29 Astrid Hokuto

The Mage Empress had already explained the basics of Hokuto's current situation, allowing the latter time to ask her own questions. Hokuto inquired about the status of Astraea first, to which she received a perfunctory "She's fine and is roaming around the Magic Capital." as an answer. Hokuto had a feeling that it was programmed into Astraea's bones to behave like a wandering vagrant and didn't worry about her anymore.

Hokuto was assigned a basic dormitory-type room in the Rune Knight Academy's barracks. The Rune Knight Academy was the very building that Hokuto was currently in, known as the top magic school which everyone with a talent for magic aspired to enter at a young age. The Mage Empress informed her that the necessary paperwork and documents and identification would be sent by "post" to her room.

The North Blossom Kingdom had something of a postal network too but they didn't really develop it like the Magic Kingdom of Myria-Rune did, though the idea and concept of the postal system was entirely a Clockwork Kingdom innovation. Hokuto nodded and was given a map of the academy by the Mage Empress so that she could find her own room which was indicated by an X mark on the map.

It didn't take long before Hokuto arrived at her room. The so-called barracks to her seemed more like the dormitories one would find at a scholastic school rather than a military enterprise, but Hokuto was also acutely aware she was in Myria-Rune which had a more scholarly culture than her own nation. Thinking about that made her depressed for a moment.

The room itself was moderately sized - all the basic necessities were present. All of Hokuto's documents and paperwork were placed neatly in a pile on the desk which was by a window. On top of the pile was a token with strange runic symbols on it, which Hokuto assumed must have been her identity token. She couldn't read the runes but assumed it indicated her name and status as a Squire of the Royal Magic Knights Division.

Hokuto went over to the wardrobe and opened it, discovering it had already been filled with a variety of clothes and outfits, including several sets of training uniforms that were worn by the squires.

"She really went all out." Hokuto wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry at this insane treatment. She began to grow slightly suspicious of the Mage Empress' motives for treating her like a long lost daughter. However, after some introspection, she realized that she really had nothing to herself but whatever goodwill the Mage Empress bestowed upon her. She may as well take advantage of it too.

Later that day, Astraea visited Hokuto inside her room after knocking on the door and affirming Hokuto was inside.

"How are you settling in?" Astraea was now no longer wearing eastern-inspired fashion; she had already dressed into clothing more appropriate for the Magic Kingdom. She wore a pair of tight-fitted leather pants and wore a brown furred jacket over a steel bustier.

Hokuto was stunned to see the [Rose Sword Saint] dressed in such a way, but prudently didn't comment on it. "The Mage Empress was overly generous, and had even naturalized me and granted me citizenship."

"Eh, about that..." Astraea laughed. "Sir Grenseal was the one responsible for your admission as a guest student of the academy. Furthermore, he will be your superior when you temporarily get assigned to the Royal Knights Division, even if you're still a squire. I'll be teaching you the fundamentals of my internal martial arts during your free time, so you can expect to see me around for a time. He told me to tell you that you begin your training tomorrow morning in the barracks. I'll circle it on your map."

Astraea went over to the large map Hokuto sprawled out on her bed and took out a ballpoint pen, a Clockwork Kingdom invention, and circled the area of the barracks on Hokuto's map. Hokuto bowed in gratitude and thanked her.

"I'll let you take the rest of the day off to get acclimated with your new room. Things are going to change from tomorrow, moving forward. By the way, a word of advice - don't get too comfy with the Mage Empress. She's even more deviant than that sly hag, the Head Witch of the Python Coven when she wants to be." the [Rose Sword Saint] laughed and left the room.

Hokuto's suspicions regarding the Mage Empress flared up once again, but her priority now was to become stronger. After she cleaned up her room and arranged her belongings, she retired early for the night because she felt a bit more tired than usual.

...

Hokuto immediately put on her Royal Squire's uniform and proceeded to the barracks based on the location Astraea marked on her map. When she arrived, she found that she was just on time as she arrived at the same time as a bunch of other recruits. Grenseal, in his golden armor and green cape, was present, and standing next to him was a brawny man who was somehow taller than him.

He looked more gruff and stern, though his eyes seemed warm and considerate, betraying his rugged demeanor. When Hokuto arrived at the hall, the other recruits turned their heads to stare at her. Apparently, Hokuto's uniform was slightly different from the others.

"Is there something on my face?" Hokuto softly muttered to herself.

Grenseal laughed. "My dear students and recruits, I've convened everyone here today to introduce a newcomer to our ranks. She's the esteemed [Rose Sword Saint]'s only disciple, Astrid Hokuto. Everyone, please take care of her."

When Grenseal introduced Hokuto, using her new name, the young fellas in the hall went into an uproar. They were only slightly older than Hokuto in terms of age, ranging between twelve to fifteen years of age, so they were more hot-blooded. Hokuto herself felt a bit awkward being introduced in this way, she simply politely bowed and joined the crowd, ignoring the words people were talking about her.

This was going to be hard!