Staring in awe at the dormitory building, Ella felt like a small ant. The dormitory reminded her of Hogwarts, with a dark gothic architecture only contrasted with red and cream bricks. At the centre of the building was a large entrance, but Professor Rose Hemmings guided them to another much smaller entrance on the right side. Ella passed by tall windows and thick trees, and she marvelled at the sight of them.
"Hello, girls. As you can tell, we will not be using the main entrance of the dormitory but instead the separate entrance for female students only. In total, there are four entrances: the main central entrance, one at the front and the back of the building and two remaining entrances for each gender. You can treat this entrance as your private getaway as only girls can use these doors." The professor gave a cheeky wink making the girls giggle.
"Now as we enter inside, I want you all line up into two lines. There will be two female doctors who will conduct the health test and will explain it in greater detail. When you are finished, we will discuss more about the rooms!"
The girls all lined up into two separate lines, Ella walking calmly to the second one. Seeing all the girls excited gave her nostalgia, reminiscing of her times in high school. [Fufufu~ these girls are so young and cute].
"Hello, students! We are Dr Yuki and Dr Yue. Don't worry, this test won't hurt you at all. We will just ask some simple questions. We'll then check your heartbeat, breathing, weight, height and mana. This is so that we ensure you girls are in top physical shape! It won't take longer than 5 minutes at most."
After a couple of minutes, it was Ella's turn. [Shit, why am I getting anxious all of a sudden? Chill girl].
"Hello. My name is Dr Yuki, what's your name and birthday, sweetie?" The young doctor reminded her of her mother which instantly relaxed Ella's worries.
"My name is Ella Deon. Umm...my birthday is February 23."
"It says that you don't have any health issues, but just to double-check do you suffer from any illnesses?"
"Not that I can think of?"
"That's not a problem. I'll just take your height."
"Okay, 165cm, the average height."
After a few more tests, Ella only had the mana test left, the one she was most excited about.
"So lastly, is the mana test. I will place this mana measure on your chest and you will feel a pinch, but it won't last long. It'll only take a few seconds."
Dr Yuki placed a circular gold metal instrument with a white stone in the centre on Ella's chest. [That must be a piece of the mana stone in the Holy Temple!]. As soon as she placed it, Ella felt as though someone had pinched her arms. But as soon as she felt it, the pain was gone.
"Wow. Amazing, Ella! I think you are the most gifted person I've ever tested. I see you have the gift of light. I can't wait to tell my apprentice I've met a light user!"
"Thank you, Doctor." Ella blushed. She always felt awkward when people complimented her, even more so in a body that technically wasn't hers.
"Well, it seems that you don't have any obvious health concerns, except that you need to eat more. Otherwise, you're good to go!"
Ella thanked Dr Yuki before walking back to Professor Hemmings.
"Okay girls! Since you've all completed the health checks we will let you know about your dorm rooms and most importantly, your roommates!"
"As you can tell the dormitory has three levels. The first level is mainly filled with empty rooms and a lounge area, which are used for club activities or special nights such as a movie or game nights. The remaining two levels are your dorm rooms: juniors on the second floor and seniors on the top floor.
As you all know, female dorms are on the right side of the building. Each room has two bedrooms, a bathroom and a mini kitchen. The rooms at the Academy are spacious so you certainly do not have to worry about imposing on each other's personal space.
Since your belongings are already in your designated rooms, I'll announce your roommates and room number together and you can go unpack. Be sure to get to know your roommate and become friends! As a reminder, lunch begins at 1 pm, so you have roughly two hours to get sorted. Have fun, girls!"
As Professor Hemmings started calling off names, Ella became more and more eager to see who her roommate was. [Whoever it is, I just hope they're cute and nice!].
"Merula Noir and Ella Deon! Your room number is 17."
[Wait- oh shit! That's me! Wait, omg I'm roommates with Merula?!]. Trying to gain her composure while walking, Professor Hemmings handed them two gold keys with the number 17 printed on them.
Walking up the stairs to their room, both girls were silent. [Oh god, shit what do I say? She's so cute! Wait, just breathe. It'll be fine].
