CICN 05

Chapter 05

After calling for Ibi, the staff member handed her documents to another waiting employee and asked them to guide her.

“Hi! Nice to meet you. I’m Melody. I’ll be taking care of you,” said the woman with a bright smile, extending her hand.

Her energetic demeanor and the warm look she gave Ibi held no trace of hesitation.

Feeling a good vibe from her, Ibi cautiously reached out and took her hand.

Melody gave Ibi’s hand a strong shake, the cheerful gesture naturally bringing a smile to Ibi’s face. Seeing this, Melody slowly began to guide her.

“I read your documents. You’re from Elam, right? Was it hard getting all the way here?”

“No, not at all. It was fun, actually. It’s my first time traveling this far, especially to the capital.”

“Right? The capital is pretty amazing. If it’s your first time, I’m sure it was even more exciting. Okay, I’ll give you a little introduction to the Academy for Gifted Youth as we walk to the dorm.”

Melody pulled a book from her document bag and handed it to Ibi.

“If you open the cover, you’ll find a map of the academy. There are so many buildings, and classes take place in different ones, so it might take a bit of time to memorize them all at first. But don’t worry—there are people around to help you, so feel free to ask if you get lost.”

“Yes,” Ibi replied as she started flipping through the map.

The map listed the names of dozens of large and small buildings, along with the lecture halls inside and the classes conducted in each.

Seeing how focused Ibi was while studying the map, Melody smiled.

She was just about to reassure her that it was okay to take her time memorizing it when—

“I’ve memorized it. Thank you for showing me,” Ibi said softly, gently closing the book and handing it back.

“You’ve memorized it already?” Melody’s voice rose in surprise, then she chuckled and muttered to herself, “Well, I suppose that’s to be expected. This is the Academy for Gifted Youth. It’s just been so long since I’ve seen someone like you, I forgot.”

The Academy was where all the brightest kids in the Empire were gathered. Naturally, some had exceptional memorization skills.

Still, that was incredibly fast.

The map didn’t just include buildings and classrooms—it also listed which subjects were taught where, the names of professors, and even their office locations. It was practically a manual.

And she had memorized it all?

Swallowing her amazement, Melody returned the book to Ibi.

“You don’t have to return this. It’s the official student guide we give to all new entrants. It contains not just the map but also the academy rules and basic information about life at the Imperial Palace.”

Hearing that it was a book everyone received, Ibi’s eyes widened.

“Then… this is really mine?”

“Of course! See the space at the bottom inside the front cover? That’s where you write your name. Once you get to your room, make sure to write it in. You only get one copy of this, so don’t lose it.”

“Okay!”

Ibi ran her hand over the book with a joyful expression.

I don’t have to give this back…

Back at the orphanage, books were always borrowed from the upper school’s library.

To Ibi, books were something you always had to return.

But now, one belonged to her.

There had only been a few books at the orphanage—and those were passed around so much that they were barely holding together. And they were all picture books with short, simple sentences, meant for much younger children.

Even then, the kids would fight over who got to read them, and the director had to assign reading times to keep the peace.

Ibi looked more closely at the book.

The cover was bound in luxurious leather. The gold-embossed title Guide to the Academy for Gifted Youth glittered in the light, and the corners were reinforced with sturdy metal. It was brand new.

She hugged the book tightly to her chest.

She felt a bit guilty thinking of the director, who had sent her off with worried eyes—but already, Ibi loved this place.

Seeing Ibi unable to hide her joy, Melody laughed and said,

“If a book makes you that happy, you might be overwhelmed later. There’s still so much more you’re going to receive.”

“Huh? There’s more?”

“Of course! You must’ve received a brief information packet about life at the Academy before you came, right? Do you remember the very first sentence at the top?”

There was no way she could forget.

That sentence was the reason she’d made up her mind to come here.

“‘While attending the Academy for Gifted Youth, all living expenses…’”

“‘…will be provided by the Academy,’” Melody finished with enthusiasm.

“Alright then! Let’s go get your school supplies, stationery, and uniform!”

Ibi’s face lit up with happiness as she responded loudly, “Yes!”

✦ ✦ ✦

“We’re here. This is the Academy dormitory.”

With large bags in both hands, Melody pointed to the building in front of them.

“This… is the dorm?” Ibi stared in awe.

The only dormitory she’d ever seen was the one at Elam’s upper school.

To be honest, it was just slightly better than the orphanage—boxy and dull, designed to house as many students as possible with no extra flair.

So Ibi had assumed the Academy’s dorm would be similar.

But the building before her was just as beautiful as any of the Academy’s main halls.

Still dazed, Ibi hurried after Melody as they went inside.

“Let’s see… it should be around here.”

Following Melody, Ibi couldn’t help but look around, wide-eyed.

The space between the doors is huge!

That wasn’t the only thing.

The red carpet under her feet was softer and more plush than the blanket she used to sleep with. It felt like walking on clouds, and it made her steps lighter.

“Ah, here we are—Room 305.”

Melody stopped in front of a door, and Ibi was once again stunned.

It’s so big… and fancy!

Was this really the door to a dorm room?

She had seen similar designs on the way in, but knowing this was the door to her own room made it even more dazzling.

“Could you open the door for me? My hands are full.”

Holding back her pounding heart, Ibi reached for the doorknob.

Click.

With a soft sound, the doorknob turned smoothly.

Despite the door’s size, Ibi was able to open it easily.

Warm air drifted out, brushing against her cheeks.

“Wow…”

Even though she thought she was prepared, the word slipped from her lips.

“This is… my room…”

Ibi thought of the picture books from the orphanage.

The princess’s room drawn in those books—this was even more luxurious.

The ceiling was so high she had to tilt her head back to see the art painted on it. The walls were covered in soft, elegant wallpaper, and thick curtains, as plush as the carpet, hung from the large windows overlooking a garden.

She walked in, as if enchanted.

Given how wide the halls were, she had guessed it wasn’t just one simple room.

Sure enough, upon entering, they were in a large foyer, with doors on either side.

When Ibi looked at Melody as if to ask if it was okay to open them, she nodded.

“Each suite has two rooms. Two students share one unit. Since we’re the first to arrive, you can choose whichever one you want. Do you have a preference?”

“Either side is fine.”

“Then how about the right? You’ll get a better view of the central fountain in the garden from that side.”

Ibi found that idea fascinating.

Choosing a room because of the view?

At the orphanage, younger kids got smaller rooms, older kids got larger ones.

No one cared about the view, and you certainly didn’t get to choose.

But here, she could choose because the fountain view was nicer?

Ibi opened the right-side door Melody had mentioned.

A wave of warmth and the sweet scent of flowers greeted her.

Beyond the door was a large bed, and beside it, a desk made of dark, rich wood.

Ibi stood still, taking in the room.

Compared to the extravagant entrance, the room itself was more modest. But that made Ibi love it even more.

She couldn’t even dream of staying at the entrance, but this room—this was exactly the kind of space she had imagined for herself.

Warm, fragrant, with her very own bed and her very own desk.

She clenched her small fists tightly.

She truly wanted to stay here for a long, long time.