Dormitory

Time had passed, and all students who already had a dormitory were asked to gather in their respective dorms before dinner. They quickly made their way to the dormitories and entered the large hall room. Each dorm had a different building, providing the same facilities but with different designs.

Wein Arcveil followed the wave of students, entering as his fellow dormmates also stepped into the grand building.

The Drakvaris Dormitory stood tall and majestic like an ancient castle born from the shadows of a primordial age. Its walls were constructed from rough, old gray stones, adorned with detailed carvings depicting dragons, blazing fire, and ancient symbols that glimmered faintly as night fell. Each side of the building was lined with pointed towers soaring sharply into the sky, as if trying to pierce the clouds passing by.

Its main façade appeared like a painting of eternity: large arches with stained glass windows illustrating legends of dark magic ancestry. Giant pillars supported the main gate, decorated with grinning stone dragon statues guarding every step into the dormitory grounds. Intricate carvings covered almost every surface, showcasing the craftsmanship of a mysterious bygone era.

The roofs towered high in Gothic style, adorned with gargoyles shaped like mythological creatures that appeared almost alive, watching anyone who dared approach. When sunlight touched its walls, sharp shadows from the towers and arches created a gloomy yet grand impression, making Drakvaris not merely a dormitory—but a monument to the grandeur of dark magic and the determination of its chosen occupants.

Wein had an overflowing number of questions that, if opened like a door, would stream endlessly with no clear end in this world.

He wondered how such a grand structure could stand atop a floating island. Wein realized this was a fantasy world, but was there a scientific explanation out there?

The most acceptable explanation for people in Wein's old world would be a scientific or theoretical reason that convinced humanity.

But in this world, there was no such thing—at least if Wein remained within the academy environment. Initially, he intended to graduate here first and then go on a journey, but he found that idea less satisfying.

Wein entered the dormitory gate, stepping past the boundary between the world and the dragons, from the brightness of the evening sky to the thick shadows hanging high over the stone ceiling. The atmosphere shifted instantly—the air inside felt heavier, filled with the scent of old stone, ash, and something faint, like traces of ancient magic not yet fully extinguished.

The main hallway soared tens of meters high, with rows of massive pillars stretching to the arched ceiling, as if embracing the darkness above. The pillars weren't plain—they were carved in the shape of coiled dragons, scaly and fanged, as if silently moving within the dim glow of floating blue fire torches suspended without support. Their light danced, creating living shadows that occasionally resembled the silhouettes of strange creatures.

The floor was made of polished black stone, reflecting the light in bluish gleams. Wein's footsteps echoed softly, blending with faint whispers that seemed to come either from echoes—or something more… alive. Along the walls, ancient murals and carved panels depicted the history of dark wizards, ancient dragons, and long-forgotten magical wars.

At the center of the hall stood a spiral staircase rising like the backbone of a dragon, leading residents to rooms above. The surrounding walls were adorned with dark stained-glass windows, not depicting holiness, but scenes of magical battles, blood sacrifices, and symbols of primal energy. When moonlight passed through the glass, patterns of ancient magic dimly glowed, like reviving old tales in silence.

The air inside the dormitory felt alive, like an entity that both welcomed and tested anyone who entered. This wasn't merely a place to live—it was an altar of power, a proving ground of courage, and a lair for those who embraced the dark side of magic.

We were all guided toward The Great Dragon Hall, and now Wein had passed through countless ancient buildings. They were all amazed and stunned by this magnificence.

The floor echoed as Wein walked across it and made his way to the grand hall of the dragons…

The hall stretched wide, evoking both awe and fear. Wein's steps echoed on the smooth black stone floor, each footprint bouncing off the towering walls that stood silently. The space was empty—no chairs, no tables, nothing in the center of the room. Just pure emptiness, as if this hall was not meant for comfort but to show how small living beings were before a greater power.

Yet its limits remained. In the distance, Wein could still see the sturdy walls enclosing the hall, standing firm in majestic Gothic style. Giant pillars rose from floor to the vaulted ceiling, supporting the space with the arrogance of ancient stone. Each pillar was carved with coiled dragons, claws gripping the stone, eyes made of obsidian watching anyone who entered. The arches above intertwined like dragon bones locked in eternity.

Light from the dark stained glass—blue, deep purple, and blood red—filtered in through the tall walls, casting shimmering reflections that flowed like magical spirits through the air. The stained glass depicted magical battles, dragons devouring the sky, and ancient magical rituals shrouded in mysterious symbols. Each beam of light touching the floor formed sharp shadows in the shape of magical symbols, as if the hall was alive, drawing energy from those who stepped within.

Though empty, the hall never felt hollow. The air resonated with thick silence, as if this place stored echoes of old rituals performed in ages past. In the center of the floor, a massive magic circle was faintly etched, covered by the dust of time, yet still faintly pulsing with dim purple light—a sign that its power had not entirely faded.

A podium stood there, with curtains ready to cover it, and the students of Drakvaris Dormitory approached it.

The students had gathered, their expressions mixed, and they approached the podium. Wein, watching this, began to wonder—what figure would appear behind it?

Darkness suddenly enveloped the hall, like a blanket of night dropped without warning. The light from the stained glass windows slowly dimmed, as if devoured by an unseen force. The entire hall sank into pitch-black shadows, leaving only the sound of breathing and the slight trembling of air that had turned colder, sharper—like the breath of ancient magic awakening once more.

Then, one by one, lights began to ignite. Not ordinary torches—but floating magical fireballs slowly emerging from above, appearing along the arched ceiling. They glowed in bluish-purple flames, spreading eerie light that danced along the stone walls, casting dragon silhouettes that shifted faintly among the massive pillars. The light didn't drive away the darkness completely—only tamed it, forming a contrast that heightened the magical and mysterious atmosphere of the room.

Suddenly, one light focused forward—toward an ancient stone podium previously hidden in the shadows. Its surface was rough, decorated with carvings of coiled dragons and magic symbols that glowed faintly when touched by the light. The podium seemed to be the center point of the entire hall—not merely a place to speak, but an altar of power, a place where words could become spells, and voices could trigger destruction or revival.

That spotlight stood alone, bright amidst the shadows, like an invitation that could not be ignored. The atmosphere was tense yet solemn, as if something important was about to begin. Wein could only stare at the podium, feeling an invisible pressure flowing from the floor up to the tip of his spine. The hall had changed. It was no longer merely an empty space—it had now become a stage, a place where history would be rewritten once again.