CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: VIRTUAL ORIENTATION part 1

[©Lynnifer Ice – February 3, 2023]

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My body ached, but just dully. I also felt like I was burning up, as if I had a major fever. My face scrunched up at an odd smell; something smelled metallic and it was grossing me out. I must have been laying in a bed, because it felt incredibly soft beneath me. I assumed there was a sheet over my body because when my hands tried to stretch out, they came into contact with a soft fabric above them.

I wonder how long I was out for…

Something in the air was mixed with a metallic scent… It almost smelled sterile? Not exactly bleach-like, but definitely cleaned with some kind of chemical. I listened for a moment, and when I heard nothing, I deemed it clear to open my eyes.

A white ceiling… How cliché.

As I opened my eyes, I suddenly heard the scratching of pen to paper. I glanced around with my eyes, not yet moving my head. I was surprised to see a guy with light-blonde hair wearing a white lab coat with a clipboard in hand. I tilted my head to get a better look. The guy was busy scribbling something down but stopped suddenly, lifting his head to look at me.

Who the heck is this guy?

"Miss Alex, welcome back," the blonde guy smiled, even his eyes smiled. "I see my top student took care of you before I even made it back. Quite talented Aron is. I'm Doctor Kim, a human just like you. Before you ask, yes, I know all about the different species that attend this university.

As wonderful as it is that you found your other half, it's unfortunate that you don't accept him. You're probably wondering how I know all this, right? Nothing goes on around here without me knowing about it. I have eyes and ears everywhere.

Probably wondering where your friends are, right? I sent them away to let you rest and your dorm mate is meeting with the headmaster. I'd imagine he'd be receiving lashes right about now; after all, this isn't something that can go unpunished.

You're probably thinking that's pretty violent for a punishment for a student, but anyone that isn't human, is more than capable of handling the punishment. Their bodies have a higher tolerance for just about everything compared to humans. Meanwhile, a human would probably pass out after just three lashes; therefore, punishments for humans are much more lenient.

I see you look a little lost for words. Oh, I should also inform you that student orientation has not started yet. However, you'll be in no condition to physically attend it, but fear not; you can still attend virtually. I'll sign off on the papers.

Now, I wouldn't advise trying to sit up just yet; your body is still fighting off that bad stuff in you. That's why you probably feel like you are on fire. A fever, in this instance, is an excellent sign. It means your body is doing exactly what it needs to do.

I have some fluids set up in an IV for you so that you don't get dehydrated. I'll put the bed in a reclining position for you so that you can see the screen I have set up on this handy-dandy little table. It's for you to attend orientation. Don't worry about a thing, I'll handle it all. I'll even take notes for you if you need them. Okay, now that I've talked your ear off, I'll get things set up for you. You just relax as much as you can."

I was beginning to wonder if he was ever going to shut up…! That's a lot of information to process all at once. I wonder what I look like right now; have my veins returned to their healthy color yet or do I still look like a road map?

I lifted my head just enough to see my arm that had an IV attached. I let out a sigh of relief as I layed my head back, glad to see normal-looking veins. I wished I had a mirror, but then I felt the little medical bed begin to recline forward. I blinked, watching as I was put into an upright position. Then I saw a laptop on a small table on wheels; the table hovered over the bed, which I found convenient. The screen wasn't on yet so I got to see my reflection afterall.

Wow, I look like shit. Slightly feel like it too. My shoulder looks even worse, as if I got stung by a thousand hornets and reacted badly to it. Well, minus the swelling part.

Doctor Kim, who had been so talkative before was now shut like a clam. He made sure I was comfortable and then turned the laptop on, going to wherever he needed to so that I could attend the student orientation that I had honestly, been dreading. Soon, enough, I was seeing a live feed in the theater. It was completely packed with students! Some were even standing because there were no more seats available.

That theater is gorgeous! Look at those hand-carved pillars on the outline of the stage! I bet it took years to sculpt and build.

I heard some rustling beside me and took a peek, noticing the notepad the doctor had produced from who knows where. I looked back to the screen where a lot of murmuring was happening. There were some people sitting on chairs on the stage, but I guessed they were staff members. They looked anxious as many of them couldn't stop looking around.

"If you're wondering, they're all wondering where the headmaster is," Doctor Kim explained, pointing toward the screen with the back of a pen. "He'll show up soon; he's just a little preoccupied at the moment."

I wasn't wondering, actually… The nerve of this doctor. Not a fan of people that assume everything about anything first.

I already knew what he meant, considering he had just told me about Xinith and my new friends only moments ago. I was, however, not prepared to see Xinith walk in at the same time the headmaster showed up on the screen. My jaw dropped.

I have to be seeing things, right?

- End of Chapter Eighteen -