CHAPTER ONE.

“...And that is why this school isn't like any other in the world—and consists of the ternary faunas—Werewolves, vampires and witches or wizards.”

Professor Travis—a bald lecturer with an austere face and an awfully long black tie that swung left and right with every move he made said into a microphone—which hung out of a lectern and was slanted slightly upwards towards him like a snake staring at a prey up above. The lectern–or pulpit, stood in the middle of the very well established podium which had an aura that made the newly admitted students of Golden Lake University silent.

Other than the atmosphere charged with sobriety due to the systematic arrangement of things, there had been rumours among the ‘Freshers’ that anyone caught making rows and causing rackets—no matter how trivial, will be sent back to his clan, or pack, or coven. 

Even if the students had know that the rumour was nothing but a stow of baloney—which they didn't, it wouldn't have made them lousy because they all wanted to look their very best on their first day in school and if it meant listening to the odd-looking professor that stood before them, narrating the history of the school—which was theirs as well irrespective of their species on the long run, too, and nod fake approvals to encourage him to carry on, they were up for it.

“A Peace Pact was subsequently made over some hundreds of years ago—about three hundred—when the war ended. Some documents, and files were signed. Laws were made, too, which are to make sure that there wouldn't be major conflicts ever again–or at least, like the one we had back then that almost exposed us to humans. Deeds and legal agreements, too, which existed before and during the war were refurbished to promote peace. That was when this school was built, as a symbol of Peace; open for all.”

The two hundred and forty nine new students who'd proven themselves worthy of being called students of the prestigious, illustrious, notable and eminent Golden Lake University, and one other student, sat in rows—next to each other, in tidy, trim demeanors—which could scarcely be found among people of the lower class, on each side of the fifteen long, posh dinner tables–not with meals which a lot of them found ridiculous—but watching Professor Travis exit the podium after his lengthy speech. 

Loud claps from students that occupied a part of the capacious edifice which had a transparent skyhigh ceiling that exposed them to the beautiful blue clouds that moved—and changed forms; bit by bit, as tiny black birds flew and performed mind-blowing acrobatics to the students delight, erupted and diffused as other students joined, moving their palms left and right and hitting them against the other to cheer their professor offstage.

They continued still, nonstop, till the Vice Chancellor of their school, Dr Peyton Giovanni, one of the few hybrids that existed—a blend of Vampires and Werewolves, got on the elevated platform to give his speech. 

A few students glanced at their pamphlets which had the order of service written and not long after words, the undergraduates heaved sighs of relief as words went round—mostly by whispers, that his oration was to be the last before bringing the event to an end. 

“There are various orders, and regulations, etiquettes, too, and code of conducts expected of the undergraduates of this university–some which a few of you must have known from the senior students and perhaps, elder siblings that are either present here or once were.”

Dr Peyton Giovanni paused for a few seconds as if listening to an invisible person whisper into his large ears that had quite a rotund base that was woven upwards to a slim and pointy peak–reminding the undergraduates (mostly in their late teenage years and early twenties) of elves and perhaps, gnomes, too. 

The silence of the speakers seemed to have amplified the caustic silence and unbroken, solid seriousness with which the atmosphere was charged. Two seconds down the line, students were beginning to shift on their seats in discomfort before their Vice Chancellor proceeded.

“Here are some of the rules–and vital informations, too, which will be needed by you all during your stay in this university. Firstly...”

≈≈≈

There were three buildings for males; elevated, lofty, magnificent—striking beauties, and three others for females—just as comely as the males'—a fusion of the vintage world before and during the war (hundreds of years back), and the new, blended into singular, conjoined entities that metamorphosed into something remarkable and outstanding. 

Definitely, all the students of Golden Lake University were fortunate to have made it into the school.

“This is where we call the ‘divider’,” A ‘tour guide’ told the hundreds of students that tailed him. 

The tour guide stopped at a snowy fountain where crystal clear water gushed out of in large quantities, reflecting the brilliant sun's rays in hues of scintillating gold, before landing on the fancy ceramic ground that had little holes like the pore on ones skin to soak in the liquid with little noisy slurps.

He stretched out his broad arm to his left—revealing his long, brown arm as the students encircled the fountain like ants gathering to feast on a cube of sugar, and the necks of the inquisitive students swung in that direction as he spoke, “The females' hostels are located quite a distance from here; awfully close to the school's frontiers–for reasons I do not know, and that males' to my right...”

The tour guide explained to the students methods of finding their rooms and went on to buttress a few points which the Vice Chancellor, Dr Peyton Giovanni, had said half an hour ago in the hall when he was addressing them.

“This is the very first assignment allotted to you all. Students of Golden Lake University are known for being quick-witted, and skillful, dexterous–in contrast to an average member of their species, too, and ever ready to take on positions of leadership in the human world. This is why you are expected to find your dorms before the curfew.”

The students began to disperse, forming small groups amongst each other with mild cacophonies and clatters rising from their midsts. 

“Let it be known, too, that failure to find your lodge before the curfew, inescapably means incapability to function well as a student of this institution and hence, such student will be sent back home in the morning.”

The tour guide's sharp eyesight landed on a student–not just any student, but the student whom everyone feared wouldn't make it to the next day, the Alpha's pup, an Omega. 

The tour guide shook his head left and right sluggishly, ‘tch-ed’ a couple of times and breath in deeply–then out, slowly. 

He knew that the new set of intakes would be nothing like the previous sets, and yeah, he was right.

So many things were to happen, and the beginning of it all was just before curfew.