Chapter 9: Student dormitories

Hugan: “This is the student dormitories. The female dormitory is on the left, and the male dormitory is on the right. The building in the middle is the dining hall and communal bathhouse. Curfew is at 10pm. If you’re going to be late, make sure to contact the matron.”

The student dormitories of Centrior stood tall in a 凹 shape. Considering there were 450 students in total, the building looked way too huge but Razé assumed this was also an aristocratic standard. She shouldn’t be too particular about these things.

“When you get inside, tell your name to the matron and they will give you your room key. Your luggage has already been teleported to your room. Each room will be shared by two people. Make sure to get along well.” Hugan said and walked towards the entrance.

There was quite a distance between the classroom and the dormitories. I have to be careful not to oversleep, Razé thought.

There were few doors lined up side by side, and when she went through it, the first thing she saw was the chandelier. Base color for the building interior was black, and it had an atmosphere like a luxury hotel. Razé blinked a few times as she looked around.

The hospitality here is very great.

For the aristocrats this might be nothing special, but for commoner this was very grand. Razé was already used to it because she had visited the Staff Headquarter so many times. But Folia who was standing next to her was moving around restlessly.

Hugan: “The welcome party will start at 6.30pm at the same main hall earlier. Wear formal attire, make sure you don’t get lost and come on time. Until then, you can do whatever you want. I’ll be at the dormitory lobby. You can come and find me if there is anything. Dismissed!”

The students dispersed and went to get their key from the matron. Razé queued up too and met the matron who was wearing round glasses.

Matron: “Congratulations on entering the school.”

Razé: “Thank you. My name is Razé Granoli.”

Matron: “Here is your key.”

Razé: “I’ll be in your care for these 3 years.”

Matron: “Likewise. I wish you all the best.”

Razé received a bookmark-shaped key from the very friendly matron. There was a number 2103 written at the top. When she went to find Folia and Carna, she was surprised to find out that she was in the same room with Folia.

Folia: “Yeay! I’m so glad my roommate is you, Razé-chan!”

Razé: “Un. Me too.”

Carna: “So nice. I wonder what my roommate looks like. I’m nervous.”

Carna’s room number is 3116. Their room was quite far away.

Razé: “I’m sure you will get along well, Carna-sama.”

Carna: “You think so?”

Razé: “Yes.”

Razé cheered Carna up. She was a kind-hearted person who wouldn’t mind to be friend with commoner. Surely, she could get along well with her roommate easily.

Carna: “See you at the hall later.”

Razé: “Okay.”

After parting with Carna at the stairs, Razé and Folia went upstairs. Soon they found their room and Razé let the excited Folia to unlock the door and went inside.

Folia: “Wah! This place is so nice!”

The room was larger than Razé’s home and was equipped with bed, desk and closet. It was not as flashy as she had had imagined, and had a soothing interior. She knew that she won’t feel stuffy even if she stayed there for three years. Even if they closed the curtain in the middle, the space was large enough without giving a feeling of oppression.

Razé: “We have to clear up the luggage first.”

Folia: “Un!”

They both started to clear up the luggage that was left by the bed. Razé only brought few items such as clothes, stationery, and daily necessities. It didn’t take her long to finish clearing up everything.

“Such an expensive thing. I already said I don’t need it!” Folia was grumbling while taking out clothes and makeup from a parcel. Most of the luggage in the room belonged to her and it seemed that it wasn’t prepared by herself.

Razé felt curious. She then picked up a handkerchief that had fallen on the floor.

This crest!

When she saw the embroidered crest, she was very surprised. The logo had a hawk with three arrows, and three stars lined up on top of it. Stars were considered extremely sacred in this world and were not something that could be used easily. Moreover, there were not many households that could use star in their crest.

This is the crest of the Moldir family. This kid … her backer is the Cardinal?!!

Razé used to work with the Military Intelligence Department. She knew every VIP in the country. This crest was definitely belonged to Lord Moldir. “… Here, you drop this. Folia, did you go to the church?” Razé passed the handkerchief to Folia and casually inquired about her relation with Lord Moldir.

Folia: “Oh, thanks! It’s not that I go to the church. I live at the church. Actually, I’m an orphan born in the Year of Seira. I got thrown away when I was a baby so I don’t know who my parents are. But I was taken care by a very kind and beautiful Mother, so I wasn’t sad at all. For me, Mother is my mom.

The enrollment into this academy was also supported by Mother’s acquaintance. I came here with the support of various people …. They even prepare something so expensive like these for me … I was a little surprised.” Folia smiled wryly.

Razé was convinced that Folia was raised in the church. At the same time, she was surprised to know that Folia was an orphan.

Razé: “I see. Thank you for telling me. My family had passed away, so I’m like you too.”

Folia: “Really?”

Razé: “Yeah. But like you, I also have someone who are like family to me. So, I’m fine.”

Razé inadvertently touched her earring. She was a little homesick when she remembered her friends at the military.

“Razé-chan, I’m so glad that I get to be your friend!” Folia was filled with emotion and she hugged Razé. She must have felt inferior being here and was anxious. Razé was hugged tightly and her heart felt warm.

Razé: “Me too, Folia. Let’s work hard together for the next 3 years.”

Folia: “Un!”

Ah, now I know. The thing that was lacking in the military was this therapeutic feeling.

Raze was so convinced as she was hugged by the angelic Folia.

Even so, Folia’s backer was terrifying. She might want to argue ‘what is the definition of commoner’, but there was one thing she was sure about; it was almost impossible for ordinary people to enter this school.

Perhaps if she really looked for it, she might find an actual commoner, but it was extremely difficult to enter this academy without someone to support you.

