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The curtain covering the sole window was nearly closed, aside from a small gap, where sunlight found its way into the darkness of Dominic’s dorm. The candles by his bedside had long burnt out, leaving him accustomed to the darkness. He squinted, rolling over to pull the covers over his head. A thick book landed on the ground with a loud thud, its bookmark falling out from the middle where he last left off that night. Dominic groaned, breaking the serene silence of the campus.
A day had passed since he arrived at Ninth House. And already, he found himself struggling to get out of bed and attend his first lecture. Unconventional Psychology, how exciting. Another subject he’s had to endure his entire life, and to think a magical academy would be different. He wasn’t about to waste precious time out of his day to fall asleep at a desk, when the comfort of his own bed was right there.
Well, that was an option, if something else hadn’t drawn his attention. In such a grand academy there bound to be hidden secrets and enchanted places not many knew of. Not only was he curious about the selection the library could offer, but also, what could be hiding in those books — what insight he could gain for this new world, tricks to navigate it easier, or even clues to a secret location he could sneak into and explore. As much as he hated to admit it, a place like this held a special charm, bringing out his inner child and the urge to roam around where he isn’t allowed. Things were different now. Unlike then, he now had the freedom.
As he looked around his new room, he paused to take in the small details, from the neatly organized bookshelves lined up on each wall, to the sleek desk and smooth, dark colors adding an air of elegance. For once, he had a place to call his own, a chance to separate himself from the restaints of his grandparents’ old home. He was no longer sleeping in the worn down, creaky bed that belonged to his mother as a child, nor the cracked walls and unstable bookshelves filled only with textbooks. He had a door to his room, and silence when he demanded it, Dominic almost couldn’t believe it was reality. One thing was certain, he could never go back, and he firmly decided with a now-clearer mind.
After an hour or so of laying around in bed, Dominic dragged himself out and got ready for the day. By the time he was finished, his first morning class was nearly over. He arrived to the second one, only a few minutes late, settling in the back of the classroom where nobody could talk to him so early in the morning.
In between breaks, he found himself wandering the halls, getting lost in the sound of quiet footsteps, the carefully carved sculptures and ceilings stretching out above his head. He’d walked around the night before, and he did so now, yet he still felt like he hasn’t even seen half of this building. For a brief moment he regretted getting carried away at something so mindless as a party, especially with more important matters looming ahead, yet he couldn’t deny how much that woman intrigued him. Lenore… He wondered if they’d cross paths again.
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During the bonfire gathering, Dominic found himself walking down the halls to the group dormitories. He figured such a simple event wasn’t worth his time either, instead he was set on a different goal, something he’d been avoiding since he stepped foot in Ninth House — paying the infamous Umbra Coven a visit. If Dante’s words were anything to go by, then he’d have to be extra careful around those men. In such a cryptic academy, they were those who could manipulate shadows at their whim. Much like… A certain someone. And Dominic himself.
Loud chatter echoed out through the halls, breaking him out of his thoughts. He followed the sound until he reached a door, his hand freezing at the handle. It wasn’t fully closed, giving him a glimpse into the inner world of what he assumed was the Umbra Coven. The atmosphere almost resembled a frat house, the mess on the floor and obnoxious conversations making him shudder in disgust. Taking a deep breath, he carefully pushed the door open, using the chaos as an opportunity to sneak past groups of men and blend among the crowd. But he stood out like a sore thumb in his dark attire, formal yet dark, gloomy; nothing like the uniforms. Dominic was well aware, and he kept his head down, hoping to shuffle past in silence until he reached a balcony, a corner, or a door leading elsewhere. Anywhere he could observe from a distance like a visitor at the circus.
Of course, his free entertainment couldn’t even last a moment. Not even seconds passed before a man swung the door open, tossing his shoes aside and immediately addressing the crowd. Dominic flinched, darting his eyes away from him. Though he was just another member, something about his disheveled uniform, his confidence and piercing eyes was intimidating. He could already tell, a man like that was looking for a target, especially freshmen who were already clueless enough.
To his non-existent luck, he called out right to Dominic, bringing everyone’s eyes on him. Their eyes pierced into him like daggers. That man’s laugh made him shiver, partly in disgust and partly in anger from the humiliation. He kept his expression neutral as the distance between them closed, locking his dark eyes on the figure in front. “New? What makes you say that?” he raised a brow lazily, his tone laced with sarcasm.
Something that caught his attention, specifically, was the way his friend attempted to hold him back. Dominic’s heart was already pounding, the tension rising in the air and the room becoming even more suffocating than before. And yet, as he stood face to face with this intimidating figure, Dominic’s lips curved into a small smile. There was something so thrilling about being faced with danger, and pushing himself deeper into it without thinking twice. Dominic chuckled at his question, just the way he carried himself with confidence bordering on arrogance. “And who are you to ask?” he asked bluntly, letting his expression go cold as to not betray his fear.
Two other men surrounded him, following after the tall one like pawns. Pathetic. “Am I being interrogated, now? I apologize, I was looking for the Umbra Coven. I’ve heard it was one of the houses of Wyndham College, quite a prestigious one.” Though he tried to stop it, the corner of his lips curved into a small smirk. “My mistake, I must’ve walked into the middle school by accident”
