Accomodations

Standing tall was a man dressed in white and black garments with hair as golden as the sun. His hand shoved a foldable pamphlet towards Elijah and Niko. 

"Welcome to the Academy Hall. If you will, please follow the people in front of you to the auditorium. There is a speech from the Vice-President occurring as we speak…"

Both were quickly led into a grand room with rows and rows of seats. Sure, there were empty spaces, but there were also dozens of kids standing at the back — unwilling to take a seat next to a stranger.

This came as a surprise to Elijah considering the warmth the white-pillared auditorium gave off. Especially considering the different shades of orange and yellow lights that blankets the ceiling in a funky pattern.

"… Now, if you look at the pamphlet you have been given, it details the entirety of the campus to ensure you will not find yourself lost. I would highly recommend studying the map… Hopefully it jumpstarts your brains for the amount of work you will be given…"

Vice President Borus Greyrat was someone with a sense of charm. Instead of being "by the book", he chose to freestyle the rest of his speech.

What Elijah learned was that over the next fortnight, the entrance fee related to your part must be paid in full, as well as settling yourself into your room. 

The first fortnight of the Academy will hold a very light grace period that will ease into the first fortnight of material. 

Additionally, there will be an optional gathering to the west of the Academy Hall for the purpose of answering questions and seeking help.

Borus made it very clear…

If anyone is in need of guidance, ask the appointed counselor who resides in the Academy Hall.

After Borus left the stage, Elijah walked back outside the Auditorium which was directly to the left of the entrance hallway.

A straight hallway with a curved ceiling led Elijah to a room with thick braided ropes dangling from the ceiling. A longer glance led Elijah to believe these were the support beams that held the ceiling intact. However, the roof was not the curved blue and glass slotted roof that Elijah had barely noticed before.

Instead, it was a mirrored ceiling with an amalgamation of triangular shapes at different angles.

"Whoever designed these places was a master architect." Elijah said to Niko while walking around the common area. Balconies for each story wrapped around the building in a perfect circle, while dozens of seating areas and plants sat on the floor. Hallways were seen at each polar point for a total of eight, and allowed Elijah to picture the entire layout of the building inside his head.

A game that he played in his past life was now being used in his current life.

All it took was a single glance towards a beautiful mansion to predict where every room and hallways was.

…

Elijah's steps echoed for over three minutes as he passed down a long hallway. Next to each navy blue door was a small white desk that fit with the surrounding area. Four drawers were seen with empty places dedicated for likely name plates.

"494…"

The silver handle of the door was slightly curved, and clicked the moment the release was pressed.

"I guess it makes sense why it is open." Elijah stared at a door-side table similar to the one just outside the door. A name was printed on an aged envelope that had a certain thickness to it. 

"Elijah Veran".

A simple white keycard with a bright blue diamond, which was also found on the front of his notebook.

Instantly, the room opened up into a common area with a table for four people, couches and coffee table, and a small kitchen. There were also a row of cabinets across the wall that the door resides on.

Directly in front of Elijah were two wide windows that spanned the width of the room. The view looked out to the east of the campus, which was filled with nothing but grass, trees, and the continuation of the Education district. A gate similar to the gate they had entered into was visible.

To his left and right were four doors, which were obviously the four bedrooms he was told about. Unfortunately, as he had already found out, the washrooms were separate and tailored to four different dorms — found between every two doors.

Elijah heard sounds within one of the doors, but proceeded to head towards the left door with a view to the outside. Since there were no names, he assumed it was first come first serve.

On the left side of the room was a full-sized bed with a blue and white patterned quilt. Next to the bedside table was a fairly large desk meant for studying that backed up to the window. Finally, on the same wall as the door, was a set of storage drawers and empty hangers. However, these empty hangers were next to six academy uniforms of the same design.

"I can't say this is surprising considering the history of this place." Elijah muttered.

Elijah felt the need to claim this room. Since he did not have any bags on his person, he decided to start taking out his personal belongings he didn't necessarily need from his spatial storages.

Firstly, his pair of extra clothes that he kept for safekeeping was also laid on the bed as a way to truly signify claimed territory. Also, the sets of uniforms were scattered across the bed, signifying ownership.

Elijah suspected no one would mess with someone who dared to lay their knives and swords on their bed…

"If only Niko were in the same dorm as me…"

Clank!

Outside, a door was heard shutting — signifying movement that Elijah chose to act on.

"Lith?"

"Elijah?"

Both students exclaimed their surprise the second each other's faces were revealed.

Part of Lith was scared as he had seen the power Elijah unleashed without him even knowing. A crow perched on a tree — silently staring through the illumination of the storm.

"I-I can't believe we are roommates!" Lith expressed trying to hide his small hint of fear.

"I'm glad you made it! But honestly, I'm not surprised. Your ability is very valuable." Elijah spoke the cold hard truth. The potential Lith's ability possessed was truly amazing — especially if his ability would develop during his progression through the core stages.

Bonk!

Lith bumped into the side of the square table that sat next to the small kitchen. "Ouch!"

"Hmmm… I think our roommates will not like the fact they won't have a window." Lith said awkwardly.

"Well… I don't have anything else to unpack so I will be leaving. I will see you again pretty soon."

"Ah… yes… I am living here as of today, so I guess it will be a little lonely."

"Honestly, I will most likely be back in a couple of days. I have been sleeping on a couch for some time now, and would prefer to sleep here."

Elijah quickly bid his farewell, and walked out of the door while stuffing his key card 'inside his jacket'.

Niko was seen walking down the extremely long hall, which meant that he had finished everything he needed to accomplish.

Eye contact with other passerby's were made, including females, but no conversation was made.

All in all, Elijah was genuinely filled with anticipation.

The change in scenery would be something that could catapult himself into the good habits he used to do in the Outer West of Astraea.

Exercising his body, meditation, and especially cooking delicious and nurturing meals.

As Elijah and Niko walked out of the eastern dorm building — named Avant, they stared ahead towards the Academy Hall.

The sights of lone trees, light stone pathways, white stone fences that lined the edge of a small cliffside walkway, and the vibrant green grass that seemed completely untouched painted a picture of a place that was well taken care of.

The warm touch of Niko's hand was planted on Elijah's shoulder. "Everything is going to be just fine…"

"You say that… But just because this place looks really nice, doesn't mean war or beasts do not exist…"