Having been led out of Mrs. Fox— no, Robin's office, Arthur and Mira made their way to the designated transportation room. Filing into line, Arthur along with the other students made their way into the room where they each stood upon a large stone-engraved platform.
'A teleporting rune and one of Emerald quality. It must be powered by at least 20 platinum stones.' Arthur couldn't help but study and note as he watched the attendants of the teleporter channel the rune.
And with a flash of bright blue light, his vision shifted from that of the reception hall to that of a less grand building. While the quality of materials were the same, the sense of majesty and aura had been lost, replaced by something more practical.
"LISTEN UP!" A voice boomed across the room, silencing everyone. "IF YOU ARE OF NOBLE LINEAGE, FOLLOW ME AS I'll BE TAKING YOU TO YOUR DORM! IF YOU AREN'T A NOBLE, OR ARE TOLD OTHERWISE, CONTINUE TO YOUR ASSIGNED DORM!"
As Arthur watched the crowd, he spotted a bunch of minor nobles broke away to join the man standing on a large box, who was wearing a dark navy double-breasted coat. All while holding a banner bearing the silver House Watchers symbol.
"It's best if we get a move on as well." Arthur said to Mira. Noble or not, he was left out of the noble dormitory just another way for the academy to take a shot at his family.
Following the rest of the non-noble students, Arthur walked along the campus, passing through the transportation hall and out into the open air.
Outside, the grounds were full of life. Trees and trimmed grass filled every space between the stone walkways. The campus felt like a peaceful garden as its serenity slowed your breathing without realizing it.
From the street lamps lining the walkways to the architecture that showed off the grandness of the academy, it had it all.
"Wow." Arthur shook his head. "My siblings wrote home talking about how pretty the grounds were, but I didn't think they'd look like this."
Mira, seeing her master's rare moment of wonder, couldn't help but agree.
As they continued to walk they passed a couple of parks and buildings with even what looked like an old colosseum. Though the noise coming from inside suggested it was still very much in use.
After about twenty minutes of walking they finally reached their destination. While not rundown, the lack of renovation was clear to see. The wood needed staining, the trim was faded, and the whole building wore the look of something that had been functional for a long time and not much more.
Stepping inside, the smell was the first thing he noticed. Like a log cabin, a natural and earthy scent drifted through the air, warm in a way that settled into your chest without asking.
'Smells better than I thought.'
"Didn't think it would smell so nice, did you."
Arthur turned the voice catching his attention.
Behind a counter set up like a hotel reception desk, a woman stood watching him with her arms crossed over her modest chest. Wearing a fitted navy long-sleeve that showed off her toned figure, her bronze skin spoke of someone who spent more time outdoors than in. Her hair was cropped blue-green, shaved close on the sides, the top falling forward in messy unstyled layers that somehow still worked. With a short ponytail that swayed in the back.
"Yeah, you could say that." Arthur walked over. "So I'm assuming you're the receptionist for this dorm?"
"Well, ever since Randy got that promotion to the noble Watchers dorm, I guess I'm all you've got left." She flashed a toothy grin. "Name's Ryn. You?"
"My name is Arthur, and this is my maid Mira." He left the last name off on purpose.
"Oh, Arthur and his maid Mira, good to meet you." She scratched her chin as if turning something over in her head. "Say, you wouldn't happen to know this guy I've been hearing about? Some rumors going around, last name..." She snapped her fingers. "Webb! That's it."
Arthur sighed.
"Of course I know him, that's me."
"Oh." Ryn looked him over once, as if double checking that Arthur is who he says he is. She uncrossed her arms and leaned against the counter. "Well, if you are who you say you are, then I have a message for you. It's from your brother, Aldric."
"My brother?" Arthur couldn't help but frown. "What does he have to tell me that he couldn't just send home in a letter?"
"I'd love to tell you, but this isn't the right setting for it." Ryn lowered her voice just enough that it wouldn't carry. "How about this, meet me at Hallow Park at midnight in two days and I'll tell you everything there."
"Sure. As long as you speak the truth, I see no issues." Not one to discuss family matters out in the open, Arthur moved on. "Now, how about you tell me more about this dorm?"
"Well, since you're new, I'll give you the rundown." She pushed off the counter and gestured broadly. "The dining hall is on the ground floor, down the left, you'll smell it before you find it. Laundry is in the basement, it's shared, so first come first served." She then glanced at Mira. "Servant quarters are on the second floor separated from the student rooms, but close enough if you need each other."
She straightened up. "Roof access is only permitted if you ask me for the key and give me a good reason. There's also a lounge on the top floor, courtesy of last year's students who made sure there was something for everyone up there. If you're bored, feel free to give it a try."
"Much appreciated," Arthur said.
"Oh, and one more thing." Ryn leaned back against the counter, that easy grin returning. "I've heard a lot about that bloodline of yours. Curious to see what it actually does up close sometime."
Her eyes said exactly what she meant.
Arthur raised a brow. "Go back to work, Ryn."
She laughed short and bright before turning back to go back deeper past the counter.
'Quite the character.'
Arthur glanced over to Mira, who gave him a look that said 'Well…'
"Come on Mira, it's time we go to my room." Arthur says walking towards the stairs.
The room on the third floor was a medium size room with a queen bed, closet, and desk. Practical and plain, with none of the comforts of home but none of the misery he'd half expected either.
"Different from what I'm used to." Arthur set his bag down and looked around. "But it could certainly be worse."
"Much worse," Mira agreed quietly, already moving to the closet.
They worked through their bags without much fuss, filling the space until it stopped feeling like a stranger's room.
'Now, where to hide the book.' Arthur pulled it out and scanned the room, turning the problem over in his head.
"Master, what do you want me to do with this?" Mira held up her amulet, cutting through his thoughts.
"Put it with my stuff. I don't want any of your roommates going through your things looking for dirt on me and finding it." Arthur pointed to the box laid out at the foot of his bed.
Mira nodded and placed it inside along with a few other things worth keeping safe.
By the time everything was put away they'd found a comfortable quiet between them. Arthur dropped onto the edge of the bed and let out a slow breath.
"That receptionist." He shook his head. "Odd one."
"Very," Mira agreed, setting the last of her things down.
"What I want to know is what Aldric did to get her caught up in whatever scheme he's running." Arthur leaned back on his hands. "Knowing my brother, she didn't just stumble into this."
Mira glanced over at him. "You think it's something serious?"
"With Aldric?" Arthur almost smiled. "That man has never done anything in his life without it turning into a headache for someone else. Trouble follows him like a shadow." He stood up and stretched. "Whatever it is, I'll find out tomorrow night."
Mira held his gaze for a moment, then gave a small nod.
She walked over and began patting down his shirt, fingers straightening each seam with quiet care, taking her time to make him look presentable.
"There." She took a small step back, looking him over with a satisfied smile. "Now you look like a handsome nobleman."
"If you like what you see, maybe you should take a taste as well." Arthur grinned.
"Of course, Master." She stepped back into his arms and the two kissed deeply, taking a moment just for themselves.
And just as the kiss began to turn into something more, a low rumble echoed from Arthur's stomach.
He pulled back, looking at Mira with the faintest hint of embarrassment. "Well... maybe food first."
Mira pressed her lips together, trying and failing to hold back a laugh. "Yeah. Probably a good idea."
Author Note: Patreon.com/Lord_Cuckles for advance chapters