The dining hall at Exotikkal Academy was nothing like the ones I'd seen in other academies. It was a very large space. All the walls were glass and polished, with tables that seemed to stretch on forever.
Well, there were more than ten thousand students so I wouldn't expect less.
The ceiling was so high it felt like you could fit a whole other school above us, and the air was filled with the occasional clatter of cutlery.
As I stepped inside with Maude and the twins, Sia followed, hovering just above my line of sight. I'd gotten used to her presence, but it was still strange to see my life summarized in neat, glowing numbers.
Name: Blair Williams
Race: Syren-Werewolf Hybrid
Level: 2
Mana: 10/100
Health: 60/100
Stamina: 80/100
Speed: 70/100
Werewolf veto power: None
Transmigration portal Progress: 50%
Quests: none
I sighed, noticing my mana was lower than before. "Sia, why's my mana at ten percent?" I asked silently.
"You used some during the hands test and earlier with Bud Fixer," Sia typed. "Mana is your energy for system skills. It'll recover with rest, food, or special items."
I nodded, absorbing the information as we lined up for dinner. The food wasn't served by staff or students, but by a fleet of sleek, silver robots. They glided between tables, their digital eyes blinking cheerfully.
This was next level science. For the first time, I could see Maude's eyes widen in excitement. It seemed she was studying the robots.
One stopped in front of me and bowed slightly. "Welcome, Blair Williams. What would you like for dinner?"
I blinked, a little taken back by the robot's manners. "Um… chicken tacos, please?"
The robot's eyes flashed green. "Excellent choice. Please wait."
As it rolled away, Sia chimed in, "Just so you know, Blair, when you start transmigrating, you'll have to be careful with your diet. If you're going into the world of a particular animal to save it, you can't eat that animal for at least twenty-four hours."
I nearly choked. "Wait, what? Transmigrating? What does that even mean?"
"Sometimes you can transmigrate into the sea to save some fish-shifters and if you eat fish twenty four hours before, your journey may be unsuccessful," Sia replied.
"And what's portal progress?" I asked, still unsatisfied.
Sia's screen expanded, displaying a gentle swirl of stars and portals. "Once you reach level four, you'll unlock the ability to enter portals to other worlds. Your primary mission will be to save female leads in distress-often powerful shifters or magical beings. Each time you help one, you'll be rewarded with a new power, which will help you survive and eventually fight the coming apocalypse."
I stared at the screen, my heart was pulsating. "So… I'm going to be jumping into other worlds to save people? Like, literally going there?"
"Correct," Sia replied. "The Siren System was created to help endangered female leads. In turn, they'll grant you gifts-powers, knowledge, or allies. Over time, you'll need to find a female partner
A girlfriend perhaps, if you prefer. You'll do these quests together. Two is always stronger than one."
I felt my cheeks flush. "A… girlfriend?"
"Correct. Siren pairs are most effective in a crisis. Emotional bonds amplify your power."
I was still reeling when I thought to ask, "Sia, what exactly is a siren? I thought sirens were those mythological sea creatures."
Sia showed a disappointed sticker on the system screen. "That's an old wives' tale. True sirens were real animals. They were apex predators at the top of the food chain. They once lived on Earth but were hunted to extinction. Sirens were multicolored, fox-like creatures with long bunny ears and fur that could change from pink, purple, white, or brown, depending on their mood or environment. They were beautiful, powerful, and could heal the sick with their touch. Sirens were the kings and queens of the forest, able to command, summon, or tame any animal, even snakes, lions, elephants, fish, and mermaids. They led the shifter clans. Their venom could even weaken or kill vampires."
I felt a strange ache in my chest. "So… How did I get to be a siren?"
A beautiful and clear image of my mother appeared on the screen. "Your mother was a half-siren. She hid her true nature from your father to protect herself. Valkyries hunted the last sirens for their power. Your mother masked her scent and lived in hiding. When you were born, the system recognized your bloodline and bonded to you. It waited for you to reach your potential before it manifested."
I let the information sink in, my mind was spinning. This was too much to handle. "So… I'm the last of my kind?"
"Yeah…you and your mom. But you have tendencies to be a hundred times more powerful than her. You have a purpose."
Before I could ask more, Sia's screen glowed brighter. "I'm using your remaining mana to show you a pre-quest. Don't worry, your body will stay here. Only your soul will travel."
