Four days had passed since the night I signed the contract, binding myself to the Kurohana family and taking on the role of Tsukiko’s tutor, servant, and protector. My life had turned upside down almost overnight, but there was no turning back now. Today, I would be attending Yumeji Academy for the first time, stepping into an entirely new world with Tsukiko by my side.

  The driver arrived at the Kurohana mansion's door in the same sleek, bck car that had previously taken me in this very pce. Tsukiko and I hopped in, and as we nestled into the backseat, I felt a peculiar mix of nervousness and excitement rise within me. This was no ordinary school; it was Yumeji Academy, one of the country's finest schools. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to study at a pce like this.

  As the automobile moved through the city's outskirts, I became lost in thought, staring out the window. I couldn't help but reflect on my previous life—the long hours working part-time jobs, the csses I barely had time to study for, and the cssmates I never really got to know. Between work and school, I had never had the opportunity to make friends or even have a typical high school experience.

  “I wonder how the manager is doing?” I thought to myself, a small smile tugging at my lips as I remembered the gruff but kind-hearted man who’d given me extra shifts when I needed the money. He’d probably be shocked if he knew where I was headed today.

  I looked over at Tsukiko, who sat with her usual calm elegance, her gaze fixed out the window. She didn’t look the least bit nervous, but then again, why would she?

  After what felt like a few minutes, the car turned a corner and Yumeji Academy came into view. My jaw fell as I took in the sight before me: a rge campus ringed by tall, wrought-iron gates with complex decorations that appeared to have been carved centuries ago. Beyond the gates, the pce stood like an ancient castle.

  The driver pulled up to the gate, which stood at least twelve feet tall, adorned with ornate metalwork that seemed to shimmer under the morning light. Through the bars, I could see the sprawling campus stretching out in all directions, its pathways lined with ancient oak trees and immacutely trimmed hedges, and in the center, a wonderfully built fountain can be seen.

  As the gates opened, I got my first full view of the academy. The buildings were breathtaking, their architecture reminiscent of something out of a European fairy tale, with tall spires, stone facades, and arched windows that gave the pce an almost cathedral-like quality. It reminded me of the images I’d seen of Oxford University, with its medieval-inspired design and ivy-covered walls. Towers and turrets rose up in various pces, giving the impression that the campus had been lifted straight from the pages of a cssic novel.

  The main building was particurly impressive, a grand structure with tall, arched windows and intricate stone carvings depicting historical scenes and mythological figures. Each corner of the building was topped with a small turret, and a rge clock tower stood at the center, its face gleaming in the sunlight. The entire pce felt like it was steeped in history, like it held secrets from ages long past.

  “This pce is… incredible,” I murmured, unable to tear my eyes away.

  The driver stopped the car the supposedly leads to the entrance of the building, and Tsukiko and I stepped out, the fresh morning air filled with the faint scent of blooming flowers from the academy’s gardens. Students were scattered across the wn and pathways, heading to csses or chatting in small groups. They moved with a kind of grace and confidence that was hard to miss, their uniforms pristine, each detail meticulously styled. The men's uniform style features a dark navy-blue bzer with a school insignia on the left side of the chest. Underneath, a white long-sleeved shirt and a light blue tie, combined with bck formal trousers and shoes.

  Meanwhile, the women's uniform design features a dark navy-blue coat with a matching school insignia. Under the bzer, they wear a short-sleeved shirt and a light blue tie that appears to match her partner's. Her uniform consists of a blue checkered skirt with horizontal and vertical stripes in various colors of blue, bck dress shoes, and white knee socks.

  As Tsukiko and I went into the building, I started noticing things that made me pause. Some of the students looked perfectly normal—human, like me. But others… didn’t. There was a girl with eyes that gleamed an unsettling shade of violet, and another student had skin that seemed to shimmer faintly, as if dusted with glitter. One boy with silver hair and pointed ears brushed past us, barely gncing our way, while a girl with dark, flowing robes floated by, a book hovering at her side, turning pages on its own.

  I stared, my mind struggling to process what I was seeing. These weren’t just gifted students. They were… different.

  “Surprised?” Tsukiko asked, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she watched my reaction.

  I blinked, gncing over at her. “It feels like… I’m in a completely different world.”

  She nodded, her gaze shifting to the students around us. “Yumeji Academy is a unique pce. It’s not just a school for the brightest minds; it’s a sanctuary for those with unique origins and abilities. Here, supernatural beings can coexist with humans.”

  “So, you’re saying… all those legends, all those stories about witches, elves, vampires—they’re real?”

  “Yes,” she replied simply. “You’ll find that Yumeji is full of such individuals. Vampires like myself, yes, but also elves, witches, dwarves, and others whose origins are hidden from the ordinary world.”

  I looked around, my amazement growing with each passing second. It was hard to believe that I was standing in the middle of a pce where beings from legends walked side by side with humans.

  .

  .

  .

  .

