Chapter 13

My neighbors are dangerous!

When most of the new students had entered the academy and started their dormitory life, I, too, finally moved in.

Before moving in, I heard a female student say, "Isn't the first-floor resident a bit strange?" I didn't really care. As a member of the upper class, I didn't need to worry about such trivial gossip. After all, I am the heir to the Lazan territory, famous for its gemstones.

I was more excited about the new school life starting than bothered by such gossip. The manager's comment that "the first floor has more spacious rooms" immediately helped me decide on a room. A small room wouldn't suit me. Room 1-3 would be where I would spend the next three years.

I intended to focus on my studies during my time as a student, but I also wanted to meet people I could call friends. Of course, only those who share my upper-class values. I hoped my neighbor would meet these criteria.

The room was perfect. The size, basic facilities, the view from the window, and the sunlight—all were satisfactory. It didn't compare to the rooms in my family's house, but choosing a spacious first-floor room was clearly the right decision.

I moved in at dusk. It would take time to organize my belongings, and I wanted to finish all the tasks by the end of the day.

I decided to greet my neighbors the next day.

The anticipation of the next day gave me energy and made me feel more energetic. The work progressed very efficiently.

The meal in the cafeteria was delicious and satisfying. The communal bath felt a bit strange, but it was something I would get used to quickly.

Back in my room, I looked around at my newly organized living space. "Hmm, a wonderfully organized room." The first floor even had a special garden. I stepped out the window to look at the garden. The neighboring garden was separated by a fence. It was a beautiful garden with lush green grass.

With three years ahead, I could consider growing some plants. Trees, flowers, fruits—my imagination ran wild. A rose garden that would suit me would be best. It would certainly highlight my character the most.

"Hmm! Hmm! Hmm!"

Someone's voice echoed in the garden.

It seemed the resident of the room to the left, 1-2, was doing something in the garden. Peeking through the gap in the fence, I saw a large man swinging a greatsword, shirtless, swinging the sword mindlessly without any coercion.

Honestly, I didn't want to get involved. The idea of associating with such a vulgar man was unimaginable. It would tarnish my life.

My neighbor wasn't just him. To the right, there was the student in 1-4. I decided to greet the student in 1-4 tomorrow.

Back in my room, I brewed the tea I always drink before sleeping. The gentle aroma filled the room. I noticed a slight impurity but didn't mind much. As soon as I took a sip, I felt sleepy.

Perhaps it was the fatigue from being active all day. I decided to go to bed after finishing the tea. However, the drowsiness was overwhelming. I couldn't resist and fell asleep right there.

I don't know how long I slept.

The next morning, I was awakened by a loud collision. The sound came from the door. Someone was banging on the door fiercely. It was just after sunrise. What could be the matter at such an hour? How rude! Or was it a burglar?

I was scared! That was the only emotion I could feel. My body wouldn't move. I just waited for the fear to pass.

Even after the sound stopped, I was too scared to move for a while. I still couldn't understand what had happened. I couldn't even remember last night clearly.

I could recall up to drinking the tea, but why was I sleeping on the floor?

There was no point in trying to remember what I couldn't. I decided to consult someone about the morning's events. After breakfast, I gathered my courage and visited 1-4.

"Here."

The person who came out was a dirty man wearing a hood and a mask. A strong herbal smell came from his room. I wanted to pinch my nose but managed to hold back. The man was short and thin, with dark circles under his eyes, indicating he hadn't slept well.

"Um, I'm Ruin, your new neighbor."

I didn't want to greet him. I couldn't be friends with him. He was a completely different person from me, someone with a bright and elegant presence. I wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

"My name is Toto Gap. By the way, did you sleep well last night?"

"Yes, I did. I can't remember much about last night, but I definitely slept well. Well, I'll take my leave now."

"Seems like it went well."

"What do you mean?"

"Just talking to myself."

"Ah, I see. I'll be going then."

Unfortunately, it seems I didn't have good neighbors. A barbarian on the left and a weirdo on the right.

But there's no need to be discouraged. Once the school classes start, I'll meet countless students. With my charm, I'm sure I'll have a good circle of friends.

The neighbors on both sides were no good. But 1-1 was nearby. I might as well try to say hello.

Standing in front of 1-1's door, I heard a sharp metallic sound from inside. It sounded familiar.

It was similar to the sound I heard at a blacksmith's. Was someone hammering iron? A noble? For what purpose?

All sorts of questions came to mind, but the decision to not say hello made them disappear. I returned to my room and drank my favorite tea to calm down.

There was no need to rush. Even if the neighbors were strange, I could still make friends without rushing. After all, I am a special person.

Spending the day doing nothing was also a luxury, but I decided to spend it reading. I had brought many books I loved. It was a good opportunity to reread them.

I soon noticed something was off. It was strange. Despite it being noon, a strong drowsiness overcame me. "I, I need to go to bed." I stumbled towards the bed but collapsed and fell asleep right there.

I don't know how long I slept.

The next morning, I was awakened by a loud collision. The sound came from the door. It was the same as yesterday! I immediately understood. The same person was trying to break down the door again.

It was just after sunrise again.

What could they want with my room?!

I was only filled with fear. "Mother!" I ended up calling out to my mother. Why did I have to endure such humiliation? Tears of frustration and fear welled up in my eyes.

The banging stopped as the day went on. I decided to consult the manager after breakfast. Otherwise, I might not be able to endure living here.

While drinking tea to calm down, the door made a sound again. This time, it was just a knock.

