Walking in I was met by nothing. Absolutely nothing no furniture of any kind with each room being somewhat large but barren. The walls were a cream colour and a fireplace was in one of the rooms but that was it. Releasing a sigh of relief, I was happy about the lack of contents as it meant that I could actually decorate it to be homely instead of a gaudy mess of noble etiquette and flaunt of wealth.
Some leather settees a coat of paint here and there along with a fully equipped kitchen and It could be a place that is liveable. The place was smaller than the house given by the academy but it still had a spare room for my stuff so I didn't really care. Space was everything in this city, similar to London where an inch of space could cost exorbitant prices. There isn't anything like a TV in this world so what would I put in a living room? Should I have a living room in the first place?
I would need to figure something out but for now I needed to buy the bare necessities like a bed. I could buy the other stuff after my classes but there was no way I was sleeping on the ground.
Leaving the house I walked towards one of the market districts where I noticed many students for the academy either talking or buying stuff from the many shops and stalls.
The aroma of seasoned meat hit my nose and my body instantly protested against any more labour before eating. I'm guessing meals of liquid food and IV drips don't fill you. It didn't help that I went back to business as usual. I usually only feed on blood once a week or so but my body had been severely damaged and all the blood from the transfusions were used on healing my body and internal injuries.
The meat was enthralling as I steered myself towards the stall where a man built from muscles with a bandana holding his hair out of the way was twisting skewers and frying steaks.
"Hello could I get a couple of those skewers and one of those steaks please?"
"Sure lad just gimme a second to finish the seasoning."
Almost instantly he produces the skewers on a wood plate along with a steam.
"That will be 25 copper coins please."
"Sure here you go"
"Keep the plate sir"
"Cheers"
Walking away I bit into a skewer and the juice and flavour exploded in my mouth. Each mouthfull melted like butter and the small residue of blood was the perfect side for me.
Swiftly devouring the skewers and steak I disposed of the plate before heading to a store a person had recommended me for furniture. Walking in the smell of pine filled my nose as I looked around. Tables, desks beds and chairs littered the room each looked of high quality.
Walking around I felt the wood finish before deciding on a mahogany desk and office chair along with a queen size bed a small table with a couple of chairs and some bedside tables.
It was more than I thought I would buy but since I was already here I may as well buy it now rather than later. Walking up to the teller she dropped a bomb on me.
"That will be 2 platinum coins please."
A sincere smile plastered on her face although it looked like that of a demon after announcing the amount.
"S-sure here 2 platinum"
The bats in my wallet cried in relief as I finally opened my wallet for once in a very long time. My heart aches at the moment my well earned money leaving my side.
Not letting the teller see my anguish I stored my new furniture in my storage space and left the shop to go home and have a shower before bed.
~~
Waking up on a mattress that I had made from spare cloth and other materials I stretched my body before getting up. Putting on my academy uniform I walked out of my home not needing breakfast. Navigating through the streets would take longer than what I could waste. I needed to get to the academy early so I could find my classroom so I had no choice but to find some sort of public transport. I had read many novels that told about the existence of mana based technology like trains and cars so I was hoping to find something similar.
It turned out there were mana trains however I wasn't allowed to use them since they were for nobles only. How did they know the difference between a commoner and a noble. I wasn't sure but I could either take a carriage or run my way there.
Reaching the academy I was slightly out of breath after running my way here. Luckily I didn't sweat so my clothes were fine. Technically it was a win-win situation since I could improve my stats and not have to interact with others however upon seeing the entirety of S class leave the mana train even though they were closest to the academy created a sliver of envy filled me for a moment.
When I snapped out of my inconceivable ramblings about how the world was against me I was met by the stares and whispers of members of the S class and other people who must have been from the lower classes. It seemed my absence had been noticed. Trying to ignore the evident rumours spreading right in front of me I walked towards the gates before looking at the map of the academy to lead me to the staff room.
Apparently I needed to talk with my new homeroom teacher before going to my class as I needed to be introduced and some formalities needed to be induced. I was so-so about the whole process as I had lost the first few weeks and cliques had already been made and I doubted that I would fit in with the others at that point.
Our homeroom teacher Sir Alyx Von Something or other was a noble who cared for progress and nothing else. This meant that commoners weren't discriminated against but that made little difference for me since I was basically at the bottom of his list since I was a new student.
~~
Attention class! We have a new student who has recently come out of intensive care. I expect you to treat him as you would others or there will be consequences. Please welcome Noir. Tell us something about yourself and find a seat afterwards.
Hello I'm Noir. My weapon is a cane and I have a partial affinity for all elements. My wish is to learn to harness all elements in these classes and increase their grade.
Perfect now sit down next to her. His voice seemed to hold some tension as he pointed at a woman with long light pink hair with short ears on her head.
The seats surrounding her seemed to be vacant like she was being avoided by the class. As I was walking to a seat I was tapped on the arm by a boy with somewhat stunning features.
"I would stay away from her. She is cursed!"
Although it was like he was trying to whisper he spoke loud enough for others to hear. Others around us seemed to nod in unison at his statement.
Looking down at him I was going to reply but couldn't care about it enough. Walking toward one of the seats closest to her I decided that I would test the water and then go from there. Rumours are just that. Rumours. Technically I was a cursed being too. Cursed to die after being transported to another world and having a curse of being hunted for my blood passed down by the person who mentored me and the person I loved.
Such curses were blessings in my eyes as I got to meet her. I would see what happens and why she is labeled as a cursed being. Who knows if she is useful I could even lift her curse.
As much as I hated to admit it I needed allies. I have no clue how long I would live but if I managed to sow the seeds of change and become friends with people in the academy while we were young then once we grew I would be able to take advantage of my ageing through the years to make myself invaluable to others. I hated talking to others since I'm not very good with words and I don't exactly have a good view of the other races (especially humans) to become a social butterfly.
Basically she was an easy pawn.
Sitting near to her I gave a casual wave to which she ignored. To be honest I didn't expect much, a stranger walking up to someone who they were told to stay away from... definitely suspicious.
Ignoring the stares from the others I waited for our homeroom teacher to get on with the class.