(Still Corelia's POV).
Mishell crossed her arms slowly, eyes scanning Chloe from head to toe with deliberate indifference.
"Interesting," she said calmly. "Where I come from, queens don't need to announce themselves every five seconds because the room already knows."
A few students exchanged looks.
Kylie looked pissed already, she stepped forward a little, glaring at us. "You really don't know who you are dealing with, do you?"
I tilted my head slightly, meeting her gaze. "No and the more you talk, the less I feel the need to find out".
The air grew tight.
Mishell let out a quiet breath like she was already bored of the entire situation. "You walked in with background performers expecting an applause, is that how things work here? Assigning royalty based on volume?".
A few muffled laughs sounded from the back rows, Chloe jaws tightened.
Mishell wasn't finished.
" If the front seats determine status," she continued, her voice calm but cutting, "then your throne is remarkably fragile".
The burning stare Chloe gave us attracted the attention of the entire room. Conversations had stopped, every gaze was locked on the unfolding tension, as if everyone could sense something far more dangerous than a simple argument.
The silence fell so hard it almost felt solid, Chloe's eyes flickered between Mishell and me.
"You talk too much for someone who just got here". She said, trying to regain control. Her pride refusing to bend.
" Actually we don't, most times we don't waste words when silence does enough". I corrected.
"You think you are special or something". Kylie scoffed loudly.
" Certainly not, but we don't measure important by seats positions". Mishell replied, a soft smile crossed her face, she seemed to be enjoying every bit of this chaos.
A quiet laughter echoed among the students.
"You're bold, both of you". Chloe said. "People like you usually learn the hard way."
I leaned forward, resting my elbow on my knee. " Guess what? We like things the hard way". I said.
"Not exactly Corelia, in this case it's not a mission". Mishell corrected teasily.
"I know I just wanted her to feel special". I replied and she smiled again.
"Next time," Mishell added smoothly, "try introducing yourself instead of announcing ownership. It creates a better impression and would definitely save you from embarrassment."
A few students visibly covered their smiles, Lydia looked like she might actually applaud. Chloe took a small step forward, clearly ready to say something she wouldn't be able to take back—but then the door opened again.
The music coordinator was a tall, slim lady in her mid-fifties holding two flies, her eyes scanned the room once and immediately, she noticed the gathering.
"What exactly is happening here?" she asked, her tone firm but controlled.
No one answered, Mishell and I looked so unbothered like we weren't in any way involved. All eyes slowly drifted toward Chloe.
The lecturer sighed softly, already piecing the situation together.
"Chloe," she said, her voice carrying quiet warning, "I assume this is another unnecessary performance?"
Chloe straightened slightly. "They are in my seat."
"I don't recall anyone having a personal space here, there are alot more in the back, please lead your girls there."
"Entourage". Lydia added, making the entire situation funny.
Chloe was already foaming with anger but she knew better than to argue, she reluctantly made her way to the back and her minions followed. I turned back and made eye contacts with Kylie.
"Bye". I mouthed smiling.
The whole class clapped like we had just won a trophy, the coordinator quickly raised a hand up to stop the noise echoing from the room.
The class began.
Everyone in the class seemed completely absorbed in the lecture. The instructor spoke with calm confidence, explaining each concept in a way that was simple to understand, her voice steady and engaging. Every word she said held the room's attention.
Well… almost everyone's.
Mishell and I tried to focus, we really did. But the truth was, we weren't here because we needed to learn music. We were here because we were searching… watching… waiting.
Music had always been part of who we were, It was as natural to us as breathing was to humans. Just as humans depended on oxygen to survive, we depended on sound—melody, rhythm, harmony. Music wasn't something we simply listened to. It was something we felt… something that lived inside us.
Among the daughters of the sea, music was more than beauty—it was power.
A voice could calm a storm… or create one. A melody could heal… or destroy. It all depended on the heart of the one who wielded it.
Humans often confused mermaids with sirens, believing sirens were cruel creatures who used their voices to lure sailors to their deaths but the truth was never that simple. But the truth was there was no clear line between mermaids and sirens. Some who were called sirens had only defended themselves while some mermaids, despite their gentle image, had done terrible things.
Good and evil were not determined by what we were… but by who we chose to become. That was something humans rarely understood.
