The Academy Search

The untold bloodline

"Eh?" Nadia looked at Timothy, raising her eyebrows in surprise.

"I'm asking why you're standing here in the shed. Are you waiting for someone?" Timothy inquired, trying to understand her situation.

"Actually, I'm a student here," Nadia replied, waving the papers she was holding. She had made the right decision to put the papers inside her bag, intending to place them in the outside pocket later.

"Oh, a new student?" Timothy questioned.

"Yes," Nadia confirmed.

"Are you waiting for someone?" Timothy asked again, curious about her purpose in the shed.

"Yeah... I noticed that people in their cars received keys after giving their papers to him," Nadia pointed to Bards, who was diligently performing his duties.

"Ah, Bards. Yes, he gives you the key to your assigned room," Timothy explained.

"Our own room?" Nadia inquired, her curiosity piqued. She desired to have her own personal space where she could be alone, as she was not accustomed to sharing her safe haven with others.

"Yes. Has he not given you yours yet?" Timothy asked, genuinely interested.

Nadia couldn't contain her excitement and eagerness to learn more details. She longed for the opportunity to ask about her room and living arrangements, wanting to ensure she had a space all to herself.

"Well, he attended to the students in the queue first," Nadia explained.

"Give me your paper, and I'll get your key from him. That way, you can change into dry clothes since you're soaked from the rain," Timothy offered, extending his hand for Nadia to hand over her papers. However, Nadia didn't respond, staring blankly at him instead, causing Timothy to chuckle.

"Miss, I work with Bards. We check the papers of new students here," Timothy reassured her, showing her a similar identification badge to the one Bards had.

"I... I apologize," Nadia said, realizing her misunderstanding, and handed her papers to Timothy.

A moment of silence enveloped them as Timothy carefully read through her papers. His once lively facial expression transformed into a more serious one.

"Kosova?" Timothy asked, seeking confirmation.

"Pardon?" Nadia responded, puzzled by the sudden mention of a place, particularly her surname.

Timothy's question hung in the air, leaving Nadia with a mix of confusion and curiosity, wondering what significance Kosova held in the context of their conversation.

"Nadia Kosova... I didn't know they had a child," the man uttered again, but this time he focused on reading through the other details on the papers Nadia had handed him. Nadia finally heard his words, but she chose to remain silent about it. She had already accepted the fact that she was not biologically related to the people she called her parents.

Nadia was aware that she came from a distant place, and she knew that the name Kosova carried a powerful legacy. Her parents had warned her before she entered this place that their family background would be kept confidential. They wanted Nadia and themselves to be treated just like any other student, without any special privileges due to their social status. This was one of the reasons why Nadia agreed to the idea of coming here; she longed for a normal life without the burden of being known as a Kosova, a member of a powerful family. Additionally, she desired to explore and discover things beyond the confines of her home, to broaden her horizons.

"Yes, it's me. I am Nadia Kosova," she confirmed, acknowledging her identity.

"Please, have a seat first," the man kindly offered, gesturing towards a wooden chair beside him. Nadia couldn't cross the open space to reach the entrance of the building due to the heavy downpour. She felt grateful that there were still two cars waiting to enter the gate, providing some shelter from the rain.

Nadia cautiously took a seat, feeling a mix of anticipation and apprehension. She wondered what lay ahead for her in this new chapter of her life. The rain continued to pour, casting a veil of mystery over her surroundings. She hoped that her journey as a student would bring her the normalcy, independence, and knowledge she craved.

The man rose from his seat and shielded himself from the rain using his umbrella. Nadia assumed that he was going to retrieve her house key, and her excitement grew. She couldn't wait to settle into her new place, as she had numerous plans and preparations in mind.

A smile adorned Nadia's face as Timothy approached Bards to collect her key. However, her smile quickly faded when she noticed the car that had entered the gated community last. There was no mistaking it—it was the same car that had nearly hit her when she was crossing the street. She almost chuckled as she noticed the word 'jerk' she had written on the man's car, which was still visible despite the rain.

To her alarm, both Bards and Timothy wore expressions of concern as they glanced at the word on the car. Nadia became suddenly agitated, fearing that the man would spot her presence there. She attempted to make herself inconspicuous, peering out from her hiding spot. The two men made an unsuccessful attempt to erase the writing from the car. They engaged in a conversation with the man inside the vehicle, who only partially opened the window. Nadia observed that the man did not present his papers, and Bards did not provide him with a key. Instead, worry etched across the men's faces as they allowed the car to enter the premises, taking a separate route from the others.

It dawned on Nadia the precarious situation she had unwittingly placed herself in. The man who had just entered the academy had seen her face when she had scribbled on his car. Her heart raced, filled with apprehension about the potential consequences she might face within the academy. She hadn't caught a glimpse of the man's face, but he had certainly seen hers—a decision she now regretted.

Nadia realized that the gate had closed, and both Bards and Timothy were making their way towards the shed where she was seeking shelter. Anxiety coursed through her veins as she contemplated the impending encounter. The once welcoming atmosphere now carried a sense of foreboding, leaving Nadia to wonder what awaited her as the two men approached her hiding place.

"Miss, here's the key," Timothy handed Nadia the key to her new living space. As she accepted it, she couldn't help but notice the nervous expressions on both Timothy's and Bards' faces. The tension in the air was palpable, making her uneasy.

"That woman would probably face the consequences of what she had done to him," Bards muttered, his voice filled with a mix of concern and anticipation. Nadia listened attentively, realizing that they were discussing the consequences she might face for her actions.

"She's in the academy?" Timothy inquired, seeking confirmation from Bards. The two men engaged in conversation as if Nadia were not present, discussing her as if she were a subject of interest.

"He said he would confirm it," Bards replied, his tone indicating uncertainty about her status as a student within the academy.

Nadia's heart skipped a beat as she realized they were talking about her. The words "that malicious word" uttered by Bards sent a chill down her spine. It was her, they were referring to her act of writing on the man's car.

Time seemed to stand still as Nadia stood frozen in her place. The weight of her actions and the potential consequences now bore heavily on her shoulders. She had never expected her impulsive act to have such repercussions, especially within the confines of the academy she had just entered.

Fear mingled with regret as she realized the gravity of her decision. She had crossed a line, and now she was faced with the uncertainty of what lay ahead. The laughter that had once filled her heart with amusement now seemed like a distant memory.

Nadia wondered what awaited her within the academy, knowing that the man she had unknowingly provoked was now aware of her presence. The consequences of her actions loomed ominously, and she could only hope that she would find a way to navigate through the storm that was about to unfold.