Home Gallery Wattpad Upvote monsteracademy   "To put it clearly, I'm going to a school filled with monsters?" FIFTY: Meeting the Sunbaes “Kirins are horse-like creatures with the horns of a deer and the tail of an ox. They are one of the very few Class S monsters that possess great monster energy. Kirins are used to be found in China, Japan, and a few other East Asian countries. Kirins are believed to bring prosperity, serenity and good fortune. The birth of a Kirin is often seen as a good omen that something great is about to happen. In contrast, the death of a Kirin is believed to be a premonition that bad things are about to happen. In ancient times, the birth of the rare black Kirin is a sign of the birth of one of the four guardians of the world. It’s death signifies the passing of the guardian. Around one hundred years ago during the night of the historical Blood Moon, a huge number of Kirins mysteriously died, leading the Kirins to extinction. This led to chaos and unrest amongst the monster community of a terribly grave disaster like never before. There are only two known living Kirins to date and are in the custody of the Class S monster sanctuary in Japan, where other extinct Class S monsters are also being preserved.” “Looking so serious,” Xiumin said, sitting beside you. You were sitting on one of the bleachers surrounding the soccer field, reading a book you borrowed at the library while you waited for the others for soccer practice. “I was reading something interesting,” you told him, showing the book on your lap. “Oh, Kirins. Is this because of the love event the other day?” “Yeah. They’re really beautiful,” you told him, sliding your hands over the Kirin picture in the book. “It’s just sad that there are only two of them left.” “Actually, there’s three of them now. One of the Kirins gave birth a few years ago, and it’s a black one,” he informed you. “Really?” “Yeah. It was really unexpected since both the Kirins who survived the Blood Moon were white ones. But then again, no one really knows how Kirins reproduce,” he said. “What do you mean?” “Unlike other monsters, Kirins don’t mate, and that’s because they’re neither male nor female. They don’t have a gender. But somehow Kirins get pregnant all on their own.” “If they get pregnant then doesn’t that mean they’re females?” “Not really. They don’t have reproductive organs. And the babies they…kinda come out of their stomachs. Like literally." You shook your head in confusion. “Their stomachs open up a hole where the babies pass through. Once the baby’s out the hole closes on its own and disappears.” “Wow. But how is it even possible for Kirins to make babies if they don’t have reproductive organs? Even plants have seeds and pollens and stuff.” “No one knows,” Xiumin shrugged. “That’s why people believe they are messengers of the gods, because only gods can control something like that. Old people believe that their death and birth are the gods’ ways of warning us about things that are to come.” “What happened during the Blood Moon?” “Well, there was this legend millions of years ago about the world being in total chaos after a red moon appeared. It was something about a powerful monster throwing the balance off. Since then it was seen as a really bad omen. So when a blood moon appeared around a little more than a hundred years ago, plus the Kirins mysteriously dying along with it, you can just imagine the panic,” Xiumin narrated. “Blood moon, like a lunar eclipse?” “It’s not just your typical lunar eclipse which humans refer to as the blood moons. It wasn’t an eclipse. The moon was at its fullest, but for some reason it turned red. Almost like the world was bathed in blood. I was only a baby around the time yet but that’s what my parents told me.” “Oh,” you slightly shivered, imagining what the Blood Moon must have looked like. “But so far, nothing that bad has happened yet. More than a hundred years have passed but a lot of people still live in fear of that Blood Moon. They still believe that something bad will happen one day that will put the world into chaos just like how it was thousands of years ago. It’s a good thing that a black Kirin was born a few years ago. At least the people can also hope for something good to happen. Did you know that it used to mean that a guardian was born?” “Ah, yeah. This book did mention something about the guardians of the world,” you told him. “Just like humans, monsters have myths and legends too. Old monsters believed that when the almighty God created the world, he put four powerful beasts to guard and protect both monsters and humans alike. Guarding the East was the great blue dragon, Mheng Zhang. In the West was the white tiger, Jian Bing. In the South was the red phoenix, Ling Guang. And then there’s Zhi Ming, the black turtle of the North. The almighty bestowed them with great power unlike all the others. Their job is to protect the balance and order of this world. Whenever one of these guardians die, a black Kirin dies as well. And when a new successor is born, a black Kirin is born. These guardians were also said to be the ones responsible for putting the world back in order after the first blood moon. After that, they all disappeared.” “But dragons still exist right?” You asked, remembering your tutorial lessons with Kris. “Yes. Phoenixes exist too. That’s why those races are very popular and well-respected because of that legend. Because the heavens chose the guardians from their people. But all of those are just legends. No one knows if those things actually happened or the white tigers and black turtles even exist." “I see. I remember humans also have this kind of legend. I’ve read it in a manhwa somewhere about a dragon, a phoenix, a tiger and a turtle guarding the world,” you told him. “Yes. Though there are bound to be a few differences but they are referring the same guardians. For humans and monsters to have the same ancient legend, I think that’s proof that humans and monsters somehow used live peacefully together,” Xiumin said. “I wonder what the world would have been like, if monsters didn’t have to hide from humans,” you muttered thoughtfully. “That would have been very