would be harder too. If you had stayed back, you wouldn't have to deal with any of this, but you insisted on coming".
Mishell's expression softened just a little.
"I came because I'm not letting you face Araxie alone" She said quietly "It's too dangerous, I want my best friend alive."
Her words hits deeper than Corelia expected, Her Chest tightened.
"Then you'll have to endure," She said after a moment. "We will keep our identity hidden— and we do whatever it takes to make this mission work".
Mishell sighed. "Fine."
A knock came, and the door opened.
A girl stepped in—pretty, slim, with a friendly smile on her face, she didn't seem like the shy type at all.
"She would show you around, excuse me ladies" The principal said briefly before stepping out again.
"Hi ladies, I'm Lydia". She said stretching a handshake to them, they just stared at her a little bit confused.
"Hi I'm Corelia, and this is Mishell" Corelia responded back with a handshake, she has learnt most humans tend to greet each other this way.
"Nice to meet you Corelia and Mishell, this way please". Lydia said pointing at the exist, she made the first move of leaving and they followed her behind.
"I must admit" Lydia said "You both are gorgeous, Everyone's been talking about you two all day. What's your skin care rountine? It glitters, and your hair are amazing, it looks super soft and bouncy, love the color.
Mishell clicked her tongue. "You talk too much ."
Corelia softly elbowed Mishell, signaling her not to say stuff like that but surprisely it made Lydia laughed.
"I like you already" She admitted "Yes I know I can be a bit too forward but trust me, I'm just nervous".
"It's totally fine, we don't mind" Corelia said.
"I do" Mishell added instantly.
"Mishell" Corelia whispered, then facing Lydia "Don't mind her, she is always like this".
"It's okay, How long have you two been togethe" Lydia asked.
"Practically all our lives" Corelia responded.
"That's really cool, I admire that" Lydia said warmly.
"Can I ask you something?" Corelia asked.
"Yeah sure go ahead" Lydia responded paying full attention.
"We will need all the basic knowledge about this school as soon as possible, can you help us with that?"
"Yes definitely, That's not a problem, We can get started with that later cause right now I have English in seven minutes" She replied "So your first class is just down the hall I'd take you there, let's move fast".
A few hours later...
"This is your room ". Lydia pushed the door opened and stepped aside. "Sorry it looks like this. The last roommates were expelled this morning... Drugs".
The room was a disaster.
Clothes everywhere, Drawers half-open, the air itself felt used. Lydia glanced between us, clearly noticing our expressions. "I can help you clean up if you want".
"No it's fine, we can handle it" Corelia responded.
"Alright. Also – where are your luggages?" She asked, frowning slightly. "You didn't come with any bags?".
"They'll be here soon," Corelia replied smoothly, offering her a reassuring smile.
"My room is not too far from here, you both are always welcome to visit" Lydia said sweetly.
"We might hardly have time for a reunion" Mishell said, giving Lydia a nonchalant look.
"I know we will get along soon Mishell" Lydia added.
"Don't be so certain dear" Mishell responded, forcing a little smile.
"Okay, thank you Lydia, You've been so helpful today" Corelia said, trying to ease what ever tension was building up between this two,then gently guiding Lydia towards the door. "You should go rest, we'll handle the remaining".
"No problem... See you later" She replied before stepping out.
The door clicked shut.
Corelia turned – and froze.
The room that looked upside down earlier, was now spotless. Every surface gleamed and well-polised, the air felt fresh like no one had ever lived in here.
Corelia exhaled slowly, "Was that really necessary?".
Mishell shrugged, completely unbothered. " I am not sleeping in filth, and honestly this is faster".
Corelia shook her head then tap her fingers lightly, all their luggages appeared.
"Prepared I see" Mishell smirked.
"The weapons needs space". Corelia said kneeling down to open her box.
It was filled with all kind of potions and weapons, above them all was a red box, which stood out completely it was knotted multiple times and had different rune printed on it's body. It glowed differently and tiny whispered were heard coming from the inside.
"First time seeing a Death Shell?" Mishell asked less curious.
"Yeah, I've only heard rumors about it, Never thought I'm gonna be holding one someday." Corelia replied, her eyes still fixed on the glowing box.