Both Folia and Razé were commoners by birth. But they both possessed a certain amount of power unlike other commoners. Otherwise, both of them would not be able to cross the threshold of Centrior.

Well, once they entered this academy, the difference between the aristocratic and the commoner class became clear based on their upbringing. So, commoner was still a commoner. There was a clear line drawn between them.

Razé: “You were lucky to have nice people around you. You’d better make good use of the gifts that they send.”

Folia: “… You’re right. Thanks, Razé-chan.”

Razé: “Don’t mention it.”

Because Razé entered this school for a mission, she could claim the expense for reimbursement. But it didn’t mean that she could simply waste money around. There were things that she needed to pay it herself. So, she envied Folia a bit because the Cardinal would take care of everything for her.

Maybe she was the poorest person in this academy. But she had saved quite a bit of money and didn’t have the time to spend it. Now, she could spend them here while she lived in the academy for these 3 years.

Folia: “Wow! These …”

Folia screamed when she opened the closet to store her luggage. Razé took a peek and saw that there were nearly 10 dresses in it. By all means, this was not something that a commoner could have.

Folia: “This was a bit too much, Zale-sama …”

Razé couldn’t say anything to this. Obviously, Cardinal Zale Ile Moldir really adored Folia very much. If there was anyone who dared to bother her, that person might not be able to see the light of day. This was scarier than monsters … Heaven forbid …

Razé: “My closet has spaces. Why don’t you put it there?”

Looking at the clothes that couldn’t fit into the closet, Folia felt at a loss. So Razé decided to help her out. She didn’t bring any dangerous or suspicious things to the school, so she didn’t mind other people going through her closet.

Folia: “Is it okay?”

Razé: “Un. We should help each other out. We’re going to be roommates for the next 3 years anyway.”

Folia: “Thank you! Razé-chan!”

Folia was overwhelmed and looked at Razé with sparkles in her eyes.

So cute. So therapeutic. I’m the one who should thank you.

It wasn’t until she came here that she knew the reason why the military was full of ‘carnivore man’[1]. In the future, I’ll be more considerate to my subordinates.

* * *

Razé heard a knocking sound and went to open the door.

Razé: “Yes?”

“Hi!” Two female senior students wearing uniform stood at the door. They came to help explain things around, so Razé let them in.

“I’m Alisa Fervor, 2nd Year. This is Mary Winston. Our room is right opposite yours, Room 2203. At Centrior, the 2nd Year student is supposed to take care of the 1st Year student who stayed in the opposite room. So if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to knock our door!” Alisa with braided red hair was very friendly.

“It might be hard at first to be in an unfamiliar environment, but it’s not so bad once you get used to it. Don’t worry.” Mary who has the aura of a top student wearing glasses with her straight black hair, has calm personality and looked like someone you could rely on.

Razé and Folia introduced themselves. Then Folia finished clearing up her luggage. After that, the two seniors took them around to teach them how to use the bathhouse and dining hall.

Alisa: “This is the communal bathhouse. You can use it anytime you want. It is natural onsen[2], so your skin would become very smooth.”

“O- Onsen?” Folia asked with widened eyes.

Alisa: “It’s true. Awesome, right? Let’s go in and take a look!”

They followed Alisa in and saw a spacious locker room. The lockers’ height was around below the chest, and on top of it was a huge mirror covering all over the wall.

In front of the mirror, a few girls were meticulously applying beauty essence to their bodies. They were preparing for the welcome party tonight. A locker room covered with mirrors all over the wall was in line with the aesthetic sense of these young ladies.

Alisa: “On the left side is the shower room. Up ahead is the bathhouse. Make sure you follow the instructions and rules.”

Razé and Folia: “Yes.”

They left the bathhouse and next went to take a peek at the dining hall. The dining halls were located on the second and third floor of the center building. The second floor was for buffet and the third floor was where you could order from the menu.

Alisa: “The seats there is reserved for top aristocrats. Don’t sit there even if the seats are empty. Other than that, there is nothing else you need to be careful of.”

Folia was worried. She asked, “really? I must make sure to remember this …”

“Don’t worry. It is very rare for all the seats to be taken,” said Alisa to reassure Folia.

“It’s time. You should go prepare for the welcome party. Did you two bring your dress?” asked Mary as she looked at her watch.

Razé: “Yes. I actually didn’t know that formal attire means dress, I almost forgot to prepare one.”

Alisa: “Yeah, I still remember that I was surprised about that too.”

Razé was relieved that Alisa felt the same. This meant that there was nothing wrong with her common sense.

Mary: “There is nothing wrong with wearing school uniform as formal attire. If you care too much about what the aristocrats think of you, then you will lose. Be proud of who you are. Understand?”

Razé and Folia nodded silently.

“Just think of it as a lesson so that when you become someone great and socialize in the future, you won’t get embarrassed.” Mary was holding a fist, her eyes behind the glasses were burning with flames. It sounded like something had happened to her in the past, but nobody dared to ask her for details.

Razé: “Thank you for showing us around.”

Folia: “Can I go find you if I have any question later?”

Alisa: “Of course! No need to be shy.”

Mary: “Right. There are not many commoners here. We should work hard together. Congratulations on getting admitted to the academy. Please wear this when you go to the party.”

Mary gave a flower corsage to each of them. Razé and Folia looked at each other and replied cheerfully, “Thank you.” It made them realized that they really got enrolled into Centrior.

Then the four of them returned to their room. Razé and Folia began preparing for the welcome party.

[1] carnivore man: refers to guys who are proactive about love, typically masculine, flirty, high confident. There is a wikipage for herbivore men, but no wiki for carnivore men. ↩

[2] onsen: hot spring ↩

T/L Note: The chapter are getting longer and longer. From now on, I’m going to release 1 chapter daily at 5pm GMT +8.