8. Different

"AHH!!" The girl's scream jolted Neo out of his position, and he dashed toward the door at lightning speed.

"I-I'm so sorry!" he apologized, but no response came from the bathroom. "I really am sorry; it escaped my mind that you could possibly be a girl. Please forgive my intrusion," he pleaded again, but still, there was no sound.

Neo waited for a while, but when no words came from the bathroom, he decided to leave first. He quickly got dressed without taking a shower and made his way to his first class.

"oh man…" Neo muttered as he walked down the bustling street, filled with students this early in the morning. He felt discouraged—not only did he miss his shower on his first day, but he also got into an awkward situation with a girl. He always tried to avoid these things at all costs. Eventually, he reached his destination.

It was a large white hall filled with students who were starting this semester. The address, of course, had been given to him by the receptionist. Everyone was waiting for the speech to be presented by their seniors.

As the assembly buzzed with anticipation, the room suddenly fell silent. All eyes turned to the stage as a figure emerged from the shadows, capturing everyone's attention. She moved with effortless grace, her steps light and deliberate, as if she floated rather than walked. The light caught her, revealing a beauty unlike any other.

Her hair, a vibrant shade of pink, cascaded down her back in soft waves, shimmering with each movement. Matching pink eyes sparkled like gemstones, radiating confidence and intelligence. Her curvy figure was accentuated by the tailored uniform she wore, the fabric hugging her in all the right places while maintaining an air of elegance. Her pale skin seemed almost ethereal under the lights, smooth and flawless, as if untouched by the imperfections of the world.

The entire room was captivated by her presence, an aura of sophistication and poise surrounding her. As she reached the center of the stage, she paused, surveying the audience with a calm, knowing smile.

A boy in the crowd whispered in awe, "That's our senior president."

Her elegance was undeniable—a perfect blend of beauty, power, and grace that left a lasting impression on everyone who saw her. Then she began her speech, highlighting the dos and don'ts of the academy.

As Neo listened to her speech, the image of a smooth-skinned beauty appeared in his mind, and he thought back to the incident in the bathroom. *What, am I a pervert?* Neo shook his head and continued listening, but the thought never left his mind.

**Back at the Hostel…**

The girl was still in the shower, too embarrassed to step out, fearing Neo might still be in the room. She was flabbergasted and bewildered that the academy allowed boys and girls to share the same hostel. According to Miss Rue, it was meant to boost the productivity of the students.

She had never heard of anything so absurd in her life, but she was powerless to do anything about it. Miss Rue had also assured her that safety measures were in place—a red button under her bed she could press if she ever felt threatened. That had reassured her, and she reluctantly accepted the situation.

She had decided to get up early in the morning to take a shower, hoping Neo would wake up late. She intended to avoid meeting him eye-to-eye for as long as they were roommates. But she had forgotten to lock the door, and as luck would have it, Neo woke up and entered the bathroom.

*How am I going to face him now?* she thought, her face red with embarrassment.

**Back in the Classroom…**

"Hello everyone, my name is Neo Valen," Neo introduced himself like every other student before him. He sat down at his seat and brought out his notebook.

The teacher started with a briefing of everything they had learned before. Neo was already well-versed in the material, having read an audiobook about it—well, before his flight was interrupted by a demon… or rather, an Oni. Even their names were quite forgettable.

"Oh, I guess we have a latecomer…" the teacher said as the classroom door creaked open.

As the door slid open, Neo's eyes widened in disbelief. A girl stepped in, her presence commanding the room's attention immediately. Her hair was a pristine white, cascading down her back in delicate strands that caught the light. Her physique was slender, almost delicate, and her smooth, white skin seemed to glow with an otherworldly radiance.

Neo's heart skipped a beat as recognition set in—this was the same girl he had mistakenly stumbled upon in the shower. His cheeks flushed a deep red, embarrassment and shock flooding through him. The girl, too, seemed taken aback. Her eyes briefly widened in surprise, and she flinched slightly when she met his gaze, as if the memory had struck her with the same intensity.

The classroom, already charged with curiosity, erupted into a flurry of whispers. Every eye was on her, captivated by her ethereal beauty. It was as if the air had shifted with her arrival, and the entire room was smitten, caught in the spell of her presence.

"Please introduce yourself," the teacher asked, gesturing toward her.

"My name is Alexandria Winston. Nice to meet you," she said, bowing slightly.

The classroom fell into a state of absolute silence, and then erupted with cheers.

"Alexandria… wow… what a beautiful name."

"Winston? Isn't that the Winston family? I heard they're super rich."

"We love you!"

The class was instantly excited, but Neo felt the opposite—as if his heart had fallen into his stomach. He watched her closely.

She was smiling at everyone, but the moment she looked at Neo, her expression changed. She frowned, her eyes narrowing as they locked onto his. For a moment, Neo could swear he felt bloodlust emanating from her… or was it just his imagination?