Everything was hazy.
I couldn't see anything but the cold gray ceiling while being carried by someone. My head moved towards the front, my eyelids half open. There were vines around, faint glowing orbs, floating small creatures I have never seen before, moving freely as their wings fluttered around.
"Are you sure about this Sir Lake?" My vision was blurry, but I can tell it was Ms. Kase's voice.
There was a long silence, but I heard him sighed and then answered.
"She can help us."
Ms. Kase started removing the vines on a certain part of the wall. As she parts the vines open, I saw a huge wooden door in front of us.
"Look after the company, Wolfgang." His cold voice uttered.
"Yes, I will."
The last thing I saw was Ms. Kase, bowing her head down as she looked at me with a worried face.
Then the door shut behind us.
My eyes flung open the moment I saw where we are in. I thrashed violently but his grip was firm. I shut my mouth tight, stopped myself from inhaling to keep living.
I never knew I'll found myself in the middle of a vast ocean, carried by none other than my CEO as he walks down a long staircase that stretched widely up until the deep dark abyss.
The lamp hanging on his arm shines radiantly as we get deeper and deeper.
My eyes twitched in horror the moment I saw thousands of sea creatures I have never seen before. They kept spiraling around us, watching closely as if we were a spectacle to be seen. Weird noises surrounded the waters, never letting the blue horizon left in silence.
But then I found myself having trouble in breathing. I can't last anymore!
I grabbed my CEO by the collar, signaling him to move faster. His forehead creased and started walking faster.
My eyes beamed when I saw the end of the long staircase. But I was thrown into confusion when I saw nothing at the end. The staircase just stops there but there was nothing but darkness.
Losing any inch of hope, I shut my eyes slowly as my consciousness slips away.
///
"Are you sure she's still alive?"
Suddenly, my eyes flung open as I felt something warm brushing my lips. I quickly sat from the cold ground I was lying in, coughing repeatedly to expel all the water I've absorbed. Within a split second, I think I saw my CEO sighing out of relief in a corner as he brushed his wet hair back. But I closed my eyes quickly as the blinding light hit me.
"Bound her now!" I heard someone whispering and then two identical guys started dragging me on a chair. They were all wearing business attires, too. They have slick back brown hair with a pair of almond eyes. I squirmed and tried to move, but my legs were too wobbly I can't even stand on my own. They tied my arms and feet as I tried to fight the dizziness I was feeling.
"The papers, quick!" Slowly, I felt recovering as my vision started to get stable, finally adjusting to the light. We were currently in a small empty cold cottage. My eyes shifted on a guy with disheveled hair, a pair of emerald eyes, holding a bunch of papers walking hastily towards me.
He held my right hand and pressed my thumb on a stamp pad.
"Hey, what are you doing?!" I shrieked as he held my arm tightly, forcing me to put my thumbprint on the papers. I fought back and gritted my teeth hard, not letting him win. No way I'm going to let hi-!
"He kissed you!"
"What?!" I exclaimed as a guy pointed at my CEO who was staring at me with his lifeless eyes, leaning on the stone wall. He was no longer wearing his suit. His white polo was folded up until his elbows, some water still trickling down on his jet black hair.
"Hot."
"What?" The guy crouching in front of me asked. I quickly went back to my senses the moment I remember he was forcing me to sign some papers. Since I was distracted, he finally succeeded.
There was no point in arguing so I just let him be as I lean on the chair, rolling my eyes.
"Congratulations, you're now a citizen of the Claw Region and school is just about to start." The guy who just forced me to sign a bunch of papers announced as he nodded on the twins. The two identical guys started to remove the ropes binding me. They didn't even let me breathe one second and started dragging me somewhere.
"Hey, I know you three!" I exclaimed as I remembered who they are. Including Ms. Kase, they are the panel interviewers who didn't let me answer even a single question.
The twins were holding me in both arms as the guy with disheveled hair positioned himself behind us.
"Let's go." Our CEO commanded and lead the way out.
