Monsters Within

Chapter 9

Ivy Frostine Sumwin raised her hands and felt the cool breeze coming from the window that she missed so much. She even heaved a long deep sigh like this was her first time inhaling the air from the summer part of the Faerie Kingdom.

From their pumpkin, she could see the vast land of the Faerie Kingdom ruled by their father. The trees were all blooming in different colors, compared to their mom's castle, which was always cold and winter. That was also the reason why it was the winter part of the Faerie Kingdom.

She and her twin sister, Peach Sunshine, had just come home from a vacation at their Aunty Guinevere's home. She was their aunt at the mother's side, and she also lived in the winter part of the Faerie Kingdom like her sister.

This year, the twins were starting their first year at Lightford Academy as students. Everyone's dream was to attend this school, because Lightford Academy was one of the few ways to compete at the infamous Aiderlan World Cup held once a year.

It was a well-known clash from around the world. Different races trained so hard to compete with all their might because only selected students were allowed. When their schools picked the players on each rank, they would travel to the Zodiac Kingdom to showcase their abilities. Every year, the winners receive different powerful and rare stones from the King of all Nations, King Leighton I.

Everyone knew that those stones were vital to every race because they made them more powerful and invincible. The race that had the most number of stones was the most powerful. Right now, the Faerie Kingdom holds the most numbers, and they would do everything to stay in that place forever.

Not only that, all winners were automatically nominees for the position of general in their kingdom. Everyone aimed to be one, because they had so many privileges. Even their family could enjoy such things as owning a pumpkin near the king's palace. And whoever lived there, was considered high class.

"I met someone today," said Ivy to her twin, Peach. She was now sitting beside a window, still staring outside. She could see the academy, standing in the middle of the kingdom, confident and unraveled.

It was smaller than the king's palace, but it was more populated. Some students and teachers lived inside the academy instead of going home every day. It saved them the hassle and pixies that they used to fly.

"Yeah, right. You always meet new people. Good for you," Peach said while reading a book in the corner of their room. She didn't even look at her twin and continued turning the pages. But her attention was divided because of Ivy, making her lose her focus.

Ivy shot her twin a glance and said, "He is the weirdest among those I have met. He didn't even say a word or two, nor look at my pretty face. Did I become scary for the last months? Or am I not friendly enough?"

Peach sighed. "None of the above, Frost. Maybe the guy has a problem with speaking or something. Or he is not a friendly person. Not everyone's as friendly as you," she said, like the person Ivy met didn't really concern her. And that was right; he was none of her business.

"Hmm. You are probably right," Ivy mumbled and went back to her chair, still deep in her thoughts.

Peach sighed a relief. She couldn't concentrate on what she was reading because of her twin. Ivy was so talkative that it irritated her sometimes. She could handle it, but not all the time, especially when she's reading. Nope. No matter who it was, she would not let anyone disturb her when reading.

"There is really something weird about that guy. I just couldn't figure it out," Ivy started mumbling again, and she did not stop.

Peach rolled her eyes. "Everyone is weird to you."

"No. This time, it is for real. I don't know if it is a good feeling or what. But it's a weird one. I can't tell if he's a good or bad person." Her eyebrows creased, like she was solving a tough math problem.

"Your ability is water, not reading if someone is good or bad."

Ivy pouted. "I am serious, Shine!"

"Okay. Okay. I know. Just forget about it for now, and let us get ready. We have to visit home soon before we start preparing for the competition. Mom and Dad would surely want to meet us before we get too busy."

"Okay..." Ivy said, still bothered about her thoughts.

A competition is held every year before school starts. It was like an orientation for the students to test where they would be sorted out.

At Lightford Academy, there are Rank Aria, Rank Summoner, Rank Knight, and Rank Dragoon. They would be sharpening their skills according to which rank they belong. This was also to divide the number of students into certain digits and filter who would compete in the World Cup. Only one student per rank would be lucky enough to enter the cup. Everyone in the same class will be their enemies until the first year ends.

Ivy went out of their pumpkin, the house of the fairies, and went to play with her fairy friends. But when she got bored, she flew to the castle and left Peach alone to visit their mom. She had the habit of entering and exiting at a window, so she peeked in there first.

But before she could enter, a familiar built of a person stopped her. It was the guy she met that morning who refused to talk or look at her.

"What is he doing here at the castle? Is he a special guest or something?" she asked to herself, confused as to why someone, a guy who looked like a student, was just casually inside the palace. Not everyone could go inside the castle without permission or special reasons. That was why it surprised Ivy to see the guy inside, talking to the queen, her mom.

"What is with the outfit?" She grimaced.

The guy was wearing a black hoody and black pants. Sure, this was the winter part of the Faerie Kingdom, and it was cold. But no one wears hoodies and pants in this area anymore. Even the not fairy professors were obliged to wear a fairy dress in and out of the academy.

He removed his hood off his head, but Ivy could only see the back of his head. His hair was so dark, but it still looked soft and smooth. The hair was adequately combed to one side, and some strands covered half of his right eye.

Her mom, Queen Sundust, said, "I already had a word with Sacho Elfred about your situation. You must attend a seminar about our kingdom, the rules, regulations, and dos and don'ts. And after that, that is when I will permit you to attend my school." Her voice was calm and cold, like the usual.

"I understand," the guy answered in a low voice.

Ivy could barely hear his voice, so she placed her ear on the window to hear more clearly. She was also curious about why the guy acted like that before. He looked aloof and cold. His built told Ivy to shut up and get lost. But she didn't want to get lost.

She wanted to see his eyes. Ivy could tell and describe someone with only the eyes, and she was always by far right. But right now, she could not look into his eyes. Judging from his build, she already knew that he was not a fairy.

His wings were not yet visible, and the air around him felt dangerous compared to those of the fairies who were friendly and easygoing. Some weren't really friendly, but at least they knew how to greet someone politely.

"I understand what you have been through," the queen continued. "I may not witness them with my own eyes, but I can easily say if someone has a deep wound. Your mind is clouded right now, so I can't really read you. But I can assure you that my academy can help you. And this kingdom can hide the real you while you control that."

Ivy's eyebrows creased with her mom's words.

"Hey!" shouted someone from afar. Because of panic, Ivy immediately flew away and dragged the one who yelled at her.

Her heart pounded so fast as words came flying out of her mouth. "What the hell, Mei! You scared the hell out of me. I thought that was my last day in this world. You do not know what my mom could do if she found out that I was eavesdropping. Gosh!" Ivy flew in the air in a circular motion until she calmed down and stopped, heaving a sigh.

Mei, a talking white rabbit, chuckled at her. "I am sorry. I didn't know you were listening to someone who happens to be your mom." She wriggled her eyebrows in her direction as if she wanted to remind her about the rule she broke.

Ivy's shoulder dropped, and she started fidgeting. "I'm sorry. I was just curious about the guy. I didn't mean to sneak on my mom."

"The guy?" Mei crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. Her rose wings flapped slowly and went near her, curious about who she was talking about. Ivy was always interested in something or someone, but not that curious.

"What did your mom tell you?" Mei asked.

Ivy faked a cry and said, "I know that! I already told you I was sorry."

Mei laughed. "I was just kidding. Let's play! I'm bored." She flapped her wings and flew away before Ivy followed her.