Adrian POV:

So, it's been two months since I enrolled in this academy. My mom got a pamphlet and a ticket for a flight to this place. I may not show it, but I wonder how she's doing. I haven't said anything in a while. Of course, my phone doesn't have a signal in this place, which makes sense since this academy is in a pocket dimension. Writing is a skill, but also a bad habit. Half of the letters are in the form of a story page. At least I stopped at just one page for the letter and did not turn the entire thing into a short story.

Also, two new things have surfaced in me that I'm not comfortable with the others finding out about. 1) I am starting to have nightmares every night. It begins with me in the Dark Place and a twisted version of New York. I see Dad's doppelganger, Scratch, standing in the street before turning and looking at me, showing the insanity and depravity that is within him. Then I see a reflection of myself with red eyes. It looks at me before giving a broken smile and is covered in blood. 2) I've started sleeping in the area where the Key Object of Power takes me. I don't want my presence detected by any forces that can sense me.

So, the new day arrives and I wake up to my alarm and go to my dorm room. I shower and look in the mirror to see that my eye bags are back. Though not as serious as when I spent an entire week investigating Bright Falls without sleeping. I put on my uniform and grabbed my bag before heading to the academy. On my way, Kurumu runs toward me and hugs my arm.

Kurumu: Morning Adrian! How'd you sleep?

Adrian: As well as I can in a place like this. I'm surprised to see you up this early.

Kurumu: Well, I began to notice you always up before all of us. So I figured I'd get up just as early so you don't walk to school alone.

Adrian: Don't push yourself to do what you think will make me happy. 

Kurumu: You always put your life on the line for us. This is the least I could do for my destined one.

For a succubus, Kurumu is unbelievably precious. She walks with me the whole way and we stand by the gates waiting for the others to arrive. I decide to tell her about where I'm from but leave out the important details.

Kurumu: You're from America? What's it like?

Adrian: It has some similarities to Japan but is different. And English is the main language over there. I just spent time studying and practicing Japanese before I came here.

Kurumu: Wow, that is very considerate of you.

Adrian: Yeah, well it was either that or rely and a stupid translator app. Trust me, those aren't reliable at all.

Kurumu: *Nervous Chuckle*, I can imagine the consequence of not coming here prepared.

The others then arrive and we all go to class. So far Nekonome is one of the only two teachers in my life that I like. Although class is very annoying every time Moka gets an answer correctly everyone goes into a frenzy and praises her. I think half of the guys get excited just by her raising her hand. My god, is every male in this academy an absolute pervert? Well, maybe not Tsukune.

Class ends and I go to the roof to have lunch. I'm still not used to eating in public places. To my surprise, Kurmu, Yukari, Tsukune, and Moka arrive to eat with me. Having friends is also something I'm still not used to, but I'm slowly warming up to the thing.

Yukari: Adrian, do you read a lot of books? You seem good when it comes to English.

Adrian: You can say that. I'd say I just really enjoy stories. Especially books.

Moka: You're good with words. I can't help but admire the articles you work on. I'm kinda jealous of your level of skill.

Kurumu: That's my Adrian. He's good enough to be a writer.

A writer. Something I want to be more than anything, but dislike due to what took my father from me. Still, it's my best chance at stopping the Dark Presence and killing Scratch. I can still remember the nights that my mom was screaming when he was haunting her. I was too afraid to sleep when that happened. I couldn't let anything happen to her.

Tsukune: Adrian? Are you okay?

Adrian: Huh? Oh yeah, I just zoned out for a second. Nothing serious.

Kurumu: Are you sure? Looking at you closely, you seem to have not gotten any sleep.

Adrian: I woke up a midnight and couldn't fall back asleep for a few hours. It happens.

Moka: Are you sure?

Adrian: I'm sure Moka. Besides, my time here has made being tired more preferable to having some racist and perverted prick try to murder you.

Everyone sweats nervously at the truth of my words.

Tsukune: You may have a point there.

We finish our lunches before we go to PE. I was above average and I'd call that a decent grade. However, there was a slight problem with Kurmu taking a picture of me when I took off my shirt. I have a bit more muscle than the average guy, but is that something to fawn about? Then again, what do I know about having a girlfriend? And I much prefer Kurumu over some unholy entity hellbent on making me and my mom suffer.

I walk down the halls and see a woman who has more obvious vampire traits. I can tell that she wants to talk to me.

Lenore: Adrian Wake?

Adrian: Yes? Am I in trouble?

Lenore: Not at all. My name is Lenore. I wish to talk to you. Follow me, please.

Prometheus:

Adrian: You can trust her? Then let's talk with her.

I followed Lenore through the academy and to a building I didn't know was on campus. It resembled that strange tower piece that led me to Prometheus. A bit too much like it. Either way, I entered and saw a room filled with expensive furniture.

Lenore: Take a seat

I do so and look at Lenore.

Adrian: How do you know me? How did you know I was here?

Lenore: I'm the one who gave your mother information on this place.

Adrian: You talked to her?

Lenore: Yes. We had a pleasant conversation. She was understandably confused and hesitant when I gave her that pamphlet. I did neglect to bring up the fact that this school is for the supernatural. But I figured it's better than the ones that you are hunting, and I think your mother could use a break.

Adrian: *Sigh*, I was thinking the same thing about her needing a break. How is she?

Lenore: She was fine from the last time we were talking. I think it was two weeks ago. I know this academy is in a pocket dimension, but have you kept in contact with her?

Adrian: I've written letters every day for two months but haven't delivered them. I didn't mention the whole this is an academy for monsters thing.

Lenore: Smart. It would be bad if the information got out. Trust me when I say terrified humans only lead to one thing: Violence.

