I sprinted through the shadowed woods, the trees blurring into dark sentinels around me. My breath came in ragged gasps, the cold night air slicing through my lungs. The heavy thud of footsteps closed in, a dreadful rhythm that matched the frantic beating of my heart.

Panic clawed at my mind, the icy grip of death snapping at my heels. Dark crimson eyes glinted in the shadows, relishing the cruel game of cat and mouse.

A sharp knock echoed in the dark night, shattering the dream and wrenching me back to reality.

I woke with a start, shivering, my heart pounding like a drum. For a moment, I was disoriented, the remnants of the nightmare lingering in my mind like a fog. I blinked, taking in the surroundings of my room. Oversized bed, staring at the dark wood ceiling. Well-furnished room. Then I remembered: Sapphire Academy, Astrid's Enclave.

I lay there, trying to control my racing heartbeat, the fear from the nightmare still gripping me. Whether it stemmed from the previous Nova's demise or foreshadowed my own fate, it left me paralyzed with dread. The blowing curtains allowed a radiant, warm glow to seep into the room, a stark contrast to the darkness of my dream.

Through the blowing curtains, a radiant and warm glow was shining into the room. With a groan, I lifted my upper body.

Then, a knock reverberated in the room, making me jump. I cursed under my breath, throwing off the covers with a frustrated huff.

"Coming…" I shouted automatically, my voice hoarse and shaky as my mind caught up with reality.

As I stumbled towards the door, I rubbed my eyes, trying to wake up. The knock became more insistent this time, prompting me to straighten up. I glanced at my crumpled clothes with a grimace, frustration bubbling up.

After Lucian had left, I plopped down on the first bed I found in the mansion and fell asleep before my head even hit the pillow. My bag was discarded on the floor in the corner, and I looked at the clothes that had suffered for it.

There was nothing much to do without spare clothes, so after using my hand to straighten my hair and rub my face, I moved to check on the sound, my steps quick and annoyed.

My hand turned the doorknob, but no one was outside waiting, which confused me momentarily.

'Did I just imagine the knock?' I muttered, rubbing my ears.

Or maybe it was haunted? The thought sent a shiver down my spine. I had heard stories about old mansions being occupied by ghosts, and now, in a new world with magic, I wondered if I was sharing the space with one.

Before my thoughts spiraled again, the knock resounded again, this time coming from the front door, louder and more impatient. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

Maybe some magic gimmick—

That was how I found myself staring at a bespectacled woman dressed in expensive-looking khaki-colored clothes and cradling a fruit basket.

She was pretty in that elfish way, with an ageless face that could’ve been sixteen or thirty. Her brown eyes twinkled cheerfully, her golden hair swirled in a tight bun. Her dark white business suit. She looked like someone important.

The woman gave me an appraising glance, adjusting her glasses. Her eyes were full of doubt. “Nova?”

"Uh, yeah, that's me," I said, unsure how to react to this development.

“I am Amelia Thorne, Caretaker of Astrid's Residence. I got an alarm that one of the mansion rooms had been activated for assignment.” She scrutinized me, her eyes full of doubt.

I blinked, then rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. "Uh, yeah. I just got here last night. Didn't mean to cause any trouble."

"It was a little interesting." She handed me the fruit basket, which I accepted somewhat awkwardly. "This is for you. Consider it a welcome gift."

"Thank you," I replied, still self-conscious about my clothes. "Please come in."

Amelia walked in with a graceful, measured pace, her eyes scanning the room as if assessing its suitability. “I trust you found the accommodations satisfactory?”

“Yeah, it’s... it's quite something,” I admitted. I placed the fruit basket on a nearby table.

"Understandable. Change in the environment is challenging.” Moving to the lounge, she promptly scattered various papers across the main desk, her movements precise and methodical.

Sitting opposite her, I looked at the papers.

"You don’t really have to worry much about the paperwork," she said. "Most of it will be done automatically. Here are the sealed transfer deeds. It's only for two months, but during that time, you are the owner of the mansion and will be required to keep the place functional."

"Functional? Doesn't the mansion have enchantments for cleaning?" The high pitch of my voice betrayed my panic. Do I have to maintain this mansion?

A little laugh escaped her lips. "Not for those little inconveniences. It's the other things like the food in the kitchen, washing of bedsheets and dishwares. Things that maids or butlers would normally do in a mansion."

"Oh, would the academy provide those?"

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Haha. No, those are generally the support the man obsidians had hired on their own. You know about Obsidian Tryouts, right?"

"Yes," I recalled the intense competition in which I would be forced to participate. But I hadn't considered the logistics of everyday life here.

The realization that I was expected to manage not just my studies but also the household struck me like a cold splash of water. More reason to move out from Obsidian Pillar.

"Well, the people that win the competition are generally the elites of the pillars, so they have to build their support system." She looked at me pointedly as if to say I should have known this.

Maintaining such a prominent place was overwhelming. I had barely managed my tiny dorm back on Earth, let alone a mansion in a magical academy.

"So, do I need to search for maids?" The idea of the maids made me quite uneasy. While the idea was not without merits, the way she made it sound made it seem like it would come out of my own pocket.

"It depends," she said with a shrug. "If you can handle the chores alone, then why bother?"

