S.R. Heaven Academy

Chapter 1

GIAN'S POV

I'm Gian Klein Ashton, but just call me Gian - the charismatic and devilishly handsome best friend of Sean. Now, let me tell you about Sean Renyiel Stanford, my best friend who defies all expectations. Yeah, she's a girl, and yeah, she's got this icy exterior that could freeze a volcano. But when it comes to me, she's strict in that "I'm-gonna-make-sure-you-don't-do-anything-stupid" kind of way. And trust me, she's really good at it.

Sean's the kind of person who walks through life with a serene confidence, like she's got the universe's playbook memorized. If she ever graces you with a smile, consider yourself blessed because that's rarer than a unicorn sighting. We're practically twins in height, and her physical beauty? Well, it's a mirror reflection of the beauty within her, which is dazzling, to say the least.

Now, despite spending our entire existence side by side on this blue marble, Sean remains a riddle wrapped in an enigma. She's mysterious, you see. We've been inseparable since diaper days, and she's taken on a sisterly role in my life, partly because my mom decided to adopt her and raise her as her own. Yeah, our situation is a little unconventional, but hey, it works.

Sean could have been the perfect best friend or sister, but she's got this aura of strictness that keeps everyone on their toes. At school, she's like a queen bee, showered with gifts daily. She graciously accepts them all because, you know, she's too kind to say no. It's just how she rolls.

The thing that really boggles my mind is how her brain operates. We might be the same age, but Sean's intellect operates on a whole other level. She's got wisdom beyond her years, and she's practically a genius at everything she puts her mind to. Frankly, I'm still trying to figure out how she does it, but hey, that's the magic of Sean Stanford for you.

As I lounged on my bed, lost in my thoughts, a sudden interruption jolted me back to reality. "Hey Klean!" A voice sliced through the silence, making me flinch.

"I know what's swirling around in that windy brain of yours, so you'd better shut it down or else I'll make you regret it!" She declared as she approached, her voice laced with a threat that should have sent shivers down my spine. Oddly enough, her face remained as serene as a tranquil lake on a windless day. Strange, isn't it?

I couldn't help but pout. "Mhie, don't call me Klean; I don't like it," I protested, my irritation clear.

She stood in front of me, a single eyebrow arched in challenge. "I like it, so you can't do anything about it," she retorted, then proceeded to delve into a book she had fetched from the library.

"Oh, come on, Mhie," I muttered, my frustration bubbling beneath the surface, helpless in the face of her determination.

"Quit with the pouting, Klean. It's not cute; it just makes you look ridiculous. And don't you dare use your sweet endearments on me, like you do with your other women, because I'm not one of them, and I never will be," she recited sternly, her eyes glued to the pages of her book. But there was something in the way she emphasized that word "never" that stung, leaving a lingering ache.

"Wow, never, really? Fine, I'll accept it. I've grown used to it," I replied, a hint of sorrow in my eyes. "But Mhie, I don't have any other women."

"Cut it out already, Klean; it doesn't suit you. You're getting old, yet you're still acting like a child," she scolded, her words punctuated by irritation. Why was this woman so exasperating? Was it that time of the month?

"Yes, Mhie," I conceded with a sigh.

Eventually, both Sean's and my heads snapped up as we heard approaching footsteps, an instinctive reaction to the impending chaos.

"Guys! It's time for school!" Mommy's voice echoed from outside. Sean and I exchanged glances before rising to our feet.

We descended the stairs of our house, and as we reached the bottom, we were greeted by a striking woman. Her smile was radiant, her nose elegantly pointed, and her long eyelashes framed her eyes beautifully. She wore crimson lipstick, and her skin exuded a well-maintained radiance.

"Hi, Mom!" I greeted the woman who had given me life, my features reflecting where I had inherited my good looks.

"Hi, my babies!" she replied cheerfully, but Sean scowled at the term 'babies,' her disapproval evident.

"Mom, quit calling me a baby," Sean chided, annoyance flashing in her eyes, but Mom simply chuckled.

"Alright, alright, you two better hurry, or you'll be late," Mom advised, still amused by Sean's irritation.

As we left the cozy confines of our house and hopped into the car, my hands gripped the steering wheel with a mixture of determination and trepidation. You see, I'm always the one behind the wheel because, well, let's just say my trust in Sean's driving skills is as shaky as a leaf in a hurricane. The mere thought of her navigating the roads might just send me to an early grave.

Our destination? None other than the sprawling campus of our school. Xharvinia University, they call it. It's named after a mythical realm of magic, a place that we supposedly fit into like puzzle pieces. Odd name, right? But then again, I've been told I'm as peculiar as they come. Shh! Keep that on the down-low, will you?

"Why the grin?" Sean's voice snapped me back to reality just as I parked the car in front of the university's imposing entrance.

"Nothing, mhie," I replied with a secretive smile before opening the door. Professor Femie, our quirky instructor, practically pounced on us the moment we stepped out of the car.

"Oh, it's you two! Come on in," she said, her eyes twinkling like a mischievous fairy.

