“That is the North Dormitory,” Ailera said as the large building came into view further up the road. They had gone to the admissions building together and found out that this was the place where Adion would be living.
“Seems like a nice place,” Adion said, “How are the rooms here? Do you guys also have rooms around here?”
“No,” Ailera shook her head, “I live by the Academy Garden, and Aiden lives at his House.”
“Eternal Fire even has rooms for its members?” Adion turned to his brother and asked.
“Not for everyone,” Aiden shook his head, “But someone in my position can get a pretty nice accommodation. I could get something like that for you if you decide to join us, you know.”
“Not worth it,” Adion said, “But how come you get to live by a garden? It sounds nicer than this.”
“Everything can be arranged if you’re willing to pay credits for it,” Ailera said, “So if you don’t like this place, you can arrange to live somewhere more fancy. You will have the credits for it, but every new student gets to live at one of these places for free, with the more prominent students moving out pretty soon.”
“Joining a House can speed up the process a lot,” Aiden said, “Which is why many choose to do so as soon as possible. Everything becomes easier for you, and you don’t have to wait to collect enough credits to live someplace nice.”
“That makes sense,” Adion said, “But it doesn’t look so bad, so I don’t think I’ll be in a rush.”
Adion didn’t care very much where he was living. Just having a bed and a desk would be enough. But if he could get someplace fancy just for some credits, he wouldn’t be averted to the idea of moving out.
“Anyway,” Aiden said as they arrived at one of the entrances of the large stone structure, “Your place should be on the third floor, so we will wait outside for you to go and see how it is.”
“You don’t want to come and take a look?” Adion asked.
“We’ll let you say hi to your roommates in private,” Aiden said, shaking his head.
“Alright then,” Adion nodded, “I’ll try not to take too long.”
“It’s fine,” Aiden said, “We’ll head back to Grandpa’s place when you’re finished. We can finish the tour tomorrow.”
“Sounds good,” Adion nodded.
“Do you think he will have advanced when we get back?” Ailera asked with an excited expression on her face.
“I’m not sure,” Adion said, “Does it take more time to advance to the Soft Soul stage than the ones before?”
“I have no idea,” Aiden said.
“I guess we’ll see then,” Adion said, “In any case, it shouldn’t take too long.”
“Mm,” Ailera nodded.
Adion opened the doors and went inside the building.
The third floor, huh.
Adion started walking up the wide staircase and soon found himself in front of a room with the number ‘45.’ He had received keys to the room from a clerk at the admission building after showing his Academy badge, so he didn’t see the need to knock.
“Which is why I even made the offer in the first pla- Oh?” Adion heard a voice interrupting itself as he opened the door.
Two young men Adion’s age turned to the door as Adion walked inside. The one who had just been talking was standing in front of the other young man who was sitting on a couch in what appeared to be a common living area.
Both low Bronze mages.
“Looks like our last roommate finally decided to show up,” The young man standing said as he approached Adion with an outstretched hand and a smile on his face.
“A pleasure to meet you. My name is Heso Jimmen,” The tall brown-haired man said as Adion shook his hand.
“Adion Remori, nice to meet you,” Adion said.
“Our quiet friend over there is called Sokken,” Heso said as he gestured to the muscular blond man sitting on the couch, “Not from a family clan, he says, and still manages to become a Bronze mage at 17. Impressive, right?”
“It is,” Adion nodded, “Is the name Shirorin?”
Sokken just gave a quiet nod in response.
“You said you were from Mitomera, didn’t you, Sokken?” Hiso turned to the man and asked.
Sokken answered with a quiet nod once again.
How did Heso have a conversation with this guy when I walked in?
“So, where are you from, Adion?” Heso turned back to Adion and asked, “I’m here from Cyalis, by the way.”
“I’m from the Valis Kingdom,” Adion answered.
“Then I don’t see us having any conflicts based on that, at least,” Hiso said with a satisfied nod.
