Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 5 (Part 2)

Rodin counted the keys with his eyes.

There were 49.

Three children were already waiting, making a total of 52.

Rodin grabbed one of the scattered keys. Hedler and Cory followed suit, picking up keys and putting them in their pockets.

Soon, more children gathered and picked up a key each from the table.

When 10 children had gathered, the trainer stepped forward.

“The key you chose is for your dormitory. The dormitory is on the third floor of that building over there. Each room on the third floor is a four-person room, and those who picked the same room key will be roommates.”

“Oh!”

Cory quickly pulled out his key. Hedler also took out his key and compared it with Cory’s.

“They’re different.”

“Yeah, different.”

Hedler and Cory’s keys were different. Rodin also took out his key to show them.

“Darn, all different.”

“Yeah, different.”

“Who’s talking? Everyone be quiet! Follow me. We’ll move to the dormitory now.”

The trainer led the first group of 10 children to the dormitory, presumably to prevent chaos by sending a manageable number first.

—

The dormitory assignments were done. Rodin’s room was right by the stairs, Hedler’s was at the very end, and Cory’s was somewhere in the middle.

However, the dormitory assignment didn’t matter. Hedler managed to swap rooms with the other children in Rodin’s room.

Hedler didn’t use force or create an oppressive atmosphere. He just asked, “Want to swap rooms?” and the others handed over their keys.

Now, Rodin, Hedler, Cory, and a boy named Lant were assigned to the room closest to the stairs. Lant was slightly shorter than Hedler but very thin.

“What a mix. 57, 58. 107, 108. What kind of combination is this?”

The tallest two and the shortest two were grouped in one room. It would make an interesting sight if they walked together.

“My legs hurt.”

“I feel like my legs are paralyzed.”

“I’m sleepy.”

“Me too. Can we just sleep?”

Hedler and Cory got along well despite talking for the first time today. Watching them exchange words, they seemed like they had been together for years.

“I’m hungry.”

Lant, on the other hand, didn’t naturally join in the conversation. He listened to Hedler and Cory, only responding when necessary.

Instead, he often said, “I’m hungry.” His stomach growled incessantly.

“Interesting.”

Rodin found the quiet conversations between the three quite fascinating.

Although there was a slight age gap, being together was enjoyable. It was better than being among the 52 children.

“What should we do? Should we just stay here?”

“I don’t know.”

“When do we eat lunch?”

Bang!

Just then, the door opened, and a trainer entered. It was the same trainer who had guided the 10 children to the dormitory. Behind the trainer was a long device.

“Now, there are 30 minutes left until lunchtime. Let’s get things done quickly. Line up by number.”

“Yes, sir.”

By number meant lining up by height.

Naturally, Rodin went to the end of the line. Hedler stood at the front, followed by Lant and Cory.

“Step up here to measure your height.”

First, they measured Hedler’s height. Then, they measured his shoulder width, chest circumference, waist, thigh thickness, and finally his foot size.

“Um, why are we doing this…?”

“We need to tailor clothes for you.”

“Clothes? But we got clothes today.”

Hedler pointed to the clothes he was wearing, wondering what the point was.

“Are you going to live in those clothes forever? You need gym clothes and underwear too.”

“Oh!”

“Next. Step up.”

“Yes.”

They measured Hedler first, followed by Lant, Cory, and Rodin. Once the measurements were done, the trainer brought out a large map.

“This is a map of the Special Forces Training Center. Here’s your dormitory. The building opposite is the library. This building in the middle is where you’ll attend classes. After the entrance ceremony, you’ll go there daily. There are training rooms and other practice rooms behind this building, but you won’t be using those for a while. Just remember these three places.”

The buildings formed a ‘ㄷ’ shape around the playground. Rodin had seen these buildings before entering the dormitory.

Thud!

The trainer brought out a thick book. It was thicker than the trainer’s head and enormous.

“Who knows the Renanto script?”

“Um, sir. Do you mean the continental common language?”

The Renanto script was created by the Renanto Empire, which fell 800 years ago. It was now used across most of the continent and called the ‘continental common language.’

“Yes, you know it.”

“Yes, I do.”

“This book contains most of the words used in our Riaz Kingdom. If anyone in this room has a question, you teach them.”

The trainer revealed the book’s identity.

It was a kind of dictionary. Rodin had seen a dictionary at the village chief’s house, but this one was ten times thicker.

“Understood.”

“Don’t feel pressured. You’ll start language classes right after the entrance ceremony. Just think of it as helping a bit.”

“Yes.”

“The entrance ceremony is in five days, and the clothes will be ready in four days. Also, starting tomorrow, you’ll have morning exercise at seven on the field outside. Since you don’t have gym clothes yet, you’ll just do light running. Don’t be late, or you’ll be punished severely. Make sure your roommates wake you up.”

The trainer was quite kind. It was hard to believe he was one of the trainers who had been violent all morning.

“Understood. I’ll make sure to wake them up.”

“Time’s up. The dining hall is on the first floor. Go down and eat.”

The trainer left. Lant immediately grabbed the door handle to check outside.

“What are you doing?”

“Waiting for the trainer to leave so we can go to the dining hall.”

“He told us to go to the dining hall. Let’s just go.”

Hedler opened the door and stepped outside. Although he moved cautiously, he was brave enough to lead.

Luckily, the trainer was heading to another room.

“Let’s go.”

“Time to eat double.”

Hyung_Otaku2

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