“I give you a school tour!”

 Kara, Lizen, and Azurae share a blank stare. They trail off, transferring murmurs of contempt toward Azurae before he cries to them, “Hey, where are you three going? I’m your senior, you know. You should show me a little respect.”

“I hope he’s not one of those desperate types.” Kara loudly whispers.

“That would be Kinda gross,” Lizen adds as Azurae nods aggressively.

“You three have no manners, do you– and here I was trying to go out of my way to give you three some solid advice about The Freshmen Killer.” The phrase stops the three, intriguing them to skitter back to him. “Now, where was I– Oh, right,  you should know that the first day is when you usually choose your group. You'll need to make one soon to participate in certain activities and events."

“Well, how many members can a group have?” Kara asks.

“Well, that's the tricky part, there is no limit, however, a larger team can result in unclear objectives, whereas a team too small will get snuffed out and overpowered. You three can work together, or not, I couldn’t care less.” He traces his finger along the polished marble walls. “Then again, you don't need a team at all. Any ‘true’ adventurer would jump at the opportunity to prove their worth.” He disappears, before shortly reappearing behind them. Lizen is the first to notice. 

“Since Nora isn’t here I’ll just say you served your punishment.” He laughs aloud, “The dorms will be at the southeast section of the school, ciao.”  They stare at each other before Zamir pops up again, almost giving Kara a heart attack, “and the curfew is at 10:00 p.m. sharp. Anyone found after hours will face discipline…”

The last words send a cold sweat down their backs as he glances back. His happy-go-lucky demeanor shifted from this cold, demented glare, to his cheery smile. “Cough, cough* accordingly of course.”

 After Zamir is out of sight, the three look at each other, waiting for the others to speak. Kara takes the lead, adopting a powerful stance, her fists to her waist. She shouts, shaking the room,  “Alright, fine. Since we missed orientation, we three are left to form a team. I’ll be in charge then, okay?” Despite her enthusiasm, her message is met with an overbearing silence. Peeking an eye open, she sees Lizen and Azurae walking away.

"Woah, so you just one-shot him?” Lizen asks eagerly bouncing his leg.

"Yup, that slimy schmuck never stood a chance haha.”

Kara runs in front of them, blocking their path. “You idiots, I'm trying to form a team here!”

They stare blankly into Kara’s eyes, a genuine confusion painted on their expressions. “I thought we already were, aren’t we a team Azurae?” Lizen asks.

“If it means I get to punch things, yeah, what is she, stupid,” Azurae laughs wickedly. He’s like a hyena as he balls over with tears in his eyes.

Kara stands in disbelief, she couldn’t believe someone would come to her nation and disregard every level of authority she holds. As the daughter of the King, she had always been treated with the utmost respect, but this kid had insulted her timelessly. 

This bastard not only interrupts my fight but also speaks to me like I'm some commoner. Her thoughts rattle in her skull as her eyes burn through Azurae.

"You barbaric idiot!" Fire wraps around her arm before forming a blazing spear. An eerie glow emanates along its length. “Taste flame you bastard!” Azurae still doubled over with laughter, glanced up just in time to see the spear hurtling towards him.

The spear sliced through the air, its passionate trail leaving a scorching scar. But before it could find its mark, Lizen’s foot shot forward, connecting with the spear. His speed gave him the edge over the weapon allowing him to alter its trajectory slightly; it crashed through a nearby window, shattering the glass and exploding in the distance.

For a brief moment, the corridor fell into silence, broken only by the distant sound of the explosion. The three of them stood frozen in the aftermath of the failed attack, their breaths heavy with adrenaline. The gravity of the situation began to sink in as panic seized their hearts.

Realizing the potential consequences of their actions, they turned on their heels and fled in the opposite direction, only stopping once in front of the student dormitory. The building was enormous and looked like multiple castles were combined into a system of buildings, four to be exact. As they approached the dormitory, Lizen's eyes widened at the sight. 

The inside of the dormitory is luxurious like a minimalistic hotel. Lizen looks around the lobby, taking in the elegant surroundings. "Damn, this place is fancy; I could get used to living here."

Azurae squints his eyes and growls,  "Too… Sparkly.”

 On the side is a lady behind a desk who waves at the trio, “Mmm, welcome in starlings, I’m Taka and I take it you want to see your dorm rooms?” 

“Oh, uh yeah thank you,” Kara says.

“Coming right up sweeties, first may you scan your IDs?”

They each hold their IDs up to a red scanner and recieve three silver keys. “Here you go, Kara Brandugald, our beloved princess.” She gives a slight bow before looking at Lizen and Azurae. “And for you, two cuties, here are your keys.”

Lizen waves farewell while Azurae, still blinded by his surroundings can only offer a disgruntled growl.

They enter an elevator taking them to their first stop. They are met with a long hallway with walls as calming as a clear blue sky, and a carpet as plush as a pillow. They pass by several doors finally arriving at Kara’s. They enter immediately noticing the humongous flatscreen TV on the wall along with a sofa, and an over-the-counter Kitchen. She then enters her room and notices it's small but cozy, with a full-sized bed, a desk, and a wardrobe. 

“You would think they’d give the Princess of Aisenhower a larger bed,” Lizen muttered.

“It's definitely… different. But, I think this is a nice change, besides, this one’s big enough.”

