Erica's worry gnawed at her like a relentless shadow. Morganne was barreling down the empty highway at an insane speed, ignoring every rule of the road—no speed limits, no warning signs, nothing to rein her in. The world outside blurred into a chaotic rush, and Erica gripped her seat, her pulse racing in sync with the engine's furious growl.
The car was the latest marvel from Acinonyx: the Feline X. Its sleek design and sky-high price had already turned heads, but the real jaw-dropper was the manufacturer's bold claim—no driver would ever unlock even half its true potential. This beast was engineered to hit a staggering 500 miles per hour, a speed that seemed more myth than machine.
Erica couldn't help but wonder what those engineers would think now. Her new principal was already testing the limits, pushing the needle far beyond what anyone thought possible.
She glanced at the dashboard screen, but the view outside was nothing but smeared streaks of light—buildings, trees, and stars all melting into one endless glow.
"Relax," Morganne said, her voice calm and steady, as if they were on a Sunday drive. "I'm not even going full speed yet."
Erica shot her a wide-eyed stare, her face pale with disbelief.
"And the chance of us crashing? Basically zero," Morganne added. "Instead of freaking out about my driving, focus on your new life ahead." With that, she casually let go of the steering wheel, her hands lifting away as the car hurtled forward on its own.
Erica's heart leaped into her throat, pounding like a war drum.
"Here, take this book—"
Morganne kept talking, holding out an old volume toward her. But Erica grabbed it in a flash, her face screaming silent panic: *Put your hands back on the wheel—now!*
"Whoa... looks like someone's got some serious PTSD," Morganne muttered with a chuckle, finally gripping the wheel again. "Just read the book. It'll help."
Erica took a deep breath, steadying herself as she examined the item. It was a plain, pale-brown hardback with no title on the cover—simple, worn, and mysterious.
She flipped it open to the first page.
---
**The Eight Bloodlines**
- House Feran — the Wild Bloodline
- House Ethemar — the Spirit Bloodline
- House Nethraal — the Hexalux Bloodline
- House Ignara — the Element Concept Bloodline
*Note: All Bloodline Houses were named after their first wielders.*
("Eight Bloodlines? But only four are listed here,") Erica thought, puzzled.
She repeated the note in her mind, letting it sink in, then continued reading.
All Bloodline powers are distinguished by panel colors.
- Red Panel —
- Blue Panel —
- Purple Panel —
Each panel color determines the arts a user can access and how their Bloodline power upgrades over time.
Panels can be summoned simply by willing them to appear.
Erica paused, letting the words settle. The information was straightforward but packed with implications—like a key to a door she'd never known existed.
Curious, she focused her mind and willed her panel into view.
A shimmering red panel appeared before her eyes, glowing with an inner fire.
She read its contents carefully:
**—Elara Bloodline—**
*Choose Active Bloodline.*
*Active Bloodline in use: none*
*Available Bloodlines: None*
*All Bloodlines are locked. Unlock by completing requirements.*
*The Elara Bloodline grants access to all Bloodlines and panels once requirements are fulfilled.*
("It's named after my surname... so does that make me the first wielder? The founder of a whole new line?")
Erica sank into deep thought, her mind swirling with questions. ("But why do I have this at all? What makes me special?")
"Erica," Morganne called, breaking the silence. Her voice carried a hint of real curiosity.
Erica blinked, pulling herself back to the moment.
"What Bloodline do you possess?" Morganne asked.
Erica hesitated, weighing how much to reveal. Trust was still a fragile thing.
"I... don't know yet," she said carefully. "My panel isn't showing much detail."
"What color is it?" Morganne pressed.
"Red," Erica replied, keeping her tone neutral.
"Nothing special," Morganne murmured under her breath, almost dismissively. Then, louder and more focused: "Now listen up. I won't be there to hold your hand once we arrive at the LOST Academy, so here's the essentials you need to know."
Erica sat up straighter, giving her full attention.
"It's called an academy, so expect classes, training, and structure like any school," Morganne explained. "But here's the twist: students sometimes get pulled out to deal with real threats in the LOST Realm—crises, monsters, or conflicts that need Bloodline powers to handle. Beyond that, it's a gathering spot for all the major Bloodline families, as long as they can pay the outrageous entry fees. The Council of Men pretends it's about building a better society." Her hands tightened on the wheel, knuckles turning white. "But the truth? It's a cage. Built to keep us divided, monitored, and weak."
She let out a heavy breath, her frustration evident.
"There are other groups—factions outside the Academy—that train Bloodline users in secret, away from the Council's eyes," Morganne continued. "And don't let any map fool you. The LOST Realm might look tiny compared to the surface world—the Realm of Men—but it's enormous. Endless, really. We've barely scratched the surface of what's out there. Stay inside the academy boundaries, and you'll be fine. Wander off, and you might never come back. I'll get you some more books to help you catch up on the history and basics."
Morganne glanced over with a slight nod of approval. "Hmm. I like you. You listen without interrupting or asking a million questions."
Erica managed a faint smile, though her thoughts were still racing.
The drive fell into a quiet rhythm after that, with Erica diving back into the book.
*All Bloodlines are unique in their abilities, but they share one key trait: as users upgrade their powers, their physical strength and speed grow dramatically. Every muscle, every organ—it all evolves, turning you into something far beyond human.*
Erica closed the book and leaned her head back against the seat, staring at the ceiling.
("My entire life has flipped upside down... My family—they're safe for now. But how long will that last? People say to chase your goals no matter what hand life deals you. And that the toughest climbs lead to the best views. These powers... I'll master them on my own terms. Rules and systems? They'll just hold me back. I can do this. You *will* do this, Erica.")
Morganne's voice cut through the silence again.
"We're about to cross into the LOST Realm."
Erica lifted her head, peering ahead where the road seemed to shimmer and warp, like heat rising from pavement—but darker, more ominous.
("A human like me, stepping into a world full of beings who could crush me with a single thought. And they hate humans more than anything else. What could possibly go wrong?")