The 15th of Lien the first month of the year came quickly. The girls stood in their dorm room, having said goodbye to their parents already. They had a room with four queen sized beds. There were desks beside the beds. Two small washrooms with showers were at one end of room. A small alcove with four wardrobes was also at one end of the room. It was about 30ft by 20ft rectangular in shape.

“This isn’t too bad.” Auna was placing her bag on a bed near the door, Ciela picked the one beside it near the wardrobes.

“Much better than the cheaper option.” Meredith picked the bed across from Aunas’ away from the bathrooms.

“What do they have tiny beds?” Auna began to empty her bag. Each bed, desk, and wardrobe had a number on it. Hers’ was one, Ciela two, and Meredith had three.

“No, they have queen sized beds. They are bunk beds though, so eight to a room. They have wardrobes in the spots our desks are. They also only have two bathrooms still.” Meredith shivered.

“So do they have to study in a common room?” Auna began placing her and Cielas’ clothing in their wardrobes. Luckily anything that did not fit would go in her storage instead of under the bed, desk, or any other spot overflow would go normally.

“No, they can use the bed desks we are all provided. Under the bed should be one, in their rooms there are two under each bed.” Meredith reached under her bed to pull out a worn but sturdy wooden object. It would create a table over their lap while sitting on the bed.

“I guess that isn’t too bad, the rooms are so nice. The bed size is a real win.” Auna continued to unpack.

“Sharing a bathroom with three other people is already bad enough though. Could you imagine sharing one with seven other people?” Again, Meredith shivered.

“Did you forget we lived without inside plumbing in our crater?” Auna raised her eyebrow.

“No, how could I? It was a very shameful time for me.” Again, Meredith shivered almost making Auna feel cold.

“Ah sorry for that.” Auna rolled her eyes.

“So, why is there a difference?” Ciela asked.

“Well, the nobles pay a lot more to be able to have less children in the room, and to decide who their children are roomed with. We don’t get any more perks than that though. I heard the commoners pay three platinum a year.” Meredith started to unpack as well.

“Can they really afford that?” Auna finished unpacking.

“Well, some can, this is a prestigious school. Only the wealthy or really smart children come here. Like you for example if you were not sponsored by my parents, you would have been sponsored eventually because of your talent. You most likely would transfer into this school later though.” Meredith smiled at her.

“I wonder how many kids actually can go here then?” Auna sat back down on her bed.

“Well, each floor has seventeen rooms, ten of which per floor are the eight person rooms. There are four levels of rooms, the ground floor, second floor, third floor, and fourth. The basement has a lounge area and combat training gyms.” Meredith organized her clothes trying to fit more in.

“That means 320 commoners and 112 noble children can fit in one dorm building. Since one building is for girls and the other for boys that means a total of 864 children can be living on campus at one time. Since our year is only 70 children, I doubt all 864 beds are filled at any one time.” Meredith shrugged placing some of her clothes in the storage under the bed.

“I guess it would be unreasonable to have every bed filled.” Auna rolled over to look at Ciela who was playing with Theo and Willow.

“Say why do we not have a fourth yet?” Ciela asked rolling over o her back.

“Dad said we will be getting a fourth soon. Once they heard they would be rooming with two children removed from the family registry they requested a room change.” Meredith sat down to look at the door as it opened while she was speaking.

“Hey, so no noble wanted to room with you guys. I hope you don’t mind if I do? My parents were told I could room here for no extra cost.” A tall girl with brown hair and eyes in an obviously farmer girl outfit stood in the doorway with a man.

“Hello girls, I am a teacher here in the history department. We thought Chloe would be a good fit for this room. We didn’t want to leave a bed empty for the next ten years after all. Chloe here was fourth place in the testing scores, she has been given a few sponsorships as well. We thought she would fit in well with the first, and third place testers.” The man said.

“I don’t mind at all.” Ciela and Auna spoke at the same time, looking at each other giggling.

“Ms Bloodwave?” The man was looking at Meredith.

It was a nobles’ right to pick who they shared a dorm with, since no other noble wanted our company, we would be three people in here. However, it was reasonable to move a promising commoner to our room. It would open up a bed as they were not getting a full amount from her anyway. Not all sponsorships would be given in money some would simply be donations to the school for giving the student a place. So, they would be gaining a bed and making Chloes’ sponsors happy. Very smart indeed. Mr Voice agreed with Aunas’ thought process.

“I don’t mind Mr.?” Meredith tilted her head trailing off.

“My name is Mr. Jenkins. Chloe will officially be your roommate. Have a lovely day.” He left without another word. Tomorrow school would start.

