When Valiance woke up the next day, he found out that the girl from last night already left the room. Looking at the clock, he realized it was still early.
4:35 AM, Valiance muttered, taking note of the time. He was quite impressed by the girl's diligence. Seems like a hardworking type. When he remembered her last night, he saw the books she was holding. She's trying too hard.
Come to think of it, I still do not know her name.
Even though they're now some sort of roommates, she was still a total stranger to him. Well, interestingly, he still haven't properly introduced himself too, so it's just fair she just won't do it.
Valiance shrugged. Once he see her at the campus, he would try to at least say his name.
Having decided of what to do, Valiance immediately took a bath. Thankfully, even though dorm rooms were only for two people at most, there are at least a bathroom built in this room.
After taking a bath, he realized he did not have any spare clothes. He had left all of them in his old man's research room. He initially did not plan to stay here in the academy after enrolling. Heck, he hadn't packed his things yet.
After wearing the same white robe from yesterday, Valiance pulled open door. A tall girl, about 6"1 in height, entered his vision. This girl was also wearing the academy uniform, but instead of a magic robe, it was a long-sleeved uniform paired with blue and black skirt with the length about 2 inches above the knee.
Valiance frowned the academy's style of uniform, with the skirt close to being absurdly short. But it was understandable as well, the girl was really tall—taller than him—so it doesn't actually look inappropriate.
He forced a smile. "Hello? Who are you looking for?"
"Are you Valiance Esteban?"
Despite the girl's overbearing demeanor due to being tall, her voice was surprisingly soft and sweet.
"Yes, that's me," Valiance admitted, his voice uncertain. "Why?"
"Professor Blackrose ordered me to bring this to you." The girl gave him clothes that was on her hands. "Also, here?"
She put a book on top of the clothes. Valiance looked at the book, feeling familiarity but he can't remember where he had seen it.
"What's this?"
"Student Rulebook," the sweet tall girl explained. "Kindly read all the rules written inside. Also, there were also general informations included there regarding the academy."
"Thank you." Valiance nodded gratefully. "I apologize for the inconvenience."
"No worries," the tall girl made a sweet little grin. "I hope you get a nice academy life."
"Yes!"
After that, the tall girl hurried away, each of her steps making wide differences in distance. Valiance shook his head, looking at the uniform and robe sitting on his hand, with the Rulebook atop.
I forgot to ask her name.
Valiance froze when he realized this. He might sound desperate for others to get to know himself, but old man Kalli often mentioned to him to always get friends. They're reliable source of help and information. Even if they did not decide to help, information is fine.
"Did my roommate just mentioned about the class time?" he muttered, recalling whatever she said last night. If she's not messing with him then…
"Shit, 5 AM is near!"
Valiance immediately shut off the door, replacing his dirty white robe with the academy's uniform. He could feel the coolness of the uniform's fabric the moment it touched his skin.
Looking at the time, it was 4:49 PM.
"Okay, there's still time."
He did not expect changing clothes would spend so much time. After making sure he did not forget anything, Valiance took the rulebook before scrambling out of his room.
---
Flipping the book open, Valiance looked at the drawing of the map on page 3. He tried following it and after 2 minutes of walking, he reached his destination. It was a huge structure, the campus for freshmen or first-years.
Valiance could see students like himself soullessly working toward the campus. He went inside, finding himself in a corridor full of doors with signs above them.
1-A…1-B…1-C…and so on.
Now, where is my class?
He was now truly stumped. He tried skimming through the rulebook but he did not see any details regarding his classroom, or the lessons he was going to take.
The service of this academy seems lackluster.
This impression started the moment he saw the long line of people yesterday. There was only one teacher-in-charge. If that's not what you call lacking, then what else?
"It's you."
A cold, familiar voice entered his ears, Valiance's hopes reaching higher when he heard this. He turned around, seeing his roommate looking at him with deadpan expression as she stepped down the staircase.
"You're lost, aren't you? Didn't know where to go?"
"Yeah…" Valiance muttered, his voice full of embarassment.
"Follow me," the girl responded.
"You know where I'm assigned?"
"No."
"Then—"
"At least you don't look like an idiot lingering in the corridor without particular plan in mind," the girl mercilessly interrupted. Then she stared walking through the corridor, leaving him behind.
"True," Valiance whispered, following the girl. Then he realized he still he did not know her name. "Uh, may—"
"You'll find out later," the girl interrupted again.
"How did you know?" Valiance stared at her in disbelief.
The girl momentarily stopped and look at him. "You're easy to read." saying that, she continued walking again.
Am I?
Valiance tried thinking what part of him was easy to read. No ordinary person could effortlessly predict what's going on with other people's mind.
"By the way, I just noticed, it seems the academy still accepts people in the middle of the school year, no?"
"Correct," the girl answered. "What of it?"
"What about enrolling in the last month? Can I still still proceed to the next grade level?"
"If you can do that then sure," she uttered. "I doubt anyone got the ability to earn quota that easily to be qualified to advance for next grade level."
"Quota? You mean, Orith implemented pointing system?"
"Do you live under the rock yesterday? That's a widespread knowledge," she said with a mocking tone. Then she suddenly stopped. "We're here."
Valiance looked in front, a sliding door stand in front of them, which was twice his height. The girl pulled open the door, revealing a huge classroom with many students already sitting.
The girl turned to look at him, the corner of her lips curling slightly upwards.
"Welcome to the academy."