“Mm,” Adion nodded. He looked around the room and found it quiet to his liking. Even if it didn’t look very fancy, the living area gave a homely feeling.
“So, where do I sleep?” Adion asked.
“That would be your room,” Heso said as he pointed out a room on the left, “We have two more roommates, but they are out at the moment. I will introduce you to them later.”
“Thanks,” Adion said and made his way to his room. Opening the door with the same key he had used earlier, he found himself in a small room with a simple bed, a desk, a chair, and a chest for his belongings.
It looks like a cheap inn. But that’s what I’m used to.
“You don’t have any luggage with you?” Heso asked from the door to Adion’s room.
“I don’t have much,” Adion said, “But I have a backpack that I will bring later. My grandfather has a place in the city, so I have been staying there.”
“I see, I see,” Heso nodded.
There wasn’t much to look at in Adion’s room, so he stepped outside and locked the door again.
“I have to admit that I haven’t heard of the Remori family,” Heso said from next to him, “Perhaps you haven’t had a branch in Cyalis for long. Or have you gone under my radar?”
“We are just a 2nd-tier family, so it isn’t strange,” Adion said.
Or have we perhaps become a Noble family already?
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“And we don’t have a branch here in Cyalis,” Adion answered.
“You managed to reach middle Bronze coming from a family like that, huh,” Heso said, “Impressive.”
“Thanks,” Adion said, somewhat grateful for Heso’s talkative nature, considering Sokken’s presence.
I guess I’ll stay and talk for a few minutes. Aiden and Ailera didn’t seem to mind. And it would be rude to just leave immediately. I don’t know how long I will stay here after all, so I might as well get along.
Adion didn’t walk out again, but he didn’t take a seat either.
“So, Adion,” Heso said, “What class were you put in?”
“Diamond class,” Adion answered.
“Really?” Heso asked with a surprised look. Sokken also lifted his eyes to look closer at Adion.
“Mm,” Adion nodded.
“I guess you are middle Bronze, but it is still impressive. It’s been a while since that strength guarantees entry to diamond class.” Heso said.
“Oh? It used to be?” Adion asked.
“Of course,” Heso nodded, “The requirement of being a Bronze mage at the age of 17 hasn’t always been the case. Only the most talented few could reach that strength. And a middle Bronze mage was a genius not seen every year. But Shiora keeps on getting stronger with every generation. Perhaps it won’t long before the requirements have to be even stricter, as more and more people are eligible to enter the Academy.”
“I see,” Adion nodded.
I hadn’t really thought about it, but I guess we are still recovering from the Age of Darkness. Perhaps someone like me will be common garbage in the future. But I doubt it. There should be a limit to how fast someone could advance.
“We might be saying goodbye to you sooner than we would like then,” Heso said with a friendly smile, “I’m guessing you will join a powerful House soon and go to live somewhere more pleasant.”
“Maybe,” Adion said, “But I don’t think this place is so bad. I’ll probably stay for a while, at least.”
“That’s good,” Heso said, “It will give us a chance to get to know each other. Connections are very important, after all. I would say that it’s the most valuable resource available here at the Academy.”
“Even more so than the classes, the knowledge?” Adion asked.
“Those are incredibly valuable,” Heso nodded, “But the students here will all be among the most powerful people on the continent in the future. What is a little knowledge compared to friends like that?”
“I guess you have a point,” Adion nodded.
Well, I should probably get going. I have more time to get to these people in the future.
“Anyway, I have to get going,” Adion said, turning to leave.
“Already? Where to?” Heso asked.
“My brother and sister are waiting for me. We will head back to my grandfather’s place in the city,” Adion answered.
“I see,” Heso nodded, “Well, I’ll see you later then.”
“Mm,” Adion nodded, “Nice meeting you. You too, Sokken.”
“Mm,” Sokken nodded.
I guess that’s something.
Adion stepped out into the staircase again, leaving his two roommates to continue their conversation together.