[Pre quest transmigration loading..]
The dining hall faded away. For a moment, I felt weightless, drifting through a tunnel of light and stars. Then the world snapped into focus.
I landed in a strange, alien landscape. The sky was a deep red and the atmosphere was gloomy.
Rocks floated in the air, and the ground below was scorched and barren.
In the distance, I saw dragons. They were huge and some flew across the sky.
The holographic screen disappeared and Sia's voice narrated, "Welcome to the world of the dragon shifters. Your future missions will look like this. See there?"
I followed her voice to a clearing where a female dragon was chained to the ground. She looked weak, her belly was swollen with eggs. She was pregnant, and in distress.
She had a crown on her head and she was going to be burnt by some other dragons who accused her of doing something false.
"Your task would be to save her. When you succeed, she'll reward you with power. The power can be fire resistance, or the ability to fly."
I felt a feeling of excitement and fear. "Will I really be able to do this?"
"With time and training, yes. Each quest will make you stronger. And each world you visit will bring you closer to your destiny."
The scene faded, and I was back in the dining hall, my body untouched. No one seemed to have noticed I'd been gone.
Maude was chatting with Jane about the dessert options, and Jessica was scrolling through her phone.
I took a deep breath, feeling a new sense of purpose. I was excited, nervous, but ready for whatever came next.
The robot returned, placing a plate of steaming chicken tacos in front of me. "Enjoy your meal, Blair Williams."
"Thank you," I said, smiling at the machine.
Maude ordered a veggie pie, Jane went for spaghetti, and Jessica piled her plate with rice and fried plantains.
As I bit into my taco, a sudden commotion erupted at the far end of the hall.
A letter…yes, an actual envelope had flown through the open doors, spinning wildly before landing in front of a girl named Precious.
The envelope tore itself open and, to everyone's astonishment, began to shout in a shrill, magical voice.
"PRECIOUS! PRECIOUS, YOU THIEVING CHILD! WHERE IS MY DIAMOND EARRING?"
"INCASE YOU'RE WONDERING, IT'S YOUR MOM!! DID YOU REALLY THINK I WOULD NOT FIND OUT THAT YOU STOLE?"
The entire hall turned to stare. Precious's face turned crimson as the letter hovered in front of her, berating her in front of everyone.
"RETURN MY EARRING AT ONCE OR FACE PUBLIC HUMILIATION! GIVE IT TO MISS TIA OF WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND I WILL GET IT TOMORROW. THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING!"
Someone snickered, then the whole room erupted in laughter.
Even the robots paused, their digital eyes blinked in confusion.
Maude leaned over, whispering, "It seems her mom's a mage. She must have enchanted the letter."
Jessica cackled, nearly choking on her rice. "That's what you get for stealing from your mom!"
Jane rolled her eyes. "Honestly, you'd think people would learn."
Precious slumped in her seat, mortified, as the letter continued to berate her.
Eventually, a teacher intervened, banishing the letter with a flick of her wand, but the damage was done. Precious would be the talk of the school for weeks.
Jane spotted the bleach blonde hair guy from earlier on.
She grabbed her tray and hurried over, leaving Jessica glaring after her.
"Ugh, she always ditches me for boys," Jessica grumbled.
I smiled sympathetically. "Sisters, right?"
Jessica huffed, but a smile tugged at her lips.
Just then, I spotted a familiar face weaving through the tables. It was Lola! My bestie.
She had a wild and infectious grin and she plopped down beside me on Jane's empty chair.
"Blair!" she squealed, giving me a quick hug. "I can't believe you're here! I'm in the Water Hostel. The rooms are amazing. It is like sleeping in an aquarium."
I laughed. "I bet. How are your roommates?"
Lola rolled her eyes. "Let's just say, I'm learning to sleep with one eye open. Are you coming to the party tonight?"
I hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, I think I will. Blake's invited me." I gestured at the chaos around us.
Lola grinned. "Good. I'll save you a spot."
We chatted for a while, catching up on everything from classes to crushes.
Lola eventually ordered some ice cream.
As I finished my meal, my phone buzzed again. It was another message from Blake. [Don't forget the party tonight. I want to see you there.]
I rolled my eyes. It was time to go back to the hostel and choose a dress. I was ready to party!!