Chapter 165 - Settling In

Jien was quick to enter the building, not wanting to cause trouble before the first term of the academy even started. The others were quick to follow, entering a hallway that led to a large common area that was filled with round tables and chairs. On the far wall was a simple stone fireplace and the room itself was otherwise unadorned.As soon as the last of the new students entered the space Ms. Holen closed the door firmly before turning back to her new tenants. "Take a seat in the common area. I will go over some basics and then you will be allowed to choose your rooms. Don't get too comfortable though, as I stated these are just your temporary quarters."Her stern voice wouldn't accept any retort and everyone quickly filed into the common area, taking a seat at the many tables. By the time everyone was seated every chair was filled as if it had been perfectly planned this way. Ms. Holen entered the space after everyone was seated but remained standing by the doorway to the common room with her hand behind her back and her stance firm."The process for your stay at this great academy is simple really. You will stay in these temporary quarters until tomorrow as at that point the last of the first years will have arrived, then you will listen to the commencement speech before being assigned your quarters for the year. You will, as first years be required to take a wide variety of courses and learn the basics in each of them. Only when you are a second year will you be allowed to specialize and thus narrow your selection of courses to those within your focus. Questions?"Her words were just as to the point and stern as before and she did not waste time elaborating. One of the members of a different group raised his hand, receiving a nod from the older lady. "What will decide our quarters for the year?" To this question Ms. Holen remained silent for a moment as if formulating her response."Your quarters for the year are selected via a complicated process of matching potentials. You all have come in groups, likely having gotten used to working together to some degree but expect your groups to be separated. The beginning of your time here at the academy is the start of a long partnership with those that are calculated to give you the highest potential growth going forward."The answer blindsided everyone in the room and didn't seem to answer anything of the original question. Despite this fact the stern woman's silence represented that she had given her answer and that she would not be elaborating further. Whether this lack of elaboration was because the topic was too complex to bother, or if she simply didn't wish to be bothered to answer further, nobody knew or wanted to find out.Another had was raised, this time a blonde haired girl with green eyes from the group that Jien had pegged as the children of merchants spoke after receiving permission. "What are some of the courses that will be covered in the first year?" This was a question that many wanted the answer to so that they could prepare themselves a small bit. However, much to their dismay the answer was short and concise. "You will find out after the commencement ceremony."With this it was clear that they would not be receiving the answers they wanted, not really until sometime tomorrow when they would sit through the commencement ceremony for the start of their first year. Slightly disheartened by the stern nature of the older woman they stayed quiet after, earning them a nod of approval before dismissing them to find a room in the upper floors, along with a note that dinner would be served at six sharp and breakfast likewise at six sharp. Anyone a moment late would not receive their meal unless the reason they provided was truly dire in nature.With that everyone left their seats and made their way up the stairs. Jien and his group quickly grabbed their rooms on the second floor before anyone else had a chance, two members to a room just as they had at the inn. The rooms were small, only having a simple closet enough for two or three hung outfits at the foot of the simple beds. There were no chairs, not any writing space, the room was purely meant for sleeping and it became very apparent that even if these rooms were meant to be permanent quarters that they would not be too usable as such for students. Instead they were the definition of military barracks.The different groups talked both with their own but also amongst each other, knowing that they may end up separated and in hopes that they would end up with at least someone that they had had a chance to talk to. Soon the time for dinner had come close and all those present made sure that they were present in the common area a few minutes ahead of time to ensure that they would not miss their chance at filling their stomachs.They were each served a simple stew and bread. Some of those that were of noble heritage from the capital looked at the food with a certain hint of disgust but that didn't stop them from eating it. They were resigned to the fact that they would be eating this food regularly going forward, only able to enjoy the cuisine they were used to during the short breaks between years at the academy.After eating they spent their evening once again discussing amongst themselves on the various floors of the barracks. Most chose to turn in early so as to not mess up and miss their chance at breakfast. Nobody truly knew what to expect tomorrow, but they were all anxious to find out.