We entered the classroom and settled into our usual seats at the back. The professor droned on, but I was too busy daydreaming to pay any real attention. Sean, on the other hand, had her nose buried in a book, like always. So, I did what any bored student would do – I took a nap right there at my desk, lulled by the monotone lecture.

The harsh sound of the bell jolted me awake, shattering my peaceful slumber. Grumbling, I stood up and noticed that my classmates had all made a swift exit, leaving Sean still engrossed in her reading.

I furrowed my brow and said, "Mhie, let's go," prompting her to finally put her book down and get up. But as we reached the door, she abruptly halted in her tracks, her phone appearing in her hand like magic. She showed it to me, and I realized it was ringing – that's what had stopped her in her tracks.

"It's mama," she said, her gaze meeting mine. I nodded in understanding. When mom calls, it's always serious business. She doesn't ring us up unless there's a genuine crisis.

"Hello, Sean, Gian. Come home first; we have something important to talk about," her voice sounded grave and laden with worry through the phone. My concern deepened.

"Mom, are you okay?" I asked, anxiety seeping into my voice.

"Yes, baby, I'm fine, but please hurry," she replied before abruptly ending the call. Sean and I exchanged a serious glance before rushing out of the school. Nervousness clawed at my chest from the moment we exited the school gates until we pulled up to our house.

Stopping outside our home, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled over me. Sean's eyes were fixed on the house, her expression mirroring my own sense of foreboding.

As we entered the living room, my heart raced with curiosity. Mom stood there, engrossed in conversation with a mysterious man, his face hidden from view. My imagination ran wild, wondering who this enigmatic figure might be.

"Children!" Mom's voice broke the spell, and Sean and I hurried over to her.

When the man finally turned towards us, I was taken aback. It was none other than our school principal, dressed in simple white long sleeves and black pants. Despite his age, he exuded a youthful vitality, much like my mom. Tall and undeniably handsome, he radiated kindness and composure.

"Please, have a seat," Mom murmured, prompting Sean and me to sit down.

Principal Drei and Mom exchanged knowing glances, their silent communication sparking our curiosity. They seemed to share a secret, and Sean and I exchanged bewildered glances. What was going on?

As my insatiable curiosity gnawed at me, I couldn't resist the urge any longer. I leaned in, my eyes narrowing with intrigue, and posed the question that had been burning in my mind, "Before we dive into anything else, could you please enlighten me? Why on Earth are the two of you together?"

The atmosphere seemed to grow thick with tension, and an awkward silence settled in, like a heavy fog descending upon a still pond. Their discomfort only fueled my curiosity, turning it into a raging inferno.

Principal Drei, the enigmatic figure in charge of my school, cleared his throat, his eyes meeting mine with an almost parental concern. "Gian," he began, his voice laden with secrecy, "this may not be the most opportune moment to reveal the truth to you." He shot a fleeting glance at my mother, their silent exchange shrouded in mystery. Then, turning his attention back to me, he continued, "But rest assured, the right time will come when we'll share everything with you."

His words hung in the air, a tantalizing promise of hidden secrets and revelations. I was about to protest, ready to throw a tantrum like a tempestuous storm, when Sean, a confounding presence beside me, placed a gentle hand on my wrist. Her fingers conveyed a silent message, a subtle warning that restrained my impending outburst.

I turned to look at her, her eyes imploring me to exercise patience, to bide my time and wait for the mysteries to unfurl naturally. With a resigned sigh, I acquiesced, keeping my questions and frustrations locked within, like a treasure chest safeguarding its precious secrets.

The pair seating before me exchanged a shared breath of relief, as if dodging an oncoming tempest, leaving me to ponder the enigma that had just deepened before my eyes.

"You must go to Xharvinia; it's no longer safe for you here in the world of mortals," Principal Drei said gravely.

I furrowed my brow. "But why?" I questioned, while Sean remained deep in thought.

"Xharvinia is on the brink of war since the goddess's daughter has been found," Sean suddenly explained, catching us off guard. How did she know about this?

"You knew, Sean?" Mom asked, her shock mirroring my own.

"I've always been attuned to the details surrounding me, Mom," Sean replied calmly. She sighed and added, "I don't think I can accompany you."

My eyes widened at her statement. "Why?" Principal Drei inquired.

She sighed, her expression helpless as she looked at us. "It would only be more dangerous if I came along," she explained, leaving me puzzled by her words.

"You should go, child. They need you there. You'll never be safe here," Mom urged, her concern evident in her eyes. "There's so much evil caused by those Dark users, and it needs to be stopped," she added with palpable anger in her voice.

"What about you, Mom?" I asked, my worry for her surfacing.

Both Mom and Principal Drei turned their attention to me. "I'll take care of your mother," Principal Drei reassured me in a calm, soothing tone. Though I didn't know him well, I found solace in his words.

Sean sighed, her options seemingly limited. "Fine, I'll go, but please take care of yourselves while we're gone," she said with seriousness before retrieving two necklaces with crown pendants from her pocket. The gold-colored jewelry wasn't ordinary by any means.