"Well," Terra said, grinning, breaking the tension. "Enough of the heavy stuff. Let's talk about getting around the school. I'm guessing none of you know your way around yet."
We all nodded.
"We have all been to our dorm rooms and the main hall but don't know much about the rest of the school," Orin said, then looked at me. "Well, other than Jack, I guess."
I smiled and asked, "Would any of you like to show me around? I still have to unpack and handle some other things."
Ark shook his head and said, "I have some things to do, so I won't be joining you."
Knowing his personality, I doubted what Ark said but didn't push it.
I glanced at Terra, who shook her head. "I'm in another year, so classes start tomorrow for me, so I have to get ready for that."
Zek also shook his head. "Sorry, me neither. I was planning on heading to the library after this."
I nodded, but a thought came to mind, and I asked everyone, "Weird question, but does anyone know what Aconite is?"
Everyone took a moment and thought but gave no answers.
I did notice Ark flinch slightly; he might know what it is.
Zek was the only person who gave me a lead. "No, sorry, I don't. I do recognize the name but don't remember what it is. I think it might be a type of plant, but I could be wrong."
I nodded and made a note to ask Willow later.
Orin turned to me. "Me and Araki are free. Want us to give you a tour?"
"Sounds good," I said, standing up and stretching. "Let's see what this place has to offer."
"How does everyone feel about meeting up later today?" Araki asked before everyone left.
We all agreed to meet in the cafeteria at 6. Terra refused, saying that she figured it was best for us to interact with people in our own year rather than hanging around an upperclasswoman.
It was agreed, and we all got up and started to leave. I spoke to the nurse and said I was leaving. He reminded me to take it easy and, if I felt something was wrong, to come to him as fast as possible.
I nodded, and we all split up and left the infirmary.
Volt decided to leave as well, but before he left, he decided to tell me another cryptic prophecy. This time, it was for Zek:
"The stars align under the 5th lion's mane, forging bonds of blood and steel. The mentor's hands craft not salvation but servitude, as kin becomes captor and the frost-fire soul risks the same chains that bind its shadow."
'...What the fuck?' I thought as we left the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~
As I walked through the school with Araki and Orin, they showed me a few places.
The cafeteria, where we will go later; the main entrance, so I know how to leave the building; the main office, where students go for help and new students retrieve maps of the school (of which I grabbed one); and the library, where I saw Zek sitting alone, reading a book.
I thought about talking to him, but I decided not to, as he was clearly engrossed in what he was reading.
Curious, I said, "Glare," and summoned another spirit.
I felt an itch on my hand and eyes, subtly turned my hand, and pointed it toward Zek.
My vision distorted, changing to a zoomed-in view of Zek, allowing me to read the title of his book.
Harmony of Opposites: A Study in Dual Elemental Magic
'So he wishes to learn how to use his affinities better. Interesting,' I thought as I dismissed the spirit and continued walking.
As we went around the academy, I saw a lot of noble students glaring at us—a Lizardman, a Half-Orc, and a human who fought against a pack of Hellhounds. Their looks were full of disgust and disdain; they didn't like us. It was a disappointing scene for me.
The Rumia Kingdom, where we live, under the current king, has become known for showing equal treatment to all races and has been working hard to abolish the current treatment of certain races, aiming to mimic how some other kingdoms act.
I admire the king for doing this, but I also know how this will affect the kingdom in the future, and I fear the nobles inciting a revolution.
Focusing back on where I was walking, Araki and Orin led me to the door of the main hall, where all new students would gather for the entrance ceremony in a few days.
The door was closed and locked tight, and nobody was able to enter, probably due to some preparations or last-minute renovations.
As we walked away, I could hear yelling on the other side of the door but could not make out what it was about.
I pulled a seed from my pocket, flicked it into a potted plant nearby, and walked away.
"Willow, watch and report," I said quietly, summoning her inside the seed I threw.
After showing me a few more places, we eventually ended up at the men's dorms.
Orin knocked on a door labeled [Dorm Supervisor], and a young man walked out.
He looked to be in his early 20s and had short brown hair, darker skin, and blue eyes.
I noticed he was in a student uniform and figured he was a student in charge of the dorms, as a staff member couldn't do it.
He took a second before a sign of recognition appeared on his face. "Orin, right?"
Orin nodded. "Yep. I'm here to help a friend find his room and get settled in," he said, pointing at me.
