Rael and Elara arrived at the grand gates of the Manoshka Academy dorms, their anticipation mingling with the nervous energy of new beginnings. The sprawling campus greeted them with open arms, bustling with the excitement of new students eager to embark on their educational journey. As they approached the entrance, Elara turned to Rael, her eyes reflecting a mix of sadness and determination.
"It seems this is where our paths diverge, at least for the night," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the din of the crowd.
Rael nodded, his heart heavy with the prospect of their temporary separation. "Yes, but we'll reunite tomorrow at the opening ceremony. I promise."
Elara offered him a small, reassuring smile before disappearing into the throng of students heading towards the girl's dormitory. Left to his own devices, Rael made his way to the boys' dormitory, his mind swirling with a mix of emotions.
He hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door marked "Dorm Incharge." The door swung open to reveal a scruffy, bearded man with a bottle of booze in one hand and a disinterested expression on his weathered face.
"Uh, hi. I'm Rael, the new student," Rael said tentatively, unsure of what to make of the disheveled figure before him.
The man grunted in response, taking a long swig from his bottle. "Jakub. I'm the dorm incharge. Your room's on the third floor, Room 3. You'll have three roommates. Don't cause trouble, and we won't have any problems."
Rael nodded, taking in Jakub's less-than-enthusiastic welcome. He gathered his belongings and made his way to the third floor, his mind buzzing with curiosity about his new living arrangements.
Upon reaching Room 3, Rael took a deep breath before knocking on the door. It swung open to reveal a scene that caught him off guard. Before he could react, he found himself disarming one of his roommates, the tension in the room palpable.
"Whoa, chill out! We're all roommates here," the guy exclaimed, his hands raised in surrender.
Rael relaxed his grip, taking in the sight of his three new roommates. Kwayur, the slim-built guy he had just disarmed, introduced himself as an aspiring assassin with a talent for healing. Zhatar, the imposing figure polishing his weapons, hailed from a distant land and came to the academy seeking knowledge to benefit his people. And then there was Keita, the feminine-looking guy bustling about in the kitchen, who confessed to escaping his stifling family to forge his own path at the academy.
Despite the initial tension, Rael couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with his new roommates. They were all embarking on this journey together, each with their own hopes and dreams for the future.
After the introductions, Rael retreated to the bathroom for a much-needed shower. As the warm water cascaded over him, he let out a sigh of relief, feeling the tension of the day wash away.
Lost in thought, he reflected on the events of the day and the connections he had made with his fellow students. Emerging from the shower, Rael felt refreshed and renewed, ready to face whatever the academy had in store for him.
Later, as Keita set out a delicious meal for them to share, the atmosphere in the room shifted from apprehension to warmth. They exchanged stories and laughter, forging bonds that would carry them through the challenges ahead.
Climbing into bed, Rael drifted off to sleep with a contented smile, his heart full with the promise of new beginnings and the bonds of friendship that had already begun to form.....
But amidst all this , a sudden sadness strikes him as he ever been friendly to anyone before !? What does friendship mean to the likes of him !? Can he actually trust this people!? These thoughts too had started circulating. But he remembered what old man Yakichima once said to him , he had said that " Yer son always look at the good , the bad pre exists by solely because we fret our minds over it; Good though you need to think a lot " he continued " So change that , change that way of thinking wherein you just take in the good and exclude the bad". This word ringed true to the ears of a thoughtful yet tired Rael , he softly proclaimed that he won't think much of the bad going forward and will only take in the good and with that he slowly drifted in slumber with all eyes on tomorrow's academy opening wherein the real mission begins.