Oz The Wanted Student & The Stinky Eggs
In Saturn's dorm common room, a lavish spread of food and drink was displayed on a long oak table in the center of the room.
A large, elegantly crafted banner spelling out "Welcome to the House of Saturn," hung proudly in the middle of the room.
The welcome party for new students had been meticulously arranged by the senior members of the dorm.
"Welcome!"
*Pop* *Pop* *Pop*
The sound of party poppers echoed across the room, exploding with colorful confetti as they went off one by one.
In the common room, a luxurious carpet with intricate floral designs stretched across the entire polished wooden floor.
The wallpaper featured towering trees intertwined with vines and blooming flowers.
Soft, plush sofas were lined up along the walls, providing cozy seating areas.
In the center, dozens of finely carved wooden chairs and tables were arranged, often used for studying, playing games, or simply socializing during free time.
Although this spacious common room had enough space to accommodate all 300 dorm residents, only about 150 seats were available, leaving those who couldn't find a spot to sit either standing by the walls or casually leaning against the large window.
"Test, test, test, one, two, three."
A tall, thin student stood at the front of the room, near a large stone fireplace enchanted to keep the room at the right temperature.
His red curly hair stood out, catching the light from the chandelier above.
[First of all, I'd like to welcome you to the House of Saturn. A place where brotherhood is as thick as blood.]
*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
The applause erupted like a wave, accompanied by whistles and cheers , filling the space with excitement.
[My name is Axel Heyst, though everyone around here just calls me Axel. I'm the Saturn Dorm Council leader. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to come to me.]
Axel's introduction was met with eager enthusiasm, as many of the new students leaned forward, clearly interested.
In a quiet corner of the room, Oz, Sam, and August sat across from each other at a round wooden table, a casual game of poker laid out in front of them. A platter of snacks, fruits, pastries, and treats—sat alongside their poker chips.
Seated with them was an older student, a fourth-year senior named Nathaniel Winkle.
His broad shoulders and fit build stood out, especially in contrast to his neat but understated appearance.
His short blonde hair was cut close like a soldier's, and his face bore a thin mustache, giving him a slightly more mature look compared to the younger students.
"Two of a kind. Looks like I win again."
Oz declared, grinning slightly after his tenth consecutive win, excluding his folds.
"Damn, and I had two of a kind, too, but higher pairs! Well played, Oz,"
Nathan said, clearly surprised, but impressed nonetheless. In all his four years at Mistheaven, he had never seen anyone play poker as well as Oz.
If Sam, August, or Nathan appeared to have a winning hand, Oz would fold before the stakes got too high. And when Oz did win, he sometimes did so with poor cards, making his opponents doubt their own strategies. For now, though, the stakes were just food and snacks, adding a light-hearted element to the game.
"Senior, why are all the seniors already in the dorm when school doesn't start until next week?"
August asked, genuinely curious.
"Well, of course, they're checking out the pretty girls among the juniors. Hahaha."
Nathan replied with a broad grin, though the truth behind his answer seemed more complex.
—But that didn't seem to be the real reason.
Many of the seniors had envelopes or documents tucked under their arms, and although some carried gifts, most of the presents didn't look like romantic gestures
[Okay, hahaha. Now, I need to discuss something important. As we all know, House Points, or HP, are crucial because they're directly tied to our Private Points, or PP.]
Hearing this, Oz's attention sharpened. Axel was undoubtedly about to bring up the 54 HP Oz had earned during the entrance exam.
[Among the new students, someone managed to earn 54 HP. Incredible. Even earning 1 HP per day is a challenge.]
*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
The applause this time was even more enthusiastic, with seniors whistling and shouting as the excitement swept through the room.
Earning 54 HP wasn't just impressive. It meant that all Saturn students had received 540 PP because of it. And since 1 PP was equivalent to 1 Echo, it was a significant achievement.
[Come on, don't be shy. Many of the seniors want to thank you in person.]
—No thanks.
On the left side of the common room was a large enchanted notice board.
It magically updated in real-time with various announcements, including the leaderboard of students who had earned HP.
Most names on the list were anonymous by default, but students could choose to reveal their identity for a slight reward—an extra 11 PP for every HP earned, making it 111 PP instead of 100.
—But drawing attention so early on isn't a good idea.
Oz had yet to understand the complex political dynamics among the students at Mistheaven.
There were likely some who would be envious or even hostile toward anyone who stood out too much, especially someone with as much as 54 HP earned right at the start.
[No one? Come on, step forward. Nothing bad will happen. In fact, the seniors will support you.]
"I'm going to get a drink first."
Oz said to Sam and the others.
