Seras gestured for Mabel to follow and led the way to a wooden bench in the garden. She took a seat and motioned for Mabel to sit beside her.

“Let’s put it this way,” Seras continued. “In the last ten years, Ares dorm has only had students six times. The rest of the time, it was empty.” Her tone grew enthusiastic. “Now you understand why I was so excited, don’t you?”

Mabel nodded. “I do.” Then, with a curious look, she asked, “Do you have any fellow dorm mates?”

Seras nodded. “Yes, there are four second-years in Ares dorm,” she replied in a neutral tone. “But we don’t have any third-years.” Her expression grew slightly somber.

“I see. Are they… the scary type of seniors uh, no, what I meant was…” Mabel looked away awkwardly.

Seras chuckled. “You don’t need to worry about them. They’re pretty norm–” she stopped mid-sentence, her expression shifting. “Actually, come to think of it, they are weird. Heck, even I might fall into that category sometimes,” she added with a soft laugh. “But no, they’re not the scary type.”

Mabel nodded and stood up from the desk.

"Well, that's good for Arnos and Marcus, I think. Let's go to Arnos, I bet he is pissed at me for kicking him."

"Wait! we are getting getting more newbies?" Seras spoke, her face practically glowing with excitement as she stood up.

"You are, I guess. One of them is the princess, and the other is the Duke's son," Mabel added as she started to slowly walk towards the exit.

"Ah, I see. Then Arnos is more remarkable than them, considering he came from nowhere," Seras added while smiling.

Mabel's facial expression changed to a rather serious one as she heard Seras. "You shouldn't say that. They are—" Mabel tried to speak but was interrupted.

Seras looked at her, gesturing for her to be quiet by putting a finger on her lips.

She spoke in a stern voice, "Here they are my juniors. I think I reserve the right to tease or comment on them a bit." (She gave a smug look and continued.) "Wouldn't you agree?"

"I think I would," Mabel added in a low voice.

She can be really scary when she wants to be, Mabel thought to herself.

They continued to move towards the exit. As they were about to leave the garden, Seras came near Mabel and looked towards her.

"Come to think of it, why did you do that to Arnos?" (She gave a puzzled, smiling look.)

Looking away, slightly flustered,

"Ah, umm, forget about it. It's nothing big, I think. It was, you know, fun or something. Ha ha ha." (She gave a sheepish laugh)

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"I mean, I gotta knock some sense into him. That's obviously the correct thing to do," she thought to herself. "But I guess I was wrong. Gotta apologize," she mentally noted.

They continued their walk, finally leaving the premises of the garden. Mabel looked at Seras as they walked out of the garden.

"By the way, Miss Seras, how should I address you? Miss, ma'am, or something else?"

"You can call me Seras," (rests her hand on her chin thoughtfully) "I think that should be fine. Yeah, but make sure to address the other dorm seniors with ma'am or sir. They suck." (Seras added with a disgusted look.)

Mabel nodded. "Roger that," she said with a mock salute, causing Seras to chuckle.

As they reached the training ground, they saw Arnos walking aimlessly. Noticing Mabel and Seras approaching, he started walking towards them.

Arnos looked towards Mabel. "Well, is your sightseeing done?" he asked in his usual tone.

Mabel nodded. "I think it is. So, what were you doing here alone?" she asked curiously.

"Ah, walking aimlessly or, ya know, bird stalking," he chuckled slightly.

"Ah, bird stalking, you say," Seras spoke with a friendly grin. "Pervert," Seras added, still having the same expression.

"It's not! See, you just watch the sky while walking, that's it. And, you know, when a bird comes into your view, you keep watching it without blinking," he added with excitement.

"And what happens if you blink? You die?" Mabel asked sarcastically, looking at Arnos.

"That's not it! I mean, I used to think that when I was younger, but that was just, you know, childish superstition."

Mabel laughed at this maniacally.

"You seriously used to think that? Man, what an idiot."

"I was a kid!" (He shouted, slightly pissed.) "You know what? Get lost," Arnos added before walking away.

"Where might you be going now?" Mabel asked.

"I don't want to tell," Arnos spoke in a pissed tone as he continued to walk away.

"Guess I'll be taking my leave now, mi— no, Seras. Bye-bye," Mabel spoke as she started jogging towards Arnos.

As Mabel caught up to Arnos, they were already outside the dorm’s campus area. Arnos and Mabel were now walking in the direction of Celera Institute main building.

Mabel was somewhat reluctant to talk right now since she thought Arnos was angry at her.

"So... ahm, where are we going?" she spoke in a rather reluctant voice.

"Main campus, I think. If I’m not wrong, there will be a banquet for first-year students there." (He turns to Mabel and looks at her with a neutral expression.) "And I think I heard it from some kids while we were walking in the hallway. Since it’s already nearing evening, I thought we should head out."

"Oh, you thought so? Well, that was the perfect thing to do, you know." (Mabel spoke, walking rather strangely in a march-like manner.)

She’s talking strangely… Arnos made an obvious deduction.

"Hey, Arnos," (Mabel spoke in a slow voice) with a tinge of guilt in her tone.

"Yes, Arnos here. What’s on your mind?" (He raised his eyebrows with curiosity.) "I can tell something’s bothering you."

"Ah, it’s just, you know, sorry for kicking you then." (She spoke in a low voice, looking down.)

She’s really going to apologize for that! I thought we were going to act like it never happened or something. But… Arnos thought to himself.

"I appreciate the gesture, but hey, seriously, Heaven’s Gate, man, your deduction sucks." (Arnos stopped, trying to control his laughter but ended up laughing loudly.)

"Hey i apologised now just forget it (shouts), or I’m kicking you again," Mabel spoke with a pissed look and a stern voice.

"Hey, I believe in gender equality. Don’t try my patience, okay?" (Sheepish laugh.)

"Ah, you do? Then why did you say you want to be a gentleman and said ‘ladies first’ when we were late to the headmaster's speech?"

"I, uh, you know…" (Whistles, looking away.) "Chivalry or something."

Mabel looked at Arnos, smiling, and thought to herself, He’s completely trying to change the topic.

"Dummy," she spoke.

Arnos didn’t respond.

"Oi, idiot, dummy, can you not hear me?" Mabel spoke.

I’m not replying, nope, not happening. Life is good, I’m fine, it’s a wonderful life, Arnos mentally hummed, trying to block out Mabel’s comments.