His Mystical Mate

Hattangard

"Expect surprises at every step you take here" Miss Lauris chuckled softly at her reaction.

She felt a trickle of fear and in response gripped the edges of her faded clothes to calm down her shaking hands. She wondered if coming far away from home to an unfamiliar place all alone had been the right choice and if she could trust anybody there.

Shortly thereafter, Saskia found herself in an office which was occupied for admission processes. Miss Lauris, who had her documents, gave them to a young woman who swiftly registered her name and handed her an ID along with a paper outlining guidelines, rules and regulations.

The young woman, identified as Miss Dorris from the badge on her desk, handed Saskia a sizable bag, which she accepted hesitantly.

"Welcome to the Academy of Hattangard," the young woman said at last when they were about to leave the office, for which she thanked her with a bow.

Uncertain of what to do, Saskia continued to follow Miss Lauris, maintaining some distance to make sure she would not bump until she saw her stop and then turn towards her.

"Saskia" she sighed.

"Yes," she answered, straightening her back.

"There's so much you need to catch on to. Come to my office" she said, before taking a right turn and entering a room which she assumed was her office.

"Take a seat," she said and proceeded to circle the large desk before settling into her chair. Numerous books were neatly arranged on one side of the walls, while paintings adorned the other side.

Saskia settled into her seat, feeling the softness of the cushion and her mind quickly conjured images of what it might be like to sleep on such a comfortable material.

She placed her bag, which she had been holding since her arrival, on the floor along with the bag she received in the admission office while placing her clammy hands on her lap.

"Not everyone here is as nice as me. You are lucky that I like your hair" she said, admiring from a distance as she leaned comfortably in her chair. She could not detect if she was joking.

The corner of her lips twitched in response for the second time since she met her, and she wondered if she would develop a perpetual downward smile by the time she graduated—assuming she made it through alive by then.

Uncertain of what to say, Saskia muttered a quiet thanks.

However, a smile bloomed on Miss Lauris's face, prompting a question in Saskia's mind about whether she had done anything wrong." The bag Dorris handed you should contain the uniforms you are supposed to wear both on-campus and off-campus. Remember to wear your identity badge at all times, except when you are in your dormitory or off-campus. These guidelines are outlined in the rules and regulations," she informed Saskia.

"Do not get on someone's bad side here. Trust me, you wouldn't want to make your life more miserable. Although human students are studying here, they all come from powerful family backgrounds, and even they would think twice about offending a werewolf, unless the party in question is an omega, of course," she continued.

" Noted," Saskia said, nodding her head.

"Shoot your queries," Miss Lauris said, her gaze locked onto Saskia's green eyes.

"No, you don't have to pay for anything provided on campus here if that's what you're hesitating to ask," she clarified, addressing Saskia's unspoken concerns to which she heaved a sigh of relief. This time, Saskia wasn't surprised at her apparent ability to 'read' her thoughts.

As if recalling something important, Miss Lauris leaned on her desk and asked, "I suppose you haven't chosen your major yet?"

"No," she answered simply.

"Great. There's time for counselling. Anyway, you are a week early before classes start and hence, the campus is relatively empty. Here's a book to get to know your other possible classmates"

Other possible classmates?

She had thought there were only werewolves and witches that she would come across, but now that she opened the book, a list of mystical beings and their history flashed before her eyes. It's not as if she had not known others existed. People like her, who hailed from remote places, never came in touch with the world outside. Humans, the lowest of all, preferred to stay away from those in power out of fear. But as years passed, they started mingling with higher powers in fewer quantities. Werebears, Werefoxes, werecats, and even fairies hailed from their provinces to graduate from here. However, witches seem to be too shy to leave their homes or maybe introverts.

Witchcraft, magic or spells, anything intended for harm to the kingdom was considered illegal, along with a bunch of things that she had mugged up. To survive long, she must abide by the laws when she is constantly under the scrutiny of people.

Saskia, who had been reading for an hour while lying on her stomach, turned over, her face now directed at the ceiling. What she had imagined back in Miss Lauris's office had come true, and the surface she lay upon was the softest she had ever slept on.

After exiting Miss Lauris's office, Saskia found herself on her own. With a map of the campus in her hand, she was to reach the girls' dormitory. After pacing around for about half an hour, she reached her destination.

The Academy was founded a century ago, following the declaration of King Hattan Augustus as the ruler of Aisis. In the aftermath of a treaty aimed at preserving the unity and peace of the world, the Academy was established as a means to ensure that all beings lived in harmony.

In tribute to the protector of Aisis, who saved the country from chaos and the bloody battles over land, both the heart of the country and the Academy were named after him.

'Hattangard' or 'Hattan guard' symbolizes the commitment to perpetually safeguard the peace of the country and ensure that no innocent being is ever exploited, which was, however, not the case. Petty fights and battles for power were not infamous, they were just turned a blind eye to, for selfish reasons.

The prestigious Academy is highly sought-after for its ability to produce the strongest soldiers, powerful ministers, and influential leaders who have consistently proven their worth over time.

"To become a great leader, one must be well-equipped with knowledge and strength." This was the guiding motto behind designing the five-year course that many pursued. The curriculum was crafted to emphasize both a person's core talent and strength. However, for those who wished to focus on just one aspect, the option of choosing their subjects was open.

The descendants of the Royal family were given the choice of either attending the Academy for their education or receiving homeschooling from the same professors.

Studying in the same class as the prince or princess, or even attending the same academy, was considered an honour. And to learn from the same teachers as the royal members was something not many could bluff about. Consequently, many influential families prepare their children for the entrance exam, recognizing the opportunity not only for education but also for building valuable connections.

For a human lacking resources, successfully navigating through such a challenging examination was akin to climbing the longest ladder. However, in history, this feat has been achieved a good number of times. This time, though, it would hold its own unique place in the annals of the academy's history.

" Dinner serves at 8" Marie, the warden's words rang in her mind when she heard her stomach growl, reminding her that she had not eaten for two days.