He picked up his now empty glass and strolled over to the long table that was overflowing with colorful bowls and pitchers.
Each container was filled with various drinks and snacks, ranging from brightly colored fruit punches to exotic pastries unique to Stellarkeep.
Oz casually refilled his glass with a vibrant yellow drink, its scent reminiscent of freshly squeezed oranges with a hint of herbs.
With his glass full, Oz wandered over to a quiet corner of the common room, where a senior sat alone, lost in thought, poring over several documents. He barely noticed Oz approaching.
"Good evening, senior."
Oz greeted politely, his voice soft but enough to pull the senior from his deep thoughts.
"My name is Oliver Twist. May I ask you something?"
The senior, startled, looked up, blinking as if just waking up from a dream. His glasses were slightly askew, and he quickly straightened them.
"Oh yes, yes... Of course."
He responded, his voice a bit flustered.
"Why do I see the seniors carrying papers like that?"
Oz asked, gesturing toward the stack of documents in the senior's lap.
The senior gave a small chuckle, glancing down at the papers.
"Oh, this? These are club registration forms. We're trying to recruit new members. I'm also looking to recruit the junior who scored 54 HP in the entrance exam."
—So that's the reason, Oz thought, connecting the dots.
According to the guidebook Sarah had given him, clubs in Mistheaven could earn HP, and those HP could be converted into Club Points (CP.)
The 54 HP Oz earned from the entrance exam was, in effect, a treasure trove.
Any club he joined would see a significant boost in their CP. Additionally, the club would receive 10 PP for every CP earned. This made Oz a prime target for clubs eager to increase their funding.
—It would be dangerous for me to join a club. It would definitely put me in the spotlight.
The senior, unaware of Oz's inner thoughts, smiled.
"If you ever think about joining a club, feel free to come to me. Clubs are a great way to build connections and earn extra points."
[Hmm, no one? Looks like our juniors are feeling a bit shy. Alright then, maybe we need to get to know each other better first. Hahaha.]
As Oz returned to the main area, his mischievous instinc kicked in. He had a habhit to trolling other people, and this gathering of students seemed like the perfect opportunity.
While he didn't have the right Night Sorcery to troll everyone, he had Transmutation Sorcery.
This Sorcery allowed him to alter the very composition of objects, changing their molecular and atomic structure.
Oz casually scanned the tables until he spotted what he was looking for. A plate piled high with perfectly boiled eggs.
"Transmutare Ultima!"
He whispered, invoking one of the most powerful Transmutation Sorcery ever created. This Sorcery is the signature sorcery of the Transmutation Dark Lord
And now Oz was using that sorcery on the 'boiled eggs.' Any alchemist who saw this would cry and throw a tantrum like a child.
A faint blue glow surrounded Oz's hand, but he quickly covered it with his robe, ensuring no one could see. As long as Oz had starlight reserves, the spell would remain active, allowing him to transmute anything he touched.
He reached for the eggs, his fingers brushing against the smooth surface of the shells.
What had once been ordinary boiled eggs were now highly potent stink bombs, packed with a nauseating odor.
"Blegh!! What's that smell?"
A chorus of disgusted voices echoed across the common room as the foul odor spread rapidly.
Students pinched their noses, gagging and groaning. Oz with his sharp sense of smell, couldn't help but gag as well.
—Gross! But totally worth it to trolling everyone here!
He thought, barely suppressing his laughter.
"Blegh! Everyone, get out!"
Someone shouted, and the common room quickly descended into chaos. Students scrambled for the exits, abandoning their food and drinks as they fled the rancid-smelling room.
Within minutes, the once lively room was almost deserted. Only a few remained, including Sam, who sat calmly at one of the wooden tables, seemingly unbothered by the foul stench.
"Hey Sam, what are you doing? Let's just go back to the room"
Oz said, still pinching his nose as he approached Sam.
To his shock, Sam was holding one of the stinky eggs and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it.
"Hmm, try one, Oz. It tastes amazing. I've never had an egg this good."
Sam said between bites.
Oz stared in disbelief as more students, intrigued by Sam's reaction, cautiously took bites of the rotten eggs. Their faces, initially twisted in disgust, quickly softened into expressions of delight.
"Hmmm, delicious! This is the best egg I've ever eaten!"
One student exclaimed.
Before long, a crowd had gathered, eagerly devouring the stink eggs. Despite the stench, the flavor somehow overpowered it.
Within just ten minutes, all the stink eggs were gone.
"…"
Oz stood in shock, watching as the students devoured the eggs that should have sent them running in disgust.
Unbeknownst to him, the transmutation hadn't just made the eggs stink. It had also made them strangely addictive.
