Chapter 18

Serene's POV

Our room was on the third floor where the girl's common room was located. The doors were emerald green in colour with copper door knobs and knockers. Our room was painted aqua green which instantly gave a soothing effect as I entered.

There were two beds and a huge cupboard in the room. The whole institute was breathtakingly beautiful and the architecture was exquisitely and elegantly designed.

I hung my clothes in the cupboard and took out the bow dad had given me for my birthday. The bow was thin with some inscriptions and intricate designs. It was silver in colour and had been handed down from one of my ancestors. It had been specially designed for combat using Fae magic. I hung it carefully in the cupboard.

"Are you all done?" Ayrden asked me. "Almost, just a few more things," I told her. She was a bubbly person with a lot of energy.

I was glad that I wasn't stuck with someone like Zeph. The way he treated me when I tried to get acquainted was absolutely rude. I understood that we all were new here but we were a team now and I didn't understand the rudeness and catcalling I was getting from my fellow novices.

"You really like flowers it seems," Ayrden asked pointing towards the flower in my hair. "Yes, it was a parting gift from a friend."

"Ooohhhh, a boyfriend," she winked. "No, just a very good friend," I smiled back. "If you say so," she teased me with a laugh.

"Should we head down?" I asked her. "Sure, let's go," and we made our way to the dining room.

"So why did you decide to come to the institute? I heard Fae people don't really like to come here and it has been a really long time since anyone from your realm came here." Ayrden asked.

"I wanted to see other realms, meet other races, and get exposure. I didn't want to be confined to just my own realm."

Makes sense and I am glad you came. I always wanted to meet a Fae. There is so much bad blood between Fae and Haxum Realm, it's absurd. I hope our generation can see past these differences and make a better world than we are living in," she replied in a serious tone.

"That's what I want as well, but it seems like people don't like me here."

Give them time, they are just not used to Fae, especially a princess. Even I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw you. You are so breathtakingly beautiful. Most of them are just jealous. Don't take heed to their words."

We entered the dining area, which was huge with long wooden tables. Guys were seated on one side and girls were seated on the other. We headed towards the girls' side and sat down. As soon as they saw us they began to murmur.

"What's with the flower? We should be careful girls, we have a floral princess among us now," a girl shouted, and some of the girls sitting with her began to laugh loudly.

I glanced toward her. From the looks of it, she was our senior because I hadn't seen her before. She had long flowing caramel-coloured hair and hazel eyes. She had a huge smirk on her face and her attitude showed that she was the queen bee among girls.

"Ignore them," Ayrden whispered to me. I was getting bright red with embarrassment but I kept staring at her, which somehow made her angry.

"What are you glaring at me for? Did I say something wrong? Aren't you supposed to be some Fae princess? We don't understand why cowards like Fae would want to come to our prestigious institute." She retorted at me.

I sprang up from my seat but before I could do or say anything someone else spoke. "Shut up, Lourden, this institute is for everyone, it's not your property, and leave the newcomers alone, or you know," spoke a girl who was sitting alone at a table.

"Or what?" Lourden shouted back at her. "Or I will inform the faculty that you are harassing the newcomers instead of making them feel welcome," she replied calmly.

Lourden ground her teeth in anger but didn't say anything, she simply got up and walked out with a bunch of her friends.

I made my way to the girl who had stood up to Lourden. "Thank you," I said with gratitude.

"No problem, I didn't do anything special. Just did what a senior should do," she shrugged her shoulders.

She had shoulder-length light Auburn hair which was pulled back in a ponytail. She had big soft brown eyes and there was a small scar on her left cheek. Her beautiful olive skin glistened under the light. She was casually eating fried rice from a bowl and had a pair of batons lying next to it.

"Can I sit with you?" I asked.

"Of course,"

I sat on the seat opposite her and Ayrden joined us as well. "I am Serene," I offered her my hand which she shook calmly. "I am Alvene from Folkshel Realm and I joined the institute a year ago," she told us. Ayrden also introduced herself.

"Try to be on guard and stay as far away as possible from Lourden. She is a vile person who will go to just any length to hurt others. She made my life a living hell when I came to the institute. She is jealous of other girls especially if she feels threatened by their power or beauty. Always inform a Sensei, they take bullying seriously but most students don't inform them to avoid being labelled as snitches," she warned in a serious tone.

Meanwhile, Artemis entered the dining room. Spotting us he walked over, "Alvene, kindly bring all the newcomers to the training room once they are done eating."

"Yes Sir," she replied in her calm voice. He left after giving instructions. As he was leaving I saw Zeph enter the dining area. He hardly glanced at us and found a secluded spot to sit in. Why was he so full of himself? I needed to eat so I grabbed a plate and poured some rice and salad and started eating.