CHAPTER 4

The hallway felt different from inside the room. It looked like the walls were so fine and solid, not sure a bullet could go through it. This was actually the first time I saw many people, my room was so empty. I stepped out slowly, fingers brushing lightly against the wall as if I needed something steady. The air itself felt heavier, like it carried something unseen.

Eyes turned.Not all at once..

Whispers followed my steps, low and quick.

“That’s her…”

“She’s the new one…”

“She doesn’t even smell right…”steps faltered slightly.

“This dwarf is talking about Smell? My deodorant is nothing next to her, I'm sure, "I whispered. my brows furrowed, but i kept walking, my chin lifting just a little.I  refused to look lost. Even if I was, completely.

The hallway stretched wide, lined with tall windows and dark wooden doors. Symbols were carved into some of them—marks I didn't understand, glowing faintly like they were alive.

“This place is insane…” I muttered under her breath.

A loud bell rang. It echoed deep, vibrating through the walls, through her chest, like a signal.

Everyone moved instantly. No hesitation. All I could do was to stare and blink.

I followed the flow, letting myself be carried along with the crowd until they stopped in front of a large double door. It opened on its own. Silently the moment I stepped in—my breath caught.

The room was massive. Wider than anything I had ever seen. The ceiling stretched high above, curved and marked with glowing patterns. The floor was polished black, reflecting everything like a mirror. Students stood in a wide circle.

At the center—A man. He was long enough to touch the ceiling.

“Welcome,” his voice rang out, deep and controlled. The room fell completely silent.

I felt it again. That pressure, like something was pressing against her skin.

“This is your first Power Class,” the man continued. “Here, we do not pretend. We do not hide. We show what we are.”A pause.

His gaze swept across the room. Then stopped, when he saw me. “Like, do they want to crucify me again…” I controlled my facial expression.my  stomach tightened.

“Each of you will step forward,” he said. “State your rank. Then show what you're good at.”

A low murmur spread across the room. Excitement, Anticipation, Fear. but i was just numb, “what the hell does he mean by rank? Can someone just wake me up? "I swallowed the saliva I could gather in my mouth. My eyes darted around quickly.

What was that supposed to mean?

A girl stepped forward first. Her head is so high, her expression like she is flawless, even her physique doesn't say the same. She is the irony of the building.

“Beta,” she said, her voice clear.

Then she lifted her hand. The air around her shifted. “Wind.”

Sharp and controlled, swirling around her fingers like it was alive.

My eyes widened slightly.

Another stepped forward.

“Gamma.”

His eyes flashed briefly—just for a second, and the ground beneath his feet cracked slightly.

One after the other, they all came out, different powers, different strengths, different ranks. Each one stronger than the last, like they were in alphabetical order, ascending. My heart began to race. This wasn’t normal, None of this was normal.

“Next.”

My head snapped up. Everyone's eyes were on me, the instruction couldn't even stop staring. The room shifted. All eyes on me, Waiting. My feet felt heavy as I stepped forward. My heartbeat is loud in my ears.

“What is your rank?” the instructor asked. the

All I could afford was to open my mouth and stare. This could feel like the trial of Jesus Christ. “Sweet Jesus, how did he survive this.”Then paused.

“I… don’t know.”

Silence. Then—Laughter.

“Of course she doesn’t…”

“She doesn’t even belong here…”

“Did they drag her in by mistake?”

my fingers curled slightly at my sides.

my chest tightened, like it was stuck with my cloth, but i tried not to look at it..

“I said,” the instructor repeated, his voice colder now, “what is your rank?”

“I don’t have one,” More whispers,More laughter…

The instructor’s eyes narrowed slightly.“Then show your power.”

I froze. Power? My mind went blank.

“I don’t—”

“Everyone has power,” he cut in sharply. “Show it.”

Her breathing became uneven.

“I don’t know how—”

“Then try.”

The pressure in the room increased.

It felt like everyone was watching me fail before I even started.

My hands trembled slightly.

“Come on…”

“Do something…”

“This is embarrassing…”

The voices blurred together.

my chest tightened painfully.

“I can’t…” 

“Pathetic,” someone muttered.

 something in me snapped immediately. My fingers clenched tightly.

“I said I don’t know how!” I burst out.

The moment the words left my mouth—Everything went still.The air shifted. My breath caught. Something felt… wrong. No, not wrong. Different. My heartbeat slowed,it then deepened. My  senses became sharpened suddenly. I could hear every breath, every movement, every heartbeat in the room.

“What… is this…?” A low hum filled the air.