“We know your name. And you know my name. That is Auna and her younger sister Ciela.” Meredith pointed to both girls.

“That is Willow a sun wolf, she is the tamed monster of Ciela. Theodore the moon wolf is one of Aunas’ tamed monsters. Don’t let the size fool you it is a skill; they are nearly full grown adults now.” Both wolves gave a yip.

“Auna also has a tamed slime. They got permission for all three to room inside with us. They do have to take them for walks and put them in the monster pen during school hours for proper exercise. Though they don’t need to go in the pen every day.” Meredith finished talking.

“Well, hello everyone, as you know I am Chloe. I come from a family with ten other kids. I am actually the first of my family to get into this school. My older siblings have tried before.” Chloe started unpacking as Auna guided her to her bed and wardrobe as she spoke.

“I am very excited to be here, I will be majoring in magic and combat. I won’t really have a minor though.” Chloe sat on her bed with a big smile.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

“I bet this is a lot better than the other room you were going to have.” Ciela flopped down on the bed beside Chloe.

“Yeah, I was unpacking with the other girls when a girl was brought into our room. My parents were asked to help me pack my stuff back up. I thought they changed their minds and were going to kick me out.” Chloe flopped backwards bouncing a giggling Ciela.

“Luckily it was just a room change. It was a bit cramped in the other room. Like it was the same size but twice the people. And I wasn’t too happy about the bed desks.” Chloe was smiling.

“Well, I’m glad we have another smart person here. We can help each other keep up with our classes.” Auna was brushing Theo.

“Sounds fun.” The girls agreed.

“So, what is with this set up of the dorms? Like two giant Ls interlocked into a rectangle. Who thought that was great?” Chloe opened the window curtain. They were on the short end of the L at the very end, so they had two windows over Merediths’ and Chloes’ bed. Most rooms had a window in their bathrooms, and near the wardrobes.

“See I can see the room in the boys’ dorm, there is a weird guy waving at us.” Chloe pointed at Jensen.

“That is Jensen.” Auna opened the window. “You made sure this happened, didn’t you?” Auna yelled between the five-foot gap.

“Of course, I knew you would want a room with lots of windows. It was fairly easy to get one as well. Want to hang out?” Jensen was leaning out of his window.

“No thanks.” Auna shut the window and the girls giggled.

“Auna why didn’t you pick this bed? Near the window? Dad made sure we had a room with them.” Meredith asked.

“Well, I like windows yeah. However, I am also cursed to burn so if I have a bed on this side, we can open it without me having to cover all my skin.” Auna stretched as she sat back on her bed.

“The courtyard in the middle is very pretty though. I think maybe that is why they designed it this way?” Auna had seen the beautiful garden that would be used for parties in the nicer weather.

“I guess that makes sense they would have to keep it well maintained; must be easier if it is protected.” Chloe nodded.

The girls spent the rest of the day talking and putting away their books once they were delivered. Chloe had worn out books, while the girls’ were new. They were in agreeance if she needed to borrow one, she could.

Jensen threw a few stones at their window to ask if Auna needed help with her speech tomorrow. She declined both times to which he just smiled. The girls thought it was odd. They were on the first floors, also requested, so people walking around could hear them.

The building had three sets of stairwells, and elevators. Auna was still stunned on how far technology had advanced in this world. She had thought magic would stop the growth. Instead, it was just different, greener as well.

Soon the night came and lights out at ten pm had the girls in bed. Each floor had a floor mother. They slept in rooms in the basement, four of them. They were accessible if the girls needed them. Most did not though, as they were encouraged to rely on their roommates.

Their roommates would only change under drastic need. If one was expelled or failed out a new one would be brought in. If a serious enough falling out happened, they would also be switched out. Very few people had rooms with less than full capacity, they were mostly the problem children or older ones.

The girls were sat in chairs in a big auditorium watching the stage. The principal was a man, and he was introducing the teachers and rules. Soon though Auna was ushered out of her seat by a staff member to get ready for her years speech. Years one to ten representatives would be giving one. The red and blue years were considered too young.

“Now to introduce A, Jade. This years’ year one representative.” The principal clapped with everyone as he motioned for her to step up.

Auna had her wings put away as she was in the school uniform. She had to use the stepping stool to get up to the microphone like device.

“Hello everyone. I am sure like myself many of you are nervous, and worried about how this year is going to go. As a year we collectively scored higher than any year in the last thirty years. If we work together, we can continue to achieve such amazing feats. Let’s work together to make this year an amazing year. I will take this responsibility of representative seriously so please do come to me with any problems.” Auna walked away from the microphone, there was clapping as the principal introduced the next speaker.

