On the ground floor, Loyd was comfortably seated on a chair, which he had “borrowed” from the reception desk, and was waiting for Elwyn to come back down to finish the tour of the academy.

  The Nephilim had taken advantage of his companion’s departure to quickly assess the current situation.

  “Why did it have to happen to that guy? Does he even realize the situation he is putting himself in by wanting to do that? You idiot! Moreover, your Domain is one of the weakest to be able to do that! How am I supposed to do it? How do I make you become like me? Damn it! You should just stay in your corner and forget what happened to your family… It’s best for you. It’s what I should also do… No! He must pay for it, that dirty bastard. He must pay for what he did! He must pay for what he has already done! And he will pay for what he will do! He must die! I’m going to kill him! I’m going to kill him! That dirty monster must disappear from Ilnolia and never return!”

  The instant after, the young Nephilim jumped, as a hand suddenly nded on his right arm, pulling him out of his bloodthirsty thoughts.

  — Loyd? Are you okay? asked Elwyn, having just joined him and concerned to see his comrade’s face so tense.

  — I’m fine, replied Loyd, wanting to cut it short.

  — Your jaw is really tensed, are you sure you’re okay? asked Elwyn once more, hoping for a genuine answer this time.

  — I’m fine, I said! replied Loyd a bit more forcefully.

  — Very well. In that case, we can continue touring the academy.

  Loyd immediately straightened up and got up to leave.

  — Where did you find that chair?

  — Huh? I found it at the reception. Why?

  — To know where to return it. It is not respectful to borrow something from someone and not put it back in its pce once you have finished using it, that’s all.

  — Tsk, you’re quite the smooth talker, you are, remarked Loyd acerbically, before taking the chair and returning it to where he had taken it.

  Once out of the Great Library, the two Nephilims headed toward the boys’ dormitory, so that Elwyn could finally drop off his belongings that he had been carrying since the beginning.

  This short journey was silent between them, but not without heavy looks cast upon them because of their appearance and their respective origins.

  “So that’s the famous judgment that the Nephilims suffer from the Ilnolians?”

  They then passed under one of the stone bridges connecting one of the towers to the Great Library, before arriving in front of the entrance door of the dormitory.

  This rge five-story building had nothing special in its structure. It was there just to serve as a dormitory and nothing more, which disappointed the young boy a little, who turned to see if it was the same for the girls, and it was exactly the same.

  “Too bad… but well, after all, it’s just for sleeping and not for living… but still…”

  The young boy then pushed open the entrance door and arrived in a rather spacious reception room. In front of him was a rge spiral staircase leading to the floor and, to his right, a counter for the caretaker and his various bulletin boards. Finally, to his left, there was a wooden door leading to a comfortable lounge, equipped with sofas, armchairs, chairs, and tables for the students.

  Elwyn then approached the caretaker to get his room.The man in question was of middle age with a well-groomed white beard, gray hair styled and tied back, and sparkling brown eyes. He wore a dark gray uniform and bck boots, as well as a gold academy brooch on his chest.

  — Ah! A new student is in the special css, moreover. I suppose you’re here for your room, aren’t you?

  — Indeed, sir, I have just arrived and would like to drop off my belongings.

  — I see. In that case, you will need to take the stairs to the top floor and, if you want to be next to your comrade, you can take room twenty-six.

  — Very well, I’ll do that then. Thank you for your help.

  And the caretaker went to fetch the corresponding key from his key board, located just behind him.

  — Oh, you’re welcome, my boy, it’s my job after all, he replied after handing the key to Elwyn.

  — By the way, my name is Elwyn, pleased to meet you.

  — Likewise, my name is Harold. Well then, you are quite polite for someone your age.

  — Thank you, sir.

  — I wish you all the best, my boy.

  Elwyn and Loyd, who had remained silent and lost in his thoughts, headed together toward the staircase and went up to the top floor.

  All the floors of the building are divided into two wings of sixteen individual rooms, arranged in eight rooms on each side of the central staircase in the main corridor. The tter is spacious and well-lit, thanks to luminous orbs producing a soft light and windows installed along the entire corridor, letting in natural light. The corridor floors are covered with a thick carpet that dampens the sound of footsteps. Elwyn then headed to his room, numbered twenty-six, and opened the door.

  He discovered that it was equipped with a simple wooden bed, a desk and a chair, as well as a small wardrobe. The walls were made of raw stone, with shelves installed to store books or other personal belongings. The window above the desk was fitted with white curtains, filtering the sunlight. On the ceiling there was also a luminous orb simir to that in the corridor.

  “Simple and effective, huh? Anyway, I’m only here to sleep, so it doesn’t really matter if it’s not well decorated…”

  — So, satisfied with your luxury room? mocked Loyd.

  — It’s not really luxury, but it’s sufficient for what I will mainly do there, that is, sleep.

  — Hmm… Not even funny. If you want to wash, it’s at the ends of the corridor.

