Noah stood in front of Ironwood Hall, gazing up at the weathered building with a mixture of exhaustion and acceptance.
The stone structure was solid but lacked the grandeur of Silvercrest Hall, where he had once resided.
Now, with only the few belongings he carried, this would be his new home.
He sighed, adjusting the weight of his bag on his shoulder.
The conversation with the Vice Master still rang in his ears, the subtle relief of not being expelled overshadowed by the lingering threat of punishment.
After leaving the office, he and Maya had gone straight to the front desk to inquire about his new room assignment.
It hadn't come as a surprise to him when they handed him a key to Ironwood Hall.
He wasn't from a noble household, after all.
This was the place where commoners stayed—students without family titles or wealth.
"It suits me," he had muttered under his breath at the time.
