Chapter 9: The Lords Mercy Her assigned guide, Mary, was a tall and elegant blonde with an air of nobility that suggested shed never had to lift a finger in her entire life. It wasnt surprising though, Lunaris Academy catered to the rich and elite humans after all. People like Violet were only privileged to be here so shes been reminded every step of the way. Since the moment she entered the campus, opulence surrounded her from the outside down to the inside of the academy grounds, making her feel out of place. Yet, for someone from such a background, Marys humility took Violet by surprise. It wasnt great to stereotype, but the rich often fit the mold of being arrogant, entitled, and dismissive. Mary, however, was kind, with a calm, gentle demeanor that, oddly enough, put Violet at ease. That was saying a lot, given how much Violet trusted no one, especially in this school, where her worst assumptions had already been confirmed. Mary was a refreshing change from the students Violet had encountered so far. I dont know whats going on between you and Principal Jameson, Mary began, her tone soft but cautionary, but trust me, you do not want to make an enemy out of Im not scared of Principal Jameson if thats what youre worried about, Violet interrupted, her tone growing serious. Trust me, I come from a district where the games you play here would feel like childs play. 1 Mary stopped walking abruptly, forcing Violet to halt as well. Violet saw an ugly sneer twist across the girls face for the first time, a darkness flickering in her eyes. 1 Who said I was talking about the principal? She stepped closer, her tall frame nearly towering over Violet. While Violet wasnt short, Mary had almost a head on her. Its not Jameson you should be worried about. Its them… While Mary didnt elaborate on who them referred to, Violet didnt need her to. There was clearly a powerful clique at the academy pulling the strings behind the scenes. Back at her old school, it had been Jasmine and her gang. Here at Lunaris, Violet could already tell Griffin Hale was one of them, if not their leader. She hadnt missed the trace of fear in Principal Jamesons eyes at the mere mention of his name. 3 But even that didnt faze Violet. Back in the ghetto, Jasmine and her lackeys nearly had no limits, and Violet had dealt with them just fine. What could a group of spoiled, entitled brats throw at her that she couldnt take? 4 Violet met Marys gaze with unwavering confidence. Them, she enunciated slowly, making sure the message was clear. 4 For a moment, Mary stared at her in disbelief before breaking into a slow, mocking laugh. Oh, theyre going to enjoy breaking you. 1 Waitwhat? Violet blinked, caught off guard. Suddenly, she wondered if her instincts about trusting Mary was right. Ive seen girls like you over the years, Mary continued, her tone almost pitying. That fire in your eyes? It always gets extinguished. Theres a hierarchy here, Violet, and until you learn your place, that fire is going to get swallowed whole by the storm. 3 The air between them thickened with tense silence, the severity of Marys words lingering ominously. Whatever excitement Violet had for the tour evaporated. But instead of backing down, Violet lifted her chin defiantly. Maybe theyve broken others but they havent met me. 3 Mary shook her head, Dont say I didnt warn you. Thanks for the warning, Violet shot back, rolling her eyes. Now, can we get this over with? Its getting boring. Mary gave Violet an incredulous look. Despite all the warnings, nothing seemed to faze her. As a guide for this semesters new students, Mary had seen most of them lower their heads the moment they learned about the schools hierarchy, eager to stay out of sight and avoid trouble. But Violet? She wasnt like the others. There was no hesitation, no fear in her eyes. Mary could already tell she was going to be trouble. Then again, the alphas would likely deal with her soon enough. 1 Fine! She huffed, momentarily thrown by Violets unwavering confidence. As they stepped out of the administrative floor and into the bustling hallway, it became clear that classes were over for the day. Students streamed out of classrooms, and the atmosphere buzzed with the end-of-day rush. Violet could feel the weight of their stares, sharp and unsettling. It wasnt the curious glance reserved for a new girl, something novel and intriguing to look at. No, these looks were different, hungry, assessing. They watched her like predators sizing up prey, scrutinizing every inch as if they were trying to determine whether she would disrupt the order they were so used to. But Violet didnt shrink under their gaze. Instead, she glared back with the same fierce intensity, her defiance meeting their scrutiny head-on. One by one, their eyes dropped, having gotten the message. 1 Here, Mary said, pressing a heavy satchel into Violets arms. Violet instinctively grabbed it, her curiosity piqued. She had noticed Mary leave Jamesons office with the bag but hadnt asked about it until now. Thats your welcome satchel. Go ahead, open it, Mary urged when she caught Violets questioning look. Violet unzipped the bag and saw a stack of textbooks, but something else caught her eye. There was a sealed package nestled inside. When Violet pulled it out and saw the branded logo, her eyes widened in disbelief. No way… she whispered, holding up the sealed phone box, looking up at Mary with disbelief and anticipation. Mary smiled knowingly. We understand that some of our scholarship students come from… less privileged districts, she said, carefully choosing her words. So, we provide free devices to help students learn here at Lunaris Academy. Whatever Mary said after that felt distant as Violet eagerly unsealed the phone box. The moment she uncovered the sleek, touchscreen device inside, her breath hitched. Violet stood frozen in the hallway, the new phone resting in her palm. Her instincts screamed at her to shout or jump for joy, but the elegance of the academy reminded her that would be a terrible idea. She might be the new girl, but she didnt need everyone to know she was a greenhorn. 