As Arvard entered his room, the first thing he did was toss his rosary and bag onto the glass table. Then, he collapsed onto the couch, shutting his eyes as thoughts consumed him.
The world has changed so unexpectedly—especially humans. No wonder Grandfather always said, "Humans are extraordinary creatures. Never underestimate them."
Cordelia's voice echoed in his mind.
"You're attracting too many girls. What if Elena starts thinking you'd never choose her?"
Arvard replied in his thoughts, "It's possible, but I believe things will work out—just like they did before."
The voice nudged again.
"And what about what you found in Saina's room? Do you think—"
Suddenly, a knock interrupted their talk.
Arvard already knew who it was. Without moving, he said, "Come in."
The door opened slowly. Michael peeked in first, scanning the luxurious room.
"Talk about being rich… a room on the golden floor?" he said, stepping inside.
"What do you mean?" Arvard asked, genuinely confused.
Michael approached. "Don't play dumb. This floor's reserved for VIPs. Only ten rooms total—and only five were taken. Now it's six."
"Come, sit," Arvard said politely, flashing a small smile.
As Michael took a seat on the couch across from him, Arvard asked, "So, tell me about our school."
Michael sighed. "What do you want to know?"
"I'm not really sure. Just figured you might tell me something... less filtered than what I hear from the girls," Arvard said with a laugh.
Michael smirked. "You heard of the Five Goddesses of our school?"
"Yeah, Mai told me a bit."
"Did she tell you she used to be one in middle school?"
So that's why she said they stole her spot, Arvard thought.
"The First Goddess is Ms. Saina, Second is Ms. Diana, Third is Saakshi, Fourth is Alissa, and Fifth is Clara. Untouchable. Virgins, probably."
"Oh? And who are Diana, Saakshi, and Clara?" Arvard asked, serious now.
Michael leaned in. "You don't know? Ms. Diana teaches sports, Saakshi's a senior, and Clara—that brat—is in her final year of middle school."
"Sounds like you don't like her," Arvard observed.
Michael leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "She's no goddess. Always surrounded by boys, ordering them around like she owns them."
Arvard stood, grinning. "Your crush is kind of cute too."
"Hey! Don't say that!" Michael said, his face flushing.
"Want something to drink?" Arvard asked, walking to the kitchenette.
"What do you have?"
"Let's find out," Arvard replied, opening cupboards and drawers.
Inside the mini fridge were orange juice, a sealed bottle of human blood, eggs, bread, milk, and some fruit. He grabbed the juice and two glasses, pouring one just as another knock came.
Arvard set the juice down and walked over to the table, snatching his rosary and slipping it into his coat pocket before opening the door.
Mai stood there, face red. "Hey," she said.
"Hello. Come in, please."
She stepped inside, immediately noticing Michael on the couch.
"I... I didn't mean to disturb you."
"You're not. Please, sit," Arvard said warmly, returning to pour three glasses.
As he sat beside her, Mai blushed.
Michael cleared his throat. "Not to be rude, but... isn't it against the rules for girls to visit the boys' dorm this late?"
Mai glanced at him, forcing a smile. "You're Mike, right?"
"Michael, but Mike's fine," he replied, awkwardly.
Mai turned to Arvard, her face tight with concern. "How are you going to finish that book by tomorrow? Shouldn't you be reading it now?"
Smiling, Arvard patted her head gently. "Don't worry about it."
Michael looked on, clearly uncomfortable.
"I just came to see if you needed help," Mai mumbled, her cheeks burning.
"Oh, you look so cute when you blush like that," Arvard said.
Mai turned an even deeper shade of red. "Can I?" Arvard asked, touching her cheek gently.
A soft voice echoed in his ears: "Arvard, control yourself."
He quickly withdrew his hand. "Sorry," he muttered, rising to collect Michael's empty glass.
"Want a refill?"
"Nah, I'm good," Michael replied, trying to act normal.