"Ummm, hi. Sorry for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Ella Deon. It's a pleasure to meet you." Ella gave a warm smile, praying that Merula would smile back.
"Yes, hello. I am Merula Noir, and I know who you are." Merula's sharp voice struck Ella. Inside, she was screaming. [Help!! She's so cute!!!!!].
"Huh? You know who I am?" Ella asked, shocked.
"Of course, we were both at the Mana test. Most people know who you are because of your light affinity." Merula said straightforwardly.
[I see, so she's a logical and straightforward girl. She's not cold at all? Why would the novel defame her like this!!]
"I see. I didn't realise, I don't pay much attention to others. But I definitely saw you too! I think your powers are amazing. Like, I wish I had your powers instead!" Ella excitedly told Merula.
Merula's eyes went wide as if she couldn't believe someone would say that to her.
"Oh sorry! I tend to get very emotional when I'm excited. But I really do mean it. I think your powers are extraordinary, not to mention you were the prettiest person I've ever seen," Ella said, staring deep into Merula's eyes.
"Thank you. You are very kind, Ella." Merula looked down, her cheeks flushed.
"Oh my god. You are so cute, Merula. Let's be best friends, please." Clasping Merula's hands, Ella put on the best puppy eyes she could.
[Please let this work. Please, my beautiful idol. Please say yes, please, please, please, please-].
"Yes, of course." Merula hesitantly nodded, giving a small smile.
"Thank you, Merula! We are going to be the best of friends, you'll see! Oh look, here's our room!"
The two girls stood in front of a wooden door with the numbers 17 plated in gold.
"Would you kindly to the honours of opening our room, my friend?" Ella asked, imitating a showman's bow.
"Okay." Merula gave a small giggle, turning the key and opening the door into their dorm.
[Eh, she's so cute?? The novel described her as cold and emotionless, but the more I interact with her, the more it seems she was just shy and introverted? It must have been some bad rumours spread by jealously].
Inside, the dorm room was spacious just as Professor Hemmings had said. There were two separate bedrooms with tall windows, a kitchenette with a small wooden dining table and a bathroom on the right side.
"Oh, this is amazing! Merula, which bedroom do you want, the right or the left?" Ella asked.
"I will take the right." Merula smiled.
"Sure!"
Popping into Merula's room, Ella was amazed at what was offered. There was a large bed in the centre and a study desk and chair. The wardrobe was large and there were many storage places. It looked like something out of an Ikea catalogue. Surprisingly, Merula didn't seem to mind Ella's presence in her room.
"Merula, I'm gonna jump on your bed."
"Okay...wait-" Merula turned but it was too late. She already leapt onto Merula's bed.
"Heeheehee...it's so fluffy, Merula! Come on, you jump too!" Ella said, making a star with her body.
"Umm...okay then. I've never done this before," Merula nodded before making a small jump.
Ella laughed at how Merula's small body bounced on the bed, with Merula finally joining in the laughter.
"Hey Merula, were you serious when you said you've never jumped on a bed before?" Ella asked.
[There's no way she couldn't have. All kids do this].
"Yes. That was my first time."
"But, like- how?" Ella was exasperated.
"It was frowned upon by nobility etiquette," Merula said, her eyes downcasted.
[So it was the way she was brought up. That makes a lot more sense. But the way I see it, she's just a young, inexperienced girl. No wonder her character was prone to extreme jealously. But for now, she reminds me of a small rabbit].
"Well screw that! We're at the Academy now so we're going to have all the fun we can do. I understand I might seem ignorant since I was raised in the countryside and I'm a "commoner" and I don't have a clue about the ways of Capitol society, but I can assure you Merula, I'll protect you since you're my friend now!" Ella exclaimed, putting her hand on her heart.
[Oh god. I think that was the most cliche, cheesiest thing I have ever said in my two lifetimes].
"Thank you, Ella. For being my friend." Merula gave Ella the biggest smile she ever saw.
And with that, she jumped on Merula for a bear hug.