Beneath the Surface

Chapter 3: Between Worlds

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"Do you believe in aliens?" I blinked, momentarily thrown off by the unexpected question. She didn't wait for me to respond, hopping off the bed and extending a hand.

"I'm Lila Morse," she said, her grin widening. "And I've got a theory that this school is actually a training ground for intergalactic spies."

I stared at her for a moment, then shook her hand, a small smile tugging at my lips despite myself. "Viviana." I replied.

------

Viviana entered the room, planning to head directly to her own quarters when a cheerful voice caught her attention.

"Just Viviana?" her new roommate asked.

Viviana turned to face her. Despite the bright expression on her face, there was a knowing glint in her eyes.

"You're from the outer district!" she exclaimed, flashing a big smile.

"So?" An elegant smile played on Viviana's lips.

"I've heard a lot about the red-eyed and dark-haired beauty. The students keep saying you might be someone important," she laughed, her eyes narrowing suddenly as she stopped laughing, though a grin remained on her face.

"Imagine the shock they'd feel if they knew you were from the outer district." She resumed giggling.

She looked at Viviana expectantly. Viviana didn't lose her composure and gazed back at her steadily. A small smile still attached to Viviana's face, but her gaze was detached as if nothing mattered.

Lila was intrigued.

Viviana's smile turned slightly icy.
"Let them."

She bowed her head a little in polite acknowledgment. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm a little tired today."
Saying that, she went inside her room and closed the door.
Lila folded her arms, resting one hand on her cheek and gently tapping it in contemplation.

"Well," she said, her grin widening, "looks like this year's going to be interesting."

-----

Viviana looked at her belongings already placed near her bed. She glanced at the desk, noticing a piece of paper with her class schedule, her student card, and another card.

She picked up the other card and examined it. Her name, picture, ID number, and date of birth were all there.

Her very own citizenship card.

But there was still no last name. Despite having access to the city and her own card, even as a 'true' citizen now, it still meant she was from the slums.

Still, it was an extreme luxury for someone from the outer district to possess a citizenship card.

She couldn't help but smile mockingly.

Viviana slung the student card around her neck and carelessly tossed the CID card under her pillow. Her gaze then fell on a thick blue book bearing the academy's emblem with "Student Handbook" embossed below it.

Sinking into the plush chair, she began to leaf through the pages. By the time the clock approached noon, she had read enough. Viviana put the book aside and leaned back, letting the sunlight stream through the window and bathe her face, the warmth slowly seeping into her skin.

She now had a general idea of the academy's system.

'This place is a battlefield, no doubt about it,' she mused.

Classes are divided by year for the basics, but once you get into the advanced courses, juniors and seniors are mixed together. It's designed to foster competition, to push everyone to their limits. The joint projects and group activities with seniors are meant to be mentoring experiences, but they also highlight just how cutthroat this environment is.