I sat down on a chair and started to unpack my things as Orin and Araki lounged on another chair and my bed. We engaged in casual conversation.
I pulled my items out of my storage ring and placed them on the desk and in the dresser.
Orin and Araki watched in shock as the items appeared out of nowhere. Smirking, I said, "Storage ring. It works like a backpack on my finger and can store a lot of items inside."
Orin was amazed, and Araki asked curiously, "How much can you store inside?"
I thought for a moment and said, "About as much as I can fit in a room this size. I've never actually measured it, but it should be around this big." I gestured to the 12-foot by 20-foot room.
We had been talking about our views on the school: how so many nobles were here and how few races other than humans and elves were present. Even dwarves, who were given equal treatment even by nobles, were barely represented. Only a handful had been seen so far.
I reminded them that there weren't any dwarf cities nearby, so they probably attended other academies. Those that are here got in, like us, through the entrance exam.
They didn't argue, slowly coming to realize the classist view this academy holds.
"So," Orin began, changing the subject, "any guesses who your roommate is?"
I shook my head. "No clue. Who do you guys have?"
"Surprisingly, I am bunking with Zek. That's why we were together when we came to visit you," Orin said.
Araki sighed. "I am with some random person named Nex."
I thought for a moment, then remembered that name and laughed.
Araki and Orin stared at me. "What?" Araki said.
Through my laughter, I managed, "I remember him. He was the second person to take the exam and surprisingly ended up in seventh place, but the funny thing is his name."
Intrigued, they leaned in.
"What's his name?" Orin asked.
"His name is Nex Tup. Next up," I said, snickering.
We all burst out laughing, and Araki said, "Oh, I am going to have fun this year."
Still laughing, I composed myself slightly and warned, "Don't bully him or spread that around. Although it's funny, I don't want to see a friend become a bully."
Araki waved me off. "Don't worry. I'd only bug him in our room. I know exactly how bullying can affect people—take Ark, for example."
I nodded, but Orin looked confused. "What do you mean about Ark?"
We both shifted slightly.
I started to explain. "It's Ark's personality. You notice how nervous he is and how he leaves as soon as possible. It shows he was bullied relentlessly as a child, and he gets very nervous around a lot of people. Considering he was raised by his grandfather and holds him in high regard, it's safe to bet his parents and siblings, if any, are the ones to blame."
Orin stared at me in shock, then turned to Araki, who nodded, confirming what I said.
Orin sat quietly for a moment before saying, "How could I not notice something like that?"
I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ark has been dealing with this for a long time and has learned how to cover up his trauma. I noticed because I was also traumatized after my parents were killed, and I've been dealing with it ever since. Plus, I've seen many adventurers deal with similar things."
Araki nodded. "I travelled with my dad when I was younger and found a child beaten senseless, but they just shrugged it off, saying they were used to it. I tried to help, but I only made things worse for them. I learned a very important lesson that day: 'People raised in trauma will believe it is normal and rarely leave. Those who do escape will forever be scarred.'"
Orin stared at Araki, amazed by his serious demeanour compared to his playful personality.
I smirked, knowing that when Araki got serious, he became like this.
"The best thing we can do for Ark is be there and slowly help him adjust to people. As time goes on, he will open up, and when he does, that will be his first big step toward recovery," I said.
We all sat in silence before deciding to return to the roommate situation.
"Anyway, I have my roommate, Orin and Zek are together, so who now?" Araki said.
I smirked and explained, "It's simple. The academy paired commoner students based on their exam scores."
"Orin and Zek scored the closest and are opposites, so it allows growth and broadening their fields if they work together, or they'll kill each other because they can't get along. Depends on whether the ones who handle dorm assignments want us to grow or leave.
"Although you scored second, we are already friends, and because of Ark's… interesting score, they didn't want to pair you with him. Instead, they wanted you to branch out your friendships, so they would have put you with someone else, like the seventh-place person.
"Overall, the people who scored high are rooming together. Which means I have one of the two people left: Ark or Aaron."
Orin and Araki stared at me in disbelief when suddenly the door creaked open.
A figure stepped into the room, draped in dark clothing with a face mask and hood that concealed most of his features. His sharp, alert eyes scanned the room before narrowing slightly at the sight of the trio.
"Hey," Orin greeted casually, his usual friendliness on display.
The newcomer said nothing. He gave a brief nod, then turned around and walked out without a word.
After a moment of silence, Araki said in annoyance, "Well, he's… sociable."
I frowned, watching the door close behind the figure. "Guess I got Aaron."
Orin scratched his chin. "Guess he's not too keen on introductions."
Araki huffed. "You sure you'll be okay sharing a room with him?"
Jack shrugged, though his gaze lingered on the door. "I'll figure it out."
We talked for a bit more when Araki leaned forward, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "What about your spirits, Jack? Volt seemed… intense. Do you have more like him?"
