Chapter 20: VOLUME 2 Chapter 4: The Academy's Grand Welcome

Chapter 4: The Academy’s Grand Welcome.

The moment they passed through the grand iron gates, a new world seemed to unfold before them.

They stepped into a courtyard framed by wide stone walkways, polished smooth and patterned with subtle floral motifs. Iron lamp posts lined the paths, their glass lanterns softly aglow even in daylight—floating gently a few inches above their holders, tethered by delicate chains.

Beyond the trimmed hedgerows and low wrought-iron fences stood tall academy buildings of pale limestone and aged brick, their facades adorned with pointed gables, ornate cornices, and arched windows framed in dark wood. Slender bridges curved over shallow stone-lined streams that glistened with faint magical light, the water running clear and unnaturally calm.

Hitoshi walked just a pace behind Aiko, matching her stride out of thought rather than instinct. His wide blue eyes subtly darted everywhere, struggling to soak it all in—the fluttering banners stitched with arcane sigils, the strange magical wildlife lazily drifting through the trees, and the hundreds of students bustling about the academy grounds.

Many of them were dressed in the official uniform of Nightwood Academy. A dark navy coat with silver trim, bearing the crest of a midnight rose over a scepter and a blade. They looked refined—some tall, some scale covered, some beast featured, some slender, some with wings or tails or horns—but they all carried themselves like the elite. Even the youngest among them had a polish in their movement that made Hitoshi feel like a misfit bumpkin thrown into a noble’s banquet.

But not all wore uniforms.

Here and there, other students in personal attire, which he concluded where first years, clearly—moved in awkward herds. Most of them were accompanied by their friends. A few, however, walked alone. Brave. Nervous. Excited. Or, like him and Aiko, trapped somewhere in between.

As they passed through a large courtyard under a series of elegant stone archways, Hitoshi began to notice the secretive glances of some freshmen who began whispering the moment they spotted them.

Hitoshi's brow furrowed slightly. “Guess the crying peasant boy at the gate made headlines already,” he muttered under his breath.

He glanced at Aiko beside him. She walked stiffly, chin high, arms folded with that regal huffiness she wore like a second skin. But her lips were pressed thinner than usual, and the faint flicker of irritation in her scarlet eyes didn’t escape him.

She knew it too and it was obvious she hated it.

'She’s definitely mad,' Hitoshi thought, frowning. 'And it’s probably my fault again…'

For a moment, he wanted to say something. An apology, maybe. Or a sarcastic jab to ease the tension. But before he could open his mouth, a tall shadow loomed over them from the left path.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

“Oi,” a smooth voice said.

They turned—and Hitoshi’s gut twisted instinctively.

The boy who stood there looked like something out of a vampire romance drama. Tall, effortlessly handsome, and dressed sharply in the academy’s uniform, perfectly fitted and immaculately pressed. Raven-black hair hung just past his collar, swept to one side, while a pair of long, straight, polished obsidian horns curved slightly back from his temples. His crimson eyes glittered with bemused curiosity. A slender black tail with a sharp arrow-tip flicked lazily behind him.

Hitoshi’s gaze dropped to his chest only to see seven star-shaped pins, arranged in a neat half-circle over his left breast. Below that, a black armband edged in gold hugged his arm like a mark of prestige.

“Ugh… he looks like trouble…”

“Is he gonna pick a fight or something? Maybe he wants to laugh at us ‘cause of what happened at the gate…definitely a jerk.”

He narrowed his eyes. “What do you want?” he snapped, trying to sound as intimidating as a ten-year-old with puffy eyes and tear-streaked cheeks could manage. Trying to look like a cute little gangster

The demon arched a single brow, tilting his head as if trying to decide whether to laugh or incinerate him.

Smack!

“OW!”

Aiko’s palm landed sharply on the back of Hitoshi’s head, making him stumble forward with a hiss.

“What was that for?!” Hitoshi glared, clutching his head as his short frame practically bounced back from the impact.

Aiko ignored him entirely and turned toward the demon, her voice sliding into polite nobility as fast as a blade through silk. “Forgive us for the rude welcome,” she said with a low, formal bow. “I am Aiko of House Aoi. This—” she shot Hitoshi a scowl, “—is my servant. I apologize for his attitude.”

She straightened with practiced grace, inwardly cursing. 'Why! Of all races, it had to be a demon? Just look at that uniform, and those badges. He’s obviously from the student council. And this idiot just had to bark at him like some mangy street dog…'

Aiko was annoyed. She knew Vampires were considered a powerful nonhuman race, but in reality, they were lesser demons. And now, she was dealing with the real thing. And one who looked prestigious as if he bour a high noble ranking. She didn't dare to think of the headache it would cause her if this student where to make them an enemy because of Hitoshi's rashness.

She expected the demon to through a fit but instead he let out a soft laugh, folding his arms with amusement as his eyes drifted lazily back to Hitoshi, who was now sulking and massaging his scalp.

' it's uncommon to see humans enrolled at Nightwood. Especially ones bold enough to glare at a demon on their first encounter.'

He sounded intrigued since Night wood was a kingdom of non humans, with no human nobles. Moreover, humans weren't so welcoming towards monsters so it wouldn't make sense for a wealthy human to enroll their children in Night Wood Academy.

Considering all these things, The demon was sure that Hitoshi was either an attendant enrolled to serve Aiko or a scholarship student.

“Well, he’s got spirit,” the demon said. “Rare for one so... short though.” He eyed Hitoshi with a curious gaze.

“I’m not short, I’m age-appropriate!” Hitoshi snapped, then flinched when Aiko raised her hand again. He backed away.

' Definitely an attendant.' The demon decided.

A chuckle escaped the demon’s lips. “What an entertaining pair you two are.”

" Forgive my manner's, it's truly disrespectful of me to not have introduced myself earlier."

He gave a polite nod. “I'm Akira Hibashira. Son of Duke Hibashira. I serve as an executive aide on the student council.”

Hitoshi blinked. “You’re on the council? Isn't that the group of students who help the teachers take care of the school?”

Akira smirked. “Indeed.”

' So he's a good guy then...' Hitoshi saw the Demon in new light, in his mind, anyone who wanted to help other's was definitely a good person. Unfortunately it seemed his nativity knew no bounds.

Aiko bowed again. “It’s an honor, Lord Akira. Please don’t mind us. We were just on our way towards the auditorium for our orientation.”

" I see, well then permit me to escort the both of you, I think it's the best I could do for taking so much of your time."

Akira’s crimson gaze lingered on her for a moment before shifting back to Hitoshi. “You should listen to her, kid. You’re lucky she’s the one smacking some sense into you.” he ended with a friendly chuckle.

“ How was that my fault ” Hitoshi muttered. “If your just here to lecture me then please leave.”

Aiko groaned, dragging a hand over her face. “Can you please not get us expelled before the first bell rings?!”

“What, I was just being cautious. You saw how smug he looked walking up like that. I thought he was gonna bite us or something.”

' This guy is definitely fearless that's for sure.' Akira didn't know how to react, this was a first for him since no one dared to beret him before since he was not only the son of a Duke but a True demon as well.

“I’m a demon, not a dog,” Akira replied, amused.

“Does it matter.” Hitoshi grumbled.

' Idiot!, Stop trying to get us into trouble!'

Aiko elbowed him hard in the ribs.

"Ow! Ok ok! Just stop hitting me!" Hitoshi cried.