It was like durian. Beloved by some for its pungent aroma, but loathed by others for smelling like a sewer.
Because of his sensitive sense of smell, Oz could never enjoy food with strong odors.
That night, the "rotten egg incident" became legendary in the House of Saturn.
Every student who had eaten the eggs developed foul breath that lingered for three days, a stench so strong it could fill an entire room.
The smell was so unbearable that it forced many to leave their dorm rooms, desperately seeking other places for the next few nights.
Those who couldn't find alternative accommodations tortured their roommates with the unbearable stench.
*****
The Mistheaven dorms had three floors. The first floor held the common room, kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms. It was where most of the social activities and gatherings happened.
The second floor was for the boys, the third floor was for the girls, and each room housed four students.
Both second and third floors had 50 rooms each. Although the total number of dorm students each year was 300, the gender ratio fluctuated, which meant the additional rooms were often left unoccupied.
For the past three days, Oz and August had been living in room 47.
"Welcome, Oz!"
Sam greeted Oz cheerfully as he entered their shared room. Nathan was sitting at the desk, scribbling furiously on some papers, while August was noticeably absent.
Their room was number 12, a modest 4x4 meter space with two bunk beds, one small desk, and four wardrobes. The layout was cramped but efficient, with enough room for each of them to have their own storage space.
Oz and Sam had claimed the bottom bunks, while Nathan and August slept on the top.
"Hey, everyone."
Oz replied casually. He sniffed the air cautiously to see if the smell of the eggs still lingered.
*Sniff*
—At least the smell isn't as bad as yesterday.
*Screeeetch*
Metis, let out an annoyed screech at Sam, as if to scold him for the remnants of the bad breath that still hung in the air.
Oz walked over to the window and hung Metis's cage nearby, opening the ventilation panel above the window to allow the bird to come and go as she pleased. Metis often flying around the grounds when she got bored.
While setting up the cage, Oz's eyes fell on the scattered papers Nathan was studying. They were covered in odd notes and crude drawings, but one thing caught his eye. A photograph of a familiar scene.
"Senior, what's that?"
Oz asked, pretending not to recognize it.
"This? Oh, I'm researching some of Mistheaven's mysteries."
Nathan replied, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He quickly pointed to the photograph with pride.
"Look! Do you know what this is?"
"…"
Oz froze. The image was unmistakable. It was a picture of a horse-drawn carriage stuck in the drainage system, a scene he had caused just a week ago.
"The horse carriage stuck in the drainage system, right?"
Oz said, keeping his voice steady.
"Yep, exactly. But that's not the real mystery."
Nathan grinned and pulled out another photo, much darker and blurrier than the first.
"This is the damaged water drainage area, but look closely. There's a staircase leading down."
Mistheaven, and especially Stellarkeep, was an old building over 1,300 years old.
Hidden passages, secret rooms, and mysterious places were practically woven into its very architecture.
The walls between floors were sometimes as thick as 10 meters, which meant there was plenty of space for hidden tunnels and passages underneath.
"Let me guess. You want to go down there, don't you?"
Oz asked, already knowing the answer.
"Bingo! The Mystery Club is going to explore it this afternoon. It'll be me and three other seniors."
Nathan's eyes sparkled with excitement, like a child about to embark on an adventure.
Oz was well aware that places like this often held dangerous secrets. Anyone who ventured into such areas without caution was playing with their life, and many never made it back.
"Sam and August aren't interested, but I thought you might be. Want to come with us?"
Nathan offered, leaning forward with a grin that reminded Oz of a high schooler trying to convince his friends to ditch class.
"Muahaha, count me in."
There was no way Oz was going to miss this. An unexplored mystery in Mistheaven? It was practically begging for his involvement.
"Kekeke."
"Muahaha."
"Ugh, you two sound creepy,"
Sam muttered from behind his pillow, looking at them as if they were a pair of laughing lunatics.
"Sam, how would you rate the cafeteria food?"
"Hmm, free food is pretty bland, so I'd give it a 3 out of 10. But the paid stuff—rotisserie chicken is the best. For 5 PP, you get a whole piece, and I'd rate it 9 out of 10."
"Rotisserie chicken. Got it."
"Oh, that's one of the more popular dishes, but anything over 2 PP doesn't sell much. Kekeke."
Of course, in Mistheaven, students competed fiercely to earn PP, and even more so for HP. Spending 2 PP on a meal was considered a luxury.
For Oz, who had amassed 5,940 PP, such prices were laughably cheap.
"Alright, Oz, let's get some supplies first."
After straightening out his papers, Nathan stood up and stored them neatly in his wardrobe.
"Hmm, what are we getting, Senior?"
