Arcanum University

"It is a tradition between mother and daughter in your family to give away their valuables. I think your mother would have wanted you to wear it from today."

Raven looked down, although the memory of her mother had not fully returned, but Raven often heard from her aunt that her mother had left her when she was a child due to an accident.

After saying thank you and goodbye, Raven stepped into the dormitory leaving behind Grace who drove away in her favourite car.

"Goodbye Elara." Grace whispered behind the wheel while looking at Raven who had disappeared behind the dormitory door before finally stepping on the accelerator of her car.

Inside the silent dormitory building, Raven looked at the long corridor with many doors standing in a row. It was a new beginning, but her heart felt heavy.

Raven wore the blue-eyed necklace that Grace had just given her-it felt so familiar, as if it had a power that she couldn't understand.

As she stepped deeper, the lights in the hallway suddenly flickered several times. Raven stopped, staring at the end of the corridor that seemed so quiet. "Must be an electrical problem," she muttered under her breath, trying to calm herself down.

"Hey, you're the new kid, huh?" There was a voice from behind. A red-haired girl with a big smile approached her.

"Oh, yes," Raven smiled briefly. "I'm Raven."

"I'm Lena," the girl said in a friendly tone. "Here, let me show you to your room. Our rooms are next to each other!" They walked together down the hallway, Lena pointing out rooms and other facilities with excitement.

When they reached Raven's room, Lena leaned closer and whispered, "Be careful, this floor sometimes feels strange at night. People say they often see shadowy figures in this hallway."

Raven chuckled, though a little surprised. "Oh, is that so? Well, I hope she doesn't want to make my acquaintance." They laughed together, and Lena excused herself to go back to her room.

Raven stepped into her room and she was surprised to find a girl already in there.

"Hi." The reddish-brown haired girl greeted.

"Oh, uh, hi -- meet me... Raven," Raven said awkwardly.

"I'm Meredith." The red-haired girl stood up to introduce herself, "your roommate," she continued.

"Mm ...."

"Why? Haa, I know, you'd think that you'd have this room to yourself, right?" said Meredith, "just so you know, all the students here share a room."

Raven nodded in understanding as she walked to the corner of the room and placed her suitcase bag on the bed.

Meredith approached Raven, her eyes falling on Raven's slender neck. It was obvious that the girl was fascinated by the object hanging from Raven's neck.

"Your pendant is really nice, I like it."

Feeling strange about her new friend's remark, Raven reflexively held the pendant on her necklace and smiled wryly.

Raven scanned her new living space and her eyes fell on a bookshelf filled with folders labelled "Witches?"

"Yeah, I love reading and learning about them. I think it would be really cool if we had abilities like them." With a twinkle in her eye, Meredith said that she and some popular friends at the university had formed a club.

Meredith even invited Raven to join her in the club. However, Raven refused.

The girl felt that she didn't have anything important that could make her a popular girl.

The first night in the dorm was not easy. Raven lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling of the dark room. The strange dreams began to come again-the sight of city ruins, the sound of lightning, and the shadow of a man with cold eyes. This time, the voice seemed closer.

"I waited for you, Elara..." the voice echoed in her head, keeping her awake with a gasp.

She touched the blue necklace and felt a small sense of comfort, as if someone was with her.

However, she couldn't escape the feeling that there was something she didn't know yet-something urgent to uncover.

The next morning, on her way to her first class, Raven saw a group of students gathered in front of the notice board.

As she approached, her eyes fell on an announcement for the New Student Welcoming Ritual Session: Midnight at the Old Field on Campus.

"Welcoming ritual?" she muttered in confusion. Meredith who suddenly appeared beside him explained, "Yes, it's an annual tradition here. It's said that this campus used to be the site of an old abandoned temple, so the ritual is a kind of homage."

That night, despite the strange feeling in her heart, Raven decided to join the ritual. The old campus grounds were surrounded by lush trees, and the night atmosphere was even more eerie when it was lit only by moonlight.

The students stood in a circle, while an older man, apparently a professor, began the ritual by reciting an old spell.

When the last mantra was recited, the wind suddenly picked up and the lights went out. All fell silent, and in the distance, the shadow of a man could be seen standing.

Raven felt a chill run through her body, and for some reason, that figure seemed very familiar-the cold gaze, the sturdy posture, everything. Unconsciously, she muttered, "Simon...?"

Just then, the shadow of the man disappeared, and the lights came back on. Raven staggered back, and Meredith who stood beside her asked, "Are you okay?"

Raven just nodded, but in her heart, there was something that rekindled fear. As if, her past was slowly awakening from the hidden darkness.

A few days passed, and the shadow of the mysterious man began to haunt her days. While studying in the library, she saw the figure between the bookshelves, in the cafeteria, Raven saw the figure in the shadow of the window glass.

Every time Raven tried to get closer, the figure vanished, leaving her in uncertainty.

Until one night, when everyone was asleep, there was a soft knock on her door. Raven walked slowly towards the door, holding her breath.

Raven opened the door carefully, and saw a grey-haired man with piercing blue eyes staring at her.

"Good evening, Raven," the cold voice made her body stiffen. "Nice to see you again, Raven or I should call you Elara."