Lumi stepped through the large wooden doors of the North Wing dormitory, immediately greeted by the warm, welcoming atmosphere inside. The entrance hall was spacious, with high ceilings and walls adorned with elegant tapestries depicting scenes of winter landscapes and powerful mages of the past. A grand staircase led to the upper floors, and several students were already moving about, chatting excitedly as they explored their new home.
Lumi glanced around, taking in the cozy surroundings. Despite its size, the dormitory had a distinctly homely feel, with plush carpets underfoot and a large fireplace crackling warmly in the common room to the right. Several comfortable-looking chairs and couches were arranged around the fire, where a few students were already gathered, sipping hot cocoa and getting to know each other.
As Lumi wandered further into the dormitory, she was approached by a tall, graceful elf with long, golden hair and bright green eyes. She wore the same elegant robes as the other students but had a distinctive badge pinned to her chest, marking her as a dorm leader.
"Hello there! You must be Lumi Borealis," the elf said with a warm smile. "Welcome to the North Wing. My name is Elara, and I'm the dorm leader here. If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask."
Lumi nodded politely, her calm demeanor never wavering. "Thanks, Elara. I appreciate it."
Elara's smile widened, clearly pleased with Lumi's politeness. "Let me show you to your room. We've assigned you a lovely spot on the third floor with a great view of the academy grounds. I think you'll like it."
Lumi followed Elara up the grand staircase, her eyes drifting to the various paintings and decorations that lined the walls. The dormitory was full of history, each artifact and portrait telling a story of the mages who had come before her. As they ascended to the third floor, Lumi's mind wandered briefly to what it must have been like to be one of those mages, learning and mastering their craft in such a prestigious place.
When they reached the third floor, Elara led Lumi down a wide hallway lined with doors, each marked with a brass nameplate. They stopped in front of one of the doors near the end of the hall, and Elara gestured for Lumi to step inside.
"This will be your room for the duration of your time at Oberon Academy," Elara explained as Lumi pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The room was spacious and elegantly furnished, with a large window that offered a stunning view of the snow-covered academy grounds below. A comfortable-looking bed, complete with thick blankets and fluffy pillows, was positioned against one wall, and a sturdy wooden desk sat beneath the window, perfect for studying—or, in Lumi's case, lounging around. There was also a wardrobe, a bookshelf filled with various tomes on magic, and a small, cozy armchair by the fireplace.
Lumi took it all in with her usual calm, though she was secretly pleased with how comfortable the room looked. She could already imagine herself spending hours curled up in the armchair or napping on the bed, the peaceful atmosphere of the room a perfect complement to her laidback nature.
Elara smiled as she watched Lumi explore the room. "I'm glad to see you like it. The academy prides itself on making sure our students are comfortable and have everything they need to succeed. If you need any additional furnishings or supplies, just let me know, and I'll arrange it for you."
Lumi nodded, turning to face Elara. "Thanks. I think this will be just fine."
Elara's expression softened with understanding. "I've heard about your remarkable Blessing, Lumi. Oberon Academy is a place where you can truly grow and develop your talents. I know that adjusting to life here might be challenging at first, but you have a lot of potential, and I'm sure you'll find your place."
Lumi gave a small, appreciative smile. "I'll do my best."
Elara nodded, then gestured toward the hallway. "If you're ready, we can head back downstairs to meet some of the other students. There's an orientation session starting soon in the common room. It's a great way to get to know your fellow first-years."
Lumi hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the inviting bed. The thought of sinking into its warm embrace was tempting, but she knew that meeting her fellow students and learning the ropes was important, too. With a small sigh, she turned back to Elara.
"Alright," Lumi agreed, her tone calm and measured. "Let's go."
Elara led Lumi back down the stairs and into the common room, where several students had already gathered. The room was filled with lively conversation as the new students introduced themselves to one another, their excitement palpable in the air. Lumi scanned the room, her sharp eyes taking in the various faces, some of which she recognized from the journey to the academy.
As she entered, the students glanced in her direction, their conversations momentarily pausing. Lumi wasn't the type to seek out attention, but she was used to it by now. Her reputation as the girl blessed by the Ice Element queen had preceded her, and it was clear that many of the students were curious about her.
Elara stepped forward, her authoritative presence immediately putting the room at ease. "Everyone, this is Lumi Borealis, our newest member of the North Wing. I'm sure you've all heard about her remarkable Blessing. Lumi, why don't you take a moment to introduce yourself?"
Lumi gave a slight nod, her expression as composed as ever. "Hi, I'm Lumi. I'm here to learn, just like the rest of you. I hope we can get along."
The other students murmured their greetings, some of them offering friendly smiles and waves. One student, a boy with bright orange hair and an eager expression, stepped forward with a wide grin.
"Welcome to the North Wing, Lumi! My name's Heath. I'm a half-dwarf, so I'm all about the earth and fire elements. If you ever need help with anything, just let me know!"
Lumi nodded politely. "Thanks, Heath. I'll keep that in mind."
Another student, a girl with short, curly hair and cat-like ears, bounded over with an excited gleam in her eyes. "Hey there! I'm June, a tabby catkin. I'm great with dark and fire magic, and I've heard all about you. It's so cool to finally meet you!"
Lumi smiled faintly, amused by June's enthusiasm. "Nice to meet you too, June."
As more students came forward to introduce themselves, Lumi's initial reluctance to attend the orientation began to fade. Though she wasn't particularly outgoing, she found the friendly atmosphere comforting, and the students seemed genuinely welcoming. She even caught herself feeling a small spark of excitement—perhaps being at Oberon Academy wouldn't be so bad after all.
The orientation continued with Elara explaining the rules and expectations of the dormitory, as well as providing information about the academy's various clubs and extracurricular activities. Lumi listened attentively, filing the information away in her mind. While she wasn't particularly interested in joining any clubs right away, she appreciated knowing her options.
As the orientation drew to a close, Elara invited the students to explore the campus and get settled into their rooms. Lumi exchanged a few more pleasantries with her new dormmates before deciding to take Elara's advice and explore the academy grounds.
With a slight wave to her new friends, Lumi slipped out of the common room and into the crisp winter air outside. The academy grounds were even more beautiful up close, with carefully tended gardens, sparkling fountains, and paths that wound through groves of ancient, snow-covered trees. Lumi wandered along the paths, enjoying the peace and quiet as she familiarized herself with her new surroundings.
Despite the academy's grandeur and the excitement of the day, Lumi couldn't help but feel a sense of calm settle over her. This place was different from the quiet mountain village she had known all her life, but it had its own kind of beauty—a beauty that she was beginning to appreciate.
As she walked, Lumi thought about the journey that lay ahead. She knew that life at Oberon Academy would be full of challenges and new experiences, but she was ready to face them. After all, she had always been a quick learner, and while she might take a laidback approach to life, she knew how to rise to the occasion when it mattered.
For now, though, Lumi decided that her first priority would be to find the perfect spot to nap. After all, even a genius needed her rest.