1 Instead, she beamed silently, her smile stretching wide as she admired it. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought shed hold something like this. Not to mention, Nancy would lose her mind over a touchscreen. The thought of Nancy made guilt creep in. After all the resistance shed put up to getting into Lunaris Academy, here she was, barely a day in, and already enjoying the perks. It comes with accessories, headphones, charger, user manual, in case you dont know how to I know how to use a phone, Violet cut her off sharply, feeling a bit insulted. Just because shed never owned one didnt mean she was clueless. No offense, Mary said, lifting her hands in mock surrender. I was just trying to help. Violet ignored her, turning the phone on. The brand name, AVAX, appeared with a dramatic flourish on the screen, followed by Welcome, Violet flashing across the display. She frowned at that. Mary explained, pride evident in her voice.Each phone is customized for the students. I told you, Lunaris Academy doesnt miss a single detail. 1 Violet had to admit, as much as she didnt want to, the attention to detail was impressive. If the kids back home knew the level of luxury this school offered, theyd do anything to be in her shoes. Mary continued, Your phone has everything, campus maps, your schedule, school matches, the syllabus, and, of course, your ranking for the term. 1 Violet frowned, trying to navigate the phone to find all the things Mary was talking about. Here, let me show you, Mary said, snatching the phone out of Violets hands. Before Violet could protest, Mary snapped a photo of her without warning, the flash catching her off guard, and making her wince. Moments later, Mary was typing away, setting things up. Violet let her be. For once, she admitted to herself that she didnt know everything. Violet knew she was stubborn to a fault but one couldnt blame her. She had been independent all through her life and didnt need anyones help. Even without Marys help, she would have figured it out sooner or later. 1 All you need to do now is log into the Lunaris Academy app, Mary explained. The school offers free Wi-Fi, though most of us dont use it. While its encrypted, some of Lunaris top students have impressive hacking skills, so be careful what information you store on the device. Secrets are valuable currency here. In a place where money flowed like water, secrets became the real currency. Violet almost rolled her eyes, exasperated by how easy these students had it, how oblivious they were to their privilege. She wondered if Mary had any idea that her district would kill for something as simple as free Wi-Fi, hacked or not. Even in the old world, the government had never cared about the welfare of the people, and in this new world, it was even worse. Her district was one of many left to suffer in the shadows, neglected and forgotten. Alright, heres your schedule! Mary chirped as she handed the phone back to Violet. Violets eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets when she saw the packed timetable. Monday : Breakfast : Werewolf Anthropology & Culture (Non-Elective) Focus on werewolf traditions, social hierarchy, and customs. : Advanced Human Biology (Core Science Course) Deep dive into human anatomy, genetics, and comparison with werewolf physiology. : Physical Training (Compulsory Sports) Strength, agility, and endurance exercises. : Lunch Break : History of the New World (Non-Elective) Exploration of post-war human and werewolf integration. : Etiquette & Social Dynamics (Compulsory) Lessons on manners, social behavior, and interacting with werewolf alphas. 2 : Mythology of Hybrid Creatures (Elective) Exploration of mythological creatures and hybrids. : Dinner, Rest, Study Hour / Free Time… What the hell… Violet muttered under her breath, staring at the daunting curriculum. At her old school, classes were always done by two oclock sharp. I know, right? Mary sighed, feeling empathic, Lunaris believes in keeping the students busy, which is why the syllabus is packed. But it makes sense when you think about the werewolves in our ranks. They need to stay active, or else chaos follows when theyve got too much energy and nowhere to put it. Then they should have their own separate school and not drag us into this mess, Violet snapped, irritated. 1 Now she had to deal with werewolf-infused courses that hadnt been any of her business before. Sure, her old school had dabbled in some of those subjects, but this? These were advanced compared to what she was used to. And what the hell is Etiquette and Social Dynamics and why is it compulsory? She scowled, the absurdity of it all making no sense. 