  Elwyn then dropped his bag on the floor and left his room, before closing it, and then headed to the end of the corridor to reach the bathroom.

  The tter was spacious, clean, and well-lit by the luminous orbs on the ceiling, and the walls were covered with white tiles, reflecting the light.There were four individual shower stalls with a curtain, and the showers had a reservoir that could be filled, heated, or cooled, with three magical engravings, before being allowed to run.

  “Ingenious, and it’ll be a change from the bath… I suppose there’s also an outlet to the outside…”

  There were also four individual toilets, with lockable doors, and at the bottom of the bowl, resembling a sufficiently deep basin, were small round creatures of a dirty brown color, whose texture seemed getinous.

  “Excrement-eating slimes… At least, they do their job well… I just hope they behave themselves down there…”

  Four sinks were also provided, on a long countertop, with mirrors above each of them.

  — That’s a lot of work to clean and keep all of this tidy…, remarked Elwyn.

  — It is up to the students to keep the dormitory clean.

  — I see… In that case, fortunately there are magicians here. That must make things easier.

  — You wish, magic is not allowed for cleaning. It’s to instill respect or something like that.

  — Interesting.

  — If you say so. Anyway, now we can finally move on to serious matters! excimed Loyd joyfully.

  — What do you mean?

  — Apart from the Study Towers, which we’ll see tomorrow, and the byrinth, hidden by the guests’ dormitory, we only have the cafeteria and the training ground left to visit.

  — Ah! That works out, I was starting to get hungry, remarked Elwyn.

  — In that case, let’s go.

  So, with a certain motivation, the two comrades left the dormitory and headed towards the cafeteria.

  — By the way, where is the cafeteria? asked Elwyn, once out of the building.

  — Well, it’s just at the main entrance. Didn’t you see the rge building to the left of the gate?

  The young boy tried to remember it, but nothing came to mind.

  “I think that the Great Library has something to do with it… and Professor Ezekiel as well…”

  — Tss, I bet you got stuck in front of the library when you came in, added Loyd in a mocking tone.

  — That’s quite possible…

  It was on these words that they resumed their route, crossing various students going in the same direction, until they reached a vast stone building, which was indeed to the left of the main entrance.

  The cafeteria had polished grayish walls smooth as paper and its corners were perfectly rounded. Windows were arranged regurly, with finely carved wooden frames. Two stone columns adorned the main entrance, as grand as that of the Great Library.

  “I managed to walk past that…”

  The two young Nephilims entered the building together, under the amazed gaze of the students they passed.

  The interior was very spacious and bright, thanks to its high vaulted ceiling and the wooden beams supporting the structure.

  Massive wooden tables, covered with various colorful tablecloths, were arranged neatly in the room, surrounded by comfortable wooden chairs.

  The cafeteria buffet was located in a corner of the room, with stations for appetizers, main courses, and desserts. And to cater to a maximum of dietary needs within the academy, several dishes were made avaible to the students and professors.

  The floor of the room was covered with stone tiles, with complex geometric patterns, and colorful rugs were pced under the tables.

  Above the tables, crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling and along the walls, small luminous orbs were hung.

  “It is really very rge and visually beautiful for a simple cafeteria…”

  — It is a great pce to eat, and it seems that they also organize festivities here, expined Loyd.

  — So that’s why…, replied Elwyn, as if speaking to himself.

  — Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m going to chow down.

  And Loyd left Elwyn behind, to head toward the buffet and help himself to various meats and potatoes, before sitting at an empty table, with his back to the wall and facing the entrance.

  “A feeling of déjà vu…”

  After observing the workings of the pce, Elwyn helped himself in turn, but in a more banced way and with vegetables, before joining Loyd, sitting right opposite him.

  — You don’t like vegetables? asked Elwyn, curious about his comrade’s diet.

  — Greens are good for elves, the poor, and travelers, replied Loyd in a fairly calm but still somewhat aggressive manner.

  — And you, you’re none of those, right?

  — That’s right, I am a man in full growth and for that, I need meat, he replied proudly.

  — I see that…, noted Elwyn.

  Loyd’s gaze suddenly shifted and settled just behind Elwyn, who noticed this abrupt change of interest.A group of three individuals was heading toward them and stopped just behind Elwyn, who did not turn to them and merely observed Loyd’s reactions.

  — But what do we see here? I didn’t know the academy accepted savages among its students, excimed a young student with a striped blue tie.

  — That’s very true! How could it be possible that a savage could read or even write? asked a second student with a simir tie.

  — The proper question would be, how did a savage manage to enter here without alerting the establishment’s security? asked a third student with a blue ribbon.

  At these rather provocative remarks, Loyd’s gaze hardened maliciously and became truly hostile towards these three individuals.

  — I have a better question. How do you think you’ll survive after picking a fight with me? asked Loyd, with a predatory smile forming on his face.

