The gates of Velmire University stood like ancient sentinels, black iron twisted into strange patterns that seemed to shift if you stared too long.
Ivy Morrow swallowed hard as the car slowed to a stop in front of the second gate.
Thick woods flanked both sides of the windy road, their shadows stretching across the gravel like reaching arms. The forest buzzed with quiet life, the kind that made you wonder what watched from within.
Her uncle, Conrad Morrow, shifted uncomfortably in the driver's seat. "I can't go past this point," he said. "They don't allow guardians past the secondary perimeter."
"I understand," Ivy replied, her voice steady despite the knot tightening in her stomach.
Conrad's eyes lingered on the massive campus beyond. "You sure you're okay going in alone?"
She nodded. "My farewell to Helen and Joel, since she couldn't make it here."
He sighed, brushing his hand through his graying hair.
"She… has her ways. Just be careful, okay?
This school it's not like the others."
"You've said that like three times."
"And I'll keep saying it."
His jaw tightened.
"Things change fast in places like this, be safe and be careful"
She offered him a half-smile and stepped out of the car, hoisting her backpack onto one shoulder. He leaned out the window and called after her,
"Good luck, Ivy. You'll do fine."
She didn't look back.
The second gate opened only after Ivy handed the security officers her admission letter.
They scanned it, then her face, without saying a word. She was waved through, and the iron barrier closed behind her.
Her footsteps echoed as she walked the long cobbled path toward the main building.
The scenery felt almost untouched by time flickering lamp posts covered in moss, twisted statues worn by weather and age, and those same dense trees pressing inward.
No cars.
No signal.
No internet.
No bars on her phone.
It was like stepping into a place that had been sealed off from the rest of the world.
Once inside the main compound, she was directed to the principal's office.
The principal, a tall, sharp-featured man in a charcoal robe, known as Mr. Gideon, barely looked up from her file.
"Ivy Morrow, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"Adopted?"
The word hit harder than she expected.
"Yes." she replied.
Any strange episodes in childhood?
Vivid dreams?
Sensitivity to light, sound, or certain materials?
She frowned.
"No. Nothing like that."
"Good."
"So what are your glasses for? He asked with an indifferent look"
"For fashion" she replied.
He signed something with an old-fashioned fountain pen.
"Take this to the administrative block. They'll assign you your hostel room."
Dismissed with a nod, Ivy stepped back into the hallway, clutching the slip of paper into her backpack.
The air smelled of books and something older something musky and metallic.
The administrative block was smaller, dustier, and filled with piles of old files and a faint scent of lemon cleaner.
A lively woman at the front desk beamed at her.
"You must be Ivy! aren't you? You are a bit late, your information was sent to my computer thirty minutes ago. How long did it take you to get here. Another ten minutes and I'd have locked this place. It's time for my break."
"Sorry, I found it hard locating this, since there were similar blocks like this. " Ivy said sheepishly.
"No worries, dear. Let's see.
Room 3B, Girls Block D.
You'll be bunking with Celeste Rowan.
Talkative girl, polite. You'll get along."
Ivy took the dorm slip and locker keys gratefully. "Thanks."
As she walked through the open courtyards, taking in the grandeur of towering spires and ash-covered walls, she noticed the stares.
Dozens of eyes curious, blank, some amused.
She tried to ignore them and focused on finding her building.
Except, the signs were ancient and barely legible.
After wandering through two separate halls, she stopped a pair of students.
"Excuse me, where's the girls' hostel block?"
The taller one giggled. "You're way near, sweetheart. This is the girls building, just work toward that gate it will lead you."
Her friend smirked. "Freshman, huh? Welcome to Velmire."
Flustered, Ivy stormed ahead until a guard stopped her.
"You're not allowed here," he said firmly.
"I live here," she bluffed, chest puffed with false courage. "This is my block."
He raised a brow. "Room number?"
"3B," she said quickly.
"That's in the girls' section, two buildings away."
She was escorted again to the principal's office because she tried entering inside the building thinking the guards were playing a prank on her.
The principal sighed when he saw her. "Miss Morrow. This institution can be disorienting.
But we expect students to pay attention to information."
"I was misled," she mumbled.
He waved it off. "well you have to wait here until I see a student willing to take you there, for now have a seat at the corner, you can't afford to get lost on your first day.
The door swung open.
A girl glided in, wearing a crisp blazer, designer heels, and a gaze sharp enough to cut stone.
Long auburn hair tied in a perfect twist, not a strand out of place. With slight make up and pearls earrings.
"I'm here for a roommate re-assignment," she said without preamble. "Again."
The principal pinched his nose.
"Miss Valencia, you've already gone through two roommates this term. And funny enough the term is just beginning."
"They snore. Or chew too loudly. I have standards." she said.
He sighed. "I'll see what I can do, come by the office on Monday. In the meantime escort Miss Morrow to her dorm.
She seems to get lost easily."
Valencia turned slowly toward Ivy, examining her from head to toe. "Fine."
They walked in silence for a bit well, Ivy was silent. Valencia talked.
"I model. Mostly for school campaigns, but there's a shoot in town I might take.
I was nominated for Student Body Muse last year. Twice." Valencia said boastfully.
Ivy gave a noncommittal "Oh."
"You don't talk much," Valencia said.
"That's good. Girls who talk too much here don't last long." She glanced sideways.
"But you're not bad looking.
Keep your hair brushed and avoid the West Wing at night. You'll do fine."
They arrived at the Girls' Hostel to find a crowd gathered around a posted chart.
"We will see later." Valencia said and ivy nodded
Students swarmed to check their room numbers and roommates.
Ivy finally found hers.
Room 3B Ivy Morrow and Celeste Rowan.
She found the hostel matron and collected her room keys.
The climb to the third floor felt eternal. Her boots echoed on the old wood until she stopped at her door.
It creaked open.
One side was already unpacked books stacked neatly, clothes folded military-style, a small crystal pendant hanging above the other bed.
Celeste wasn't there.
But her presence filled the room.
Ivy placed her bag down, sat on the edge of her bed, and whispered:
"At least my roommate isn't here. I got the room to myself" she said as she began unpacking, and fell asleep amidst packing.
"I hope this journey will be as simple as I imagined it to be" ivy said.
But in Velmire University, nothing was ever that simple.