Vain 42 Austrion Academy

Aileene's departure and journey had taken up two months already and at this point, she had barely arrived at the academy. A month before the school year started, a month could be said to be pretty early, but she knew that many others would even prepare to come to the school three months earlier. Which was the extra effort the pitiful weaker n.o.bles had to put in. Who asked them to be a weak n.o.ble?

The one month cushion for her also aligned perfectly with the capture targets and the heroine's plan. This was the blessing of her knowledge, what otherwise would have been a coincidental friendship turned into her own benefit. She would arrive at the school, befriend the heroine and woo over the capture targets. It was as simple as that. She would be the kind and good Aileene who stood by the cheerful and outgoing heroine.

There would be no villainess, rivals nor obstacle that could stand in their way. They would be friends who wholeheartedly cared for one another. And they would be willing to do anything for one another.

Aileene's thoughts were unwavering, her goal gave her purpose. She knew what she had to do and if that meant she had to throw away her integrity, innocence, or morals. She would do, again and again, all til she could succeed. Her friends of the past she could no longer reach out to. So deep within her heart, she could only hope that they would be able to forgive her.

This was her only path. She must become the monster that tears apart the dreams of all those who oppose her.

❅

The academy was ethereal as it stood white and impeccable, blending in but standing out all at once against the backdrop of the snow-filled mountains. The gate and walls were high, and guards stood in front of the entrance frozen along with the rest of the academy. Aileene's carriage pause in its motion and the door to her left side opens, she shuffles down with the help of her driver. And admired the sight in front of her once more, the air was cold and it almost stung against her skin.

But she merely pulled her own white coat closer. Her driver and servants quickly drove the carriage away to the dormitory, so that they could settle down all her things. While she, herself would check in with the administration and get the schedule for all her cla.s.ses.

Aileene started forward, entering the gates of her academy leisurely. As her steps were slow and relaxed. She had imagined this day for many years, from the time she had been born into this world she waited for this day. She waited in fear, distressed. She hated for this day to come, she never wanted her mission to truly begin. But now, all she could feel was a cold acceptance within her soul. If her existence can be something that possesses a soul.

She slowed her steps to a halt, reading the elegant golden sign above her.

Austrion Academy

For just a moment, since the sky was so high and the world so cold. Aileene could almost imagine that she was a little girl in a blue dress, standing afront her new school, ready for a new adventure for her life.