The moment we exited on that cold empty cottage, tall trees welcomed us. I turned my head from where we came from and saw a sign hanging on the wooden door. It was called "Portal". The guy with disheveled hair was left behind as we walk at a fast pace. I saw him whispering something and then the cottage vanished into thin air.
"What did he do?"
"He closed the portal." One of the twins answered as we kept walking. I started feeling cold as the damp wind brushed on my skin. My business attire was still wet just like my hair.
"Oh, sorry I forgot!" The guy who was left behind shouted. He snapped his fingers and just like that, I found myself dry once again.
"That's cool!" I remarked.
"Where are we by the way? And what are you? I mean, what kind of creatures are you? Why do you have fangs and why don't I have?" I asked the twins, still finding it unfair.
"We are currently in the heart of the Claw's Northern forest."
"And we are alchemists. The guy left behind is a wizard."
"We do not have fangs, the employees left on the company have, just like our CEO because they are werewolves."
"And you simply do not have because you're a Chamber."
The twins beside me answered alternately.
"I'm done!" It was the disheveled-haired guy, following us behind.
"By the way, what are your names?" I asked as we trudged along the vast forest, birds chirping, crickets singing, the scent of leaves making the air fresher than what cities have to offer. It's such a perfect time to make friends!
"He is Levi Howl,"
"And that's Levy Howl."
They answered making me confused than ever.
"Ugh, I really can't tell who's who. Mind helping me out?"
They looked at each other and started laughing. I don't know why they're laughing but I just went along and started laughing, too.
"You'll find out soon." The guy behind us mumbled. "I'm Flynn Silver."
"We're here." Our hot CEO announced, making everyone stop.
It was an abandoned train station in the middle of the forest. I looked up the signage hanging but it was blank. We climbed up on the wooden platform as a conductor greeted us.
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen, where to?"
"Claw Academy." Sir Lake answered.
The conductor gave each of us a ticket as our CEO paid him with an unknown currency. He grabbed the megaphone hanging on his waist and started announcing.
"Passengers from the Northern Forest, to Claw Academy." As soon as he ended, we heard a loud noise coming from a train.
It stopped in front of us and the moment I took a step in, the whole surrounding changed.
I found myself in front of a long narrow bridge, swaying slowly as the cold wind passes. I gulped nervously as I look down, only to find the roaring waves of an angry river.
"We're running late."
Hearing his cold voice made everyone walk with hurried steps. I crossed the bridge with my eyes half open as I screamed violently from time to time. Mother of cow! The bridge was swaying intensely I almost got carried by the strong wind! The others only laughed at me as they walk comfortably.
I let out a sigh of relief as soon as I finished crossing that horrible bridge. Now we are currently in front of a huge metallic gate. It was so enormous I looked like an ant in front. There were two tall stone pillars on each side.
I wanted to rest for a minute because I felt exhausted from all that screaming but one of the twins immediately grabbed my arm. We parted with the others who went into the right huge pillar while we were on the left.
There was a small metal door on the pillar. I flinched out of shock when a small window suddenly open, a slit purple eyes glaring intensely on us.
"Enrollment forms?" Judging from the voice, it was an old woman.
Levy or Levi, I'm not really sure, whispered something in the air and two envelopes emerged from her right hand. The other one was sealed with dark brown wax while the other one is white. A symbol, which looks like three claws were embedded on it.
"I'm sorry, when did I enroll in here?"
"You just signed the papers a while ago."
"You mean I was forced to." I retorted.
We went inside and I can't help but to gape as I saw how spacious it was. There were uniforms hanging on the walls and it looks like a store hadn't it been for the other girls inside, shamelessly removing their clothes and wearing the uniforms without even paying.
"Is that allowed?" I asked but then I screamed in terror the moment I saw Levy or Levi stripping in front of me.
"A bra?!"
"Yes, Levy Howl is a girl." She said as she put on a dark brown suit. There were words written in gold in the left, "Tier Three". The right side is where the logo of the claw is embedded. Her bottom is a black and gray pleated skirt just like everyone else.
