Alina stepped further into the classroom, her eyes wide in disbelief.
Her heart was still racing from the fire but now… it almost stopped altogether.
Right in front of her, the tiny bat that had rolled across the floor began to glow softly..its body shimmering, twisting in the air like a ripple in water.
And then right before her stunned eyes...it transformed.
In the bat's place now stood a small boy, no older than five.
He had soft, porcelain-pale skin and deep crimson eyes, the color of wine and velvet. His jet-black hair framed his round face in gentle waves, and he wore a tiny, perfectly fitted black shirt tucked into stylish pants, as if he were attending a gala instead of kindergarten.
He raised one hand with elegance brushing his bangs back from his forehead.
His voice was soft, clear, and far too calm for a child.
"Are you the new teacher?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
His cheeks were round and a little chubby, but he had the expression of a miniature king, not quite welcoming, not quite hostile… just observing.
Before Alina could even reply, the tiny dragon flapped once and landed beside the boy.
In a blink, his body shimmered with glowing amber light, and he transformed too.
Now, in his place stood a small boy with golden-red fluffy hair, a tiny flick of horns still barely visible beneath the strands. His amber eyes blazed like sunlight through honey, and his brows were pulled together in a frown of disapproval.
"Where's Miss Clara?" he asked, craning his neck to look behind her. "You're not Miss Clara..."
Alina stood frozen by the door, lips parted in disbelief.
What… just happened.
She finally moved mechanically toward the teacher's desk. Her legs felt like jelly, but she made it. She pulled open the drawer and found a thin leather-bound register with golden edges.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she flipped it open.
Nine names.
Nine little names written in fancy handwriting. Strange ones. Unfamiliar.
Alina hesitated then reached into her bag, pulled out her phone, and opened the email from the school.
She downloaded the PDF attachment.
She had lied about reading it earlier.
But now, as her eyes scanned the screen, her blood turned cold.
Line 1: Trial position under special contract.
Line 2: Class D is reserved for supernatural younglings—unregistered and noble-blood.
Line 3: Do not reveal human identity without official permission.
And more...
Her fingers stiffened.
She stared at the words.
Then at the elegant little vampire prince blinking at her. Then at the fiery dragon boy glaring suspiciously.
She wanted to scream.
She wanted to run.
She wanted to rewind time.
But she couldn't.
She was already here.
Her room was full of her things. Her car was parked outside. Her life was already shifting.
So instead, she whispered the mantra her mother once told her—"When you're scared, hold your ground like a tree in wind."
She closed her eyes.
Okay.
Supernatural or not.
She could do this.
When she opened her eyes again, she looked straight at the bat-boy—the vampire prince.
He stared back, royal and unreadable.
Then she turned to the dragon boy...whose curious eyes hadn't left her.
When she met his gaze, he grinned shyly. He raised one tiny palm and blew a puff of flame...not an attack, but soft and glowing.
The small flame floated upward shaping itself into the word:
"Hi."
Alina's heart melted instantly.
Her lips twitched. A smile broke through her fear.
"Baby or not...
Supernatural or not..."
She exhaled as she thought..
"A baby is still a baby."
Alina looked around the classroom again.
The room was… strangely quiet.
Too quiet.
Where were the rest of the students?
Only two small boys stood before her, the tiny vampire and the golden baby dragon.
Gently, Alina walked over and crouched to their level, her soft blue dress flowing around her like calm sky waves.
She smiled..a true, warm, honey-coated smile, the kind only someone who genuinely loved children could give.
"What are your names?" she asked, tilting her head sweetly. "I'm Miss Alina. I'll be your new teacher from now on."
Her voice was gentle, sweet, like a lullaby in sunlight.
The little vampire blinked up at her, lips pursing in the most precious pout. His fair cheeks were a soft rosy pink, perfectly chubby and round—the kind of cheeks that practically begged to be kissed or squished.
His big crimson eyes blinked slowly before he finally replied in the softest little voice she'd ever heard:
"I'm Vlad… Jr."
Alina's heart skipped.
That voice. That name. That face. Too. Much. Cuteness.
Before she could recover, the golden-haired baby dragon piped up with a huge, excited grin:
"I'm Drake!!"
His amber eyes sparkled as he bounced in place like a ball of sunshine.
"Are you our new teacher?! Are you in we're friendly! Super friendly!! And if any of the other babies try to scare you—we'll protect you!"
He puffed his chest, tiny arms on his hips, and Alina had to cover her mouth to keep from squealing.
Then Drake suddenly whispered shyly, sneaking a glance at Vlad Jr.,
"Um… me and Vlad Jr. are friends."
Alina blinked, her heart swelling with a strange mix of joy and sweetness.
Vlad Jr. crossed his arms, cheeks puffing slightly as he gave Drake a look.
"Best friends," he corrected with baby pride.
Alina's smile grew wider.
"I'm very lucky to meet both of you."
Vlad Jr.'s red eyes sparkled as he suddenly stepped closer.
"Miss Alina…" he said in a voice that sounded almost like a tiny prince from a fairytale.
"Would you like… a tour of our classroom?"
Alina clasped her hands together, eyes twinkling.
"Oh my gosh… how could I say no to that?"
She stood up and to her surprise, both babies reached for her hands.
Vlad's little hand was cool to the touch, his fingers soft like moonlight.
Drake's hand was warm and toasty, like holding a cozy cinnamon bun.
Alina held both, her heart melting like butter in a pan.
They walked her toward the art corner first.
"This is my desk," Vlad Jr. said, pointing proudly to a small table with a velvet black placemat and a carefully placed juice box.
Drake tugged her gently toward a shelf.
"This is where we hide snacks we're not supposed to have!" he whispered loudly, then immediately slapped a tiny hand over his mouth.
"Wait—I mean… where we store… educational… stuff."
Alina giggled.
But then she paused.
"Wait... where are the other babies?" she asked curiously, glancing at the rest of the empty seats.
"There are nine names in the register…"
Drake and Vlad Jr. exchanged a look.
Vlad Jr. blinked slowly, then said in a mysterious tone, "They're around. They'll come. When they're ready."
Alina raised a brow. "Come? From where?"
Drake grinned sheepishly.
"Some of them are… hiding."
Vlad nodded seriously.
Alina gulped.
Oh no.
What does that even mean?
But she didn't get time to ask, because Vlad Jr. was now showing her his secret crayon collection, most of which were black, maroon, and oddly glittery and Drake was tugging her toward the plush reading corner where someone had clearly bitten into a pillow.
And somehow…
Alina had the feeling this was just the calm before the storm.