Growing up, I was fortunate to have every wish granted—from the outfits I desired to the car I dreamed of and everything in between.
I never thought of myself as being in the wrong place or coming from the wrong background.
In many ways, my life felt better than that of those around me.
Yet, beneath that surface of privilege, a lingering sensation haunted me.
It was as if the world were a trap, slowly enshrouding me in an endless loop that led to a path growing increasingly narrow.
I felt as though I had no alternatives for escape.
It was a daunting feeling: as if fate had carved out a tight endpoint for me, and all I could see ahead was a sword, precariously suspended by a thin thread above my head.
That thought was unsettling, a quiet reminder that even in a life filled with comforts, I could still feel trapped.
Slowly, to escape that constricting path, I began to tap on the nearby walls, which were growing narrower, hoping they would reveal some light.
Finally, it felt worth it.
I glimpsed a boy seated by the lake, lost in his own world as he swung a wooden sword, his pink hair and eyes reflecting a mix of mourning and rage.
In that moment, it felt like I had discovered something significant.
My mind urged me to cross this wall, to meet him and break free from the life I had been trapped in.
As I sprinted toward that morning light, I saw a wall crumble, and I dashed toward it.
Suddenly, my life began to shift.
I no longer felt confined; I had friends who accepted me.
I shared my darkness with those who brought light to my world. With them by my side, everything felt different—I was free.
But then, out of nowhere, another light entered my life.
It was so bright that it shattered my dreams.
The hopes I had for freedom crumbled, and I found myself back on that same narrow path.
Yet, I hesitated.
A nagging thought reminded me that this could very well be a dream, ready to shatter at any moment.
I closed my eyes briefly, trying to calm my racing heart and remind myself not to believe in illusions.
It was just a fleeting moment—nothing more.
I took a step forward, passing through that wall, which, unlike the previous one, did not shatter but instead allowed me to pass through.
In that instant, I couldn't hear my friends or see any other students.
It felt as though I had stepped into that tranquil night, cradled by the cool moonlight, moving past that tiny dream before finally taking my place.
"Hey Aria, what happened? Don't tell me you have fallen in love?"
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"Huh?" Suddenly, hearing one of the young woman's words, Aria was brought out of her thoughts, blinking as she turned towards her friends, who were looking at her with teasing gazes as one of them nudged her elbow, prompting Aria to realize that she had taken her seat while looking towards the man who was seated in the chair as he closed his book.
"Be quiet," Aria nudged them back, saying they were too close and added, "Give me space and go back to your mat."
"Fufu, she definitely is in love with the new professor," one of her friends chuckled as Aria just shook her head in helplessness. Though, of course, she was taken aback in her mind, calming herself, she turned her back towards the man who had just stood from his chair.
'Aria, so it's her,' Avendial stood calmly, starting to unbutton his black suit. He revealed the white shirt beneath while his eyes noted the reactions from all the students. Everyone except one seemed to have shown a normal reaction.
Of course, it was possible that the girl had fallen in love with him, given she had seen someone as handsome as him for the first time. But to be truthful, he wasn't narcissistic enough to consider himself the world's most handsome man, and knowing himself very well, it was clear that this was definitely not due to his charm.
But seeing how she had just walked past the walls, entering his domain without knowing that it was a one-way gateway—someone could come inside but never go back.
Removing his suit and placing it on the chair, before slightly opening the first button of his shirt and brushing his hair back, he glanced towards the same woman who didn't even think that she was just allowed to pass through the wall because it was a trap to lure her in, and now that she had stepped into this dark night, it would only sink her deeper and deeper.
Avendial moved towards the desk that had just been brought by the faculty members holding the box of clay. He moved towards it before taking out a small dough and placing it on the desk and looked towards all the students without glancing at Aria, as if ignoring her, he added, "Good morning everyone. This is Aven here, and I am your professor of Sculpture classes."
"P-professor?! Hey, isn't he too young?"
"Yeah, he looks like some movie star?"
"Are you kidding me?!"
A surge of murmurs spread across the class, with the students, who were in the age group of 19 to 20, astonished to look at their new professor, who didn't even appear to be more than 24 years old.