After the 30-minute break ended the day went by quicker than Mu Wei expected. It seemed like almost every F-rank was almost done with the process. Although, it did take longer than expected due to the others proven to be more difficult to handle than normal.
As the hand of the clocked ticked at precisely 7:30 PM, a cold and sharp voice rang three times from the speakers. It was the same voice from this morning.
[Attention F-ranks, please make your way to the dormitories.]
[Attention F-ranks, please make your way to the dormitories.]
[Attention F-ranks, please make your way to the dormitories.]
When the sharp and icy voice rang out throughout the room, people began to pack up their belongings and head to the dormitories.
Although they started off as strangers, the F-ranks had surprisingly good harmony with each other. Usually, when hunters are put in a room, it's expected that there would be a few oppositions with each other. Perhaps it's because of their never-ending pride and ego, but this quickly became the norm in most guilds.
As they made their way towards the dormitories, Mu Wei and the two were at the very end of the crowd.
Lu Yi who was still chewing his food asked curiously, "What do you guys think our dorms will look like?"
Min-Ji who saw this laughed softly and her eyes smiled. She took a napkin from her bag and offered it to the teenager, "Haha, you look like a squirrel eating a nut, Lu Yi. Slow down for a bit, you might choke."
The teenager turned red from embarrassment and quickly took the napkin from her. Mu Wei who was watching quietly from the sideline suddenly had a thought. 'Why does this feel like a mother caring for her son?'
He glanced at the two and dispersed this thought. 'Never mind, this is weird of me to even comment on. This is probably due to all those novels I've read.'
Min-Ji cleared her throat and answered Lu Yi's previous question regarding their dorms, "Ahem, anyways. From what I can remember, the dorms for F-ranks are usually the same as college dorms. I believe that there should be a bunk bed in each room which would be shared with two people. One at the top and one at the bottom."
Having said this, she glanced between Mu Wei and Lu Yi before adding one more piece of information, "But in our case, there's three of us. It's fine though since there should be rooms with a single bed and a bunk bed."
"I see... Will we be able to choose our own roommates? I hope they'll allow us." Lu Yi listened intently at this and pondered.
Mu Wei also nodded at this, although he would much rather be alone than with other people, if he were to choose his roommates it would probably be these two.
Min-Ji replied helplessly, "I hope so too. It's no problem for me to share with other people but I would much rather be with you guys."
When the crowd in front of them stopped, the conversation of the three came to a halt. It seems that they've arrived.
As the crowd funneled into the dormitory hall, a large, brightly lit lobby unfolded before them. The lobby was minimalistic but inviting, with polished floors, plain white walls, and a few modern couches spread around for relaxation. Overhead, a sign read: "Welcome to the F-Rank Dormitories."
A tall, stern-looking woman in a sharp, black uniform stood at the front desk. Her gaze scanned the new arrivals with cool detachment, and she gave a brief nod before speaking into a microphone attached to the desk.
"All F-rank residents will find their assigned dorm rooms listed on the digital board to my left," she announced, her voice as crisp and clear as the one from the speakers. "The dorms are shared as previously instructed: standard two-person rooms, with a few exceptions for groups of three. No personal requests for room changes are permitted without authorization. Lights out by 10 PM."
Lu Yi groaned softly beside Mu Wei. "So much for choosing our own roommates…" he mumbled, frowning.
It was understandable, Mu Wei also felt disappointed, but there's still a possibility the three would be together.
Min-Ji shot them a sympathetic glance and patted Lu Yi's shoulder. "Hey, at least we know the dorms aren't that different from the college ones. It could be worse."
The three walked over to the digital board, where names of the F-ranks quickly flashed, showing the designated dorm number beside each. Mu Wei scanned the list until he saw their names, feeling a small spark of relief when he found they had indeed been placed together.
"Dorm 302," he murmured quietly, nodding to the others. "Looks like we're all in the same room."
Lu Yi's face lit up instantly and he showed a bright smile, "Perfect! I was hoping they'd put us together."
They made their way down a long hallway, following signs to the third floor. The doors to the dorm rooms lined either side of the hall, each with a small metallic plate marking the room number. Finally, they stopped in front of Room 302.
Pushing the door open, Mu Wei stepped inside first. The room was simple yet comfortable: a small window letting in dim light from the courtyard, a single bunk bed pushed against the wall, and a third bed just across from it. The beds were already made with plain gray sheets and a thin pillow on each, and a modest wooden desk sat in the corner with two chairs.
Lu Yi dropped his bag at the foot of the single bed and sprawled out on it, giving a satisfied sigh. "I'm claiming this one!" he announced, stretching his arms over his head.
Mu Wei chuckled softly and placed his belongings at the bottom bunk. Min-Ji also chuckled at this and said, "Well, guess I'm taking this one."
Min-Ji placed her belongings at the desk and climbed to the top bunk. She looked down from her spot and grinned. "I guess everything worked out at the end. We're finally settled down after a long day." she said.
A long silence followed as they each adjusted to the room, letting the reality of their new dorm life sink in. Mu Wei stared at the top for a few moments, and strangely felt comfort in this silence.
He wanted to ask Lu Yi a question but when he glanced at the teenager, it seems he was already deep asleep. After seeing this, he decided to get up and glanced at Min-Ji's side. However, it seems that she was also deep asleep.
'...Well, I guess I should sleep too.' Mu Wei sighed at their sight but as he laid down, he found himself in deep sleep.
And so, as the clock ticked, and the shadows finally emerged as it grew closer to the next day, the three found themselves in deep sleep. Lu Yi was even comfortable enough to snore.