A part of me almost wants to spy and see how Heso handles talking with someone like Sokken.
“How was it?” Aiden asked as Adion stepped outside again.
“It was alright,” Adion said, “Nothing fancy, but it’s not worse than a common inn. I’ll probably live here until I get to know the Academy more”
“Mm,” Aiden nodded, “Let’s go visit Grandpa. I’m excited to see if I’m a Noble yet.”
“Is that something you want?” Adion asked as the three began walking.
“Of course,” Aiden answered, “Nobles don’t have much power here at the Academy, but in the rest of the world, they are far above the rest of us. It would be very useful to become one of them.”
“You’re not interested in becoming someone powerful, Adion?” Ailera asked.
“Of course I am,” Adion said, “It’s just had some unpleasant encounters with Nobles. But I guess it is a good thing for the family.”
“Mm,” Ailera nodded, “I’m excited to see if he has advanced. I never thought we would have a Soul mage in the family.”
“Mm,” Aiden smiled, “Perhaps it’s not out of our reach either.”
“Of course it isn’t,” Adion said, “I’ll save the same pill I gave Grandpa for you too, so I don’t want to hear any excuses.”
“Such a good little brother,” Ailera said, giving Adion a hug with a bright smile.
“Yeah, yeah,” Adion smiled.
It took them a while before they made it back to their grandfather’s residence. Thankfully, there were carriages in the Academy that the students could hire for credits, so they didn’t have to walk for very long, at least.
Once there, they were let inside by a Silver mage guarding the place and were soon welcomed by Marli.
“Welcome, young masters,” Marli greeted the Remori children.
“Marli, has Grandpa come out of seclusion?” Ailera asked excitedly.
“I’m afraid not,” Marli shook her head, “He asked that no one disturb him until he comes out. No matter how long he takes.”
“That’s fine,” Aiden said, “We’ll stay the night, and if he hasn’t come out by tomorrow morning, he can send us a letter to let us know.”
“I will deliver the message,” Marli said, “Would you like something to eat?”
“That would be great,” Aiden nodded, “We’ll have it in the dining room.”
“Then I will prepare something,” Marli said and made her way to the kitchen.
“I should also have someone making me food,” Adion commented as the siblings made their way to the dining room, “I wonder how many credits it would cost.”
“Don’t start spending them recklessly.” Ailera said, “You can just buy food for money. We’re not poor.”
“I suppose,” Adion nodded.
“It’s a shame Grandpa hasn’t finished,” Ailera said, “You don’t think anything will happen to him, do you?”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Adion said, “It can’t be an easy thing to ingrain your mana core into your soul.”
“That’s true,” Ailera nodded.
“Well,” Aiden said as they took their seats at the dining table, “Do you guys want to play something? I have playing cards.”
“Sounds fun,” Ailera said.
“Sure,” Adion said, “You’ll have to teach me, though.”
“No worries,” Ailera said, “We’ve played a lot with Grandpa the past years. It will take you a while to catch up with our skills.”
“Oh?” Adion said, intrigued, “Why don’t we start slow and then throw some bets in?”
“Okay,” Ailera smiled.
“No cheating, though,” Aiden said as he looked at Adion.
“I would never,” Adion said, acting appalled. He then added with a smirk, “Of course, it’s only cheating if you get caught.”
“Then we should have some penalties if you get caught,” Aiden smiled back and began shuffling.
“Fair enough,” Adion nodded with a smile.
And so Adion spent the rest of the night enjoying the company of his siblings as he learned the different games they used to play. They stayed up late after they had eaten, and his siblings talked more about what they had been up to during their time in Cyalis, while Adion dived into some of his own stories that he hadn’t told yet.
Not until many hours after dark did Adion go to bed, excited about the day ahead of him.
Tomorrow I’ll have to attend the introduction for the first years. Then I’ll get to choose my classes for the coming year. And I’ll get to see Sell again. Looks like it will be another great day.