The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the academy grounds as students made their way toward the dormitories.
The excitement from the opening ceremony had slowly faded, replaced by tired conversations and the occasional complaint about carrying luggage.
Ethan walked beside Oliver, following the stone path that led to Dormitory B.
"So," Oliver asked, stretching his arms behind his head, "what did you think of the Headmaster?"
"He seems…different."
"Different?"
"I expected someone stricter."
Oliver laughed.
"Everyone says that."
"The Headmaster looks gentle."
He lowered his voice.
"But don't let that fool you."
"They say he once defeated an entire wyvern nest by himself."
"…"
"I've learned not to judge people by appearances anymore."
If someone had told Ethan a few days ago that he'd wake up in another world…
He would've laughed.
Now?
Nothing seemed impossible.
Dormitory B stood four stories tall.
Unlike the academy's elegant white marble buildings, the dormitory was built from gray stone covered in climbing ivy.
Students constantly walked in and out through its large wooden entrance.
Some struggled with trunks almost as large as themselves.
Others chatted excitedly about classes beginning tomorrow.
A senior student stood near the entrance with a clipboard.
"First-years, line up if you haven't received your room key!"
Oliver nudged Ethan.
"Come on."
The line moved quickly.
When it was Ethan's turn, the senior smiled politely.
"Name?"
"Lucien Veris."
The senior scanned the list.
"Room 214."
He handed Ethan a small silver key attached to a wooden tag engraved with 214.
"Second floor."
"If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you."
Oliver accepted his own key moments later.
"Room 211."
He grinned.
"I'm so glad we're neighbors"
The two climbed the wide staircase to the second floor.
The hallway stretched in both directions, lined with identical wooden doors.
Small brass numbers gleamed beside each one.
210. 211. 212. 213.
"There it is."
Ethan stopped before Room 214.
He hesitated.
It felt oddly significant.
This would be his home for the foreseeable future.
Taking a quiet breath, he unlocked the door.
Click.
The room wasn't luxurious.
But compared to his tiny apartment…
It felt enormous.
Two neatly made beds stood against opposite walls.
Each had its own desk, bookshelf, wardrobe, and window.
Sunlight poured through white curtains, giving the room a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
"…Nice."
Oliver peeked inside.
"Ooh."
"You got lucky."
"What do you mean?"
"Some rooms barely get any sunlight."
Ethan smiled.
"I'll take all the luck I can get."
His luggage had already been delivered.
Or rather…
Lucien's mountain of luggage.
Three large trunks sat neatly beside one bed.
"…Seriously?"
Oliver laughed.
"Traveling light, I see."
"I didn't pack these."
"I know."
"Our parents did."
"…Fair point."
Oliver glanced toward the hallway.
"I should go unpack."
"Dinner's in about an hour."
"We can walk there together."
"Sounds good."
After saying goodbye, Oliver disappeared into Room 211.
The hallway gradually grew quiet.
For the first time since arriving at the academy…
Ethan was alone.
He slowly sat on the edge of the bed.
The room felt peaceful.
Too peaceful.
He looked around quietly.
His academy badge rested on the desk.
His room key lay beside it.
Outside, students laughed somewhere in the courtyard below.
"…"
It still didn't feel real.
He reached into his pocket.
Empty.
Of course.
His phone wasn't there.
Not that it would have worked in another world anyway.
He sighed.
"I miss technology."
[Host appears nostalgic.]
The System appeared beside the window.
"You noticed."
[Affirmative.]
Ethan looked outside.
"I just…"
He searched for the right words.
"I keep expecting to wake up. Or hear my alarm. But every time I look around…"
"…I'm still here."
The System remained silent.
A few minutes later, Ethan decided to unpack.
Opening the first trunk, he nearly laughed.
"So many clothes…"
Formal uniforms.
Casual outfits.
Winter coats.
Boots.
Scarves.
Gloves.
Enough clothing to last several seasons.
Lucien's family clearly wasn't lacking money.
The second trunk contained books.
Mostly magic theory.
History.
Geography.
A few novels.
"Hm."
He pulled one free.
Fundamentals of Fire Magic.
Lucien's memories stirred.
He had been halfway through reading it before leaving home.
"I guess he was actually a decent student."
The third trunk was much smaller.
Inside sat several personal belongings.
A leather notebook.
An old fountain pen.
A silver pocket watch.
And…
A framed photograph.
Ethan carefully picked it up.
Lucien stood between his parents.
All three were smiling.
"…"
A strange emotion surfaced.
Not his own.
A quiet longing.
Lucien had genuinely loved his family.
Ethan gently placed the picture on the desk.
"I'll take good care of your things."
The words escaped before he realized it.
He blinked.
"…That sounded weird."
[Host is displaying empathy.]
"No really. I couldn't tell."
Even if Lucien was gone…
This had been his life.
His room.
His belongings.
It felt wrong to treat them carelessly.
Suddenly
Knock.
Knock.
Ethan looked toward the door.
"Come in."
The door opened.
A tall student with neatly combed brown hair stepped inside.
He wore the badge of a third-year student.
"Good afternoon."
"I'm one of the resident assistants."
"My name is Daniel."
"I'll be supervising this floor."
Ethan stood politely.
"It's nice to meet you."
Daniel smiled.
"I won't keep you long."
"I'm just reminding everyone that dinner begins in forty-five minutes."
He handed Ethan a folded schedule.
"This contains tomorrow's class timetable."
Ethan unfolded it.
His eyes widened.
Morning
Mana Control | Magical Theory
Afternoon
Practical Spell Casting | Physical Conditioning
"…Physical conditioning?"
Daniel chuckled.
"Even mages need stamina."
"…Right. I forgot."
"You'll also meet your classmates tomorrow."
Daniel smiled.
"Enjoy your first evening."
After another polite nod, he continued down the hallway, knocking on the next door.
As the room grew quiet again, Ethan looked back at the schedule.
Tomorrow…
Classes would officially begin.
He'd meet professors.
Learn magic.
And spend every day at the same academy as Adrian.
A small blue notification quietly appeared.
[Main Mission Reminder
Hero Status: Safe
Story Deviation: 0.3%
Next Known Major Event:
Magic Department Orientation - Tomorrow Morning]
Ethan read the notification twice.
"So that's where the story continues."
According to the novel…
Tomorrow would also be the first time Adrian truly stood out.
Not in swordsmanship.
But in something much simpler.
A classroom exercise that no one expected a commoner to excel at.
Ethan smiled faintly.
"I can't wait to see everyone's faces."
He folded the schedule and slipped it into his desk drawer.
Tomorrow, the first real day of academy life would begin.