interesting,” Xiumin answered “What are you two doing being lovey dovey here?” Chanyeol came over to where you and Xiumin were. “Idiot. I was just telling her about Kirins,” Xiumin said. “Where’s Baekhyun.” “Still changing. Oh wait, there he is,” Chanyeol said, point at the grounds where Baekhyun and the others were heading your way. Your eyes immediately found Lay. His eyes met yours and you gave an awkward smile. He smiled back and waved. In just a day a lot of things changed inside you. You couldn’t quite put your finger on it but you just know that you have not been looking at Lay the same way anymore. Your eyes strayed to Kai. He was watching you, and unapologetically at that. You quickly shifted your gaze at Baekhyun who was laughing at something that Chen said. Kai said he had been watching you. And now you are aware of it, you hated it. It was making you self-conscious and it was like you were stripped away of your privacy with whatever it is you had for Lay. Lu Han was bad enough. Now with the two of them, you know your peaceful Lay-spazzing days are over. “How’s your foot?” D.O. asked as soon as they arrived. He is so quiet that people fear him most of the time. But you noticed that he has been talking more lately and that made you happy. “Not so good. I still need this to walk,” you answered, showing him the crutch that Doctor Jung lent you. “But Doctor Jung said it will heal in more or less two weeks.” “That’s a long time,” Sehun said. “Should we be surprised? She’s always been a klutz,” Chanyeol said. “Couldn’t argue with that. It’s a miracle she’s still alive,” Lu Han agreed. “Ya! Do you want to die?” You fumed at him. “Well, it’s a miracle that everyone’s actually here on time,” Xiumin said. “Why can’t we be always like this?” “Midterms just ended and we had a successful love event so the Student Council’s not busy,” Suho shrugged. “That’s good because our sunbaes will be joining us again,” Xiumin informed them. “Ah, it’s been a while. I didn’t expect to be saying this but I missed them,” Baekhyun sighed. “I hope they didn’t forget to bring souvenirs,” Sehun pouted. “Speaking of, Kai-ah, let me see your Kirin necklace,” Baekhyun said. Kai revealed the necklace which he kept hidden inside his shirt. “Yeah, Lay-ah, let me see yours,” Lu Han told Lay. “I don’t have it anymore,” Lay told him. “Wae? Did you lose it?” Chen asked suspiciously. "No," Lay answered. "Don't tell me you gave it away," Chen said. “To whom?” Baekhyun asked before Lay could even answer.. “Ah wae? Why would you give it to someone else and not to one of us?” Chen demanded, without letting Lay finish. You clenched at your blazer pocket where you placed the necklace. You knew something like this would happen. Deciding not to wear it was indeed a good idea. You just don’t know what their malicious little minds would come up with if they ever saw you wearing the necklace. “Ya, ya, ya, ya! What’s all the commotion about? Hmm?” A student you were not familiar with approached your group along with four others. “Sunbaes!” The boys greeted. “Whoa, you guys are still as ugly as ever,” a guy with a feminine face said. He then turned to you. “Who’s this?” “She’s our manager, hyung. The one we told you about,” Xiumin informed him. “Song Joo Ri-sshi?” Another one of the sunbaes said. He looked kind and gentle and he almost reminded you of Lay. “Ahh, you guys are something aren’t you? We left you for three months and we suddenly get a girl as a manager when we finally got back,” another one of the seniors said, emphasizing ‘girl’. He had a striking silver blonde hair. “Ani, we just really needed the help,” Xiumin explained. “She looks interesting,” a senior with cute, smiling eyes said. “Like a human.” “Hyung, since you already know she’s our manager Song Joo Ri, why don’t you introduce yourselves,” Suho told them. “Forgive us for our rudeness. I’m Kim Hee Chul. Former team captain,” the feminine looking one said, holding out his hand to you. “I’m Song Joo Ri. Pleased to meet you,” you replied, taking his hand. “I’m Lee Dong Hae. Pleased to meet you,” the one who reminded you of Lay said, also shaking your hand. “Hi! I’m Lee Eun Hyuk,” the one with silvery hair said. “I’m Liu Xian Hwa. But you can call me Henry,” smiley eyes told you. “Kim Ryeo Wook,” the one who hasn’t said anything since a while ago introduced himself, holding out his hand to you. The moment you took his hand, he raised your hand close to his face. For a moment you thought he was gonna kiss it. But he placed it just below his nose. He took a very deep breath, closing his eyes as he took in your scent. “She smells interesting too,” he said, looking at you with curious, intense eyes. “I know,” D.O. agreed. “Now, hyung. Stop that. You’re gonna creep her out,” Baekhyun reprimanded, tugging your hand away from Ryeo Wook’s. You instinctively withdrew from him. You felt like he was looking at you as though you are food. “Sorry,” he said calmly, still intensely and creepily staring at you. “So, what have you been guys up to while we were gone? How’s practice?” Hee Chul asked. “We’ve been practicing almost every day. But we could only do five versus five at most,” Xiumin explained. “Why? What about the freshmen? Ya, how come I don’t see any?” Eunhyuk questioned. “Well, that’s….,” Baekhyun mumbled, looking a little guilty. “You didn’t get any?” Heechul asked incredulously. “They were all horrible. Not a single one of them could kick even if their lives depended on it,” Lu Han told him. Heechul facepalmed. A vein was twitching at the side of his forehead. “It’s true though. And there weren’t really a lot who came for the tryouts,” Kai shrugged. “Wae?!” He demanded. “Aren’t we supposed to be popular?” Henry kidded. “Well, rumors are spreading about the school dissolving the soccer team soon,” Chen explained. “I guess they decided to try out on other clubs than waste their time here.” “That could be,” Dong Hae said thoughtfully. “So what do we plan on doing? Play a game with just the fifteen of us? We barely have subs. And what about after we graduate? Do you plan to play with just all of you? You’re even two people short to complete a team!” Heechul scolded. How many members does a soccer