"Dear students, I welcome you all to our academy. I presume you have everything ready for your next three months inside the academy. Also, personal servants are only allowed inside on the first day to organize your lodgings and luggage.
The students in the elite class will have separate houses, while the other students will have to reside in the dormitories shared by two students, in which female and male dormitories are located on either side.
As for the extra information, it will be provided tomorrow at the inauguration ceremony. For now, follow your group and reach your lodging."
Vice principal Siona got down from the stage and started leading Elite students to their houses, including Alex and Clara. In contrast, the other students were guided separately by the male head prefect and the female head prefect.
Alex decided to check the power of Vice principal Siona Yinris using his ability [[[ Analysis] ]].
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# Sionia Yinris #
{+} Ability - [[[ Plant Manipulation ]]]
- [[[ Wooden golem creation ]]]
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The [[[ Plant manipulation ]]] ability allows her to accelerate the growth of plants and control them significantly. [[[ Wooden Golem Creation ]]] refers to the plant-like creature that could be initially seen at the university entrance. According to Alex, it was a pretty helpful ability. Alex just kept the skills in mind in case he ever needed them.
After a while, she called Clara and started talking with her. Alex couldn't hear what they were saying and was not interested. So he just kept observing his surroundings.
Behind Siona, Yinris were the elven princess Viessa and the Merfolk princess Aquina. Reiko and Akina were behind them, while the dwarf prince Rurgit was in front of Alex.
Alex could see other students of the elite class here and there. They were Kimiko, a female beastkin with the ability [[[ Power Augmentation ]]]. It gives her the capability to enhance or weaken the powers of others to a certain degree.
Next up, there was an elf male following right next to Viessa. His name was Tarron Sylran. From his demeanor and posture, Alex concluded that he must be assigned as a guard for the princess. His power was [[[Duplication ]]] . He could create physical duplicates of himself. Although he didn't have super strength or something akin to it, it was helpful in confusing his opponents and conducting surveillance.
{think of it as basically creating shadow clones without any jutsu.
Lastly, a Merfolk girl named Viviana could be seen next to Aquina. She had the ability [[[Compelling voice ]]]. It allowed her to control or disrupt the mind of an opponent up to a certain extent. At least until the effect wears off and the target is released.
It can even affect a person's emotional state without them realizing it. It is a very subtle ability but powerful if used correctly.
Alex knew that although all these powers sounded incredibly powerful, there were also many limitations to them, such as the said person's mental prowess and physical stamina. Meditation is also a factor that cannot be forgotten, as it helps to decrease the limitations of the ability and increase its usage, whether in terms of power or time.
The houses for the elite students were well-built, and there was even a tiny garden in front of each home. They were arranged as two columns with six rows on each side so that the houses faced each other.
Everything looked spotless, without any speck of dust inside the houses. Vice principal Sionia also informed the group that they could choose any place they wanted and that areas weren't separated on a gender basis.
Viessa and Sylan first chose their houses and got their respective keys. Reiko, Akina, and Kimiko took their keys and selected places next to each other on the elves' opposite side. After that, Aquina and Viviana picked the two houses next to Viessa. Rurgit also followed them and went to the one next to Viviana.
At last, the only ones left were the human princess Esther, Clara, and of course, our MC, Alex. There was an awkward silence as the three considered which lodging to pick. Alex decided to break the silence and greeted the princes.
"It is an honor to meet you, princess Esther."
Alex spoke with a slightly bowed head. Clara also followed him and gave her greetings to the princess.
"No need to call me princess, as we all are students. I would prefer if you called me Esther."
Princess Esther said while giving Alex and Clara a smile.
"If you say so, prin--- , I mean Esther."
Alex and Clara said simultaneously with a slight stutter, making Esther laugh.
Esther Felice is the daughter of the current human king. She is related to the fabled Queen Astoria.
As queen Astoria never got married, she gave her throne to her brother, and Esther is a descendant of that brother. Queen Astoria is something akin to an ancestor for her.
In Grevandria, most people live exceptionally long compared to Alex's previous life. But only a handful of people can live farther than 400 years. Especially for the human race, as they have short life spans.
In the case of elves, it is vastly different. They can live for thousands of years before returning to the soil. But since they have long life spans, their fertility rate is relatively low. So there is not much of a population of elves compared to humans, as they have one of the highest reproduction rates.
"Alex, Clara, Congratulations on getting into the elite class! It is rare to see a commoner with such powerful abilities, no offense.
It just means how much potential you have. Especially you, Clara; having three abilities is so rare that you are the second person to have it after Queen Astoria."
"Thank you, E-Esther."
Clara said with a slightly flushed face.
"I hope we all get along well, Esther."
Alex replied while extending his hand. Only after a while did he remember that there is no handshake concept in this world. So Alex embarrassedly took his hand back and pretended to scratch his head.
"As well as I, Alex."
Esther said while ignoring Alex's weird gesture. After this brief exchange, she took her key and approached the house next to Akina. Alex was surprised that she even remembered his name. "Then again, there were only 11 students in the elite class, so it's unsurprising," Alex thought.
"Clara, I guess we're the only ones left. How about you go next to Esther, and I will stay next to your house?"
"Yeah. Let's do that, Alex."--She looked around the place in a daze--"Still, this all feels like a dream, you know?"
"Want me to give you a pinch?"
Alex gave Clara a fake predatory smile.
"No need"
Clara instantly replied, took her keys, and vanished into her house. She was nowhere to be seen.
Alex also went towards his lodging after that brief encounter with a slightly tired face. As many things happened to Alex these few days, he just wanted to get some well-deserved rest now.
That night, Alex made his bed, pillows, and even sheets using his ability, putting royal beds to shame.