Chapter 187: Alina’s First Day
Hearing Adam’s firm promise Alina turned towards him on the park bench. The despair that had clouded her eyes began to recede just a little. A tiny flicker of her old resilience returned.
She took a deep breath a shaky sound in the quiet evening air. And then she began to tell him what had happened. She began to explain the source of her profound sadness.
The scene flashed back. It was the first day at the Academy. As Alina separated from Eric at the fork in the path she followed the female Academy staff member. She was led towards the girls’ dormitory.
When she went inside the dormitory compound she saw a scene very similar to the one Eric had faced. A large group of new first-year girls was already gathered in the center of the courtyard. They were standing in a tense silent cluster. And surrounding them were many older students second and third-year girls.
They were all wearing the same gray Academy uniform. But they also wore jackets of different colors over their uniforms. The jackets were gold red blue and black. They represented the four powerful student factions.
Seeing this Alina was very surprised. She had not expected this kind of welcoming ceremony. She walked over and quietly joined the group of other first-year girls. She stood with them waiting to see what would happen next.
Then four senior girls one from each of the colored factions stepped forward. They began to speak one by one explaining the "unwritten rules" of the Academy just as the boys had done. They spoke of joining a group of showing respect to their seniors of the punishments that would come to those who did not obey. The atmosphere was thick with tension and fear.
Alina listened to their words her heart sinking. She had been forced to join the Golden Group earlier by the Prince of their faction. She had not known what it meant then. Now she was starting to understand. She was trapped.
Then Alina saw Princess Monica enter the courtyard. Monica who had also been assigned to the Golden Group walked past the gathered students. She did not stop. The senior girls who were giving the intimidating speech the leaders of the four factions all saw the princess.