“If you say so, we’re gonna go check our rooms now, wanna join or–”

“You guys can go without me, I'm going to start unpacking my things.” Kara hums a little tune as she drops her suitcases around her room, “Bye-bye!” She dances them away.

“Alright Azurae let's meet up later, you’re a pretty cool guy.”

“Same to you Ishakura, I liked our talking about kicking ass.” He laughs before racing down the hall. 

That guy is crazy. Lizen walked a few rooms down and unlocked his door. he is met with a small foyer that leads into the main living space. The walls are painted a soft blue both calming and relaxing. On his left is a small kitchen, and to his right, is a comfortable seating area accommodated by a couch and two armchairs facing a large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. There is also a small coffee table in the center of the space, and a floor lamp in the corner, which provides a warm gentle glow. The flooring is light-colored hardwood, adding to the overall calming and inviting feel of the apartment. 

“I’m living here, eh? Roomy.” He looks around before teleporting from wall to wall, like a maniac. He zips in and out of frame, a blur of motion before suddenly stopping and plopping softly onto the couch, legs folded beneath him. He stands momentarily stretching, his back cracking in an arc as he lets out a yawn. “Alright, time to pick a room.” He points between the two, “Inie mini minie–” 

Click* one of the doors creep open. 

Standing in the doorway is a boy with blond silky hair. He stares at Lizen, his teal eyes flutter like butterflies on a summer afternoon. yet they fill with disdain at the sight of Lizen. "Who the hell are you?" the boy snarls.

“Reasonable response,” Lizen replied, “I’m Lizen, Lizen Ishakura, You are?" He extends his hand expecting a similar response however, Lori scrunches his eyebrows in pure disgust looking at Lizen as if he’s roadkill roasting on hot pavement. 

"Ishakura? You're the orphan who gets to live in the king's castle as a pity prize?"

Lizen feels a twinge of annoyance. "I wouldn't call it that, but how do you know me?”

The boy found the question amusing, so amusing he smiled for the first time this encounter. His lips pursed as he sputtred a deep laughter, one that is filled with tears and headache. "It’s only best that I know the absolute fool who lives with the king because mommy and daddy died. You're a bottom-feeding, slimey, unprofitable, pompous bastard. Not to mention a false royal–need I continue?"

“That’s some big words ass-hat, you trying to back it up?” Lizen's voice carried a sharp edge.

“Oh please, I dont have time for someone of no status–what are you even doing here, walked through the wrong door?” 

“I live here.” Lizen heaved. The reality had finally set in,  his roommate is this blond haired know-it-all. He helplessly sighed, his spirit dragging through him, No way, no, no, no way. This can't be my roommate. He's so… weird.

“Live here, you? Oh no you must be mistaken, I am Lori Tad, of the noble house of Tad, and–”

“And I don't care,” Lizen interrupted teleporting to the kitchen. He opens the fridge  fiddling  through its contents before settling on a bright red apple. He tosses it over toward the couch before he teleports again grabbing the apple while ploping himself down. 

Lori races over to him, snatching the apple from his hand, “My family only produces prodigies. Our strengths far exceed those of any other noble family in all the lands, and last time I checked–you aren’t royalty.” Lori bites, “Heed my warning: you don't belong here and never will. So you might as well pack up and leave now, False Royal."

Lizen's eyes narrowed, as he slowly rose from his seat. "Well damn, I guess you must be a big shot. Your family's name holds a lot of weight. I would never want to be on your bad side, Mr. Tad."

Lori’s smirk fills with confidence that can be heard in his words, “Hmm now you see-”

Lizen cuts him off continuing his rant, “I mean if I looked as posh and frail as you I bet everyone around me would give me special treatment as well. Must be why you're so used to it?” Lizen’s voice drips with condescension. 

Lori's smirk turned into a scowl. "We'll see about that," he spat before storming off, slamming the door behind him.

Lizen let out a frustrated sigh and slumped onto the couch. "What a jerk," he muttered to himself. "I can't believe I have to live in the same building as him." Looking to his left is a black cat who does nothing but stare blankly at him.

Huh, what is a cat doing in the building, let alone my dorm room? Lizen goes to pet the cat but is stopped when a shadowy hand grabs his wrist lifting him into the air. “What the Fu–”

“Silence inferior.” The cat slowly morphs into a girl with the exception of her ears and tail, she’s small and thin with silver curls bouncing at her shoulders.

She glares at Lizen, her eyes like two ends of a blade, “Did I permit you to touch me? Are all of you humans sick?” She too spits venom with every word, a familiar feeling still all too new.

Through muffled breaths, Lizen pleads with her, “Sorry, sorry, I didn’t know you were an ailuranth.” She doesn't respond, she instead drops him and her shadowy hand dissipates like smoke. 

Lizen however, failing to learn his lesson is already behind her. He tugs her ears and tail as if searching for something. 

 “Oh it is real, some weirdos wear these things for fun, isn’t that crazy–” 

A giant black hand sends him reeling through the room and into a wall. “I am the servant of the young master, Tad, Lori! Someone like you has no right to touch me that way, pervert!” She covers her face crashing through Lori’s door, slamming it behind her.

Lizen, still recovering from the hit lies on the floor. He mutters “Man, what a day, I may as well sleep here. I'm way too tired… To move… Another inch."