Chapter 8

As we walked through the dormitory, the three of us were shown the communal facilities such as the cafeteria, toilet, large bath, and library, and then we got on the elevator.

This was the first elevator in this world, but I had known of its existence from the beginning. However, the ride felt quite different from the elevators on Earth.

It rose smoothly, making me feel as if I had experienced a moment of weightlessness.

Since entering the academy, I hadn't seen many people, but I noticed a few women in black clothing within the dormitory. Most of them looked at me with curiosity.

"Here it is."

Before I knew it, we had arrived at my room. When I looked up, there was a door that seemed almost comically large. It was a black door with gold decorations set in a white stone wall.

"Wow, this is the first time I'm entering a senior staff member's room!"

For some reason, Eliza, who had been following us with the highest enthusiasm, said this from behind.

"You can go in."

When Grenora said this, I took hold of the door handle. It was a bit heavy, but the door opened smoothly.

Light from the room spilled out into the hallway, and my vision suddenly opened up.

"Amazing!"

I couldn't help but nod at Eliza's exclamation.

The room had a large glass wall at the front, offering a view of the beautiful spires of Fidic Academy and the blue sky. The room was spacious and had a high ceiling.

Looking around inside, I noticed that there were three other doors in the room besides the entrance.

Passing by a round table and a single chair, I opened the door closest to the entrance. It turned out to be a changing room, with a Western-style toilet and a shower room further inside.

"Is there a personal one too?"

When I asked, Grenora shook her head, and Eliza raised her hands and shouted loudly.

"No! Only senior staff members have toilets and showers in their rooms! And why are there two more rooms!?"

"Bedroom and study."

"My room only has a bedroom."

Grenora's response made Eliza look as if she was about to cry.

Grenora laughed through her nose and folded her arms.

"If you're jealous, become a senior. Or you can stay at an inn in town."

"The inn is expensive... Besides, Grenora's meals are delicious..."

Grenora's lips curled slightly at Eliza's honest lament. She had a likable personality.

I watched this and turned back to Grenora.

"I'm fine with just the bedroom, and I can take the room next to Eliza's."

When I said this, Grenora glanced at my face and turned around.

"The dean assigns the rooms. If you have complaints, take them to the dean. Though, making a room for a regular student might be a jab at the staff who are desperate to become seniors."

With that, Grenora left the room.

I watched her go and then looked at Eliza.

"…Was that advice?"

"Yes, Grenora is strict but kind! Strass is the same! Oh, and I'm actually known for being kind too! Now, let me explain the dormitory rules!"

Seemingly changing her mood, Eliza said this in a lively voice and began to explain the dormitory rules.

---

After being shown around the dormitory and receiving explanations, we had dinner together in the cafeteria.

Before I knew it, it was already night, and I said goodbye to Eliza, promising to see her again tomorrow.

Since many magicians tend to stay in their laboratories, there is no curfew in the faculty dormitory. Taking advantage of this, I decided to take a walk around the campus at night.

The main building, which resembles a castle, is at the center, with the male dormitory on the right and the female dormitory on the left. The town spreads outside the campus, and there are four entrances to the campus: east, west, south, and north. However, the south gate is the only one that is always open.

Incidentally, the laboratories are concentrated on the north side.

The campus at night is basically deserted, with no shops, but there are streetlights everywhere, creating a fantastical atmosphere.

The air is clear, and the walk is very pleasant.

Looking up at the spires illuminated by countless lights, I thought about how it might look like the Sagrada Familia and continued walking. Suddenly, I heard a sobbing sound from the shadows.

I shuddered, thinking it might be a ghost, but it didn't seem to be. I directed my gaze toward the shadows and saw a small figure.

Fluffy white hair, black clothing, and a white tail.

"…A tail?"

When I whispered this, the fluffy head trembled. The figure hesitantly turned and looked up at me.

It was a girl with animal ears and a tail. Her face and body were like a regular human, but she had animal ears and a tail. The fluffy appearance of her head was due to the ears being drooped.

She was probably around fourteen or fifteen years old, slender and small, with slightly droopy eyes that were cute.

The girl, with tears on her cheeks, tried to move away, looking frightened. I consciously spoke to her in a gentle voice.

"…What happened?"

At these words, the girl gasped.

"I won't do anything, so come out."

When I said this, the girl, looking terrified, came out into the light. I was surprised by her appearance.

Part of her skirt was burned and charred, and she wasn't wearing any shoes. There were several fresh wounds on her left foot.

Was she being bullied?

I couldn't help but frown.

"…Don't move."

I said this and reached out to her foot. She trembled, but I cast a spell anyway. A rare light attribute healing spell.

"Healing Hand"

As I said this, a warm, gentle sensation appeared at the tips of my fingers.

The girl's eyes widened as she looked up at me, then quickly returned her gaze to her foot.

The wounds healed rapidly, the blood on the surface dried and crumbled, leaving behind a smooth, unblemished foot.

"…There, it's healed. Not having shoes is… unavoidable."

I said this and picked up the girl, who was still frozen in place, and carried her on my back.

"Hey! A, ah…!"

I smiled at the girl's surprised voice and headed toward the dormitory where my room was.

"You don't have shoes, so there's no choice. Stay still, okay?"

As I said this, I realized that my actions might seem suspicious. It would be scary to be taken away by a stranger, wouldn't it?

I thought this, but the girl surprisingly listened to my words and became calm. She tentatively placed her hands on my shoulder and leaned against me.

Now, would there be any clothes or shoes that fit such a small girl? I'm not particularly tall, but I'm not as small as she is.

Just as I was thinking this, I remembered someone who might be a good fit.

"Eliza is around."

I would borrow clothes and shoes from her. Eliza, who seems like a good person, would likely lend clothes and shoes to the girl.

It was a good idea, I thought to myself.

So, I visited the room of someone I had just met today, in the middle of the night.