As the masked man exited the hall, a tense silence lingered, only to be broken by the echoing sound of hooves against the stone floor. The students turned to see another figure entering. This one was unlike anything they had ever encountered.
He had the upper body of a man—broad shoulders, muscular arms, and a chiseled torso—but where his waist should have ended, the body of a horse began. His four legs moved with a commanding grace, and his long, braided hair swayed with each step. The creature's piercing amber eyes scanned the room with an intensity that sent shivers down everyone's spines.
"I am Aegiron," the centaur announced, his deep voice resonating through the hall. "Your hostel master. I will be assigning your rooms."
Murmurs swept through the crowd as the students exchanged nervous glances. Most had never seen a creature like him before, let alone imagined such beings existed outside of myths.
Amid the quiet awe, a muffled snicker broke out from the back of the crowd. Aegiron's sharp ears twitched, and his eyes zeroed in on Arthur, who was desperately trying to cover his mouth.
"Hey, you fucker!" Aegiron bellowed, his voice booming like thunder. "Why are you laughing?"
Arthur's face turned pale as the centaur stomped through the crowd toward him. "No! Sir, I wasn't—"
Before Arthur could finish his excuse, Aegiron grabbed him by the collar with one hand and lifted him effortlessly off the ground. Arthur's legs kicked uselessly as the centaur's other hand clenched into a fist.
The students froze, unsure whether to laugh or fear for Arthur's life.
"You think this is funny?" Aegiron growled, his eyes narrowing.
Arthur shook his head rapidly. "N-no, sir! I swear! I wasn't laughing at—" He cut himself off, glancing nervously at Aegiron's lower body. The centaur's glare hardened, clearly catching the implication.
Arthur's heart pounded in his chest. He knew he was in serious trouble. Aegiron looked ready to crush him when Arthur's eyes darted toward Chase, who stood calmly a few feet away. Despite the situation, Chase wore a faint smirk, clearly amused by Arthur's predicament.
Arthur's lips curled into a sly grin. "Sir, it was him!" he blurted, pointing at Chase. "He made me laugh!"
Chase's smirk faltered as Aegiron turned his gaze toward him. The centaur's amber eyes narrowed as he dropped Arthur unceremoniously to the floor. Arthur scrambled away, grinning triumphantly.
Aegiron marched toward Chase, his hooves striking the ground with an ominous rhythm. The other students stepped back, giving the centaur a wide berth.
Chase straightened, his smirk gone. He met Aegiron's gaze with his usual stoicism, but the centaur's towering form made even him feel small.
"You think it's funny, too?" Aegiron growled, looming over him.
The tension in the room was palpable as Aegiron raised a hand, seemingly ready to grab Chase. But then his eyes fell on the black band wrapped around Chase's wrist.
The change in Aegiron's demeanor was instant. His hand froze mid-motion, and a flicker of recognition crossed his face. He lowered his arm and stepped back, his expression shifting from anger to unease.
"You..." Aegiron muttered, his voice softer now. He straightened, clearing his throat. "You're a black-tier student."
The room fell silent. The significance of the black band hadn't fully sunk in until now, but Aegiron's reaction made it clear how much weight it carried.
"I... I don't want any trouble," Aegiron said, his tone almost apologetic. He gestured for Chase to follow him. "Come with me."
Chase raised an eyebrow but said nothing, stepping forward as the centaur led him away. The students watched in stunned silence, whispers breaking out among them as the two disappeared through the door.
Arthur sat on the floor, still rubbing his sore back from where he'd been dropped. He glanced at the crowd, smirking as if he'd just won a victory. "Told you," he muttered, "I'm untouchable."
Belinda rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "Idiot."
The silence in the hall was broken as the door slammed open, and Aegiron stormed back in, his hooves clattering loudly against the stone floor. His eyes swept over the crowd.
"You!" Aegiron barked, pointing a large finger at him. "Stand in the corner."
Chase raised an eyebrow but complied, stepping aside to the far end of the room. The centaur then scanned the crowd again, his expression darkening as a thought crossed his mind.
"Where is that goofy-ass motherfucker?!" Aegiron bellowed, his voice echoing like a thunderclap.
The students froze, their gazes darting nervously around. Suddenly, a voice piped up from right beside Chase.
"I'm here, sir," Arthur said cheerfully, raising a hand. "Been here all along."
Chase's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't noticed Arthur approach him. Hell, even Belinda, who had been standing close to Arthur moments ago, looked stunned.
"When did he...?" Belinda muttered, unable to finish the thought.
Aegiron squinted at Arthur for a moment before nodding approvingly. "Good. Stay there."
The centaur stomped to the center of the room, his towering figure commanding everyone's attention. He placed his hands on his hips, glancing over the crowd with a mix of irritation and disinterest.
"Now listen up," Aegiron said, his tone sharp. "Normally, I'm supposed to waste time asking for your names and going through some long-ass process before assigning your rooms." He waved a dismissive hand. "But I don't have time for you motherfuckers."
The students exchanged wary glances.
"So here's the deal," Aegiron continued, his voice rising. "You pick two roommates. I don't care who. Then you pick a room. Simple as that."
A moment of stunned silence followed his announcement before a boy near the back hesitantly raised his hand.
"Uh, sir," the boy began nervously, "does that mean we can choose a girl as a roommate?"
Aegiron's eyes flashed dangerously, and he slammed a hoof on the ground. "Don't you fucking hear what I just said?!" he roared. "I don't care who you choose! Pick a girl, pick a guy, pick a damn pigeon for all I care!"
The students gaped at him, their disbelief mirrored in their wide eyes. None of them had expected this level of freedom in their room assignments.
Carter, who stood toward the middle of the group, grinned slyly and turned to Belinda, who was standing beside Hayla and Kellie. He opened his mouth to ask, but before he could utter a word, Belinda's sharp gaze cut him off.
"Fuck off," she said coldly, her tone brooking no argument. She hooked her arms around Hayla and Kellie, clearly having already chosen her roommates.
Carter recoiled as though slapped, his grin vanishing.
Meanwhile, Aegiron's gaze landed on Chase and Arthur again, a slow, predatory grin spreading across his face.
"And as for you two twat fuckers," Aegiron said, his grin growing wider, "I've got a special room for you."
Chase stiffened, shooting a glare at Arthur, who looked smug despite the situation.
Aegiron's grin was unnerving as he leaned closer to Chase and Arthur. "Follow me," he said, his tone almost gleeful.
Chase sighed internally, knowing it was useless to argue. Aegiron has the head of a cow; he's not going to listen.
The centaur turned, his hooves clopping rhythmically as he led them toward an unknown destination. Arthur shot Chase a grin.
"Relax, mate," Arthur whispered. "How bad could it be?"
Chase rolled his eyes, not even bothering to respond.
As they disappeared from the hall, the remaining students were left to scramble for their roommates, their thoughts buzzing with speculation about what "special" accommodations Aegiron had in store for the duo.