"So, do I just pick whatever color I like?" I asked, referring to the suits since it varies in color.
"No, you need to find what's the right one for you." She answered as she pointed to a certain section. There was a name written above.
Of course,
Chambers.
"Mother of cow, why does it look so flashy?" I complained as I stared down at myself. I looked around and I was the only one wearing a white suit.
"Can I ask, why Tier Three?" I asked. Levy told me I belong to Tier Three just like her.
She started explaining as we walk towards the narrow dark hallway. I don't know how she managed to see amidst the darkness so I just held her hand tightly, afraid to get lost.
"Tier Three means those twenty-two to twenty-three of age."
"Oh! I'm twenty-two, how about you?" I asked. I can tell we were nearing the exit as a faint light started to blind my eyes.
"Same! Guess we're besties!" She responded cheerfully.
I was about to say 'Sorry, already have a bestie, Paisley', but I remained silent since she might leave me here in the dark.
I inhaled the fresh air as soon as we got out of the eerie hallway behind us. My mouth flung open as I stared at something spectacular.
It was a huge stone castle. Students walk freely on the castle grounds, some were flying on mid-air, some were casting spells.
I don't know why, but I found myself smiling.
Everything felt nostalgic. Familiar.
"Harper Williams," Levy beamed at me and flashed a genuine smile.
"Welcome to Claw Academy."
Idon't know why Laurent hid everything from me. I don't know why he's too afraid of bringing me to a place that feels like a second home.I don't get him.We were scattered in front of the Academy's huge steel gate as several eyes started to glance at me. I can feel bewildered stares everywhere. I pouted and keep my head low, cursing at whoever made this white suit. I was the only one wearing it and it was too flashy on top of that!"Hey, keep your head high. You're a celebrity here." Levy held my chin up and linked her arms at me as we walked like fashion models around. I don't know what in the world we are doing."Tier Three, please line up!" Levy and I quickly lined up. My forehead creased as I saw a mysterious floating door ahead. A guy with specs was waiting beside the door, a bunch of keys hanging on his arm. The line moved as students started to enter the door."Why not just go strai
As soon as I got out from the floating door, I was sprawled all over the floor, my stomach churning. I quickly shut my mouth to stop myself from vomiting.I will never get used to that freaking door!When I finally recovered, I look around and scanned my surroundings. I was in a place which looks like a studio apartment. There's a small kitchen, a bathroom and two beds. There were also two brown closets. I opened both of them and can't help but to stare with amazement as I saw different kinds of clothes. The other closet has spare brown suits while the other has white. Obviously, the latter was mine.I think I'm currently in the girls' dormitory. Maybe Flynn and Levi got transported in the boys' dormitory.I wonder who's my roommate?While waiting, I quickly freshen up and changed my clothes. I decided to wear a white trouser, tucking my navy sweater in. I used to tie my hair every time but decided to let it down for a change. After an hour of fumbling through things inside the room,
I stood frozen still as I looked at him with surprise. Mother of cow! My CEO just turned to be my my classmate and on top of that is my freaking partner?! How am I supposed to be all friendly with him?! "Stop staring." His words made me quickly avert my gaze as we walked on the hallway. Students were glancing at us as we pass along, whispering things I cannot comprehend. "Why are they looking at us like that?" I asked as I look back at every students looking at me with weird faces. I mimicked every expression they made making them avert their gazes. No way I'm going to let them make me awkward. "It's expected. The only Alpha and the only Chamber just happened to be a team. Of course it will make a ruckus." He answered with his emotionless face. Professor Goodbye dismissed us quickly after telling us about our first assignment. And yes, his name is freaking Professor Goodbye. There's a lot of weird names going on here. Anyway, our first assignment was to make a healing potion.