“Guess you didn’t need my help with the speech.” Jensen smiled at her. They were seated together in their second class, scripture. Their first-class common language was missed due to the assembly.

“Shouldn’t you be reading?” Auna smirked looking at him sideways.

“I’m finished the assignment, like you did already. Are you reading ahead?” Jensen was balancing his pencil on his eraser. The children in this world used pencils while the adults used quills.

“Yeah, but we still have thirty minutes left of class. You should take this time to read the scriptures. It’ll help you better understand them for the future.” Auna shook her head lightly.

“You would be wise to follow As’ lead young lord Pearl.” Mrs. Veil, the teacher tsked at him, taking his assignment to look at.

“Well done though.” Mrs. Veil smiled.

Auna and Jensen went back to their books. There were many different years in this class. It was an elective for a major or minor, which meant children were mixed together. Auna and Jensen had scored enough points to have the right to study this subject. There were no other year ones. Though their prayer class would have some as anyone could take the weekend class.

“Want to eat lunch together?” Jensen asked as they left the classroom, both having stored their books in their magic storage.

“Sure, are you okay eating with the girls? What about your roommates?” Auna was sitting down to eat, having grabbed their trays sitting near her roommates.

“There they are, over here boys.” Jensen called out to identical triplets.

“Hello cutie.” One said to Jensen winking.

The triplets were introduced to the girls as Diego the cocky one, Mateo the sassy one, and Bruno the mischievous one. They all had fluffy curly hair to their shoulders. It was pink while their eyes were purple. They were also fairy hybrids.

“I thought fairy people were rare but there are five in our year?” Chole was eyeing up the five of them.

“Well, my mother was basically bought by my dad politically. Or so I heard.” Auna shrugged.

“Same story, but our mom ran away. We were then given to lord Pearl to raise. So, we are basically brothers. Our last name is Coral still but like your girl we have technically been removed from our registry.” Diego explained. “Nobles like rare things so of course they would do whatever they could to have fairy children.”

“Gross, I am sorry about your mom though.” Chole said.

“It is gross, but true. My mother didn’t look alive the few times I could see her, she was just going through the motion.” Auna ate some of her food.

“About ten years ago a few villages of fairy people were found. They burned them to the ground and took as many prisoners as possible. The rest of the survivors ran away. The only reason the nobles got away with it was they claimed to the public that they attacked. It was during an expedition into the waste lands, so everyone believed it. And thus, the once thought of as nearly extinct people were named savages. Or worst they were seen as willing brides.” Auna took a deep breath.

“I found a journal of my dad’s. I stole it before I left, he probably still is looking for it. It names everyone involved. Many ran away or died before getting back here. Only my dad and Lord Coral were able to secure a bride. Their men were the only ones who brought an alive girl back.” Auna finished. For a few moments everything was quiet.

“Yeah, I guess you five are the only ones I have ever seen. As far as I heard you five are the only ones in the school right now. All the other years are gossiping about you like crazy.” Chole looked around the eating hall.

“I know we heard as well. There are nasty rumours about our fathers because of it.” Jensen said looking upset. “My mom loves my dad; they have two older children and another on the way. My mom was found as a child by my granddad in the sea. She was brought back and raised in an orphanage. My dad found her years later. My granddad never knew she was a fairy.” Jensens’ spoon broke.

“Sorry you have to deal with this.” Auna put a hand on his shoulder.

“My moon you always know how to calm me down.” Jensen seemed to have completely calmed down.

“We all have basic magic next; it should be fun.” Chole smiled.

“I have playtime next so I should have fun as well.” Ciela got up to put her dishes away. “See you later?”

“Of course, behave.” Auna waved goodbye. “Should we get ready as well?”

“Yeah, I guess so.” One of the triplets said stretching.

“You always want to sleep after a meal, so lazy.” Jensen teased as they got up.

The children had spent about thirty minutes in the eating hall. They would need some time to walk across campus and pick their seats for their next class. They figured a head start wouldn’t hurt, especially since Jensen would always get distracted.

The children arrived twenty minutes early to class, picking their seats in the back. The fairy people of the group had had enough of being looked at.

“You children are very early. How studious. I’m Mr. Merlin. Why are you in the back?” Mr. Merlin was a kind looking young man with eyeglasses.

“Our peers give us odd looks because we are fairy born.” One of the triplets spoke.

“Oh, how unfortunate. I understand. Well, I will not treat you any different if it helps. You’ll have to earn your grades just like everyone else.” Mr. Merlin winked chuckling as well.