  “Ah! I think the Domain of War is likely to spring into action. That’s not really a good thing for them…”

  — Hmph! Violence is the only means of communication that this bloodthirsty barbarian possesses. He has nothing human and nothing intelligent! What are you doing here then? replied loudly the first student.

  “What do they expect, trying to make him angry?”

  Elwyn then turned his head to the sides and noticed that all eyes in the room were fixed on them.

  “For discretion, it’s failed, and to avoid trouble, too. This is starting off well as a first day in the academy…”

  — If you come to talk to me to insult me, then prepare to be put in your pce, you little punk! replied Loyd, who got up from his chair to grab the colr of the first student who had insulted him.

  “This is really not good!”

  Elwyn got up in turn and grabbed Loyd’s wrist with his left hand, just before he had time to finish his action.

  — What are you doing to me? asked the tter, his gaze filled with anger.

  — Loyd, I think it would be wise not to escate the situation with violence.

  The Nephilim of War then tried to wrench his wrist from Elwyn’s grip, but the tter resisted as he used more and more force.

  “He’s stronger than he looks, but that’s not enough against me”, thought Loyd.

  The gaze of the Nephilim of War was fixed on Elwyn’s and saw that the tter was not going to let go without a good reason.

  — Loyd, they are trying to portray you as a monster in the eyes of the other students. Just look around you.

  Deep down, Loyd knew that Elwyn was a reasonable individual and would not do anything to compromise him without a good reason. Moreover, with their Domains being completely opposed in terms of strength and combat skills, they both knew that Elwyn had no chance in opposing him, yet he did so anyway.Hearing the st words of the Nephilim of Life, Loyd turned his head around and saw only frightened faces, showing a certain disapproval of him.

  — Tsk! You make me sick, replied Loyd simply, before being freed from Elwyn’s grip and leaving the building with his pte.

  “That, that’s done… I hope he doesn’t hold it against me too much…”

  And the young boy settled back down, before resuming his meal quietly.

  — Hey! You think you’re going to get away with that, crow-head! excimed the young girl just behind him.

  — What do you want? Besides getting on the bad side of individuals stronger than you? asked Elwyn, who got up and finally faced the trio.

  To his left was a young girl with brown eyes and short bck hair, cut just above her ears. To his right, a young boy with medium-length brown hair, slicked back, and green eyes. And finally, right in front of him, another young boy with wavy blond hair and eyes of a very beautiful cerulean blue. All three seemed frustrated by the way their little provocation had gone and wanted to settle it with the one who ruined everything.

  Elwyn then drew their attention to his white armband attached to his right arm.

  — Are you still sure you want to pick a fight with me? asked Elwyn calmly.

  — Who do you take for, crow? Huh? asked the boy in the middle, who grabbed Elwyn by the colr and lifted him up.

  — I see… You’re not very diplomatic over there, replied the Nephilim of Life, who then pced his hands on that of his attacker, before squeezing them firmly to make him let go.

  The young boy grimaced in pain before releasing Elwyn, who, on the other hand, maintained his grip firmly.

  — So, are you giving up? Or do I need to squeeze harder? asked Elwyn, whose gaze had changed and become much colder.

  — That’s enough! excimed a voice coming from the entrance of the cafeteria.

  “Ah! The trouble is starting…”

  Elwyn let go and turned toward the voice he had just recognized.

  — Professor Ezekiel, replied the young boy, after meeting the professor’s gaze.

  — Elwyn, you’re going to expin to me what’s happening now, asked Ezekiel as he approached him with a calm that the young boy did not expect from him.

  — Very well, professor, these three individuals came to pick a fight with Loyd and I intervened to stop him from making a big mistake. Following that, Loyd left and the three decided to target me, despite my warning. I therefore defended myself once one of them grabbed me by the colr, replied Elwyn factually, in a monotone voice and without any judgment.

  — I see. In that case, you three, you are grounded for tonight, said Ezekiel in an irrevocable tone.

  — But…, began to object the young girl.

  — There is no “but” that counts. You have decided to pick up problems, so face the consequences. You may be nobles outside these walls, but here, you are nothing and no one. Just students. So, obey your professors and the rules, and everything will be fine, concluded the professor, whose icy gaze had frozen the three culprits, abandoning all hope of being able to defend themselves.

  Ezekiel then turned to Elwyn and sighed.

  — What are we going to do with you…?

  — Have I done something wrong, professor? asked Elwyn, following Ezekiel’s reaction.

  — Not really. You defended yourself after being attacked, so there is no problem with that. However, avoid going too far in your defense.

  — Understood, professor, I’ll be careful about that.Ezekiel then escorted the three students, who gave the young boy one st angry look before leaving the building.

  “Well, this promises something for the future…”

  Elwyn then noticed that all eyes were on him, but decided to ignore them completely. He then finished his pte, before pcing his dirty dishes on one of the carts provided for that purpose, and left the room to join the outside.