Laurent quickly made his way towards me. He wrapped me in his embrace, hugging me tightly. I was unsure of what to do so I patted him gently on the back. He was panting heavily as buried his face on my neck, his hand holding my head gently. "Do you know how scared I am Harper?" He whispered, exhaustion was heard from his tone. I couldn't help but to feel guilty, his hair was still unkempt, he was not wearing his usual clean suit. He was wearing a white shirt and a plain black pants. "Who brought you here?! I went looking all over for you!" "Ooh, I smell a love triangle." Elixa giggled while eating. My forehead creased when I noticed she already had popcorn on her lap. My heart thumped nervously when his eyes darted on Killian. If looks can kill, my CEO is totally gone right now. Laurent put me behind him and faced Killian. "Why did you bring her in this world?! Who gave you the right to decide for her?! You should mind your own business Lake!" His voice roared within the room.
"You're seriously choosing him over me? Are you for real, Harper?" "It's not that I'm choosing him! I just want to stay he-" "Do what you want." I felt a pang of pain as I saw Laurent walk away. I couldn't help but clenched my fists as guilt started eating me. "He's just jealous." I heard Killian's cold voice from behind. Why is he smirking by the way?! Does he think this is funny?! "Stop grinning." I remarked before walking away. And I didn't choose Killian! I told Laurent I decided to stay here at Claw. As to why my CEO is suddenly in front of the door, I don't know. I just went to where my feet brought me and found myself inside a garden. I didn't even knew something like this exist. Little fairies fly around as they played with each other, the green shades of leaves being lighted up by faint glowing orbs. It was magical. But I can't find myself smiling right now. "You all right?" A guy's voice came from behind. "Probably not." "Sorry, but I'm not in the mood to talk w
Murmurs were heard all over the room. I even notice Neville secretly pinching Grave in the arm. Looking at her blushing as she stared at Laurent. Well, Laurent surely is attractive. That's also the reason why I got easily swayed by him on that mysterious grand ball. You can't blame me, blame his face. "Harper, you should focus on what he's saying, not on his face." Killian whispered making me go back to my senses. Since we were required to seat with our partners, my CEO obviously is my seatmate as of now. "I was listening attentively. Maybe you're just imagining things," I glared at him, but then I got intimidated again. "Sir." Tsk, of all the people in the room why should I be partnered with my CEO?! What if I got annoyed? Then I cannot strangle him with my chains easily thinking he might deduct my salary! "We'll be having the Excipere Tournament next week." The announcement made everyone thrilled. They started chatting with each other while I was left dumbfounded, unsure of wh
"A man?" For unknown reasons my chest started to pound heavily, the soft wind felt too cold against my skin. For a moment the atmosphere felt too thin it was hard for me to breathe. As if an impending danger was right in the corner. "Harper," My body instinctively went into a fighting stance, my power suddenly in a surge, But the tension I was feeling died down when I saw who it was. "Killian." I sighed, my shoulders slumping down at ease. "I found his mother." "John!" A woman in her mid-40s went dashing towards the little boy, hugging him while tears started to well in her eyes. There were a few gray streaks on her hair, some wrinkles starting to form on her forehead. "I told you to stick with me, you naughty boy!" She cried, carrying her child in his arms. "It was you who went missing mother! I kept following you but you suddenly went gone!" John was about to cry again but he tried to hold back his tears. "Oh, my poor child! It won't happen again, all right? Mother won't
"Are you kidding?!" I know by now my face is as red as a tomato. I can't help but blurt out nervous laughter when I saw Killian staring intently at me. "What, you don't want to do it? How can we build mutual trust if we can't even be used to getting intimate with each other?" "I mean, what does that have to do with fighting enemies?! It's absurd!" But he suddenly cupped my face, my whole body tensing up as we sat on the grass. My instincts kicked in and I leaned back, my arms holding at the grass but he pulled me close by the waist and my chest started thumping wildly. I'm afraid he might be able to hear it. He tilted his head and stared at my lips. I gulped, slowly closing my eyes as my heartbeat went into a frenzy. I could hear his heavy breathing, his addictive scent, and the tip of his nose brushing against mine. "I'm kidding. Look at you closing your eyes." My eyes flung open and I saw him already far away, throwing daggers at me. He crossed his arms, throwing me a skeptical