The ground beneath my feet vibrated slightly and cracked, like an erosion. A thin line split across the polished floor. The room went silent, I liked the attention but it was also strange to me too. Everyone's expressions were unrecognized, but I knew it wasn't mockery again. I stared down at my hands. They weren’t glowing. They weren’t changing. But something was there. Something I couldn't see myself.

The instructor stepped forward slowly, His expression had changed.

“What… are you?” he murmured. “You did a fantastic thing right now, I can't even really figure it out, but it was interesting.”

“I don’t know…”

someone  suddenly stepped forward from the circle. I couldn't see him but I could feel the closeness.

“Enough,” he said calmly. 

I was in my worst situation, wondering how I could even break the ground without hitting it. Millions of thoughts ran through my head, curiosity didn't even make me notice anyone's gaze. But immediately that word was uttered, with so much authority, my worries were on a vacation. His entire physique could tell he was crafted a masterpiece. He could go as a tall guy, dark, dangerous and handsome. His outfit looks made just for him.

“Adrian,” the instructor said abruptly.

Reality came on me and I figured I actually know the boy, he just keeps appearing in different personalities and settings. The last time I met him, he was looking better than the first time and now, his appearance is breathtaking.

“Let's be calm.” Adrian said, choosing his words carefully.

But there was nothing calm about it, The room tensed instantly.

“Back off,” he added, his voice low.

The instructor didn’t move.“This is my class.”

“And she’s not your experiment,” he replied.

My gaze flickered between them. “This handsome dude understands me finally, his voice is so smooth and thick. Glad I came for this power class, damnnn he is detailed.” a voice said within me.

“Are you really that dump, you just cracked the floor with your feet or arm, I don't even get it. And now you are looking at a handsome guy, who doesn't even look like he has a nice personality. Nira, please read the room!” another voice replied. I snapped out immediately.

“Who…?”

“She doesn’t even know her rank,” the instructor said. “She could be unstable.”

“She’s not,” Adrian said. Not taking him off me.

And for some reason, that made my chest tighten even more.

“Then explain this,” the instructor gestured to the cracked floor.

The boy didn’t respond immediately. He stepped closer, One step, Then another. My breath hitched. The air around him felt different, like he was holding something back.He stopped right in front of me, Close enough that i could feel it.

“What’s your name?” he asked quietly.

“…NIRA PETERSON.”

His gaze softened.

“Of course it is,” he muttered.

Confusion flickered across my face. “What does that mean?”

He didn’t answer.Instead, he turned slightly, his presence shifting again.

“Class dismissed,” he said.

The instructor’s jaw tightened.“You don’t give orders here.

he tilted his head slightly, His eyes flashed, Screaming something deeper and dangerous.The temperature in the room dropped.

“Try me,” he said.

“Class dismissed,” the instructor repeated, his voice tighter now.

Students began to move quickly.

Whispers rising again.

“Who is she…?”

“Why did he interfere…?”

“Did you feel that…?”

I was just in the middle of the class. “Did he just send his instructor out of the class?” lost in my thoughts. My heart is still racing, my mind spinning.

“What just happened…”

The room emptied slowly. Until it was just the two of us. ME and ADRAIN. He turned back to me, looking calmer now. His eyes were definitely still searching for anyone who remained in the hall.

“You need to be careful,” he said.

I frowned. “About what?”

“Everything.”

“That doesn’t help.”

A faint smirk touched his lips.

“Get used to it.”

She crossed her arms slightly. “You’re not going to explain anything, are you?”

“No.”

My  eyes narrowed.“Then why help me?”

“Because you don’t know what you are yet.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“And you do?” I asked.

His gaze held mine. “Yes.”

“Then tell me.”

He stepped back slightly, creating distance.

“I can’t.”

“Or you won’t?”

“Both.”

Frustration flickered across my face. “Then get the fuck out of here, and stop acting like you know everything.” 

“This is insane…”

“Welcome to your new life,” he said.

“I didn’t ask for this.” I shook my head slightly.

“No one ever does.”

Silence settled between us again. But this time—It felt different,less hostile. He turned to leave, then paused. Without looking back he said—“Stay out of trouble.”

I let out a small, disbelieving laugh.“I think I already failed that.”

A faint smirk touched his lips again.

“Yeah,” he said. “You did.” And then he walked away.

I looked down at my hands again, That feeling was still there, unlike before.Quiet.

“I don’t know what I am…” I whispered.

But one thing was clear now—This wasn’t just a school.,This wasn’t just a mistake. And whatever was inside her…It wasn’t normal. I took a slow breath.“I’ll figure it out.” Before someone else.