Chapter 56: A Monster, a Savior, and a Very Bad Day
{IRIS}
I knew about the monster in the lake. I’d read about it in the academy handbook—Sirene, the Water Wraith, a creature known to drag the foolish and the unwary beneath the waters.
But in my defense... She never attacked unless someone entered the lake.
And besides, there were so many students around. I thought—rather foolishly—that I was safe.
Too bad.
I really liked that peaceful spot beneath the willow tree...
Was there not a single place in this academy that wasn’t infested with monsters?
"My... my spot by the lake..." I croaked miserably.
"That’s what you’re worrying about?"
My eyes snapped open.
The first face I saw was Zephyros—angry, exhausted, and very much done with my existence.
"You," he said, voice tight with barely restrained fury. "I told you—told you—to always wear that necklace, did I not?"
I blinked at him, my mind still foggy. "I... what happened?"
"You nearly drowned." His tone dropped into something cold and trembling with emotion. "Some students found you unconscious near the bank and brought you to the infirmary. You’re lucky to be alive."
The memories hit me in waves—cold water, a voice inside my skull, being dragged into the depths—until my head ached.
Zephyros saw me flinch, and his anger softened instantly.
"Don’t push yourself," he murmured, brushing a cold hand above my forehead without touching me. "You still have a fever from the cold."
"I..."
I almost blurted out that I wanted to see Lord Val.
Ask what happened to him.
Ask if he was injured.
Ask if he was alright.
But I swallowed the words.
I wasn’t supposed to know him.
Still... he saved me again even at the risk of someone linking us together.
Lord Val saved me, and warmth settled painfully in my chest at the thought. Warmth mixed with shame.
Had anyone seen him?
Seen him holding me?
The thought made my stomach twist.
I was a burden to him. Again.
How many more times would I drag him into danger?
How long would I remain this useless?
Zephyros sighed in frustration. "Honestly... how many times must I tell you to wear the necklace? It protects you inside the campus."
"I’m sorry..." I rubbed my temples. "I must have forgotten after my shower..."
I froze.
The necklace was already around my neck.
Zephyros noticed my confusion and shrugged. "I took the liberty of going to your room and fetching it for you."
"Y–You... went into my room?" He nodded as if it were nothing.
"But I thought there was a ward preventing anyone but female students from entering—?"
"I’m staff," he said bluntly. "What permission do I need?"
"Oh..."
I had no answer to that.
"Anyway," he continued, "don’t ever take it off again."
I grew quiet. The teardrop pendant glimmered softly, reminding me of the lake... and the mermaid.
"Is... she all right?"
"She?" He frowned. "Who?"
"The mermaid," I whispered.
Zephyros’s expression darkened with immediate irritation. "She almost killed you, and you’re worried about her?"
"She didn’t kill me."
"Well, she almost did," he snapped. "I don’t know what exactly happened, but she’s fortunate it was deemed a prank."
"Prank?" I echoed.
Was that what Lord Val had told the Academy?
Or was that Sirene’s excuse to avoid punishment?
I sighed, exhausted. My eyes drifted to the window—and I realized the sky had grown black.
"Wait... how long...?"
"You’ve been unconscious for a day," Zephyros answered.
My eyes widened. "Then school—!"
"You missed the first day."
I gaped—and groaned, clutching my head.
No.
No! No! NO!
This couldn’t be happening.
My first day. The one day I was supposed to socialize, make friends, find my place among my classmates.
And instead, everyone else had already formed groups... while I was unconscious in the infirmary like some tragic side character.
What a terrible start.
Zephyros watched me sink into silent despair and tried to comfort me.
"Don’t worry about missing one day. Teachers rarely start serious lessons in the first week. Nothing important happened."
He meant well. He truly did.
But he didn’t understand.
That first day—that opening—was my chance.
By tomorrow, everyone would have their circles, their friends, their rhythm.
And I... would be late. Alone. Out of step.
My chest tightened painfully.
I lay back down, staring at the ceiling, wondering how a werewolf could drown in a lake, lose her favorite reading spot, miss her first day of classes, and still somehow feel guilty over the man who saved her—
All in the span of one night.
After Zephyros made sure I could stand without wobbling, he reluctantly left me at the infirmary doors and drifted off—probably to scold the nearest student for breathing too loudly.
I took a slow breath, steadied myself, and headed back toward the dorms.
Each step felt heavier than it should, as if the lake still clung to my ankles.
When I pushed open the door to my room, Caroline was perched on her bed, phone in hand, laughing animatedly.
Judging from the pile of clothes around her, she was already planning another weekend getaway with her friends.
"Oh! Wait—hold on, Iris just came in."
She ended the call immediately and beamed at me with a bright, relieved smile.
"Good, you’re actually fine! Are you all right? I heard what happened. That Sirene is really a menace. Calling it a prank? Honestly! The management should have banished her ages ago."
"It’s fine," I said with a tired smile. "She’s just... a little playful."
Caroline stared at me as if I had personally offended her common sense. "You’re too kind, Iris. Truly. This isn’t the first time something like this happened. Rumor says she’s actually killed students before. Why aren’t the staff doing anything about it?"
"Well..." I folded my hands. "Sirene is old. One of the few creatures that lived here first. She has more right to live in that lake than any of us have to walk on this campus."
Caroline pouted, crossing her arms. "Fine, she can stay. But she should at least stop being a public menace. She almost killed you, you know!"
I forced a small laugh, though my chest tightened strangely.
"I think she was just bored more than anything else. But... I’m still here, right?"
Caroline rolled her eyes, but relief washed over her face again. "Yes, you’re still here. Thank goodness."
If only she knew how close "almost" had been.
If only she knew who truly pulled me from the lake’s jaws.
But I just smiled again, pretending everything was fine—just like I always did.
