Dean Anderson frowned, he took a second to think about how to say things tactfully.
Azalea was still a young and impressionable student and he didn't want the student to think that her mother was terrible even though Flora's reputation precedes her.
He said thoughtfully, "You have to understand that when your Mother left Mercy Academy we didn't get enough time to mold her into becoming an upstanding citizen. Flora's sense of judgement was askew because of her family. There were no shades of grey with the Belgrade Family, just right and wrong. Your mother feeling a taste of freedom for the first time in her life was testing boundaries and everyone feared that if easily led astray her actions would be detrimental to the world. Naturally, your mother had a mental breakdown and was sent to another private institute to be mentally rehabilitated and it was there she met your father which is a story for another time. Let's just go and get you settled."
Azalea nodded and waited for further instructions.
Huntley noticed her inflamed wrist where the area that had the crest was still swollen.
Perhaps he was overthinking it but did some unauthorized person test Azalea's mental powers recently?
Although she had been accepted by Mercy Academy her registration had not yet been processed so outside still had some leeway.
Dean Anderson unclenched his curled fists and asked gently, "Azalea, you only recently awakened your powers the day of the coming of age ceremony and haven't had any formal training before right?"
Ashamed, Azalea's face turned beet red, most mental ability users had already learnt the basics of from kindergarten.
Due to Azalea's powers having been sealed until she turned eighteen she was already feeling the burden of lacking common knowledge.
"That's right, Dean Anderson. I suspect for unknown reasons my mother sealed my powers from the womb causing me to awaken late and I'm afraid to say I'm lacking the basics," she replied.
"Amongst your peers you will be the weakest and may need to take on additional classes as well as a tutor to be brought up to the current standards of Mercy Academy, is that fine with you?"
Dean Anderson cautioned, "the dynamics at Mercy Academy are different from most other schools in that the students are critical thinkers and very rambunctious. You will live in an assigned dormitory and have a roommate. I hope that you are okay with sharing a living space with a stranger."
No one can be worse than Janet, thought Azalea and she answered seriously, "that's fine with me. I'm grateful to be accepted into Mercy Academy and I don't expect preferential treatment. Also, I'm entering the academy late and don't understand much. I hope my roommate will also be tolerant of that fact. I promise to work hard with my studies and do my best to get along with my peers."
Azalea staring up at him with those large moss green eyes made him automatically want to soften his stance and give her hug but this was their first time meeting.
There would be plenty of time in the future for Azalea to grow comfortable at Mercy Academy and fit in with the other students.
Dean Anderson, was pleased with Azalea's heartfelt response and nodded, "Since we have an understanding, I'll definitely arrange for you to stay in the New Haven dormitory. It's our newest block so many of the rooms are still empty but it also houses those conduits who are meek and have the lowest mental powers so you should be able to relate with them and hopefully make some new friends before the term is over."
"Thanks so much Dean Anderson, I really appreciate it."
"Your welcome," responded Dean Anderson with warmth in his eyes.
Dean Anderson made a phone call and a few minutes later Mrs. Grant returned to retrieve Azalea at the Dean's request.
"I'll leave Azalea in your hands and trust you to take good care of her."
"Don't let us keep you from your work Dean Anderson, I'll take care of Azalea's registration and get her settled into New Haven."
After they left, the Dean's office they headed to Main Office where Mrs. Grant saw to it that Azalea completed enrollment procedures.
She took a new photo for her student ID and was told her father had already paid all her tuition and dormitory fee for this year and the next in advance.
That was a huge relief on Azalea's mind and after completing registration Mrs. Grant gave a tour of the vast grounds of Mercy Academy.
Feeling self-conscious Azalea said, "I hope I didn't take up too much of your time with enrollment, if you're busy you can go back to your desk and I can try to find New Have by myself."
"Don't worry Azalea, I remember how overwhelming it was the first time I was sent to college by my folks. As a student advisor and receptionist, this is what I love doing so don't be afraid to ask for advice or to question anything about Mercy Academy that you don't understand since that's what I'm here for. Look, there is one of five cafeterias and the largest, today has shrimp lasagna on the menu. You should try it after you've settled into New Haven."
It really did smell good, and after Mrs. Grant's response, Azalea no longer voiced any complaints and was easily pulled along by her entertaining tour guide.
The amiable Mrs. Grant was clearly popular and well-liked by the students who greeted them out of curiosity at seeing a new and beautiful face.
Finally, they reached the dormitory and Mrs. Grant retrieved Azalea's room's magnetic keycard from the desk of the dormitory attendant.
Azalea's large suitcase had already been placed inside the room and after seeing that she was settled Mrs. Grant wished her well then returned to the information booth.
Not long after the door made a beeping sound and was flung wide open.
She happened to see a cute, baby-faced strawberry blonde teenager enter the room and made a beeline to where Azalea was standing.
"You're finally here. I finally got a roommate. My name is Lana Reid. The admissions email that I got indicated I would have a roommate but it gave me no details and your name wasn't mentioned. I'm so glad you look normal."
What a crazy thing to say to someone you're meeting for the first time, Azalea asked, "Nice to meet you I'm Azalea Blume. Why are you so excited about having a roommate?"