Chapter 1: The Unfamiliar Path

As I stepped off the carriage and onto the winding driveway of Night Raven College, a shiver ran down my spine. The sprawling estate loomed before me, its turrets and spires reaching toward the moon like skeletal fingers. I had left behind the familiarity of my hometown in the United States to participate in a year-long exchange program, and now I was about to embark on a journey that would change my life forever. My parents had always been enthusiastic about my decision to study abroad, and I had to admit that I was excited too. The opportunity to experience a new culture and learn about the magical world that existed parallel to our own was too enticing to pass up. But as I looked around at the Gothic architecture and the whispering students in their elaborate robes, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness. I took a deep breath and shouldered my luggage, following the crowd of students toward the grand entrance of the college. As I walked, I noticed that everyone seemed to be staring at me. I brushed it off as mere curiosity, but the feeling of being an outsider only intensified as I entered the bustling hall. A warm voice called out to me, and I turned to see a girl with bright pink hair and a welcoming smile. "Hi, you must be Ri! I'm Lyra. I'm one of the student ambassadors here at Night Raven College." She took my hand and led me through the crowd, expertly navigating the sea of strangers. As we walked, Lyra chatted about the college's history, its student body, and the various magical clubs and organizations. I listened intently, trying to absorb as much information as possible. But my attention kept drifting to a group of students standing by the window, their eyes fixed on me with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Lyra followed my gaze and smiled. "Don't mind them, they're just the nobles. They can be a bit...stuffy sometimes." Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and I couldn't help but laugh. As we reached the registration desk, Lyra handed me a stack of papers and a schedule. "You'll need to meet with the Dean of Students to finalize your enrollment. She's a bit...formidable, but don't worry, she's all right once you get to know her." I took the papers and nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. As I turned to leave, my eyes met those of a boy with piercing blue eyes and jet-black hair. He was standing by the window, his gaze locked on mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. Lyra followed my gaze and whispered, "That's Leona Kingscholar. He's the prince of the Sunset Savanna, but don't let that intimidate you. He's just a regular student here, like everyone else." I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as our eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Who was this Leona Kingscholar, and why did I feel like I was drowning in his eyes?