  Fshback

  Three nights ago, after the contract was signed, Akito called me into his private study. The warm, low light cast shadows across shelves lined with ancient books, some with cracked spines and gold-leaf lettering, while intricate artifacts rested on polished surfaces, hinting at stories and histories I could only guess at.

  Akito sat behind a big mahogany desk, his fingers tense, a small smile tugging at his lips as he stared at me. His look was piercing and observant, and I sensed he was about to say something crucial. Even though I'd learned more than I could have imagined about vampires and their hidden world, I realized there was still a lot I didn't comprehend.

  “Kazuki," I panicked a bit, "Three days from now, you will be attending Yumeji Academy with Tsukiko,” he began, his voice carrying a quiet authority. “It’s a pce unlike any other—a sanctuary where individuals with extraordinary talents and unusual origins can study together, away from the scrutiny of the ordinary world.”

  I shifted slightly, both intrigued and nervous. “Unusual origins…?” I echoed, wondering if he was hinting at more vampires.

  Akito nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Yes, Kazuki. Vampires, certainly, but also others. You will encounter students from various supernatural backgrounds—elves, witches, even dwarves. They are beings that humans consider mythical, imaginary, and yet they walk among us, their true identities carefully hidden.”

  The weight of his words hit me slowly, and I stared at him, trying to process what he was saying. Yumeji Academy wasn’t just a pce for students with bright minds—it was a hidden world where supernatural beings and humans coexisted. It was beyond anything I’d imagined.

  "But how is that possible?" I asked, my voice barely audible. "How can a pce like that exist without anyone outside knowing?"

  Akito leaned back, his gaze never leaving mine. “The academy was founded by the people, who already coexisted with humans, with secrecy as its highest priority. For centuries, Yumeji Academy was built to serve as an experiment; a bridge that could connect between two different worlds. Those who attend understand that revealing their origins would compromise the peace and cooperation we have painstakingly built over generations.”

  He paused, allowing the gravity of his words to sink in. “Kazuki, you are entering a realm of ancient alliances and delicate bance. Vampires, elves, witches—they all have a stake in maintaining a peaceful existence. Yumeji Academy was created not just to educate but to foster understanding and coexistence. Students are taught not only academics but the values needed to navigate life among humans without drawing attention.”

  I nodded slowly. “And… you trust me with this? To be part of a world like that?”

  His gaze softened slightly. “I do. You’ve proven yourself worthy of our trust, and you are bound to Tsukiko, whose well-being is now your responsibility. Yumeji Academy will become more than a pce of learning for you; it will be the stage where you fulfill your duty.”

  I swallowed, still comprehending the magnitude of the situation. "Does this mean I'll be around students with powers?" Are there abilities that are supernatural?"

  “Yes,” he replied, his expression turning serious. “And while most of them will respect you and your position, you must remember that not everyone will welcome you. Humans bound to vampires are rare, and some may find you… intriguing, even threatening.”

  “Threatening?” I echoed, a flicker of fear creeping in.

  “Not all supernatural beings share our ideals of coexistence,” he expined. “There are those who resent human involvement in their world, who may view you as an outsider. Others may see you as a curiosity, a human bound by contract to one of our kind.”

  His words hung in the air, and I felt the burden of my decision fall heavily on my shoulders. I wasn't just coming into a new school; I was entering a centuries-old alliance of beings I barely understood, where my actions would be evaluated by beings with far greater powers than mine.

  "This is gonna be tough, especially with a guy with little no background."

  Akito's tone softened as he realized my concern. "You will not be left unprepared. Lily, Tsukiko's personal maid, will teach you the necessary protocols, including etiquette, speech, and propriety. She is well-versed in our family's traditions and will guarantee you are prepared to meet any problems you may encounter."

  Almost on cue, a figure stepped into the room. Lily was poised, her expression calm and focused, her demeanor exuding professionalism. She inclined her head politely in my direction.

  “Kazuki-sama,” she said, her voice gentle yet firm, “I will guide you in the skills required of a servant to the Kurohana family. You will learn proper etiquette, discipline, and respect—a vital foundation if you are to thrive at Yumeji.”

  I returned her bow, feeling both grateful and slightly intimidated. This wasn’t just about being a good student—it was about understanding the social complexities of an ancient world I was only beginning to glimpse.

  "You will training with Lily starting tomorrow, so I expect good results from you. Well, then, you may now leave."

  That's some heavy tasks I got here I thought.

  "Ah, right, Kazuki," Before I left, Akito called me one st time, his expression a mix of solemnity and expectation. “At Yumeji Academy, everything will be different. The people you meet, the secrets you uncover… remember that you are not just a student. You are a representative of the Kurohana family, and your actions will reflect on us. Be mindful of that.”

  I nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle in my chest. This was more than a mere school enrollment; it was a commitment to a life of secrecy, duty, and responsibility. I was no longer just Kazuki Tanaka; I was a part of something far greater, and I would have to live up to that name.