"Keep it safe, one small crack can release the spirits trapped inside it and trust me, we don't want to add that to our mission" Mishell instructed.
Corelia just nodded, she slowly brought the box out and placed it in one of the wardrobe carefully, closing the doors gently and locking it with the key.
"I need water" Mishell said after stretching slightly.
"There's one on that desk" Corelia responded, unpacking her things.
"Not that kind of water, I want to swim, I think the girl from earlier what's her name...Lydia, mentioned there was a swimming pool around here" Mishell explained.
Corelia turned sharply. "You are joking right?".
"Yes sure". Mishell responded sarcastically, already heading for the door.
"Mishell" Corelia yelled.
"Calm down, I won't expose us, I just need to cool off". By the time she finished talking she shut the door behinde her.
Corelia groaned, dragging a hand down her face. " She is going to be the end of me before Araxie even gets the chance".
She quickly stood up and ran after Mishell.
The dorm's pool was massive – stretching wide under the night sky, Moonlight danced across the surface, soft and hypnotic.
Mishell didn't hestitate. Before Corelia got to her, she took off her necklace and jumped in fully clothed.
"Mishell" Corelia whispered, trying to keep her voice down not to attract anyone nearby.
Mishell smiling underneath the pool, tossed Corelia her necklace then the glow began. In a blink of an eye her tail broke through the water, shimmering bright green, her scales stretch through her body glittering with emerald. The moon light did justice by making it a beautiful sight, truly she was breathtaking.
"Mishell what if someone comes in?" Corelia whispered urgently.
"No one will" She laughed, splashing water towards Corelia. "You should try it, It's manageable for now". She added, spinning effortlessly, completely in her element.
"Get out, put your necklace back on. Now" Corelia snapped.
"Relax, It's just a swim, you are overreacting, no one will see us". Mishell responded, rolling her eyes. She swam towards the edge of the pool, place her hands out and rest her head on them, her tail was completely invisible to anyone standing from afar just her face. Corelia was staring down at her panicking.
As Corelia was about to argue, then.....
"What do you girls think you are doing?".
A voice came from outside.
Corelia looked as if blood her drained off her face, fear slid down her spine as she slowly turned to see who was talking.
Standing near the pool entrance was a tall woman with a rigid posture and a sharp observant eyes. A silver whistle hung around her neck, catching the dim overhead light, watching.
Trouble..
"No one is allowed to swim by this time of the day". The lady said, approaching them slowly. "So why are you both here".
The pool felt too quiet. Too still..
Corelia could sense movement behind her, controlled, deliberate. Mishell, without a sound, had slipped deeper into the pool, vanishing from the surface. Corelia quickly dropped her necklace inside the pool and stepped forward to block the lady.
"I sincerely apologize ma'am, We weren't aware". Corelia responded.
The Lady pointed at a post: NO SWIMMING WITHOUT PERMISSION"
"You didn't care to read that?" She asked.
"I apologize." Corelia replied, She was worried about stopping Mishell from swimming and didn't pay attention to anything around. They shouldn't even be here in the first place but Mishell had to be a tyrant all of a sudden.
"Tomorrow is for swimming, call your friend out of the pool and return to your rooms immediately" The lady said.
"Yes ma'am". Corelia replied without hestitation.
The lady turned away to leave, Corelia barely had time for relief to set when those words came..
"I saw her go down under water". The lady said, slowly turning towards Corelia. "How long has she been under there?" .
Corelia breath cut.
"She is fine". She responded quickly. "She loves swimming and can hold her breath for about two minute". She added, not knowing if it was the right thing to say at this moment.
"Really". The lady asked before taking a look at her wristwatch. " It's been more than two minutes she might be drowning". She added, taking a step closer to the pool.
Corelia's heart hammered in her chest violently, she has never been this scared in her entire life, sweat easily broke from her head and moved down to body. Panic filled her entire mind, the mission was yet to start and yet they can't even keep their identity hidden. All thanks to Mishell, who was still under water.
From the top, one could hardly see anything so it was difficult for Corelia to know if Mishell already had her necklace on or not. Was their secret about to be revealed even before the mission start?.