Chapter 61 Dormitory
Knock, knock.
Early in the morning, I knocked on Silveryn’s door.
“Come in.”
Stepping inside, I found Silveryn combing her hair in front of the mirror.
“Teacher, today…”
Before I could say anything, she cut me off.
“I know, I know. Today, is it?”
“…Yes.”
It was the day of the dormitory move-in at Eternia.
“I loaded my luggage onto the carriage yesterday… It’s not much, and I can manage on my own.”
It wasn’t a distant move, nor would I be staying at the dormitory permanently. A short trip there and back on my own would suffice.
Yet Silveryn seemed willing to accompany me, happily accepting the bother. I had no idea why she would want to.
“Uhm, no. I want to go too.”
I worried that Silveryn’s presence would attract too much attention.
While I appreciated the company, I did not wish to impose a feeling of disparity on my peers, who would be sharing the school life with me, by leveraging her reputation.
…I’m not sure. She must have her reasons.
“Then, are you ready to go?”
“Yes. All that’s left is to ride the carriage.”
“Do you mind waiting outside while I change?”
“Understood.”
I stepped out of the mansion and waited by the carriage for Silveryn to arrive.
A few minutes later, she emerged, dressed in a light gown.
I boarded the carriage with her.
Less than an hour after leaving the mansion, we arrived at Eternia.
The carriage entered through the main gate.
This was my second visit to Eternia, just about a fortnight since the entrance exams.
Unlike then, the campus was devoid of people, silent.
Silveryn quietly observed the scene outside the window.
“It’s too quiet for a dormitory move-in day.”
I had expected to see at least a few of my fellow incoming students since we were all supposed to be moving in together.
“Everyone else probably didn’t get the early notice like you did. Dormitory move-ins are notified by rank.”
“Do we really need to move in by rank…?”
“Well, once you’re admitted to Eternia, everyone has equal student status, but there are always those each year who cannot strictly adhere to such school regulations. Among the new students, there will be those for whom it’s unfamiliar to coexist with commoners on equal footing. It’s important to send them a clear message.”
“What message?”
“That here, regardless of origin or status, those who have proven their value are given priority.”
“…”
“Not just at move-in. According to their grades, students are assigned different dormitory buildings and have access to different facilities.”
“Is such differentiation really necessary?”
“Absolutely. Although such a system might overheat competition among students due to grades, without setting distinctions, they’d just create their own class society, which leads to bigger problems.”
“Create their own class society…?”
“Exactly. There are those steeped in classism who cannot stand everyone being treated equally. If left alone, they form factions based on their status, disrupting the school atmosphere.”
Silveryn spoke as though she had witnessed such cases more than once.
“Most get indoctrinated within a year or two, but as a freshman, you won’t be free from classism yet. There’ll be a fair amount of trouble.”
“I understand.”
I had anticipated as much. Nobles who’ve lived privileged lives might find it difficult to accept suddenly dropping to equal footing with commoners in one fell swoop. Even I found the idea of being treated equally somewhat oppressive.
I’d likely face derision and challenges occasionally.
“Of course, aside from your grades you were probably called early for a different reason.”
The other reason didn’t need to be mentioned. I could guess it was because of the Masters’ Class.
“Let’s get off here.”
Not long after we passed Eternia’s main gate, Silveryn signaled for the carriage to stop.
She alighted first, and I followed.
She sent the carriage on its way to the dormitory.
Stretching, Silveryn said,
“I’m sick of riding the carriage. Let’s walk.”
When the weather was nice and time allowed, Silveryn loved to stroll or go out. While I did not naturally tend towards such activities, her preferences were slowly starting to rub off on me.
“That sounds nice.”
Silveryn walked ahead with her hands clasped behind her back.
During the entrance exams, my focus was elsewhere, and there were too many people around for me to take in Eternia’s campus.
Now I realize how vast it is. Just within my field of vision, there are three or four structures that look like large fortresses with numerous outbuildings attached to each.
The Eternia campus didn’t have a superfluity to its name. Ornamental trees, walking paths, fences, buildings…nothing was missing, each as if handcrafted by artisans, detailed and antique.
It was magnificent and beautiful, but the excessiveness also made it feel unreal and foreign.
Silveryn suddenly turned around as if she remembered something.
“Oh, by the way, you need to choose an artistic specialty too, so think about it beforehand.”
“…Artistic specialty?”
“In addition to your main field of study, you’re required to choose and complete one art course.”
That’s headache-inducing. I hardly know anything about art. The most I’ve ever done was learn a bit of chant during my time at the Acates Temple.