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Volt's not the only one, but he's the one I've known the longest. They're… complicated. Each spirit has its personality, wants, desires, availability, powers, and so much more. You don't just summon them—you have to understand them and work with them. Not to mention paying them."
Orin nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Sounds like a lot of responsibility."
"What do you mean by pay them?" Araki asked, curious.
"Spirits don't work for free. Take Volt, for example. All he asks for is a home—something he lost when his last contractor passed away. It's simple but meaningful to him. Then, for another, I have to plant trees everywhere I go. It's not hard, but people can make it difficult."
"Sorry, you have to house a spirit and plant trees?" Orin asked, confused.
"Volt had a home once, but it was destroyed when his last contractor died. He misses that time, but it makes him feel better to have a home again, so I don't mind," I explained as I pulled out a large cat bed for Volt from my storage ring and placed it on the floor by my desk.
"As for the trees, I have a Nature spirit as well, but she's a bit... quirky. I don't summon her unless it's necessary."
They both nodded in understanding. We talked for a bit, but eventually, Orin and Araki rose from their seats. Orin stretched, rolling his shoulders. "We should let you finish unpacking and settle in. Araki and I'll head out. We'll meet you at the cafeteria tonight."
I nodded and waved. "Thanks."
The two left, leaving the room quiet and still.
I finished unpacking my things, carefully placing them in the drawers and shelves provided. The silence stretched on, but I could sense a presence nearby.
As I closed the dresser, I said, "How long are you going to watch me? It's creepy when I can't sense anything other than your magic."
I got no response.
I pulled out my dagger, turned, and threw it at a shadow.
The shadow moved, dodging the dagger as it stuck into the wall.
The shadow grew to the size of a person, and Aaron stepped out.
"How long did you—?" he started to ask.
"The moment you closed the door, you came back into the room and watched our entire conversation. I don't blame you, though. As a rogue, information can be as valuable as gold," I said as I sat down in my chair.
Aaron sighed and walked over to his bed, removing his mask and hood to reveal his true appearance—a Lion Beastfolk with a dark purple mane that fell around his face like shadows.
"You're good at hiding, but bad at hiding your magic," I said calmly.
The lion's golden eyes glinted with a hint of amusement, but he stayed silent as he sat down and leaned against the back wall.
"You're Aaron, right?" Jack asked, sitting on his bed.
Aaron didn't respond, simply closing his eyes as if ignoring Jack's presence.
I sighed. "You know, we're going to be stuck together, so we might as well get along. I'm Jack, by the way."
I got no response.
I smirked and started to talk to him about various things I'd noticed about the academy and some quests I'd been on.
Seeing him annoyed, I smiled and said, "I don't plan on stopping until you introduce yourself."
Aaron's ear twitched, but he remained silent.
I continued to talk his ear off for another minute before Aaron finally opened his eyes and let out a resigned sigh. "Fine. I'm Aaron."
I grinned, satisfied. "See? That wasn't so hard."
Aaron muttered something under his breath but didn't seem hostile.
"Now that we've broken the ice," Jack said, leaning forward slightly, "how about we make a deal? We're roommates, so we should at least be friendly. Agreed?"
Aaron regarded him for a long moment before nodding. "Fine. But no bringing girls over."
Jack burst out laughing. "Noted. Don't worry, that's not my thing."
Aaron smirked faintly—the first real expression I'd gotten from him.
We talked a bit, and I learned he was a member of the Leonin [1] tribes in the Beast Kingdom but didn't give much more information than what I could figure out.
I did ask how he became a rogue when Leonin were known to be warriors, but Aaron gave no response and just stared at me. He didn't want to talk about it, so I dropped the subject.
The entire time we were talking, I was asking questions about his magic and how he came to learn it.
Slowly, my suspicions about him were confirmed and broken at the same time.
I knew his magic was Spirit Magic and that a spirit was inside his body, which meant he was either possessed and didn't realize it or had made a power contract and paid with his body.
'I wish I had the [Appraised] book right now, but it's still sealed for another two months,' I thought to myself with worry but came to my conclusion.
Overall, Aaron seemed aware of the magic he wielded, but his calm demeanour suggested he didn't fully understand the spirit's darker intentions. I decided to tread carefully, not wanting to tip Aaron off just yet. He was just a normal person with a contract but wasn't a summoner like me.
I was worried for him, as the Shadow spirit inside his body was slowly corrupting and feeding off him—hence his dark-coloured mane rather than the normal golden one. (No, it is not dye.)
After talking for some time, Aaron revealed he planned on joining the adventurers guild.
"You should join us later," I said casually. "Me, Ark, Orin, Araki, and Zek are meeting up and probably going to have a party. Could be a good chance to get to know everyone."
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "I'll think about it."
"Good enough for me. We're meeting at the cafeteria at 6. Don't be late," I said as I lay on the bed and relaxed.
I decided to pull out the [Black Book] and give it a read, as I hadn't done so in a long time.
[1] Leonin is just another name for Lion Beastfolk. It just sounds better, and several other Beastfolk races have alternative names as well.