"Kekeke, as a senior from the Mystery Club, I'll teach you some essential survival tips."
—Tip number one in survival: avoid dangerous places at all costs.
"The club already has most of the necessary equipment like bags, flashlights, stoves, and ropes. All we need are the consumables. We'll head to Kuiper Town for that."
Kuiper was the only town on the fifth floor of Stellarkeep. It was a quiet residential area primarily housing the families of Mistheaven staff. There were a few shops selling basic necessities such as food, clothing, magic wands, and other magical tools.
"Sam, I'm leaving Metis with you. If he wants food, just grab it from this cupboard here."
Oz stored some dried bird food in a container, carefully avoiding leaving behind anything like sausages to prevent tempting Sam to eat it himself.
"No worries, leave it to me."
*Screeeetch*
Metis turned his head toward Sam and shook it slightly, clearly doubtful of Sam's ability to look after her.
"Metis, I'm counting on you to watch Sam. Make sure he doesn't sneakily eat anyone else's food supplies."
*Screeeetch*
This time, Metis gave an affirmative nod, acknowledging his responsibility to keep an eye on Sam.
"Alright, let's head to Kuiper Town, kekeke."
With their bags slung over their shoulders, Oz and Nathan stepped out of the dorm and made their way outside the castle walls.
Kuiper Town lay to the north of the fifth floor. Though it was referred to as a town, it was more like a large village, small but bustling with activity.
As they walked, the distant sounds of chattering students and the faint smell of bread baking in the local bakery filled the air.
The journey from the castle's north gate to the town took about ten minutes at a leisurely pace.
Along the way, they crossed paths with several other students, many of whom were also on their way to do some shopping.
Mistheaven's main road was lined with vibrant flower gardens, and even though the road was long, the beauty of the surroundings made it feel much shorter.
At the end of the smooth marble pathway, a wooden sign came into view, etched with the words, "Welcome to Kuiper Town."
The architecture of the homes here was a unique mix of medieval structures and Victorian-era designs, reminiscent of the style seen throughout the castle's interior.
"First stop, we'll grab some canned food at the grocery store, then we'll head to the alchemy shop for elixirs."
Nathan said as he reviewed the list of items they needed.
They didn't have to walk far before arriving at a small store that smelled of freshly baked bread.
The windows displayed a variety of foodstuffs—wheat, rice, beans, and various vegetables arranged neatly in crates.
The inside was bustling with activity, with students and staff alike picking up their groceries.
Oz and Nathan grabbed 10 cans of food. The cans were enough to feed five people for two meals, a necessity for any adventure.
Their next stop was a short 100-meter stroll to the alchemy shop.
—Alchemy, huh.
Oz had spent three years training under his master to become an alchemist. His experience made him eager whenever he entered an alchemy shop, though the tools and ingredients here were far inferior to the ones he was used to working with in his master's lab. Still, the faint smell of herbs and potions in the air always managed to excite him.
"Oh, Nathan, causing trouble again, I see? Hahaha."
The shopkeeper, an old man with silver hair named Mr. Hopkins, greeted Nathan with a teasing tone. It was clear they knew each other well, as Nathan's tendency to stir up chaos seemed to be well-known around Kuiper Town.
"Oi, Mr. Hopkins, I've discovered another secret this time!"
"Oh, what is it this time? Yesterday, you claimed to have found a three-headed turtle, hahahaha!"
"This time is different. I can't share too much, kekeke."
Nathan handed over a list of elixirs he needed to buy.
"Hmm, Fumos Aeris Tonic to breathe in toxic gas, Vigor Vitae Elixir for stamina, and Aegis Veneni Potion for poison resistance. Ten bottles of each. That'll be 30 PP in total."
When Mr. Hopkins mentioned the price, Nathan's face immediately dropped.
"No discount? How about 20 PP? I'm a regular customer, after all."
Nathan attempted to haggle, but Mr. Hopkins wasn't budging.
"30 PP for regulars, 40 PP for anyone else. Take it or leave it, hehehe."
It was clear Mr. Hopkins wasn't going to lower the price.
"Aw, shoot. At least the club's budget has gone up."
Reluctantly, Nathan pulled a small purple card from his pocket and pressed it to the crystal embedded in Mr. Hopkins' cash register. The transaction was quickly processed, and their purchase was complete.
At Mistheaven, all transactions were handled using PP, as any outside currency was confiscated while students were enrolled. The
card functioned like a debit card, but it could only be used by its registered owner.
"Let's hope we make it back in one piece."
Nathan said with a grin.
—Oi, don't jinx it! That's a death flag! Every time someone says that, the odds of survival drop! Especially if they start talking about their family or pulling out pictures! That's absolutely the worst!