Mai sensed something was wrong.
Then, another knock.
"The door's open!" Arvard called out.
Sasha entered—with her entourage following.
"Hello," Arvard greeted with a smile.
Sasha scanned the room, surprised to see Mai and Michael already there.
"Please sit," Arvard offered, already grabbing more glasses. "Let me get you something to drink."
"We were just passing by…" Sasha said with a forced laugh.
"In the boys' dorm?" Michael whispered, smirking.
Sasha shot him a murderous glare.
Arvard chuckled, pouring more orange juice.
Then he called out, "You can come in too, Mr. Yannier."
Peter stepped in, smiling. "I really was just passing by."
"Grab a chair from that room, will you?" Arvard asked.
As Peter brought a chair and sat near Sasha's group, everyone was stunned—Albert and Peter in the same room?
Arvard placed the tray on the table and sat beside Sasha and Mai.
Trying to break the silence, Michael asked, "Didn't we all were in the same class last year?"
Sasha brightened. "Yeah, last year was the best. The European trip was amazing. Wish you'd come, Albert."
"By the way, Albert, where do you live?" Trisha asked.
Without missing a beat, Arvard replied, "I used to live in a town you've probably never heard of— in Northern Europe."
"You're European?" Peter asked.
"hmm." Arvard shifted the topic. "So, school trips happen every year?"
"Yeah... This year the student council is planning one in Kor—oops," Mai said, realizing too late she'd spilled a secret.
Peter laughed. "You just betrayed your president. Time to tell my homies!"
"No, please don't!" Mai pleaded.
Peter grinned. "Then maybe we can work something out… you know, me and you?"
"What do you mean?" Mai asked nervously.
"You know… give and take," he teased, standing and extending his hand.
Mai shrank closer to Sasha, eyes full of fear.
Everyone burst into laughter—except Mai and Sasha.
"Ha-ha, very funny," Sasha said sarcastically. She sat beside Mai, hugging her gently. "No one's going to say anything."
"Did you find the girl you were looking for?" Christen asked Arvard.
For once, Arvard hesitated. Why do I even needed to ask them?
"I… just wanted to talk to some beautiful girls," he said with a fake laugh.
"Really?" Sasha asked.
"Yeah," he replied.
For the first time, everyone sensed Albert was hiding something.
An hour later, the girls began leaving—dorm time was over.
Mai turned back one last time. "Please, start reading that book or you'll never finish it."
After she left, Michael asked, "What book has she been talking about?"
"Oh, nothing important. So, was this visit worth your time?" Arvard asked, grinning.
Michael hushed him. "Shh."
"What? I know you've got a crush on Trisha."
"What? How—?"
"Everyone knows, dude," Peter said, now standing.
"Wait… does she know?"
Peter, grabbing a snack from the fridge, replied, "Probably. She likes you too."
"How do you know?"
"Ask Arvard."
"Yeah," Arvard said coolly. "I think so too."
Michael was stunned. "And you're just telling me now?"
"You wanted me to tell you in front of her?" Arvard replied.
Michael was flushed, his heart racing. His body felt like it was heating up.
"So what do I do now?" he asked, shyly.
"Let Albert answer," Peter said with a smirk.
Arvard sighed. "Nothing. Just stay cool—we'll make her ask you out."
"How?"
Do old tricks still work after a thousand years? Arvard thought.
With a chuckle, he said, "Aha… just wait."
Peter wondered, Is he holding back because I'm here? Or does he never reveal his tricks?
Arvard's phone buzzed. He looked out the window—the sun had set.
"Sorry, I forgot I have something. We'll continue this later."
Michael stood. "No problem, dude."
Peter placed a hand on Arvard's shoulder. "Let's do this more often… my friend."
As he left, Arvard whispered to himself, "Friends… huh."
He locked his apartment, descended in the elevator, and texted Saina:
"Why am I being called to the principal's office?"
She replied:
"James wants to meet you."