Chapter 8

The inside of the building was surprisingly dark… Well, yeah, of course they are dark. It is night, after all. However, after witnessing the outside of the city, lighting up the entire world despite being night through the multitude of the lanterns, I somehow expected the inside to be just as bright. There were some candles here and there, but it was mostly dark. There were windows somehow regularly and they actually lit up the interior of the halls more than I expected. We went up the stairs once, then went through another long - and mostly dark - corridor and then stood in front of a giant wooden door. Hanebana knocked against it. Shortly after she opened it and the two of us went inside.

In front of us stood a chair. In front of said chair was a desk and behind the desk was another chair on which the headmaster was sitting right now. On the desk were a bunch of folders, a few pens and a small notebook. On the walls were some shelves which had a variety of obscure items, featuring a mirror, some sort of skull and just a bunch of stuff I have no idea about. Behind the desk of the headmaster was a giant window.

The headmaster was a mature woman, a bit older than Hanebana I’d say. She had dark-green hair, though on her head was a white beret. A single golden badge was on that beret, hanging down on the side of her face. She was wearing a green smoking, fitting to her hair. On her nose and face were slim glasses which made her appear sharp and calculated.

Hanebana explained my current situation. Thanks, Hanebana. If I’d have to tell all about those events again, I would probably have gone mad. Though hearing the events again wasn’t that much better. Anyway, the whole thing was over sooner than later.

“Alright. Isuri Bankoku, correct? I am the headmaster, Miss Shinohara Masuyo. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

I told Hanebana and the others my name back in the carriage. After all, we talked a bit to pass the time. And now, while telling the Headmaster of my problems, Hanebana has told the Headmaster my name.

“Yes. That is correct… Pleased to meet you.”

“Hanebana has told you of our academy, its profession and what you will do here, correct?”

I slowly nod. To be honest, I want this to be finished as quickly as possible.

“Yes, she has…”

“Very well. You will have some days to rest and test this academy out yourself. If you do not want to join us after a week, you will have to leave. The first lessons start tomorrow at 8 am.”

She hands me a sheet of paper which features some sort of timetable. I will look at it tomorrow morning. She also hands me a small key with the number 13.

“Room number 13 is the only free one we have for you. The rooms are located on the second floor. If you need anything, come to me or contact one of the teachers. Miss Hanebana, please show him where his room is located.”

She nods, then Hanebana opens the door behind me.

“Good night, Miss Masuyo.” Miss Hanebana looks at me, then she leaves the room. I look at the Headmaster one last time, but she has already begun focusing on the work she had lying on her desk. I slowly bow, just as I was taught at home, and then quickly leave.

Once I step outside, I close the door behind me. I smile at Hanebana as she smiles back at me.

“Okay, let’s go.” Hanebana quickly starts going. I can tell that she is tired as well and probably wants to finish all of this quickly. Not that I can blame her. Sure, the day was a lot worse for me than it was for her, but she probably went around for quite some time as well… Anyways, we end up arriving in a long hallway featuring many doors with small plates at each of them. On those plates are numbers and those numbers obviously direct to the corresponding room. The two of us stand in front of room number 13. I take the key that was given to me and slowly open the door.

Inside I see a room, only lightened up by a single window.

“Okay, I will take it from here…” I look at Hanebana, telling her to go rest. She shouldn’t have to stay up all night. From here on there is nothing more to do anyway, so it should be fine.

Hanebana looks at me, smiles a bit and pats my head shortly. I normally would have protested, but I am not in the mental state to do so right now.

“See you, kid.” Hanebana then leaves. I focus on the room now. There is a small desk with a chair, there is a singular bed, there is some closet where one can put their clothes in… I slowly undress and throw my clothes onto the floor and jump into the bed. They should’ve given me clothes for tomorrow, but oh well.

I lay my sword down onto the ground and push it beneath the bed. While laying inside of my bed I notice the door to a bathroom, however I am far too tired to worry about that today.

As I slowly close my eyes, my consciousness is rapidly fleeting away and I fall into a deep and needed sleep.