"These are the 1-A dorms." says the robed member of staff.

The dorm doesn't seem to be anything special. Though, the classes being separated into different buildings was a nice touch.

The rooms are along a long hallway with ten on the right side and eleven on the left side. I'm also going to assume each building has 21 rooms too.

All the students in 1-A are gathered in a group at the start of the hallway, however, with a considerable amount of space around Malik and me. I don't judge them. I'm scared of Malik too.

"I will now announce your room number, and you will go to your room accordingly."

I'm hoping for a room near the front of the building. A speedy escape might end up necessary.

"Room A-1, Ritz Dravus"

Yes!

"Room A-2, Leyna Relqis"

Fuck, no!

I sneak a look at Leyna, and our eyes meet. I snap my head back forward and move to stand in front of my room as Leyna does the same. To be honest, I'm scared of Leyna. Mind magic always scary. You just...never see it coming. One minute you'll be fine and the next, you're dead.

I try my best to avoid Leyna's burning gaze as the other names get announced.

“Room A-3, Albert Caster”

“Room A-4, Janna Kull”

"Room A-5, Iora Zaal"

...

"Room A-13, Yuri Hunt"

"Room A-14, Lish Joel"

"Room A-15, Dier Grey"

...

"Room A-19, Leon Domer"

"Room A-20, Amelia Riker"

"Room A-21, Malik Yauler"

I can't help but notice the rooms are arranged in terms of magical strength. It would make sense since Malik is at the end of the room and I'm...in the first room.

But then again, Leyna is across from me, so maybe it's not that way. However, based on her fighting, it could be the case. Leyna didn't seem to use much magic at all in her fight. Maybe 'cripple' is her only command. We could be friends. Learn from each other.

"Dinner will be provided in the dining hall should any of you wish to eat. After that, you are free to do whatever you wish. Settle in; you're required to be awake tomorrow at sunrise and in class one hour later. That is all" the member of staff says before leaving the building.

Malik and I split up as everyone else checks out their room. Behind each simple wooden door are a single bed, a desk, a closet and a bookshelf with a few books on the history of the school.

"Do you think we're free to decorate our rooms?"

"Well, the servant didn't say anything against it, and there isn't a rule against it either so..."

"Wait, don't any of you want to talk to the prince?"

"Why do you want to bother the prince?"

"He's our classmate now, you buffoon. We are not going to get a better opportunity."

"We want to come too."

"Alright, ladies... Let's go."

Not even 2 minutes in and their already swarming Malik.

I look behind me just in time to catch Leyna slamming her door closed. Maybe she hates the noise. I consider knocking on her door before my stomach makes embarrassingly loud growl.

I try approaching Malik so we can eat together, but I can't reach him with the crowd around him. Poor Malik looks uncomfortable. Deciding not to make any more enemies, I try to navigate to the dining hall myself. Shouldn't be too hard.

<...............>

The dining hall is fantastic.

It's a massive space with rows of long tables that can accommodate up to...eight people? There's a wide assortment of food stalls which the students can just pick and choose whatever delicacy they so desire.

There are not that many people here now, though I do recognise some of the students from other classes.

However, I barely recognise any of the food available. Grilled Lykan? I didn't even think that's edible. I decide to resort to my lower-class instinct just go with a plate of rice, bacon and soup. Simple is best.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

I sit at a random table and begin eating when the rest of my class comes bursting in. They all just seem to be following Malik though, with only Leyna heading straight for the food stalls.

As Malik and his group start queuing up for their food, a group of White Wings enter the dining hall too. I spot the slight bob of silver hair, but that's about all I can see. Other White Wings surround Emmi with the older male one following close behind her. He seems excited. He's too eager.

Why is he so close? It seems like he's a bit too close.

I focus on my meal when three consecutive thuds shake the table. I peer up and find three of my classmates, Yuri, Lish, and Dier, which, according to the door numbers, are pretty high up in the power spectrum.

Deep breath. Straighten back. Sharpen smile.

"Hey, Ritz. What are you eating there?" Yuri says, leaning in closer.

"You eating real sparse. That it?" Lish mentions, leaning into my right.

"Yeah. I'm not used to the food here" I say with a small smile. Lish's shoulder is still uncomfortably digging into mine. Dier reaches over and snatches a piece of bacon from my plate.

"Thanks, Rit. The food here's great."

Then why don't you get some of your own?

"Yeah, it is" I reply

"Haven't you heard the news Rit? More people from Kolden are moving into Raekoft."

Kolden. What a sad place to live in. Why Raekoft keeps fighting them, I can never understand.

"Yeah, Rit. That's why we're going to need strong fighters in the future"

"I think...well, let's just hope you'll be able to last that long" Dier says with an innocent-looking smile.

What's the point of this?

"Yeah. Thanks. I'll try my best" I reply, trying my best to smile.