I waved my hand and said, "Hi, I'm Jackson. I was in the infirmary last night after I fought the Hellhounds in the arena, so I haven't gotten to handle this part yet."
Shocked, the man took a second before saying, "Wait, there really was a Hellhound attack yesterday, and you're the one who fought them?!"
I nodded. "Yep. Though they were in a weakened state, thankfully, or I wouldn't have fought them."
The man took a second before saying, "Well, Jackson, I'm Nathan, but feel free to call me Nate. Although I am still a student, I am in charge of the men's commoner dorms. If you ever need help with something, please come talk to me," he said, extending his hand.
I shook his hand and said, "Thanks, I will. And you can call me Jack."
He nodded, walked back into his room, and came back with a clipboard and some keys.
"Here are your room keys. I just need you to sign here," he said as he handed me the clipboard and a pen.
I put my name down and gave him back the clipboard.
He checked the board and was about to give me the keys but hesitated for a second.
"Dravos. Your family name is Dravos?" he asked excitedly.
Confused, I answered, "Yes? Is there a problem?"
"N-no, it's not that. It's just... my mother came here when she was our age and told me about a man named Draven Dravos. He was an expert swordsman and blacksmith, and it was rumored that he was personally taught by the previous headmaster before he retired.
"He was the most powerful and popular student at the time and was rumored to be a possible S-Class Adventurer in a few years."
We all stared in shock.
Cough "Yeah, that was my dad, but he never told me about that."
Nate stared at me in shock and asked, "Where is he now? I doubt he would have hidden something like that if he knew you were attending here."
I sighed and said, "Both my parents died ten years ago. I had just turned eight at the time."
Everyone was silent after hearing that.
"Oh, I'm... I'm sorry to hear that," Nate said.
"It's alright. It happened a long time ago, and as long as I hold what they taught me in my heart, I will honor their memory," I said with a somber smile.
Everyone relaxed, though some tension was still present.
"I am happy to learn more about my parents while I'm here, so if we could meet up another time, I would like to hear more of what you know—if you don't mind, of course."
He nodded. "Of course. I will write to my mother and ask her about some stories she has about him. Is it alright if I tell her who you are?"
"It's fine. Just leave out the Hellhound part—she might freak out and try to pull you out," I joked, and we parted ways.
I checked my key, saw my room number, and we walked to it.
When I found it, I opened the door, walked in, and turned on the lights.
I looked around the room and liked what I saw.
There were two beds, desks, dressers, and chairs on each side of the room.
I noticed a bag and some black clothes on one bed and realized I had a roommate who wasn't there.
Orin and Araki walked in, and we talked for a bit before Orin added, "So, you do have a roommate. I wonder who is alone."
"What do you mean, alone?" Araki asked.
Orin turned back and said, "Only fifteen of us got in, right? I doubt nobles would allow themselves to sleep anywhere near us commoners, so they won't share rooms with us, and upperclassmen won't share rooms with us either. Our rooms have two beds, and only eight rooms are being used by us.
"Eight times two is sixteen, and sixteen minus fifteen is one—so one bed is empty, meaning someone has a room all to themselves." He just spouted out those numbers and reasoning.
"Good math. You are right—one person will be alone. I wonder who it is."
~~~~~~~~~~
Ark's POV
I sat alone in my room, lying on my bed.
I had come back here after the infirmary, as I was too mentally and emotionally exhausted.
I am not used to much social interaction, so today was a bit much, even if it was only for an hour or so.
And to add to that, I didn't get much sleep last night, as I was worried about Jack. He wasn't severely injured after his fight, but something made me worry about him more than anything else.
I locked myself in my room, thankful I wasn't sharing it, but I quickly remembered everyone else was sharing their rooms with someone.
I started to panic slightly as I realized Jack hadn't gotten his room yet and that I might be sharing with him.
I felt my heart beat like crazy, and I couldn't think properly. I breathed slowly, trying to calm myself down, and managed it a bit, but I was mostly unsuccessful.
I soon heard the footsteps of three people walking by, along with Orin, Araki, and Jack talking.
I stayed silent and didn't move as I heard them pass my door.
I let out a sigh of relief as I heard them stop at another door.
I cracked my door open slightly to see where Jack's room was—a few doors down on the other side of the hall.
I walked back to my bed and tried to fall asleep. This was too much excitement for me right now.