"Wait. Who would pay those maids?" I asked, realizing there might be financial implications I hadn't considered.

She looked at me as if I asked a stupid question. "You will. The academy only provided the accommodation."

"Oh, I see. I didn't realize that." I blinked in surprise. Is this more of a trust issue, or is the academy saving money?

"Well, That's it. Keep the mansion functional. If there is any repair work, please use the armband to send a signal." She continued with a few simple rules and regulations around the Enclave.

I nodded, absorbing the information.

"Here, I'll add you to the Astrid's Comm Hub. It's the quickest way to stay updated on Enclave affairs." She tapped on her armband. "Did you get the invite on your armband?"

I blinked, my thoughts snapping back to the present. Realizing I had left it in the bedroom, I quickly excused myself to retrieve it. "Uh, one second,"

A sigh escaped her, but Miss Amelia didn't say anything more.

I watched the invitation appear on my device. With a quick tap, I accepted, noting that the group included just Mrs. Thorne and me.

"Make sure to keep it with you at all times. It’s not just for communication—it's also your access to everything here at Sapphire Academy. If you have any questions or if something urgent comes up, just message in the group,"

I nodded, trying to take in all the new information. This was going to be an interesting two months.

A message was flashing from Lucian asking about meeting in the afternoon.

----------------------------------------

—

"Ready for your first day out?" Lucian asked, his usual enthusiasm coloring his tone.

"Yeah, I think so,"

"Great! Let’s grab some lunch, then I’ll show you around the academy grounds," he said. His stride was purposeful as he motioned for me to follow, a half-smile lifting the corners of his mouth to reveal a hint of excitement. "Also, I have something from the professor for you."

Following Lucian, I took in the imposing architecture and the vibrant life of the academy with wide eyes. Flanked by towering old trees, the pathways led past residential buildings lining the road.

The cafeteria was unusually quiet. The spacious room, filled with countless small dining tables, hosted only a few scattered groups of students, allowing us a choice of tables. Several partitioned spaces were manned by workers serving meals along one side wall. Lucian led the way to a service area where a few remaining dishes were available.

"Here, they’ve got a decent selection left," he noted, picking up a tray. "You'll need your identity armband here," he instructed, demonstrating with his own. He tapped it against the reader, which beeped audibly, prompting the worker to fill a tray with food.

Seems simple enough, I thought, watching intently as he tapped his band against the reader. These odd little things reminded him of back home, and I had a growing suspicion that the academy should have a transmigrator like me in its history.

"Just pop it here on the reader—it's that easy. You can pick something different if you want, but this combo is pretty good—rice, tomatoes and eggs, shredded potatoes, and a bit of pork curry.”

We chose a table near the window, where the natural light casts a relaxed glow over our spot. Just as I began to settle, a prickling sensation of being watched crept over me.

I turned around and noticed a man at a corner table, his gaze snapping at me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. His pale, piercing eyes seemed to look right through me.

Why is he staring? I wondered, a shiver creeping up my spine as I quickly looked away.

"Lucian, who’s that guy over there?" I whispered, nodding subtly towards the figure.

Lucian followed my gaze, then chuckled softly. "Oh, that’s no ordinary guy. He’s a vampire with True Blood in his veins."

"A vampire? With True Blood?" I echoed, trying to keep my voice down.

"Yep. Vampires with True Blood can move in sunlight with some protection. They’re quite rare and pretty powerful," Lucian explained casually.

I glanced back at the man, who had returned to his meal, though I could still feel his occasional flickers of interest. "Why would he be interested in me?"

Lucian smirked, leaning in conspiratorially. "Maybe you've got some appealing qualities, Nova. Attracting a True Blood’s attention is no small feat."

I deadpanned. "Haha. Very funny."

"Don’t worry too much; vampires usually stick to their kind," Lucian reassured me, just as our food arrived.

As we began to eat, the conversation shifted to more immediate concerns. "The tryouts are designed to test your abilities and determine your place within the academy. There are five pillars—each corresponds to a specific area of expertise. You’ll need to specialize in one to secure a place," he explained, his expression serious.

"Do I even have a chance?" I had been pondering it all morning. Competing with the best of the first years seemed daunting, and I doubted I could improve that much in just two months.

"Honestly, it's a long shot. I don’t know why Mr. Adrian would set it up like that. Anyway," Lucian pulled a small pouch from his bag, handing it to me. "This is your monthly stipend, courtesy of the professor."

"Thanks, Lucian." I felt the weight of the pouch, my eyes widening slightly as I saw 10 shining gold coins inside. I'm rich.

"And a thousand contribution points are added to your armband as an Obsidian student."

“What are contribution points?” I asked, my curiosity mounting.

“In short, they’re currency here. Gold is practically worthless. Contribution points are king. Depending on your pillar, you can access academy facilities and enjoy various perks for free or at a discount. Every establishment within the academy operates on contribution points," he elaborated, his eyes alight with an enthusiasm that made the academy's complex system seem a bit less intimidating.

As Lucian explained, I digested my meal and the enormity of the academy’s opportunities and challenges. This place is a labyrinth of potential.

"Any advice on how to use them?" I had no idea how to use them, so it was better to ask him.

As for the tryouts, I simply throw it out of my mind. The Vice Chancellor must be out of his mind if he thought I would waste two months to win a competition.