"You in need of any funds? I know this prestigious school could be expensive at times, especially for someone like you."

"I'm good thanks. I already paid for all my school fees."

"Oh, how long did that take? Eight years? Nine years? Did you have to take a job?"

"Yes, I did, actually."

"Oh, poor you~"

I need to leave this table.

I turn behind me and spot Emmi, but the White Wings have her full attention. Malik is still being overwhelmed by an increasing number of admirers. I spot Leyna a few tables up.

"Well, I guess it can't be helped since you're from Carder of all places. You know, you could join our little group. Maybe, increase your worth here— Hey! Where are you going?" Yuri asks as I stand up.

"I'm just going to find another table. I'm not so good with groups." I reply.

I can't afford to make any more enemies.

"Come on, Rit. We're in the same class. We should talk." Dier beckons.

"We probably shouldn't," I say before hastily moving Leyna's table. The familiar tickle of hostile magic sends shivers down my spine, and I keep moving forward.

Leyna looks up from her food, and her eyes meet mine. I give a friendly wave, but she just goes back to her eating.

I take a quick glance back to see that the three assholes already moved to the same table as Malik. Lish's green eyes meet mine, and I immediately snap my head back to face Leyna.

"You made the right decision Dravus."

"Hm?"

"That's how they get you. They beat you down and make you feel 'worth' if you help them without question. Chances are, you would've been their training dummy."

"Oh. Thanks, I guess."

"But, I have the same question for you."

"Yeah?"

"Why are you here, Dravus? There are other schools. You won't last long."

"Well... I'll try my best."

"Good luck with that."

She sighs softly.

"You won't last long."

I barely halfway into the first day and at least three people have said that to me. I can only tell myself they're wrong for so long.

<...............>

It's not long before I finish my food. Leyna finished her meal earlier and already left the dining hall. I hear the congregation of students moving and realise that Malik is done eating too. I return my food tray and follow behind Malik's group. A few of them sneak a few glances back, but I decide to play the fool and look back as well.

Once we reached the building, Malik ran straight into his room, shouting "I'll see you guys tomorrow morning!"

As soon as that happened, the students scattered like ducklings without their mother. Leyna just happens to be leaning against her door, eyeing anyone who gets close.

After everything that happened, I'm tired. Knowing what's at stake now, I couldn't be happier to forget about it all in dreamland. I grip my door handle, but two big hands grab onto my shoulder.

I quickly turn around, but those two hands reach up and circle my throat. Lish Joel stares at me with bloodlust in his eyes as he pins me against the door and raises me up. I grasp at his arms and try to pull them apart, but it's no use. He's holding me like a rag doll, cutting off my airflow.

"You should have joined us when we asked. We were doing you a courtesy. You think you would be able to last here?" Yuri says as he walks up to me.

"Yeah, I think I'll do fine," I say through ragged breaths.

"Really, Ritz? Who do you think you are coming here? You think you're so smart for raking in scraps of money just to enter this school. You think you're going to be so popular just because you're one of us?" Lish spits out.

"You think you can survive here with your mediocre 'training'? What was it anyway? Punching a tree really hard? How pathetic are you?" Dier adds in, earning him some giggles and snorts.

Why is everyone here so irritating. What is wrong with these people? Why do they care about so little?

I feel my nails digging into Lish's arms. Black smoke is leaking from my arms as my rage builds up, but I don't care. I realise that my teeth are grinding against one another, but I don't care.

I worked so hard to get here. I will not break now. Why can't you people understand that I'm on your side?

Who do you people think you are.

"What the fuck do you think you know about me?"

I can feel the rage clouding my thoughts.

I let it.

I can't wait to beat the shit out of all of these cruel, pompous, arrogant little bitches.

Every last one of them.

Lish opens his stupid mouth probably to say some more dumb shit before a hand grips his shoulder. Lish screams out in pain before collapsing to the ground. I drop to the ground and try to recollect myself.

Deep breaths Ritz. Deep breaths.

I need to get a grip. It won't do me any good to start a fight.

Yuri and Dier move in before Leyna flexes her fingers, getting another scream out of Lish. Yuri and Dier wisely back off.

Leyna extends a hand to me, and I grab it, letting her lift me up. The other students are watching intently now as Malik emerges from his room.

"You guys shouldn't be fighting here. You'll get us all in trouble." Leyna says before moving back into her room.

Malik immediately rushes towards me.

"Are you alright Ritz? What happened here?" Malik asks as he places a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

I don't reply.

I don't want to.

I give him a pat on the hand and retreat into my room. I hear him call out my name, but I close the door on him.

I just want this terrible day to end. I've had enough. I take off my uniform, leave my undershirt on and put on a pair of slacks from home before collapsing on the soft bed.

I miss home already.

I try to get my breathing in check as I drift off into slumber, silently praying that tomorrow will be better.