Chapter 5: Dorms
All students lived on the academy premises for the tenure of their five-year student life, and there were only weekly or monthly visits to their hometowns and families.
He knocked on the door and gently pushed it aside. There was another person already on the bed, lying comfortably.
Azek looked toward his luggage. Everything had been neatly arranged by the dorm staff, and a bedside table, chair, and personal cupboards were available for use.
Well, I guess you can expect at least that kind of standard since this is the Royal Academy, Azek thought, and put his things away.
He didn't bother with formalities with the other person, as he didn't seem too interested in him either, and went straight for a bath, getting busy with his own activities.
Without him noticing it was already midnight when he went to bed.
"Wake up."
"Wake up."
The next morning, he was suddenly woken up by a jolt.
He immediately sat up straight and looked toward the hand grabbing his shoulder tightly.
He took a few seconds to come to and looked at the person who had woken him up so rudely.
It was his roommate—the person with ashen hair—Matthew Lionheart.
"Wake up, or you'll be late for class."
Matthew took his hand off and turned away.
Azek looked at him and then suddenly realized—
It was already late, and class would be starting shortly.
Shit.
He immediately sprang up and went to the bathroom.
But why did I sleep so late?
Washing up and putting on his uniform at the greatest speed he could muster, this was the only thought on his mind.
After he took his things and came out of the room, Matthew was outside waiting.
He immediately bowed in a simple thank-you.
Matthew looked at him with a disgusted expression.
"Save it. We'll be getting punished for being late."
Azek looked toward the hourglass clock on one of the academy pillars and saw there was almost no time.
They had to reach the class on time.
He thought only for a split second and took Matthew's hand.
"Run."
"What???"
Before Matthew could even process what was happening, he found himself being dragged away at lightning speed.
Twists and turns came as they zigzagged their way between students, and when they reached the class corridor, they saw Professor Albert coming from the other end.
Damn it.
Azek saw that the back door still wasn't closed and immediately rushed into the class.
After sitting in his seat, he finally took long, deep breaths to calm himself.
Only then did he think of Matthew and look behind him.
The guy was slumped in the last chair, almost half-dead, gasping so hard as if all the air had been pumped out of his lungs.
When Azek met his eyes, Matthew shot him a resentful glance.
Azek immediately bowed and gestured an apology.
The desk mate on his right side watched this whole fiasco and was dumbfounded.
Out of concern, he blurted out, "Is everything okay?"
Azek turned toward him.
He had black hair with distinct ear piercings, and his features reminded him of modern-day high school drama actors.
"Yes, everything is fine. I woke up late, so I had to rush here," Azek said.
"Ohhh… by the way, I'm Edrin Lionheart. I'm the cousin of Matthew—your roommate."
Edrin introduced himself.
Azek looked at him carefully.
Like his appearance, his manners were very calm and friendly.
"I'm Azek Willowheart."
A simple handshake followed the introduction.
"What were you writing in the lecture yesterday?" Edrin asked curiously.
"I was taking notes of what the professor taught us."
"Is there a need to write it down? Isn't it all written in the books anyway?" Edrin asked.
If it were yesterday, Azek would definitely have thought he was being looked down upon.
But yesterday in the mess hall, he had listened to some gossip about how one first-year student wrote down everything the professors taught.
There was clear ridicule and sarcasm, and he came to know that nobody took notes since the professors taught everything from books and students could read them.
It was considered a baseless effort.
Azek replied calmly,
"It helps me understand better, and books don't have everything the professors teach.
Some things are practical, so instead of checking each and every book, I can simply check my notes and read them instead of going through the hassle."
"Ahhh."
Edrin nodded in understanding.
Professor Albert came in just then.
After the roll call, he immediately pointed to a student and asked her to stand up.
The student stood at attention.
"What is the four basic elemental mana theory?"
The question was simple, but the student was nervous, so she stumbled, then slowly answered in a meek voice.
"Sit down."
" you in 2nd row stand up"
" Next."
" Next."
" Next."
The whole class viva exam started right then and there, and by the end of it, the students were utterly terrified.
After he was done, the expression on Albert's face hardened.
"Seems like only one student took the liberty to actually read and remember key points.
The rest were doing what?"
The voice was low, but the tone was seething.
Azek looked toward his arm.
Edrin was clenching his shirt, cold sweat dripping down his face.