Coeur Academy.
Nestled amidst the tranquil French countryside, emerged as a beacon of knowledge and opportunity in the town of Rouen. Its sprawling campus, adorned with ivy-covered walls and elegant architecture, stood as a testament to its rich history and academic excellence. Students from all walks of life flocked to this prestigious institution, drawn by its reputation for fostering brilliance and nurturing the minds of tomorrow's leaders.
Within these hallowed halls, countless young minds flourished under the guidance of exceptional educators, transcending boundaries and breaking new ground in their pursuit of knowledge. The curriculum at Coeur Academy was renowned for its rigor, offering a broad array of subjects that encompassed arts, sciences, humanities, and languages. From the meticulously curated classrooms to the resplendent library filled with volumes of wisdom, every aspect of the academy was designed to inspire and uplift.
The first day of the academic year brought a palpable sense of excitement as fresh-faced students arrived, their hearts brimming with anticipation.
RING
RING
RING
Among them was a boy named Gabriel Gaston, a carefree and spirited young man on the precipice of his final year of high school as a grade 12th. His summer adventures had just come to an end, and now he was ready to embark on a path that would shape his future, starting with his alarm ringing.
With the early morning light streaming through his window, casting a warm glow on his face, Gabriel hastily jumped out of bed and dismissed his bed clock. He meticulously chose his attire - a crisp white shirt, perfectly ironed trousers, and a burgundy tie that accentuated his azure eyes.
As he made his way through the winding streets of the town, the faint whisper of autumn leaves and the gentle hum of cicadas served as a gentle reminder of the beautiful season unfolding around him. Passing by local bakeries, their sweet scents enticing his senses, Gabriel found himself following the unmistakable trail of knowledge leading him nearer to Coeur Academy.
The grand entrance of the school stood before him, its towering gates inviting him to embark on an educational journey unlike any he had experienced before. The architectural marvel before him boasted a harmonious blend of traditional charm and modern functionality. The centuries-old stone walls, adorned with intricate carvings, seemed to hold the stories of scholars from years gone by, while sleek glass windows reflected the promise of a future brimming with innovation.
His eyes enliven up, "Here it is, Coeur Academy! A new chapter in my life!". A cheerful grin spread to his face.
Stepping foot onto the campus, Gabriel was greeted by a flurry of activity. Excited chatter filled the air as students of all ages hurried to their classes, clutching books and exchanging greetings. "They're so lively." He awe.
The vibrant energy was infectious, and Gabriel couldn't help but feel a sense of thrill coursing through his veins.
As he progressed toward the main building, his eyes were drawn to a group of students gathered near the entrance. They stood out, like beacons of confidence and ambition, their personalities shining through even in a sea of faces.
"What a wonderful start to my school year." He thought, perhaps ready. He felt invincible. No one could stop him today.
Three individuals were standing near the entrance, their confident demeanors and stylish attire setting them apart from the rest.
The first was a blue-eyed handsome, tall, and scholarly-looking young man with his black hair dyed white. He radiated intelligence and exuded an air of knight-like confidence.
Next to him stood a pink-haired cute girl, her hair ornaments are something a princess should wear. With an engaging laugh with her two companions, she effortlessly captivated those around her.
But it was the last girl standing nearby who truly caught Gabriel's attention. She was a vision of grace and French beauty, her ethereal presence captivating his heart from the moment he laid his eyes on her, making it hard for Gabriel to look away. Her amethyst-colored eyes are so pure they sparkled like diamonds, her sun-kissed long single-braided hair fell gracefully down behind her, and her figure is wondrous it felt scarcely realistic.
His breath stops. And his heart quickened.
Time seemed to stand still as Gabriel beheld her radiant smile and mesmerizing eyes, wondering if fate had inexplicably intertwined their paths. His heart fluttered with the possibility of a connection as if he had stumbled upon a love story waiting to be told.
