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Chapter 14: Dorm
The arena was silent.
Dust still curled from the shattered ground where Jefel had stood victorious, lightning fading from his body like a storm retreating. His chest rose and fell steadily, but his eyes were sharp—untamed, like a beast that refused to bow.
Whispers spread, growing into waves.
"He crushed them… in seconds."
"No… that wasn't human speed."
"Didn't he almost break the orb earlier too?"
The examiner, golden eyes narrowed, raised his staff and struck the ground. The booming echo silenced the hall.
"Enough!" His gaze locked on Jefel, piercing through him as though weighing every bone and drop of blood. "You pass. Take this."
He handed Jefel a pass token.
"You may leave now."
Jefel nodded. Lark and Lucy congratulated him before leading him out. They walked in silence—Lucy deep in thought about his strength, and Lark equally contemplative.
"Where are we going?" Jefel finally asked.
"To the central first-year section," Lark answered. "You need rest."
"First years?"
"Yes," Lucy added. "The academy is divided by years—from first to ninth. You'll understand more once you see."
They passed the first-year outer court. Dorm buildings lined the path. Students lingered outside—chatting, making friends, sizing each other up. Girls cast curious glances his way, some drawn by his aura, others whispering about his physique. Boys watched too—some curious, some jealous, some hateful of the attention he received. Jefel walked stiffly under their gazes, aware of how his very presence stirred them.
When they reached the central, the atmosphere shifted. They passed the yellow sector and entered the orange.
"See the robes?" Lucy pointed casually. "The colours show your level. But even inside each colour, there are divisions. Look at that one—light orange streaked with violet. That means he's close to breaking into rank 6 mid of the first years. The robe itself is alive—it grows with you. The deeper the shine, the stronger you are."
"So the robe judges me?" Jefel muttered.
"It judges everyone," Lark said. "If you sit idle, it stays dull. If you work—homework, tests, quests, anything academic—it brightens. Fail to act, and you stagnate."
Lucy smirked. "And don't try cheating. The robe catches you instantly. Some say it tattles faster than the instructors."
Jefel raised a brow. "It does all that?"
"More," Lucy said. "Homework alerts, quest updates, announcements, even food orders—it all comes through the robe. If you want to report something or call for help, just tap your crest the number of times equal to your rank. You're rank 5, so five taps. That connects you to Instructor Ruby. You'll hear her voice in your head."
Lark's tone darkened. "And remember… the robes are also the eyes of the higher-ups. Even now, they're watching."
Tink—
[System Notice]
They finally reached his dorm room, on the lowest floor of the orange sector. The door bore the number 12.
"The higher you rank, the higher your floor," Lark explained.
Lucy crossed her arms. "We'll meet again soon to prepare you. For now, give me your robe number."
"My what?" Jefel frowned.
"It's like an academy code. Lets me text you directly. But don't give it out freely. Too many snakes around here."
Jefel retrieved the robe from his ring. The moment it touched his fingers, he felt something probe his essence, like it was digging through him.
Tink—
[System Detected Foreign Energy]
—Interpreting Foreign Energy—
Before he knew it, the robe was already on him, his old clothes folded neatly back inside the ring.
"It fits," Lucy said. "Now, tap the crest with your essence."
He did.
A woman's voice echoed in his mind.
[Welcome to Nurban. You will be assessed in days to come. Take care, newbie.]
Instructions appeared before his eyes, but Lucy had already covered most of it.
He scrolled, and a line flashed.
[Student Number: 4589]
"Here." Jefel read it aloud.
Lucy and Lark both memorized it.
"Train hard," Lark said as he turned away. "Placement begins in a few months. Rest while you can… Battle Heir."
The duo left him behind.
Tink—
[System Notice]
—Get Chosen—
Reward: ???
Jefel pressed his hand to his chest. His path had widened—yet narrowed all at once.
Months to come would decide everything.
But as he pushed open the door to his new dorm, a shadow lingered at the far end of the corridor.
Eyes glowed faintly in the dark—watching. Waiting.
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