Knowing the preference of everyone, Rodrick had selected their living quarters which was in a discreet corner inside the university campus. But, it was a spacious one.
A small lawn was at the entrance. The House was a two story building. Majorly, everything was in the ground floor except a large room with a balcony at the first floor.
There was a large stable behind the house along with a servent quarters. After leaving their horses at the stable everyone came to the entrance and opened the door, a large hall greeted them when they entered the house, they saw rooms on either side of the hall.
"We have a kitchen, a dining hall next to it. There is a reading room there." Rodrick pointed at all the places while explaining. "There are four rooms. Two on the left and the two on the right side. Girls, you two can stay in the first floors room. There is also a bathing room exclusively for the two of you. We will all stay in the ground floor."
After taking a walk through of the house, everyone began unpacking their belongings. The boys didn't had much to unpack and completed their work within an hour. Rodrick had already shifted into the house the previous day itself and his belongings were already kept inside a room.
Alan and Williams shared a room, Ben and Bob shared one and Chris and Dave shared one room. Rodrick even though was happy to share his room, had a room for himself.
"Guys, we had a servent in our old quarters, who was taking care of the cleaning and gardening. He would be doing the household chores and maintaining the garden and taking care of our horses when we are at the class. He will be moving into the servent quarters tomorrow." Rodrick informed everyone and got an appreciative nod from everyone.
It was already evening when the girls came out of their room after arranging everything to their satisfaction.
"Rick, what about food? Do we have a common dining hall like our academy?" Alan asked.
"We have a shared dining area, but it's mainly used by those who either don't know how to cook or want to save money. Additionally, we need to inform the university kitchens in advance if we plan to use it.
"There are also a few inns, bakeries, diners, and tea shops inside the university compound. Many people either cook for themselves or hire a cook if they're living in quarters like us," Rodrick informed everyone.
"Alright then, let us prepare the meal ourself to begin with and see how our curriculum goes. If the workload is heavy then we shall keep a maid or a cook. What do you all think ?" Alan asked everyone, and no one had any objections to his suggestion as, they knwe how good of a cook Alan was.
"Let us go out and have dinner today. It will be my treat this time. We will get all the utensil's, cooking ingredients, vegetables, meat and spices while we are outside." Rodrick insisted.
They had a scrumptious dinner and after that, brought all the required materials and ingredients.
A week passed peacefully. During this time, they all had their early morning stretching exercises inside their quarter's spacious hall.
They had started to train at the university's training grounds. Initially it was extremely akward for the six of them to get used to their movements due to the restriction bracelet that they had on their wrists. They felt sluggish, weak and tired quickly. Their reflexes took a great hit because of this and they were taking hits from Rodrick and the girls more than they could count.
After the initial week of regular training, the strain, the energy drain and the fatigue they felt was somewhat manageable. And their reflexes and stamina started to build up slowly.
At last, the academic year started at the university, bringing all the senior students and a few of the masters back. Who were out of the university during the terms break.
"Good luck everyone. We will all meet at the lunch here itself. All nine of them wished each other outside an inn. Dave and Irene's gazes locked at this moment for a few seconds, a warm smile mirroring each other.
Rodrick went towards Combat division, the girls towards healing halls and the six young men went towards the arts department.
The first year's art division had 35 students. Few of them, Alan and the others observed, were not present during the entrance exams. Daisy, granddaughter of Remus was also among those few. She was having a conversation with an young nobleman and a beautiful and noble looking lady.
As soon as Daisy saw these young men, she felt exited and almost dashed towards them with a wide smile, making others look at them in wonder.
Once she got close to them she smiled. " Hello, everyone. Hope you remember me?" Daisy asked them. The two who were having conversation with Daisy also followed her curiously and reached Daisy .
Alan, inclined his head. "Greetings miss. Daisy, hope you are doing well. How is Master Remus doing?"
When Alan asked about Master Remus, the two who came with Daisy raised their eyebrow slightly in surprise, which, the boys noticed but didn't paid any heed.
"He's doing good. As always, constantly busy forging one weapon or another." Daisy's expression briefly saddened, but then she smiled warmly. "In fact, he is excited to meet you soon. There hasn't been a day where he hasn't mentioned you after your visit."
Alan beamed at this compliment and the others also smiled. " I am honoured that he had invited me to work and learn from him. Even if he doesn't find me worthy to become his apprentice, like master Steve was. I would still be more than satisfied to fine tune the basics of weapon forging properly from his guidance"
This conversation made the othe two with Daisy very curious about Alan.