Chapter 19 - Tour

Malia had a long but enjoyable journey. They had to stop at well-known stores they came across along the way. As a result, they stayed another night in another inn before arriving in Sorav around noon on the following day, a Saturday. It was mainly because Malia couldn't stand wearing the same dress with sweaty armpits one more day.

They took less than four hours to travel from the inn they were staying at to the Academy, arriving there before lunch.

Malia exited the carriage in a hurry and stopped to take it all in, literally dropping her jaw. The school was STUNNING! The area was very large, and the buildings and gates were surrounded by flowers and grassy fields.

'Holy croissant! This view is insanely beautiful on a different level. Perfect for drama plots indeed!'

Sorav Imperial Academy is the birthplace of several kings and queens who have ruled different countries or kingdoms. A prestigious institution with high standards, one that adheres to almost archaic regulations, having been established 300 years ago.

'The author used a very remarkable place as inspiration for the academy. I'm so excited!'

Matthew turned around and greeted the security knights who recognized the crest and Matthew himself. He presented his identification cards and was thereafter told to enter. As soon as the guard signaled for the carriage to enter, Malia climbed inside the carriage.

Malia spotted two dorms as they were led about two buildings away from the entrance. The two buildings before were the teacher's office and the office of the head.

One building had more flowers inside than on the entrance, while the other was surrounded by a simple black gate. Malia can already guess which building is for the girl's dormitory.

Between the two dorms lies the enormous dome for the cafeteria. The dome's size was comparable to adding two dorms together.

"Woaaaah..."

"How do you like your dorm?" Matthew looked at Malia and almost laughed, he could see her eyes sparkling.

Malia faced Matthew with excited eyes, "The dorm is so beautiful! The structures are wide and clean! I'm hoping I won't get lost here."

"Haha, you won't. There are multiple signs and knights on guard. You could just ask."

"Right, right, but you'll show me around, won't you?" Malia enquired intently.

"Of course! Let's check your room first. I'll introduce you to the housemistress."

A courteous and kind-looking woman with glasses and a clean bun greeted them.

"Good morning, young lord and lady of the Augustus household. May the god Rheas bless both of you. Welcome to the female dormitory. I'm Marianne, the housemistress and I'll show you where to find the young lady's room."

Malia and Matthew, both greeted her back and followed her while she was explaining some rules inside the dorm. Malia was also busy appreciating the red carpeting in the corridor and artwork hanging on the walls, the dorm interior appeared really posh.

Malia already knew some, but she still listened to make sure she wouldn't miss important rules.

Men are not permitted near their rooms, according to Marianne, and they have a separate area for male visitors. However, blood-related siblings and their parents are permitted to enter. They should be inside the academy by 10 p.m., but there is no dorm curfew, she added. This policy is intended to allow groups of women to gather in the cafeteria or designated sheds to chat and for students who prefer to spend the entire night studying in the library.

Additionally, she informed Malia that there are female knights patrolling the dorm for added security—clearly, for the daughters of affluent nobles as well.

Additionally, just one close attendant is permissible. The rooms for wealthier noble girls are magically advanced and will only need to register fingerprints for activation, so they won't be given keys. This is completely different from commoners or poor households who must share their bedrooms with three other girls and are provided room keys.

The dorm really looked expensive inside with red carpets in the hallway and paintings on the wall.

Malia noticed that the dorm was already filled with other girls. Some people would pause, blush, and chat while also glancing at her brother's face.

"Wow, you're popular." Malia poked her brother. Matthew only smirked at her remarks.

"The Marquis requested a large suite for the lady. There're only 5 rooms of this size on every floor and even though this is pretty far from the entrance, the gorgeous lake of the academy is visible from the back." Marianne spoke after stopping at a wide wooden door.

'Oh gosh, I'm incredibly spoiled… it's also good that my room is on the second floor. Going up and down won't be that problematic.'

"Lady Malia... please register your fingerprint here in the door along with your close aid."

There is a simple white gem in front of the doorknob where they must place their thumbs.

"Ouch! What was that?" Malia felt like she was pricked by a needle, she quickly rubbed her thumbs.

"It will need a little bit of blood; I intentionally did not mention it since some noble ladies would refuse to follow the process."

The lady continued, "Now, if you want people to enter your room, just leave your thumb in the gem while they do so. Please remember to take it out ONLY after they are inside, otherwise, they might faint from a mild electric field from the door. You are to do the same thing when they exit your room."

"Isn't that a little dangerous?" Malia asked nervously.

"Indeed, but this is to guarantee the safety of the crown princes and princesses from different kingdoms studying at the academy. By placing this security in the doors and windows, we are preventing attacks of various forms while they are defenseless. This is also for noble ladies who wear masks such as yourself, to protect your reputation."

"Ahh, I see. That's understandable." 'So, no one can enter the window even if it is open without being electrocuted. That's less worry for me!'

"If there isn't anything else, I'll leave you two here. I hope you find everything comfortable." Marianne gave a smile and Matthew gave her something before she left them.

Malia quickly tried security by making Matthew and other servants enter her room.

She had a pretty lavish room that was comparable to one of those five-star hotels and was only somewhat smaller than her manor room. Malia hurriedly explored the bathroom, which she considers to be the most crucial thing in her stay—she smiled with satisfaction after seeing a pristine wide bathroom.

Everything was white so Lily quickly changed sheets and styled the room as well. Malia merely organized her diary and the song lyrics she had written a few days prior and stowed them in the cabinet's safe. She also asked that the wooden sign that reads, "Wear your MASK!" be placed on the back of the door. She then left everything in Lily's care and other servants helping her.

"The servants will return to the manor; do you have other requests for your room?"

"Hmm...I think I'm all set. Mom double-checked everything I needed—maybe even triple checked Haha"

"Haha, it's because Sorav is too far, and she cannot check on you right away. I think mom doesn't love me as much. I don't remember bringing a mountain of luggage last year." Matthew pouted and acted hurt.

"Shut up! Hahaha, you're a man what else would you ever need except clean shirts and pants?"

Her stomach suddenly growled, and they laughed some more.

"Want to eat in the cafeteria or outside the academy? Since the cafeteria is open all year round, it should be open now." Matthew asked her.

"Cafeteria! I'm curious to find out how and what are available meals as well."

"They actually have lots of selections; let's grab your meal card first. You'll use the card to record the foods you order during the entire month. You can also use it to pay for food for your friends if you want to."

'If I manage to have one that is' Malia thought.

Malia simply nodded. She faced Lily and handed her three silver coins, "Lily, take this, you can take lunch and treat everyone here as well. Please assist others in exiting the room as well."

"Thank you, milady!"

"Awesome! Thank you, Lady Malia!"

"Thank you, lady Malia!"

"No problem, let's go, brother!" Malia took Matthew's hand and helped him exit the room first

Matthew cannot stop smiling, his indifferent sister became a very thoughtful and mature lady.

Malia was also smiling hearing Matthew's thoughts about her.

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--- end of chapter 19 ---

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