In that fleeting moment, their eyes met, and Gabriel felt a spark deep within him. He couldn't help but think that he had just witnessed love at first sight. However, before he could muster the courage to approach them, they disappeared into the kaleidoscope of students, seemingly swallowed up by the crowd.
"Could this be a fateful encounter?" He wondered as his eyes widened. The intensity of the moment led him to believe that their paths were inexplicably intertwined. He dared to imagine a future, a love story waiting to unfold.
His heart fluttered with the possibility as he envisioned a future filled with shared experiences and intimate conversations. He couldn't help but imagine the adventures they could undertake together, the memories they could create. Thoughts of their shared experiences, conversations, and adventures flood his mind. Gabriel was enchanted by the idea of getting to know her, of embarking on a journey in Coeur together.
But before he could summon the courage to approach her, she vanished amidst the crowd of students along with both her companions, leaving him bewildered.
The abrupt disappearance left him with an instant whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, a lingering sense of missed opportunity.
His heart sank and he couldn’t help but question whether he would ever see her again. But what about his dream of living a perfect life? What about the destiny he was meant to have? Would he ever meet another girl like her?
He sighed. It was no use. Even if he did find her again, there was little chance that he would dare to speak to her again. Not only was he a grade twelve senior, but he didn’t want to risk rejection after experiencing such a thrilling and exciting experience. In his mind, it didn’t matter what age he was. He wanted to marry someone special. Someone like the lovely woman he imagined in his head.
With a sad sigh, Gabriel resigned himself to his fate. He knew this wasn’t the time or place to pursue a relationship with her. He may have been excited to explore his potential, but he knew it wasn’t right to make such assumptions without knowing more about her. Besides, he needed to prepare for college. He needed to focus.
So, with that in mind, he turned to leave inside to find his assigned classroom.
He would try to push the mystery girl to the back of his mind for now. He had other things to worry about anyway.
~F/CO~
"I hope you enjoy your return here at Coeur Académie, everyone. I will be attending the same university as all of you soon enough." Professor C. J. LaVallée, the professor of the English department spoke to the students gathered in front of the class. "Now, I have some important announcements to make regarding this year’s semester break. This term has been quite challenging for us all, I understand."
A ripple of murmurs went through the class, indicating a general agreement. "And since we have so many new additions coming to our classroom next year, I suggest that you take advantage of this time to relax and catch up on your reading."
There was a murmur of discontent amongst the students, but nothing too unusual. All freshmen at the elite school were expected to spend some time outside of their rooms on breaks to interact with others, as well as learn about various aspects of the world. However, as a student in the English Department from the previous year, Gabriel never understood why. It seems a bit redundant to spend their free time wandering around the grounds. After all, most of the time they spent locked inside their rooms studying either for exams or trying to catch up on their reading. If they were to do anything else, then surely they would miss out on some of the opportunities to become better writers, producers, or artists, wouldn't they?
But when he looked over at one of his best friends, Félicité, a beautiful brown-haired girl, seated across from him, he saw her sitting upright, her gaze transfixed on the professor as she held her notebook open in front of her, listening intently.
He noticed the way her cheeks flushed slightly when Professor LaVallée addressed her directly, and he found his lips curving into a gentle smile.
He couldn't wait for both semesters to begin.
~F/CO~
Meanwhile, outside the classroom, the three people Gabriel saw earlier were walking down the hallway.
"Are you sure we're heading to the Principal's office?" Asked the pink-haired person. "This building is awfully big and fancy. Is he expecting us or something?"
"For the third time, yes! Stop being impatient. You're supposed to be a knight, ya know!" Responded the black-white-haired male, exasperated.
The pink-haired turn to him with an eyebrow quirked, "Says the one who's holding a school map to find the headmaster's office instead of asking other people." A pointed look was given.
"Wasn't my fault that you were being difficult. It won't matter how long we take. We'll end up at the right place." Replied the dual-haired colored boy.
