Yoora panted heavily as she sprinted back to class—managing to reach her desk just before the teacher’s arrival. He commenced the lesson but soon realised he had forgotten his folder in the staffroom. Informing the class he would be back shortly, he left to retrieve it. Students chattered amongst themselves to pass the time. Yoora felt a sense of boredom and looked up through the window at the golden sun casting a warm ray of light over her. Winter had only just begun and there was not much time left for the sun to provide its comforting heat. Yoora closed her eyes briefly to bask in the warmth, but her tranquillity was disrupted by a commotion outside. Reopening her eyes, she was annoyed by the unwanted presence of Class S training out in the school field—ruining her calm mood.

She turned to her classmate seated in front of her. “Hey.” Her classmate rotated her head and Yoora recognised her as the girl from the training arena. “You’re the girl from before…”

Her classmate was baffled. “You recognise me now? We were classmates last semester.”

“I don’t really know anyone here.”

“Do you even know my name?”

Yoora was unable to answer considering she was not acquainted with anyone.

Her classmate stretched out her hand in hopes of a handshake. “I’m Terrian.”

Yoora observed Terrian staring at her with a big grin on her face. She could not help but cackle at her friendly expression and gladly shook her hand. She gestured towards the window to inquire about Class S. “Care to tell me what’s up with those guys?”

“Rayors typically spend more time at school training their powers, especially Class S,” Terrain explained.

Yoora’s attention shifted to the unusual Pomeranian standing on the sidelines and watching the rest of Class S train—this piqued her curiosity. Terrain was dumbfounded by her lack of awareness of the most reputable students in the academy.

Terrian shared an unsettling fact. “That dog…is actually human. Someone cursed him.”

Yoora felt uneasy upon hearing the chilling revelation.

Terrian pointed at the brown-haired shapeshifter. “That’s Tora.” She introduced the rest of the students including Kai and the green-haired female—Jade.

Yoora was surprised by Terrian’s vast knowledge of Class S.

Terrian tittered. “I’m secretly their number one fan.”

The teacher finally returned with his folder and resumed the period. Terrian faced forward after sharing information about Class S with Yoora. The teacher distributed each student a worksheet. Yoora stared blankly at hers and held no desire to complete it. Her boredom took charge as she gazed out the window once again.

“Are they that special?” she wondered.

In the midst of completing their studies, the students were relieved by the school bell signalling the start of lunch time. Everyone exited the classroom and Yoora sauntered out to find Terrian awaiting her in the hallway.

Terrian bounced on the spot. “Why are you taking so long? Let’s go to cafeteria.”

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Before Yoora could reply, Terrian grabbed her arm and hurried her along.

Lining up to obtain lunch at the cafeteria, Terrian struck up a conversation with Yoora, although Yoora found it challenging to keep up with her chattiness. A commotion erupted near the front of the line where a Rayor student unveiled his rock-like fists to cut in line ahead of an ordinary student. The poor student fell back on his bottom out of fear. Bystanders were visibly frightened by the awful sight—reluctant to help him. Yoora—displeased by the abuse of power—attempted to intervene, but Terrian gripped her sleeve to stop her.

Terrian worried. “What are you trying to do?”

Yoora became agitated. “I’m gonna stop that idiot, so let go of me.”

“Are you crazy?! He’s a Rayor!”

“And?!”

“We’re just normal people. How can you stop him?”

Yoora frowned at Terrian’s persistence. A Pomeranian unexpectedly trotted into the disorderly scene.

“Stop!” he yapped.

Other students cheered for him. “It’s Xander!”

However, the bully was unintimidated by his puny stature and mocked him instead. “What are you gonna do? Bark at me?”

Xander growled—frustrated that he could not defend himself. Tora interceded and stood ahead of Xander. The crowd cheered even louder for him.

He taunted the bully. “Aren’t you in the lower class? What makes you so high and mighty when my brother is in Class S?” He pointed his finger at Xander.

Spectating the incident unfold, Yoora deciphered the sibling relationship between Xander and Tora. The bully quaked in terror from Tora’s dagger eyes. He bolted out of the cafeteria and onlookers laughed at his shameful act. Xander scampered to the victim with his four tiny legs and softly placed his furry paw on his knee.

“You okay?” he asked out of concern.

The non-Rayor thanked him for his aid, but Tora interrupted them. “Let’s go, Xan.”

The commotion settled and Yoora lashed at Terrian. “Why did you stop me?!”

“I didn’t want you to hurt yourself.”

“I would’ve had it under control.”

Yoora stomped out of line and exited the cafeteria in a huff. Terrian was puzzled by her reaction yet worried for her even more. Tora took a seat at a vacant table and Xander jumped up beside him. His eyes remained fixed on the ground—disappointment evident in his demeanour.

Tora took note of his gloominess. “You all good?”

Xander lowered his snout further—feeling disheartened by his defenceless self.

Yoora trudged to her empty classroom and slumped onto her desk tiringly. She rested her head on her hand and gazed out the window where the sun still gleamed brightly. Her light blue eyes—reminiscent of a clear sky on a summer day—glimmered from the sun rays. Terrian tracked down Yoora and sat gingerly at her desk. She placed a wrapped sandwich on Yoora’s desk. Yoora eyed the sandwich and hesitantly unwrapped it.

“…Thanks,” she uttered faintly.

As Yoora munched on the sandwich, Terrian apologised for stopping her from intervening in the cafeteria incident.

Yoora realised she had been in the wrong. “You were just trying to help me.”

Terrian’s tone became wistful. “…This is the reality of being non-Rayors. That’s why I respect Class S a lot. They’re the strongest ones here, but they don’t take their powers for granted. I wish I was special like them.”

Yoora remained silent while she ate her sandwich then changed the subject. “Next lunch is on me.”

Terrian agreed without delay.

Yoora then lied. “I need to go talk to our teacher. I’ll be back.”

Unbeknownst to Terrian, Yoora ascended the staircase to the second floor of the academy—a level forbidden to non-Rayors. From a distance, she detected Xander—wagging his teeny tail—and Tora entering a classroom then sliding the door shut. She caught up to them and stood across their classroom door. She scrutinised the sign above her that read ‘Class S’. Murmurs were heard from inside so Yoora attempted to eavesdrop by pressing her ear against the door. The door abruptly opened causing her to stumble forward and land against the sturdy chest of someone. She looked up and was instantly stunned that it was Kai. He too stared at her in utter shock—his piercing eyes locked onto hers.