Omega Over Alpha

Chapter 3: To Confess or Not to Confess

Seraphina let out a long, defeated sigh as she swallowed the healing tablet the physician had given her for her minor injuries.

Within seconds, the cuts and bruises covering her body began healing at a rate visible to the n***d eye. She couldn't help but marvel at the incredible power of supernatural medicine. "These really are remarkable—specially formulated healing tablets for supernatural beings. One dose and every injury disappears completely."

The areas of her body that had been numbed by the system's pain suppression began to regain sensation as the medication took effect, and the system automatically lifted its protective barriers now that she was no longer in immediate danger.

The academy's evening bell chimed, signaling the end of classes.

Students from all over Silverbrook Academy began making their way back to their dormitories and common areas.

"Hey, where's Seraphina? I haven't seen her around," one student wondered aloud.

"Dude, were you sleeping all afternoon? She was at the dueling arena earlier," another replied with excitement.

"What? She actually participated in a duel? Who was her opponent?"

The classroom erupted into animated discussions. Those who had witnessed the arena battle were eager to share every detail, while those who had missed it were desperately trying to gather secondhand accounts. But before the stories could reach their full dramatic potential, the classroom door swung open.

In the doorway stood a figure of ethereal beauty—red hair flowing like liquid midnight, her posture elegant and commanding, her expression serene and untouchable.

The excited chatter died instantly.

Silverbrook Academy organized its classes based on supernatural ability rankings. With thirteen total class sections, the higher a student's demonstrated power level, the lower their class number. Class One was reserved for the academy's elite—the most powerful and promising supernatural beings in their year.

Every student seated in this room was among the school's finest, and yet now all of their attention was focused on a single person.

Seraphina walked through the sea of curious, probing gazes with the same composed indifference she always displayed, her expression suggesting that she was completely unaware of their intense scrutiny.

*Just as one would expect from Silverbrook Academy's most arrogant ice queen—she doesn't even spare us a glance.*

As the final bell rang, their homeroom teacher entered carrying a stack of textbooks. He approached the lectern, adjusted his glasses, and cast a subtle look in Seraphina's direction.

"Alright, everyone. I know you're all getting restless as we approach graduation, and I understand the urge to test yourselves against worthy opponents. I won't try to stop you from seeking challenges, but you need to be realistic about your own abilities. Don't pick fights with opponents who are completely out of your league. If it weren't for Professor Hawthorne's intervention today, someone could have been seriously injured..."

"And to our more... gifted students," he continued, his gaze lingering meaningfully on Seraphina, "please try to show some restraint during these practice duels. Remember that your classmates deserve to live through their educational experience."

While the teacher hadn't mentioned any names specifically, everyone in the room understood exactly who he was referring to. After all, Seraphina was the only student who had participated in a duel that day.

This realization sent a fresh wave of shock through the classroom.

They had assumed that Seraphina's legendary status was largely the product of overenthusiastic admirers spreading exaggerated rumors. The idea that she might actually possess the terrifying power that the stories attributed to her had seemed too incredible to believe.

But now, hearing their teacher's carefully worded warning, they were forced to confront the possibility that every incredible tale might be true.

The fact that even their homeroom teacher couldn't accurately assess Seraphina's true capabilities was perhaps the most unsettling revelation of all.

Students throughout the classroom began shooting nervous glances at the girl who sat calmly organizing her textbooks, completely oblivious to the sensation she was causing.

*And to think—she's only eighteen years old, and she already possesses such frightening power!*

Meanwhile, Seraphina herself was completely absorbed in gratitude for her teacher's protective words. She had been terrified that the incident at the arena would mark her as a target for every ambitious supernatural being in the academy, but Professor Henderson's warning might actually discourage future challengers.

*Listen to that, you supernatural bullies! The teacher has spoken! Find opponents who are actually in your weight class, and stop picking on innocent weaklings like me! This is what a truly caring educator looks like—someone who stands up for the vulnerable and ensures that aggressive students don't prey on those who can't defend themselves!*

*He really is a wonderful person!*

Seraphina was so moved by this unexpected protection that she was practically glowing with gratitude.

Observing the shocked expressions on his students' faces, Professor Henderson adjusted his black-rimmed glasses and began his lesson.

"As you all know, supernatural education consists of both theoretical knowledge and practical application. While written examinations account for only thirty percent of your final grade, combat assessments make up the remaining seventy percent. To achieve admission to a top-tier supernatural university, you need to excel in both areas. Today's lesson will focus on evasion techniques when facing superior supernatural opponents..."

Professor Henderson's lecture continued, but most of the students were still too stunned by recent revelations to pay proper attention. They remained lost in contemplation of the incredible display of power they had either witnessed or heard described.

Despite the general lack of focus, Seraphina listened with rapt attention. She was so grateful for her teacher's earlier protection that she felt obligated to show her appreciation through exemplary classroom behavior.

Time passed quickly when one was actually paying attention to the material.

When the lesson concluded, Professor Henderson closed his textbook and made an announcement: "Seraphina, please see me in my office. The rest of you are dismissed for the day."

Seraphina nodded and gathered her belongings, following him out of the classroom.

As they disappeared down the corridor, Vivian Cross—a sharp-eyed student known for her gossip-mongering—paused in her packing and turned to address the young man still seated at his desk.

"Well, well, Mr. Class President," she said with obvious amusement, "what do you think Professor Henderson wants with our ice queen? Any theories?"

The young man didn't look up from his work. "That's none of our business, Vivian."

Vivian shrugged dismissively. "Come on, Adrian. You're usually out of here the second class ends, but today you're suddenly interested in extra studying? Don't try to tell me you're not curious!" Her voice took on a mocking tone as she continued: "The way things are looking, the university's early admission scholarship is going straight to her. I can't wait to see the look on your face when that happens!"

Seeing Adrian Blackwood's hand tighten almost imperceptibly around his pen, Vivian smirked with satisfaction. Her petty revenge accomplished, she gathered her things and left the classroom humming cheerfully.

Adrian remained at his desk, his expression dark and unreadable. The pen in his grip grew tighter and tighter until finally, with a sharp c***k, it snapped in half and embedded itself in the wooden desktop.

Back in Professor Henderson's office, Seraphina waited patiently as her teacher settled into his chair. He studied her pale, composed features—the kind of ethereal beauty that seemed almost otherworldly—and sighed softly.

"Seraphina, do you understand why I asked you here?"

She shook her head slightly, genuinely uncertain.

Seeing her apparent confusion, Professor Henderson leaned forward earnestly. "It's about your future, my dear! Ever since you enrolled at Silverbrook Academy, you've missed nearly every examination. You skip combat training classes constantly, and in three years, you've attended fewer than a dozen practical sessions..."

*Oh no. This is definitely going in a bad direction.*

Seraphina felt a cold sweat breaking out as the reality of the original Seraphina's academic record became clear. In order to maintain her secret, the previous occupant of this body had avoided virtually every situation that might expose her lack of supernatural abilities. If it weren't for the academy's policy of accommodating "special talent" students, she would have been expelled long ago.

It was clear that the school's patience was finally wearing thin.

*What am I supposed to do now?*

The original Seraphina had endured tremendous psychological pressure trying to maintain this charade, and ultimately that stress had literally killed her. But the current Seraphina was a different person entirely—she couldn't bear the weight of these impossible expectations.

*Maybe I should just tell the truth?*

The thought of confession held an almost irresistible appeal. She could finally tell everyone that she wasn't a supernatural prodigy—just an ordinary person who had been misclassified by faulty detection equipment. No more crushing expectations, no more fear of discovery, no more walking on eggshells every day...