"Well," the pink-haired said, eyeing the map carefully, "if we keep going in this direction, there ought to be a staircase to the left." They turn left.
The boy was dressed simply and impeccably. With his pants, neat hairstyle, and well-styled clothes, he was quite striking.
The pink haired wore a short purple jacket that shows the belly, a black skirt over long black socks.
The last girl followed close behind, dressed similarly to a student uniform, but she was wearing a pair of long black socks, a skirt, and a simple white blouse underneath a dark blazer with a blue tie around her folded collar.
As they reached the end of the hall, the male stopped in front of a large mahogany door and knocked twice. There was a brief pause, and then a voice called out from inside. "Come in!"
When the boy pushed the large mahogany door open, the trio walked into a large spacious office with a desk and sofa facing each other.
On top of the desk sat a middle-aged man with glasses and thick eyebrows, staring intently at two papers on his desk, oblivious to the three visitors standing silently in the doorway. The man was dressed in black slacks, a white shirt, a grey bowtie, and a black blazer. He was the Principal of Coeur Académie.
After clearing his throat to get the principal's attention, the boy stepped forward and spoke. "Ehem."
The Principal looked up at the sound of footsteps, his face showing a hint of a big surprise upon seeing his guests. He stood up hastily with respect and admiration for the three figures before him.
The Principal of Coeur Académie bowed respectfully. "Principal Jules Quincy. I apologize for not noticing you sooner, but I was very busy preparing for our meeting. I assure you that I am indeed glad to meet you and welcome you to our institution. Please, sit." He gestured to the sofa on the right.
He clasps his hands together, "It's truly an honor to have you here." He admitted. "You're stories are inspiring, and your presence is a testament to the enduring spirit of France."
The pink-haired chimed in, "None of that now! We are in a casual setting. Let's not waste any more time than necessary. Just tell us straight away: What's the reason for us being invited here?"
This time the tall male gave his companion a pointed look.
"Ah...of course. It's not every day that the Coeur Académie was to be selected to be attended by historic figures that shape this country's future. I can assure you that you won't regret it for an iota,
–Your Majesty Charlemagne, Mademoiselle Jeanne, and Sir Astolfo."
"Stoop with the formalities!" Astolfo wailed.
"Yeah, I would rather not be regarded with pleasantry too. Call me Charles! Or Charlie too!" The king in casual outfit exclaimed.
"Then you may call me Laeticia Arc, as part of our cover in this prestigious academy." The Maiden of France nods.
She turns to the Principal of Coeur Académie. "We’ve heard about your distinguished credentials during our journey here. Our interest in Coeur Académie is not limited to this. We are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the mysterious incidents involving certain young people, your unfortunate students." She paused a moment as sorrow crept into the headmaster's eyes.
"And that is why we are here, to prevent more of these incidents."
"Ah, so that's why," Astolfo muttered from the sidelines.
"Your respectfulness," The Principal began, "if you are looking for clues about a possible villainous conspiracy against the Coeur Académie, then please feel free to consult me on any matter of importance. Although I will not pretend to know what exactly is causing all of these tragedies, I shall provide you with anything that you might need."
"Excellent!" Said Astolfo eagerly. "What do you think happened, sir?" He asked beside Jeanne. "I mean, aside from those two boys who got themselves attacked by vampires, that is. Why did they attack them? Were they the ones causing all this trouble?"
The Principal now revealed to be fully aware of the Supernatural World, cleared his throat. "No...that's the thing. Their actions are far from typical. The two men in question appear to have been killed rather than having their blood simply used. That is what we believe."
Laeticia narrowed her eyes at this information but remained silent as Charles and Astolfo began discussing the cause of the attacks.
She listened as they explained the situation, nodding and speaking whenever the headmaster paused to explain something recent to them. "So then we must investigate further." She concluded.
The Principal nodded. "Very well. I wish you luck. Now, let us talk about the current matter of your covers..."