The classroom buzzed with the low hum of chatter as students settled into their seats. The walls were adorned with vibrant posters showcasing powerful women in various professions—hunters, doctors, engineers—all radiating confidence and strength and also other motivational quotes from famous people, mostly women.
Ms. Jenny stood at the front, adjusting her glasses as she prepared to address the class.
"Alright, everyone, settle down!" Ms. Jenny clapped her hands, her voice cutting through the noise. The students quieted, their attention turning to her. "Welcome to your orientation. I know most of you are fresh from middle school, where you learned the basics—math, science, health, and so on. But here, things are different. Aether High is where you begin to shape your future, especially now that your powers are awakening."
The students exchanged glances, some excited, others nervous. In this world, powers manifested during ages 18 and 20, and Aether High was renowned for guiding young women to harness these abilities for greatness.
The curriculum was designed to mould them into powerful figures—hunters who protected the country, doctors who healed with precision, or officers who upheld justice and many more career opportunities that suited their powers.
Ms. Jenny paced the front of the room, her heels clicking against the polished floor. "In middle school, you built a foundation. Here, we focus on developing your powers in the right direction. Whether you aim to be a hunter tracking rogue beasts, a doctor saving lives with your healing aura, or a police officer maintaining order, Aether High will prepare you. Our alumnae are proof of that. Take Mila Voss—she graduated ten years ago and now leads the Northern Hunter Corps. Or Dr. Mira Kade, whose medical breakthroughs have saved thousands. These women used their powers to carve their paths, and you can too."
The girls in the class leaned forward, eyes sparkling with ambition. The boys, fewer in number, listened quietly, their expressions a mix of curiosity and resignation.
Ren sat near the back, scribbling notes. He glanced at his friends, Kaito and Greg, who were whispering about something unrelated.
Ms. Jenny continued, "Your curriculum will include power training, tactical studies, and career-specific modules. You'll learn to control your abilities, whether it's manipulating energy, enhancing strength, or even telepathy. We'll also cover leadership and strategy, because power without direction is chaos."
Ren raised his hand, his expression hesitant. Ms. Jenny paused, nodding at him. "Yes, Ren? What's wrong?"
Ren shifted in his seat, feeling the eyes of the class on him. "Um, Ms. Jenny… what about the boys? What kind of curriculum will we undergo?"
Ms. Jenny blinked, then scratched her head, a faint smile on her lips. "Oh, right. The boys. Well, you'll focus on social learning and general studies. You'll also learn about the importance of your roles in society—supporting the community, maintaining harmony, that sort of thing."
Ren's hand slowly lowered, his brow furrowing. The emphasis on the girls' training was clear, their paths laid out with purpose and prestige. The boys, it seemed, were an afterthought, destined for simpler roles—househusbands, nurses, bartenders.
He exchanged a glance with Kaito, who shrugged, and Greg, who rolled his eyes.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Students began packing up, their voices filling the room with chatter. Ren slung his backpack over his shoulder, but as he reached into his desk drawer for his notebook, his fingers brushed against something unexpected—a folded letter. He pulled it out, his curiosity piqued.
Kaito leaned over. "Whoa, Ren! Is that a love letter?"
Greg laughed. "No way! Someone's got a crush on our boy Ren already?"
Ren rolled his eyes, unfolding the letter. "Don't be stupid, guys." His eyes scanned the neat handwriting. It was a love letter, confessing feelings and asking him to meet the writer at the huge banyan tree in the school gardens after class.
Which was one of the most popular landmarks in Aether High for lovers.
Kaito whooped, slapping Ren's shoulder. "Dude! First day and you're already stealing hearts!"
Greg leaned in, smirking. "You gotta be careful, man. Girls with powers can be… intense. You going to meet her?"
Ren folded the letter, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Of course. If this girl had the courage to leave this letter, the least I can do is show up and hear her out."
Kaito clapped his hands. "You're such an angel, man. Any girl would be lucky to have you. If I were you...I wouldn't meet a girl like this...I'm too scared."
Ren scratched his head, embarrassed. "Yeah, yeah. I'm just gonna meet her, that's all. You guys head back."
Greg raised an eyebrow. "You gonna accept the confession?"
Ren paused, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "I'm not really interested right now, but if she's cool, I wouldn't mind going on a date or something." He waved them off and headed out, the letter tucked into his pocket.
The school gardens were quiet, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows. Most students had already left, and the sprawling campus felt eerily still. Ren knew he had to finish his job here quickly and meet up with Hiyori, who must be waiting to go home with Ren.
Ren approached the massive banyan tree, its roots twisting into the earth like ancient sculptures. Under its shade stood a girl, her back to him. She wore a flowing skirt that swayed in the breeze, her auburn hair catching the sunlight. Ren paused, struck by her beauty. She looked like something out of a painting, delicate yet striking.
He couldn't immediately recognize her, but he knew she was one of the girls who always hit on him.
As he stepped closer, she turned, and her face lit up with a radiant smile. "Ren! You came!"
Ren smiled back, a bit shy. "Yeah, I got your letter. I'm Ren, but I guess you already know that. What's your name?"
"I'm Mila," she said, her voice soft but eager. "I've seen you around, and… I just had to tell you how I feel."
Their conversation started smoothly. Mila was charming, her laughter light and her words thoughtful. She talked about her dreams of becoming a hunter, her fascination with the school's training programs. Ren listened, nodding, finding her enthusiasm contagious.
But as they talked, something felt… off. Her eyes lingered on him a little too long, her smile a touch too intense.
"You're so kind, Ren," Mila said, stepping closer. "Most boys wouldn't even show up."
Ren chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's no big deal. I just thought—"
Before he could finish, Mila's expression shifted, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity. "You're perfect, Ren. The most handsome boy I've ever seen, kindest one too."
"Uh, thanks, but—" Ren took a step back, unease creeping in. "Look, Mila, I appreciate your feelings, but I don't think I'm ready for anything like this right now. We should be friends so I can get to know you more."
Mila's smile didn't waver. Instead, she stepped closer, grabbing his hand. "No, you don't understand. We're meant to be together."
Ren tried to pull away, but her grip was surprisingly strong—far stronger than he expected. "Mila, let go. I need to—"
Her eyes locked onto his, and a strange dizziness washed over him. The world blurred, his limbs growing heavy. Mila's smile turned creepy, her voice low and obsessive. "You're the most handsome boy, my Ren. Let's go home—my home, where you belong."
Ren's vision swam, his knees buckling as he struggled to stay upright. Mila's grip tightened, her face looming closer as she whispered, "Don't fight it. You're mine."