Adrian: I know. And as much as I hate to admit it, I think that's why the Federal Bureau of Control exists in the first place.

Lenore: Yep. Even my husband can confirm that.

Adrian: Does he work for them?

Lenore: I won't confirm nor deny that. Well, this appears to be all the time we have. You should get back to your friends. I can tell you have other people who are important to you.

Adrian: I'm still not sure how to feel about that.

Lenore: Just enjoy it.

Lenore leaves and I do so as well. I head to class and arrive before it starts. Nekonome gives her a lesson and I take notes during the whole thing. Better to be prepared for anything. Afterward, we went to the club room and while we were waiting for Gin, everyone was wondering what I was doing.

Tsukune: Adrian, where were you?

Kurumu: Yeah, you disappeared right after lunch.

Adrian: So this lady named Lenore wanted to talk to me.

Moka: Lenore? Like the Lenore?

Adrian: Is she famous?

Yukari: In the Monster World Affairs sense. She is one of the few people who truly believe in human-monster coexistence.

Tsukune: What did this Lenore want to talk about?

Adrian: She just asked me how school was. I mean I left out the parts where I had to deal with perverted and racist pricks with you guys.

Moka: (Sweats Nervously), maybe some things are better not being mentioned.

Tsukune: So other than that, nothing else happened?

Adrian: Nope, I just went back to class after that. And on an unrelated topic, I find Nekonome my favorite teacher at this academy.

Moka: Yeah, she does love to teach her students. And she has a lot of faith in us.

Adrian: Don't have to remind me. She's one of the only teachers I've ever liked in my life.

Tsukune: Well, I guess not every teacher can be a favorite. 

Gin arrives and we all begin our meeting. But as usual, his perverted antics are revealed and we end up beating him for being a creep. How is this guy the club president again? Well, after that I decide to go on a date with Kurumu once school ends. We go by the pond where she gives me the cookies she baked last night.

Kurumu: Here you go, Adrian. I made more of your favorite cookies.

I didn't have a favorite type of cookie, but meeting Kurumu, my favorite are the ones she makes. I haven't stopped enjoying our time together. I think we're like Tsukune and Moka, except we have been a bit luckier in not getting interrupted.

Kurumu: How are they my love?

Adrian: They're amazing. Thank you, Kurumu.

Kurumu: You're welcome! Anything for you.

Adrian: I feel like that's a line I should have said.

Kurumu then hugs me tightly.

Kurumu: Either of us could have said it. After all, you're my destined one.

I feel the love Kurumu has for me. It's warm. It reminds me of the time that Mom hugged me when I was a year old. Even now, I can see it. The look of joy that she had when she first laid eyes on me. Why did it have to go away? Can I still get it back? I want to see it again.

Kurumu: Are you crying?

I put my finger under my eye and realized that a tear was flowing. When was the last time I cried?

Adrian: Sorry. I've been a sucker for romance stories. I guess real life turned out to be better than the ones you read.

Kurumu: No worries.

Kurumu kisses me on the cheek and I feel warmer now. I wrap an arm around her and she seems to like it. Afterward, we go to our dorms for the night. It started to feel hot in my room, so I left a crack in the window. I work on my "Academy of Night" story and get to writing clues about "The Cult of Endless Night". And how one of the protagonists "Akasha Bloodriver" is linked to them. Akasha... That name's been in my head ever since I saw Moka with my own eyes. I don't know why, but it came to me.

I write like two good chapters before putting the notebook in the secret compartment I added to my drawer. And I feel like I can sleep in my room again after spending time with everyone. I turn off the lights and go to sleep.

Instead of having that nightmare, I remember the time when Dad and Mom brought me home when I was a baby. Mom was holding me for most of the tour around our apartment and then Dad wanted a turn to carry me. Dad took me to my room and showed me around. He then says a few words to me.

Alan: Adrian, I wonder what you will grow up to be.

I look to the side and see one of Dad's Alex Casey books.

Alan: Do you already want to be a writer? I have a feeling you'll have better luck with stories than I currently have. But I'll be with you no matter what. Just know that I plan to be a good father to you.

The warmth of everything before I was 2. I miss it all. I suddenly feel something heavy wrapping itself around me.

Adrian: Mom?

I slowly opened my eyes and saw that it was Kurumu who was sleeping and cuddling me.

Adrian: Kurumu?

Kurumu: Slowly opens her eyes and looks at me.

Kurumu: Hello Adrian.

Adrian: You snuck in through my window, didn't you?

Kurumu: Kinda.

Adrian: I have a feeling that there's something you want to tell me.

Kurumu: Lenore hardly comes to this academy. There's even a room that is locked unless she's present in this academy. There have only been a handful of students invited to this place by her. So I snuck in and read the file she has of you.

Adrian: And?

Kurumu: I... I read about your father. About how he disappeared.

Adrian: *Sigh*, yeah. That happened I was too young to remember everything about him. I have like ten memories of him at most.

Kurumu: I never met my dad either. So I want you to know that I'm there for you.

I feel another tear run down my eye. Why do I feel happy this is happening? Was it because I was too focused on other things besides my health? Because I wanted to feel loved again after so long? Or because truly loved a girl who was also alone as well? So many questions. But do I want the answers to them? Do I need any? I remember one thing that my mom told me long ago.

Alice (Memory): The things in life you'll come across. Just enjoy them.

I begin to cry more and wrap my arms around Kurumu. I don't want her to leave right now.

Adrian: Kurumu... Could you stay with me for a bit longer?

Kurumu: Oh course, Adrian.

I close my eyes and the two of us fall asleep in each other's embrace.