“What courses are there…?”
“Um… There’s visual arts, music, dance, drama, writing, and… handicrafts. If you go into specifics, there are even more.”
I didn’t have to think long.
“It seems fitting for me to take handicrafts, right?”
Silveryn shook her head as if she didn’t like that idea.
“You don’t have to choose something you’re good at. This isn’t about the grades. You’re free to choose whatever you like, as long as you complete the course.”
“What do you think I would be good at, teacher?”
“Well, for starters, choose something you can enjoy. If you just grit your teeth and grit through even your art specialty time, school life will be very hard.”
“…That’s tough.”
Something I can enjoy. It would have been easier if she told me to pick something that would bring in money or help manage relationships.
“…”
Silveryn gazed at me intently, then turned around, showing her back and let out a light sigh.
“Being happy is the hardest thing for you… I worry.”
Then she moved ahead.
***
The Northern Village housed the dormitories for 1st and 2nd-year students, and the Southern Village for 3rd and 4th years, both divided around a central grand garden.
The Northern Village, also called 1, 2, 3, 4 dorms for convenience, comprised Marigold Hall for the top tier, Kaluna Hall for the mid-tier, Betony Hall for the lower tiers, and the special Witthrush Hall for students requiring special management.
Marigold Hall housed the highest-ranking students, while Kaluna Hall and Betony Hall were designated for middle and lower-ranked students, respectively.
The Witthrush Hall, unassociated with grades, was for those needing special care.
And among these dormitories, my assignment was…
After explaining about the dormitories, Silveryn looked at my notice and said,
“You’re in 4, the Witthrush Hall.”
“…”
Observing my reaction, Silveryn inquired,
“Why do you look like that?”
Considering the first dormitory, Marigold Hall, was set aside for top-tier students, the fourth dormitory, Witthrush Hall, seemed like a facility for the lowest-ranking or problematic students.
“It’s nothing.”
She tilted her head as if my response was odd.
“Typically, recommended students are assigned to Witthrush. It has better facilities and support than Marigold. Whatever is on your mind, you don’t need to worry.”
“What does ‘special management’ mean?”
“It means a truly specific case. This includes royalty or those of comparable status, relatives of individuals who have made significant contributions to Eternia, or… those who require constant caregiving.”
Witthrush Hall was designed to accommodate those whose value or traits couldn’t be simply categorized by grades.
While this was the opposite of what I had assumed, living in the same building with royalty or similar figures was a problem in itself.
As we reached the dormitory garden, Silveryn sat on the edge of the fountain, tapping her leg with her fist, and said,
“My legs hurt. Let’s get to the dorm.”
“You rest, teacher. I can go by myself.”
Moving the few boxes that needed to be transported hardly required Silveryn’s assistance.
“No, I want to go too.”
***
The lounge in Witthrush Hall was comfortable.
Warm-colored carpets and sofas. Wooden tables. And in one corner, a fireplace and yellow mana lamps lit the lounge gently.
A maid approached us; she greeted Silveryn and me with a slight bow.
Then, as if we were the only people expected at this hour, she led us without any further checks or procedures.
“This way, please.”
We followed the maid up a spiral staircase.
Inside, the dormitory was deathly silent. No sign of anyone else as we traversed the stairs and hallway.
The maid stopped in the corridor and handed me a key.
Room 31F
My assigned room was at the end of the corridor on the third floor.
Highest level, most secluded spot.
Without any further explanation, the maid left.
We opened the door and entered.
A large panoramic window and bed. A gray rug in the center, a desk, and a wardrobe greeted us in the seemingly oversized room for one person.
Silveryn, without looking around the room, went straight to the bed and flung herself onto it.
“This one’s mine.”
“…?”
Then she wriggled under the thick duvet, sliding in sneakily. It didn’t look like she was lying down out of fatigue.
Her actions were that of an invader seizing an unguarded territory by force.
“Teacher…?”
She had covered herself entirely, only her head poking out of the white bedding. Her spread of dark red hair looked even more striking against it.
“Why?”
Anyone might think this was Silveryn’s room.
“Well… I’ll go fetch the rest of the luggage.”
Silveryn waved her hand out from the duvet, gesturing for me to go on, then covered her head again.
“Right. Finish up whatever you have to.”
“……”
“I’m busy too.”
She continued to fidget under the covers.
I nearly voiced my thoughts, but after a slight hesitation, I decided against it.
Anyway, for someone who tends to run hot, doesn’t the professor feel too warm under all that?
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