Arthur was quiet, thinking. "You act like this is the only scholarship dorm."
Bram stiffened and murmured, "There's… one more. Mixed Dorm with boys and girls."
Arthur tilted his head as he asked, "So?"
Bram looked away and said, "They've got a girl boss."
The room shifted awkwardly, boys glancing at each other, shame in their eyes.
Arthur chuckled darkly. "What, don't want to follow a girl?"
No one answered—but their faces said enough.
Arthur leaned back, amused. "Why not follow the strongest boy from that dorm, then?"
Bram shook his head fast. "He lost to her. Now he follows her too."
Arthur studied them, seeing how much pride they swallowed to admit that.
Rubbing his head, Arthur asked, "Bram, right? What's your Gene? Rune Force level?"
Bram straightened like a soldier. "Dog Gene. Rune Force, Level 7."
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
"What Gene does the girl from Room Seven have? And her Rune Force?"
Bram hesitated. "She… she has a Cat Gene. And her Rune Force is…"
Arthur's gaze sharpened. "Speak."
Bram swallowed. "Inborn Rune Force."
Arthur froze, eyes wide.
'Inborn Rune Force?'
He remembered the administration mentioning a boy with it—never a girl.
"So… she really can be a boss," Arthur muttered, regaining his calm.
Bram's voice dropped lower.
"But, Boss… the last boss of Room Seven had Inborn Rune Force too."
"He beat the dorm leader on his first day. But… he lasted less than a day before she took it all."
Arthur stood slowly, mind racing.
'Father always said Inborn Rune Force was a once-in-a-century gift.'
'Even Lawrence thought so.'
His jaw tightened.
Seeing Arthur's dark look, Bram asked nervously, "Boss… you alright?"
Arthur waved him off. "I'm fine."
'Four years…' He clenched his fists.
'Four years training Scarlet Eclipse technique to the peak, which became a phenomenon like Inborn Rune Force.'
'But they… they were just born with it.'
Arthur exhaled slowly. "What about the boy? What gene does he have?"
Bram replied, "Leaf Tendril Gene… weak gene which has soft leaves with tendrils."
Arthur nodded.
"A Cat Gene would tear his gene apart… No wonder he gave up."
His eyes glinted.
'Still… I want to see these two geniuses.'
Then, with a decisive tone, Arthur declared, "As the boss, I'm ordering everyone to follow the female boss from the other dormitory."
A murmur rippled through the students.
Arthur's gaze was cold as steel as he faced the group.
"That girl has Inborn Rune Force—and she's not the only one. Her lackey has it too."
"Two people born with what others can't even dream of. You want to survive? Then follow them."
"Flatter them. Earn their favor. If anyone comes after you, let her handle it. Got it?"
Bram's face twisted in frustration, but he said nothing.
Just then, a rough voice echoed from the door.
"My Lord, you're here!"
Arthur looked up, surprised.
It was the gatekeeper—who had sneered at him earlier—now carrying a bundle of clothes, a bedroll, and supplies.
"Where should I put these?" the man asked with forced politeness.
Arthur pointed lazily to a bed near the balcony, the sun pouring over it.
The gatekeeper's brow furrowed at the mess covering it. He barked, "Whose things are these?"
A small boy, no older than eight, stepped forward timidly. "Mine…"
The gatekeeper didn't hesitate. "My Lord has chosen this spot. Move your things."
The boy's eyes filled with tears as he scrambled to gather his bedding. The other children watched in stunned silence.
Even Bram looked away, swallowing hard.
Once the bed was cleared and freshly made, the gatekeeper bowed low.
"My Lord, if you need anything—anything—call for me." And with that, he left.
Arthur smirked, stepping over and sinking into bed like a king claiming his throne.
"Feels good," he muttered to himself.
His sharp gaze flicked back at the others.
"What are you all standing around for? Didn't I say to follow the boss of Room Seven? Or do you want to be beaten again?"
The kids bowed their heads, silent, ashamed.
"Out!" Arthur barked.
They scattered like frightened birds, leaving him alone with the sun pouring over him.
Arthur lay back, arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling.
'The weak stay ignorant… and pay for it.'
'In every world, strength is law. Nothing else matters.'
With that thought, Arthur closed his eyes, listening to the silence as the wind brushed against the balcony curtains.
...
A low, commanding voice broke the silence.
"Where's the new student?"
Arthur turned toward the door.
Standing there was Romain—the teacher assigned to this dorm. Pale black hair, sharp eyes, and a gaze that cut through stone.
Arthur straightened immediately.
"Sir! I'm Arthur, the new student."
Romain gave a curt nod. "Okay. Where are the others?"
"They went out, Sir."
Romain's voice hardened.
"As a first-year Scholarship student, you're assigned to sweep the flower garden."
"Daily. Five Bronze Coins if it's spotless—fail to sort the trash, and we deduct your pay. The university won't tolerate slackers."
Arthur reached calmly into his pocket and pulled out a small pouch.
"Sir, here are my tuition fees—Twenty Gold Coins."
Romain's eyes flickered in surprise as he took the pouch and peeked inside.
"The full six-year tuition… upfront? Impressive. But tuition is only Ten Gold Coins."
Arthur didn't flinch. "No, Sir. It's Twenty."
A small smirk tugged at Romain's lips as he glanced at Arthur, a glint of understanding in his eyes.
"I've heard the talk—'Boss this, Boss that,' fights, Genes…"
Arthur smirked back. "Exactly why I want this room for myself. Move them to another dorm. I need some peace."
Romain chuckled under his breath. "Then it's going to cost an extra ten Gold Coins for rearrangement."
Arthur handed over the rest without blinking.
"Smart Kid," Romain said with a thin smile.
"Starting tomorrow, this room is yours. Only your bed stays—everything else gets moved."
Arthur nodded, satisfied.
Romain turned to leave, but paused. "Anything else?"
Arthur thought for a moment. "Access to the library."
Romain raised his brow.
"That's free."
"First-year classes begin tomorrow—main building, second floor. Be on time."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Arthur standing alone.