Digital Destiny

Chapter 3

The alarm buzzed at 5:30 a.m.

Rei rubbed his eyes and groaned softly as the cold morning air hit his skin. He sat up and reached for his neatly folded school uniform, which included a pressed white shirt, dark slacks, and his school blazer, then laid it on the bed. Grabbing a towel, he went straight to the bathroom for a quick shower. Steam filled the room as he washed away the exhaustion from the night before.

By 6:10 a.m., he was dressed, slipping on his shoes and tossing his worn backpack over one shoulder before stepping out the door.

As he walked the familiar path to school, he heard footsteps behind him. A hand landed firmly on his back.

“Yo! What’s up, bro? How’s it going?” Vince greeted him with his usual relaxed energy.

Rei glanced at him, his eyes heavy. In a low, tired voice, he replied, “Yeah... still tired from deliveries last night.”

Vince shook his head with a short laugh. “Man, you’re seriously hardworking. I’m still surprised you passed the exams!”

Rei managed a small smirk. “Well... just study hard, I guess.”

“You’re unbelievable, bro.”

By the time they reached the school gates, the sun had fully risen, casting golden light across the campus. Senior high school, second quarter, final year. Almost done. Just a few more months.

“Hey, uh... can I copy your homework real quick?” Vince asked, nudging Rei’s side with a grin.

Rei sighed and chuckled faintly. “Man... again? Well, you’re my friend, so what can I do?”

“Ha! You’re the best.”

As they entered the classroom, whispers rippled behind them. Some classmates leaned in, speaking in hushed tones about Rei.

“Why are you still friends with a guy like that?” one muttered.

“You know he’s up to shady stuff at night, right?”

Vince paused, his gaze sharpening. He turned to face them with a piercing glare.

“Don’t you dare talk about him like that. You don’t even know him.”

The group immediately fell silent, startled by Vince’s tone. They quickly looked away, pretending to be busy with their books.

Meanwhile, Rei had already dozed off at his desk, arms crossed, with his head resting on them, completely unaware.

Vince looked over at him and shook his head with a grin. “Damn... he’s sleeping while all of that’s happening, huh? This guy. Hahaha.”

Meanwhile, in another world...

Belle arrived at the prestigious Belar Academy in her elegant, horse-drawn carriage. As the door opened, she stepped out gracefully, her polished shoes touching the cobbled path with practiced ease. Morning light shimmered on the royal crest embroidered on her uniform's collar. Her knights stood nearby, silent but attentive.

“Good luck at school, Princess Belle,” one said with a bow.

Students near the gate paused to watch. Some whispered, others stared. A few boys nearly dropped their books. Belle gave a small, polite wave before turning away, unfazed. She had long since grown used to the attention.

Not far behind, another carriage rolled up, its doors marked with delicate rose engravings. Out stepped Dina, her uniform slightly wrinkled, a book tucked under one arm, and a cheerful smile already on her face.

“Morning, Belle!” Dina called as she caught up beside her. “You should’ve seen the faces again. You’d think they’ve never seen a princess before.”

“They probably haven’t,” Belle replied with a smirk. “Well, not two in one school, anyway.”

Dina nudged her playfully. “You’re lucky I’m here to balance out your dramatic entrances.”

They walked along the garden path together, lined with flowering bushes and neatly trimmed hedges shaped like stars and shields, the school’s emblem. Students bustled past them, trading notes, yawning, and reviewing vocabulary under their breath.

Inside the main building, the halls buzzed with quiet urgency. Papers rustled, lockers clicked open, and the scent of ink and worn parchment filled the air. A tall notice board near the entrance caught their attention:

REMINDER: Midterm Exams in Two Months – Start Reviewing Now!

Study Group Sign-ups Available This Week!

Library Schedule Updated – Quiet Hours Strictly Enforced!

Belle sighed, tightening her grip on her notebook.

“Two months feels both far away and way too close.”

“Exactly,” Dina replied, flipping open her book as they walked. “I promised myself I’d start reviewing earlier this time… which probably means next week.”

“Or the week after,” Belle said with a grin.

They stopped by their lockers, side by side along a polished stone corridor. Around them, students chatted about review guides, old exam questions, and group sessions forming for after school.

Belle leaned her head against the cool locker door.

“I miss when school was just about learning spells for fun and making friends.”

Dina chuckled. “Now it’s learning spells and trying not to cry before midterms. What a glow-up.”

They both laughed quietly. Despite the pressure in the air, there was still warmth in the routine, the chatter, the company, the comfort of knowing someone understood exactly how you felt.

The bell rang softly in the distance.

“Let’s survive another day?” Belle offered.

“With grace and mild panic,” Dina replied, linking arms with her.

And just like that, they headed to their next class, surrounded by the familiar hum of Belar Academy preparing for exams together.