2 Instead of answering, Mary smirked, a conspiratorial glint in her eyes. And that was enough to raise alarms in Violets head. Dont worry, youll find out soon enough. Come on, lets head to the infirmary. Now that youve got the map, finding everything else should be a breeze. Mary gently guided her forward before Violet could fire off more questions. Oh, and unless you want to lose points, uniforms are mandatory every day except weekends, Mary added. And make sure youre wearing the complete uniform. Principal Jameson loves using that to dock points. Violet frowned, recalling how Griffin and Roman hadnt been fully dressed in their uniforms. Of course, there were exceptions to the rules. I cant tell whats going on in your head with that face all scrunched up, but trust me, Lunaris has its perks. Youll love it here soon enough. Hot human guys, hunky werewolves, and, lets not forget, super attractive teachers. Violet shot her a look, not judging, but definitely unimpressed. 2 Mary grinned, unphased. Speaking of, Im sure you noticed the compulsory weekly counseling sessions on your schedule. Its Lunaris way of checking up on students mental health. Richmond… Well, lets just say he loves to listen, you know what I mean. 1 I dont want to know what you mean, Violet replied flatly. But Mary wasnt done. She winked, leaning in. Theres no real issue with student-teacher relationships here, especially with werewolves. Theyve got a lot of energy, and some students… volunteer when Mr. Richmond needs to blow off steam 9 Alright, thats way too much information! Violet groaned, horrified at the images forming in her head. 1 She shot Mary a pleading look. Can we just get to the infirmary already? Mary nodded, though somewhat reluctantly, clearly eager to share more. Violet was just relieved she wasnt about to get any more unsolicited details about the schools scandalous affairs. 1 She had come here to focus on her studies, not end up on the same path Nancy had chosen. But it seemed that path was all too normal here. As Violet had guessed, this was the main building, a grand, three-story structure that housed the classrooms, the common room, administrative offices, and meeting areas. Lunaris Academy also boasted a state-of-the-art swimming pool, courts, tracks, a gym, a greenhouse, and even a ballroom. While the ballroom was indoors, the other facilities were located behind the main building. Violet had assumed the infirmary would be back there as well, but she couldnt have been more wrong. Calling the two-story building set apart from the main one an infirmary was an understatement. It was more of a private hospital and a sophisticated one at that. Violet was taken aback by the pristine, well-lit hallways. The floors were lined with smooth, light-colored tiles, and the walls were adorned with wooden paneling on the lower half, topped with a calming blue horizontal strip that gave the space a refreshing and tranquil feel. 1 Doctors in white coats moved briskly, clipboards in hand, and certain areas of the building appeared to have restricted access. Violet couldnt help but be amazed. Did this school experience that many injuries, or was this just another way for the wealthy to flaunt their resources? She wasnt sure. Come on, Mary urged, tugging at her arm when Violet couldnt stop staring, mouth agape like a fish out of water. 1 They walked into a smaller ward where a minor commotion was already unfolding. A healerone of the rare now-extinct werewolves with the ability to channel healing magicwas chastising a student, a boy whose arms were covered in fresh burn marks. Violet barely had time to process the fact that the academy employed an actual healer, because her attention quickly shifted to him. 1 You cant keep doing this, Alaric, the healer said, clearly exasperated. If you push yourself like this, the infirmary will become your second home. 3 Im fine, he grumbled, clearly annoyed, as the healers magic worked over his arms, soothing the burns. Almost immediately, as if he could sense he was being watched, he turned and their gaze met. Holy creator of the universe. Violet forgot how to breathe. This was slowly becoming a habit. 1 He had whitish-blonde hair that framed a face so striking it was almost unfair. But it was his eyes that truly captivated her, stormy blue, like a brewing tempest. 2 She wasnt the only one affected; she heard Mary whisper his name in awe, Alpha Alaric, her cheeks flushing slightly. Of course, another alpha. Violet couldnt decide whether to be impressed yet. Though he didnt fit the typical image of an alpha, there was a quiet intensity about him that set him apart from the others. Instead of the usual brashness, there was an innocence in his demeanor that oddly drew her in. With those striking sapphire eyes, he could have easily been the most handsome alpha shed met todayif it werent for the sudden scowl that darkened his face. Violet didnt just sense his anger; she knew it. But why? Shed never even seen him until now. 7 As if that wasnt enough, his gaze swept over her, up and down, as if sizing her up, sending an unexpected thrill through her. But just as quickly as that flicker of excitement rose, it was crushed by his cold, dismissive attitude. His expression made it clear: she wasnt worth his time. Any illusion of interest on his part was shattered by his icy indifference. 1 Youre good to go. the healer finished up with him. Done, Alaric brushed past Violet, and in that brief, fleeting contact, a spark jolted through her. It was like lightning, sharp, unexpected, and oddly thrilling. Violet froze, breath catching in her throat, but Alaric didnt even glance her way. If he felt the same strange jolt, he didnt show it. What can I do for you? the healer asked, her brows furrowing as she studied Violet. Youre a new face, arent you? Violet nodded. And already in the infirmary on your first day? The healer shook her head, tutting. The lord be with you. I know, Violet whispered, her voice barely audible. ******* Do check out the comment section to see what Violets schedule looks like. 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