I unlocked the door to my room and slowly stepped inside.
The door closed behind me with a soft thud as I slipped the key back into my pocket and glanced around the small space.
After last night's events, I needed a moment to gather myself.
Reha had said she could not begin my training immediately. She said it had something to do with me being exhausted and low on mana.
She told me to return the next day, and though I was reluctant, I nodded and agreed.
There wasn't much I could say to that.
Lycrane escorted me back through the labyrinth of Lycus, and together we left the strange place.
Her expression remained unreadable the entire way, and I did not bother asking anything further.
'At least things ended without another strange surprise.'
That had been my last thought as we reached the dormitory grounds, and from there we went our separate ways.
Now standing in my own room, I noticed something.
My roommate wasn't here.
The bed looked untouched, his belongings still where he usually kept them, but his presence was absent.
'Did something happen to him after he left me near the fountain last night?'
The thought crossed my mind as I walked casually over to the mirror that hung against the wall.
I looked at myself, and the first thing that caught my eye was my clothes.
They were bloodied and torn, marked with evidence of last night's ordeal.
The 'healing' Lycrane had done, returned my body to normal, but that did nothing to my clothes.
That much was obvious now.
'Well, they're useless like this. No point worrying about them. What I need to worry about is how to explain them if someone finds out?'
I dismissed the matter with a shrug and peeled the damaged garments off, pulling out a cleaner set from the chest near my bed.
As I changed, my mind briefly returned to my missing roommate.
'He might just be staying somewhere else. Maybe he is really scared about what happened the other day and is staying somewhere safe. That's more likely than anything else.'
I nodded lightly to myself, letting the worry fade before collapsing back onto my bed.
The mattress gave way under me as I stretched out.
Right as I closed my eyes, sleep took me almost instantly.
…
When I woke, the first thing that greeted me was a throbbing headache.
My head felt heavy, my muscles sore, and my body drenched lightly in sweat.
It wasn't difficult to find the reason.
'Last night. It's either the exhaustion from everything that happened, or maybe it's the wound-transferring spell Lycrane used. Most likely the latter.'
I sat up slowly, rubbing my temples.
Even now, the faint ache of that strange sorcery lingered inside me.
I forced myself to my feet and walked toward the washroom to freshen up.
The cold water helped clear my head a little, though the soreness in my body remained.
As I wiped my face with a cloth, I found myself muttering under my breath.
"I really don't feel like training today."
But even as the words left my mouth, I knew there was no choice.
The instructors here were strict, especially with new recruits like me, and I couldn't afford to stand out in the wrong way. Although, I already was...
'Better to just get it over with. At least then they won't have a reason to bother me.'
So I dressed myself in the training attire prepared for me, adjusted the loose fabric at the waist, and stepped out of the room.
…
The cafeteria was already lively by the time I entered.
People filled the long rows of tables, their chatter and laughter bouncing off the walls.
I didn't bother scanning for anyone familiar.
Because there wasn't anyone I was familiar with in the first place.
Yes, it had been one month, and I still didn't have anyone who could be called a friend of mine.
'It's Kinda disappointing…' I slumped.
Shaking my head, I walked to the counter and collected an ordinary breakfast—a slice of bread, boiled eggs, and a bowl of watery porridge.
With my tray in hand, I made my way to a small table tucked in the corner near the window and settled down quietly.
I ate in silence, watching the sunlight spill across the floor through the glass.
'The food here really isn't much. Even the orphanage served better meals than this.'
It was a bland thought, but it came naturally.
The orphanage I lived in the past, hadn't been a pleasant place, but the food had at least been warm and filling.
Here, it felt like little more than fuel.
"..." From the corner of my eye, I noticed a group sitting not far from me.
They were laughing, exchanging stories, and eating heartily together.
For a moment, I thought about joining them.
As I said before, I'm not an introvert. I just prefer a peaceful and quiet atmosphere.
But, bonds were important.
If I wanted to stay here long without any hitches, making connections would be necessary.
However, there was a problem.
Every now and then, one of them would glance in my direction, their eyes holding that same questioning glint.
It was because I had been recruited directly by Lycrane, the SSS-Rank Swordsaint and one of the house heads. That somehow made me different from them, and people didn't always like different things.
'Maybe later. Today… I don't feel like it.'
I finished my meal at my own pace, stood, and left the cafeteria behind.
The training grounds were already filled when I arrived.
Groups of recruits stood around, stretching, chatting, or practising small drills while waiting for the instructor.
As I stepped in, several heads turned.
Their gazes lingered on me, some curious, others unreadable, but I didn't pay them much mind.
I walked across the grounds calmly, gave a light smile, and greeted a few people cheerfully as I joined the rest.
Their expressions shifted slightly, but I didn't press.
That was enough for now.
I scanned the crowd quickly and frowned.
My roommate wasn't here either.
'Still missing… Did something really happen to him?'
The thought stayed in my mind, though it held no urgency.
Then, my eyes caught another familiar face.
Kale Gregor.
The boy who had beaten me half to death the other day.
He was staring at me with a sneer, his eyes sharp with disdain.
I simply smiled brightly at him.
Kale snorted, turned away, and pretended not to care.
Before I could think further, the instructor arrived.
…
He was a tall man with sharp features and neatly kept dark hair.
His build was strong, balanced, and his aura carried the authority of someone who had trained countless others before us.
When he stepped into the centre, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked toward him.
His eyes swept over the group with calm confidence before he spoke.
"It has been one month since you all joined the House of Swords," he said, his voice carrying clearly across the field.
"In that time, you have trained well. Today, we will see how much progress you have made. You will spar with each other in mock bouts."
Excitement immediately rippled through the recruits.
Some straightened eagerly, others whispered among themselves, already speculating about who would face whom.
I remained quiet.
My muscles still ached, and the headache hadn't disappeared.
'Perfect. Just my luck.'
I muttered under my breath as my name was suddenly called.
"Obyron, step forward."
I blinked, a little surprised to be called first, but I complied.
I walked to the front, standing calmly, waiting for the announcement of my opponent.
The instructor's next words drew a sudden silence over everyone.
"Diana Harley."
Gasps could be heard coming from everywhere, as my eyes widened slightly hearing that name.
'Of all the people…'
It had to be Diana Harley, the most skilled A-rank recruit in our group, and the most likely candidate for S-rank status.
At that moment, in silence, an inaudible "Fuck!" was muttered.