As the instructor continued speaking about musical expression and emotional connection, I couldn't help but wonder how ironic it was, they were studying music.
While for us…Music was life itself.
Mishell sat perfectly still beside me, her eyes closed as if she had drifted into sleep but I knew better. Her fingers were tightly crossed, resting just above her lap, and her lips moved almost soundlessly, forming words too quiet for any human ear to catch.
She was chanting a location spell—one designed to detect traces of sea-born magic, If there was even the faintest connection to the ocean within this place, Mishell would find it. I stayed completely still, careful not to interrupt her concentration. Spells like this required focus… patience… precision. Even the smallest distraction could break the flow.
For a brief moment, everything felt calm,
Peaceful and even until... Then the door opened and the peace shattered instantly.
The room erupted into chaos, screams burst from every direction, loud enough to make me flinch. Students jumped to their feet, whispering excitedly, some already pulling out their phones. The sudden noise snapped Mishell out of her trance like someone had shaken her awake from deep sleep.
Her eyes flew open, irritation flashing across her face mixed with anger.
I groaned softly under my breath.
"What is it this time?"
Mishell didn't answer, she didn't even blink. Her gaze was fixed on the doorway, sharp and unimpressed as if whoever was entering had already annoyed her without saying a single word.
The guys from yesterday walked in calm and confident, followed closely by several staff members.They didn't look like students at all.
No backpacks.
No nervous expressions.
No sense of trying to fit in.
They looked deliberate… composed… like people who were used to being watched.
People who expected attention and clearly got plenty of it.
The entire room buzzed with excitement.
"They're here for the residency," the instructor said, her voice slightly breathless as she tried to maintain composure. "Q4 will be observing today's class."
That was all it took...
The atmosphere completely changed. Students who weren't even part of the class tried to squeeze their way inside, curious faces appearing at the door until security stepped in to block the entrance.
The excitement felt… excessive.
I frowned slightly, unimpressed.
What a joke. I thought quietly. Humans really lose their minds over other humans.
I didn't understand the fascination.
Why were they reacting as if royalty had just walked in?. They were just men.
Nothing more.
Nothing special.
At least… not to us.
The four of them took seats across the room, directly opposite us. I didn't look at them, I didn't need to.
Even without lifting my head, I could feel the shift in the air, the energy in the room felt different now—tenser, louder, distracted. Mishell remained stiff beside me, clearly irritated by the interruption. Her spell had been cut short, and I could tell she didn't like that one bit.
"Since we have special guests," the instructor continued with a polite smile, "we'll try something a little different today… Chloe, why don't you lead this session with what I have taught so far."
Chloe practically glowed as she stood up,
moving with careful elegance, like someone suddenly aware that every pair of eyes in the room was watching her. Her cheeks were flushed from excitement, and she kept smoothing down her hair as she walked forward.
Meanwhile, Mishell and I sat there with identical expressions of quiet annoyance, this was not what we came here for at all. If looks could kill, everyone in this would be dead from Mishell's stare, her beautiful face changed and it was noticeable.
Chloe took the stage and began to sing.
I had to admit, her voice was okay. It was clear, controlled and emotional.
The room fell silent as the melody filled the space, soft but confident. Most people looked impressed except the Q4 who maintained the same expression all through out..
When she finished, applause followed immediately. One of the guy spoke, his voice calm yet warm.
"Beautiful voice."
The reaction was instant.
Chloe's face lit up like she had just received the greatest compliment of her life. The excitement on her expression was almost overwhelming, as if those two words meant more than anything she had heard all day.
Lydia suddenly grabbed my arm tightly, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Did you hear that?" she whispered urgently. "Jax complimented her!"
I blinked slowly, confused by how significant that seemed to her.
"When does this class end?" I muttered quietly, already exhausted by the unnecessary drama unfolding.
This wasn't why we were here.
This wasn't important at all.
Beside me, Mishell suddenly stood up, her patience clearly gone and without saying a word, she walked toward the exit. I didn't hesitate too, I stood up and followed her immediately.
But on my way out I could clearly see the guy Lydia called Jax, pointing secretly at Mishell as he whispered something to the one seated next to him.
I couldn't clearly hear what was said but I was so certain it was clearly about Mishell.
Without saying a word I just ignored and followed Mishell quietly, out the door.