My Twisted Heart

Chapter Two

After picking up my student ID, handbook, and keys from the reception desk, I made my way to the dormitory. It was a short stroll from the main building. About a five-minute walk give or take.

As I approached the dormitory entrance, I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension creeping over me. This was the beginning of a new chapter. I would be sleeping, studying, and navigating the complexities of teenage life within these walls.

"I wonder how big the rooms are."

Not wanting to take the stairs, I stepped into the elevator and clicked to go to the third floor. I was going to be living in room 304.

While I waited for the elevator to reach my floor, I decided to take a quick look at the school handbook. Given what I knew about this school, I figured getting familiar with how things functioned wasn't a bad idea.

The words seemed to blur together as I flipped through the opening pages of the booklet. School regulations, dormitory rules, meal times in the cafeteria—all laid out in black and white, a snapshot of life within the hallowed halls of this institute.

It didn't take long for me to realize that this school functioned much like any other school. There were daily classes, extracurricular activities, and academic expectations. However, there was one significant difference that caught my attention. The Crown System.

Crowns were the currency that governed every transaction and interaction within school grounds. Students could use their crowns to purchase various items and services, from school supplies to small snacks. It was a system reminiscent of the real world, where money dictated one's choices and opportunities. From what I gathered, one crown was the equivalent of one euro.

Fortunately, essentials like food, toiletries, and the school uniform, were items that were provided free of charge.

That wasn't the only difference. Unlike the outside world, where money flowed freely, the distribution of crowns seemed to be carefully regulated. Every month, students would receive a staggering allowance of 1000 crowns, which wasn't surprising, considering the funding the academy received. However, there was one caveat. Depending on one's performance, that allowance could either flourish or dwindle.

I stopped reading the moment I saw the word "performance" written in bold letters. Scanning ahead, I sought clarification on what the school meant by that word but came up empty-handed.

How peculiar...

The rules surrounding the allocation of crowns were frustratingly vague. It felt like the school was purposely leaving much of this matter open to interpretation. The question was why?

It was no wonder the students who graduated from this school were highly sought after. This school had a system in place to teach students not only how to survive but to thrive in the real world. Unlike most schools that had rules in place to shelter children from the harsh reality of the real world, this one challenged us to face it head-on.

As the elevator doors slid open, I tucked the handbook under my arm and stepped into the corridor.

This isn't good...

The corridor was filled with students. Some of them were chatting, while others were moving their belongings into their new rooms. Since everyone was busy, nobody seemed to notice my arrival.

With hesitant steps, I navigated through the throng of students, my heart pounding in my chest with each passing moment. I wasn't sure how to act. It was my first time being surrounded by so many people my age.

Feeling the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me, I kept my head low, hoping to blend into the background.

300... 302... 304!