Opening the door, I saw the resident of 1-4 from yesterday. A strong herbal smell came from his body, probably from his room. He was extremely unclean. I had already forgotten his name and had no intention of becoming friends with him. I wanted to get rid of him quickly.

"What's the matter? I'm a bit busy right now."

"Sorry, just a moment. Your light was off all night. Is everything okay?"

"Oh, right. This morning, I woke up on the floor. Why was I sleeping on the floor? I can't remember."

"Two days in a row, it seems."

"Huh?"

"Just talking to myself. Take care of yourself, then."

"Ah, okay."

I quickly closed the door. He seemed to be concerned about me. I understand he wants to be friends with me, an upper-class person, but there are other things to consider before kindness. From his appearance, it's questionable whether his family background matches mine.

I made a bad choice of room. In hindsight, I should have taken the female student's gossip more seriously.

However, after a few days of visiting the cafeteria, I naturally made friends. In such a large academy, there were many people from families that matched mine and were refined. Indeed, it was fitting for people with a bright presence to be around me.

The giant from 1-2, the herbal man from 1-4, and the iron man from 1-1 were not suitable for me. I heard that there were new students from the commoner class this year. When I first heard this, I was shocked, but they would probably not last long, so it didn't concern me much.

Since the day I consulted the manager, the morning noise stopped. The manager seemed to be patrolling. Despite the worst start, my smooth and prosperous school life was on track. I was born under a lucky star.

"Tea is delicious."

Calling my friends to my room to drink tea was the ultimate luxury. Everyone was happy. It was a fitting scene for us, with our bright presence.

"Ugh!" Suddenly, one of my friends vomited. All the contents of his stomach, including breakfast and the tea, came out. "Hey, what did you put in the tea?"

The suspicious looks from my friends were naturally directed at me. "I, I didn't put anything strange... ugh!"

I also vomited. Then, everyone in my room vomited one after another.

"What's going on? Your room."

My friends were all angry and left. "Damn!"

Why? There was nothing strange in the tea.

Reluctantly, I cleaned up the mess and apologized to my friends the next day. I really brewed the tea properly. I managed to get their forgiveness by explaining this to them.

Phew, my school life was almost overshadowed by a dark cloud. Still, I faintly remembered a herbal smell in the tea yesterday... but it was probably just my imagination.

"Yesterday, you and your friends were quite noisy. Is everything okay?"

Today, the hooded man from 1-4 came again. He was a troublesome person. "No, just a mild case of food poisoning. I won't be noisy in the future, so there's no need to worry about me."

I indirectly told him not to come again. "Huh, I'm a genius."

"Huh?"

"Just talking to myself. Then."

"Ah, okay."

I won't open the door if he comes again. He doesn't suit me.

In the afternoon, my friends invited me to exercise outside. I wasn't in the mood, but considering yesterday's incident, it was a good opportunity to make amends.

I led the way with my friends. We were excited about what to do, but my mood wasn't good due to the recent bad events.

Just then, I collided with a man coming from the front. Both of us were looking elsewhere and fell hard. "Ouch!"

Looking at the man I collided with, it was the iron man from 1-1. I had planned to visit his room but decided against it. I had seen him a few times since then. From his appearance and mannerisms, I understood he was a low-level noble, far from my level. I was glad I didn't go to greet him. The man I just collided with was definitely the iron man.

"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

The man apologized and offered his hand to help me up.

I slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me!"

I was in a very bad mood. Besides, I couldn't accept help from someone who worked with iron.

"Don't touch me with your dirty hands! It's impossible for someone like you, a third-rate noble, to touch me! Just stay in your corner."

"..., sorry. I'll be going then."

As the man walked away, I added, "Next time, watch where you're going. It will make your life here and in the future better."

The man didn't respond and left. What a useless man. He couldn't even respond.

"Hey! That was a bad move!" One of my friends rushed over.

"What's the big deal? Just one small person." I didn't understand why he was so agitated.

"It's not good! That's Kuri Helan! Don't you know?"

"I, I don't know."

Who is Kuri Helan? The blood drained from my friend's face. The other friends also looked very anxious. I had a bad feeling.

"The Helan territory is the most prosperous in the country right now. He's the next lord of that territory. He's connected to the queen and the second prince, Lassar."

"Even if he's connected, it's not a strong connection, right? I've never heard such a thing."

I tried to defend myself to hide my anxiety.

"No, recently, it's said that he and Lassar are quite close. If you upset him, there's a real possibility of sanctions from the royal family."

I swallowed hard.

"Umm..."

I couldn't form words.

"Also, I know something."

My friend still had information. I wanted to block my ears.

"He's said to be a powerful magic user. I heard he can kill a monster with just one magic attack."

"I've heard that too."

The other friends agreed.

Kill a monster with one magic attack!? Is that even possible for a student? I've never heard such a thing.

I was anxious, but it still seemed unbelievable.

"Also, this is something I can tell you now."

There was more.

"When I first moved into the dorm, I saw Kuri Helan come back with blood on his hands and mouth. I was too scared to ask, but now I think it was..."

Everyone swallowed hard. It was so quiet that you could hear the sound.

The atmosphere suddenly became silent.

Without a word, we all dispersed.

Oh, what a mess.

Where is my bright school life heading?

My neighbors are all dangerous people.

My head was lightly confused.

My neighbors are dangerous!!

I should keep this in mind.

Maybe my school life will improve a bit.