7. Creeping terror

**Three Days Later…**

"Umm, what's your name again?" The receptionist stood at the entrance of Snowflake University, a prestigious institution where only the best of the best were molded into future leaders.

"My name is Neo Valen, and I'm one of the participants in the Snowflake Royal College scholarship program," Neo said as the receptionist scanned his ID.

"Oh, I remember now—you're that exceptional student Miss Rue recommended."

"Yes," Neo replied, scratching the back of his head. It wasn't surprising that people had trouble remembering him, considering he'd been erased from existence just a few days ago.

You might be wondering how Neo got here. The reason is...

**Three Days Ago…**

"What?!..." Ray stared at Neo, astonished. The entire dining hall fell silent after Neo had spoken.

"You're not going to join the Executioners? Wow, I've never heard of anyone turning that down," Ray said, shock evident in his eyes.

"Yeah, the whole Executioner thing doesn't sound too safe, and besides, 40 percent of Executioners don't even make it to knighthood. I think I'll pass," Neo said. Thankfully, Ray didn't try to persuade him, respecting his decision instead.

Neo had asked Ray about being erased from existence, and Ray explained that people would frequently forget him—but he could remind them. Slowly but surely, the people around him would remember him again. So, in short, Neo could continue living his life as if nothing had ever happened.

**Back to the Present…**

Neo carried the luggage Ray had given him through the quiet streets of the campus. He made his way to the residence assigned by the receptionist, where he'd be living for the rest of the school year.

He opened the door to find two bunk beds and not much else. At least the room was neatly kept; the tiles were mopped, the beds made, and the room had two windows. There was also a luggage bag on one of the beds.

"So, I guess I'll have roommates. Well, as long as they're not like my siblings, I'm okay with that," Neo said, dropping his luggage on one of the beds and opening it.

The luggage prepared by the maids was quite exquisite, adorned in grey with a touch of gold—far more eye-catching than his previous bag, which was now 300 feet deep in the Pacific Ocean.

"Huh, what's this?" Neo's hand touched something hard, not like the clothes that were supposed to be in the bag.

It was a short stick adorned with purple lines, aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

"What's a stick doing in here?" Neo wondered, pulling out what turned out to be a sheathed dagger with a note attached.

He grabbed the note and read the contents with a smile. "Sir Neo, since you chose not to join the Executioners, we advise you to keep this as a souvenir. We're still extending a helping hand to you; if you happen to change your mind, please contact this number."

A string of numbers was written at the bottom of the paper.

"You know, it's actually kind of nice that someone cares about me..." Neo sighed, setting the note aside as he rested. Tomorrow, he would be attending his first class.

**Meanwhile...**

Snowflake University was renowned for its exceptional educational standards, catering exclusively to the brightest minds in the world. Established to nurture and develop the most promising talents, the school offered cutting-edge facilities and a curriculum that challenged even the most gifted students. The welfare of its students was paramount, with every aspect of their physical and mental well-being meticulously cared for. The university's interior was a blend of modern design and classical elegance, with expansive libraries, state-of-the-art laboratories, and tranquil gardens that provided an ideal environment for learning and innovation.

The university was built with the vision of creating a haven for geniuses—a place where intellectuals could push the boundaries of human knowledge without the constraints of ordinary educational institutions. It was designed to inspire greatness and foster a community of scholars who would go on to change the world.

However, not everything within the hallowed halls of Snowflake University was as serene as it seemed.

In a dimly lit alley behind one of the academic buildings, two boys cornered a girl with malicious intent. Their leering smiles and predatory behavior betrayed their vile intentions.

"Oh, aren't you a cutie," one of the boys said, licking his lips.

The other grinned wickedly as he reached for her chest.

But before they could act, the girl suddenly transformed into a horrific mass of writhing flesh. The once-innocent figure became a monstrous entity, and in an instant, the grotesque form absorbed the two boys, their screams muffled as they were consumed.

The creature, now towering over the alley, regarded the mangled remains of the boys with disdain.

"Filthy. I can't even stand the taste of ugliness," it hissed, spitting out the twisted corpses before vanishing into the shadows, leaving the alley silent and empty once more.

**Back to Neo…**

Neo woke up. 'It should be at least 5 a.m.,' he thought. He got up from the bed and, still groggy, walked sluggishly to the bathroom.

He opened the door and went over to the sink when he noticed someone in the shower.

"Well, I guess that's my roommate..."

Neo's eyes were drawn to the figure through the faint steam that filled the bathroom. The water cascaded down long, white, silky hair that clung to a curvy body, every detail accentuated by the soft glow of light filtering through the mist. He watched, transfixed, as the figure moved with a grace that felt almost unreal, the curves of her body perfectly defined, the skin that were as smooth as silk.

As he continued to stare, a slow realization began to dawn on him. His breath caught in his throat as the truth became undeniable—he was looking at a girl. The thought sent a shock through him, and his heart raced as the full impact of what he was witnessing settled in. The realization that he was intruding on something so private and intimate left him frozen, unable to tear his eyes away, yet filled with a sudden, overwhelming sense of guilt and embarrassment.

'I should've seen the signs,' Neo thought. 'I did notice a bra in the luggage opposite my bed, but I didn't think much of it at the time.'

The girl's eyes jolted toward Neo, who stood there like a deer caught in headlights.

'Oh no…'