Chapter 357: First Day as a Student

Turning his head to the horizon, Jonathan found that the sky was getting darker. Thus he increased his pace.

And as he was walking towards the hostel, he was formulating plans to awaken his skill as soon as possible. But the entire content of the pages only conveyed that one can't invoke their power on the innate affinity without a tutor or an instructor.

***

The triple bell rang and Jonathan went to have dinner after washing himself. The number of students had increased and the area assigned for the newbies were almost completely occupied.

The number of students had increased significantly and almost all the rooms in the first year's block were occupied. Yet, Jonathan was the only elf in the group and many were surprised to see a living elf. According to many of them, the race has isolated themselves deep in the mountains and some of them questioned Jonathan's reason why he had come to a human city to learn.

Only after returning to his room did Jonathan had some peace!

"No wonder elves isolated themselves from humans. So irritating."

Jonathan mumbled to himself as an evaluation of his experience. But he did notice that they did not mean to annoy him and it was their innocence and naivety taking control.

Without dwelling on the matters that went past, Jonathan his leather bag and took out his water pouch and the writing instruments. He went through everything he had noted down and re-read the important points.

A breeze invaded his room through the window and it distracted Jonathan. He subconsciously turned his head and the moon fell in his sight. Its charming appearance caught his mind for a few moments before he averted his gaze to the notepad.

Not long after, sleep weighed on him and he yawned loudly. Closing his belongings, he placed them inside the draw and walked to the bed. Lying on it, he murmured-

"Big day tomorrow."

Within a minute, Jonathan had slipped into a deep sleep. The windows remained open and the gust of wind that blew in extinguished the candle on the walls. The room went dark and the moonlight illuminated a strip of the area from the window to the door.

***

Next day.

Jonathan was wide awake even before the twin stars came out of the horizon. The sleep had washed away his tiredness and he was sitting near to the window with his eyes fixed on the trees in the garden of the campus.

There was a Spring-leaf Rain Tree at the centre of the garden. It was similar to the Rain Tree of Earth, except for the fact that the tree's leaves roll into a spring-like shape as the sun sets and the leaves straighten and stiffen as the daylight intensifies.

Numerous birds had set up their nests on the branches of the trees, and it was a feast for the eyes to see the diverse community resting as the daylight seeped into the atmosphere from the horizon.

And as Jonathan was appreciating the beauty of the sight, a series of dull knocks came from the door.

Who might be at this hour of the day?

Jonathan was positive that the entire hostel is sleeping like a baby. Thus he wondered who it might be knocking at his door when it was still dawn.

Without hesitation, Jonathan walked to the door and opened it. A figure of a man in his early thirties came into his view. He was wearing decent attire and in his hands were a bunch of thick envelopes.

"Student Jonathan, this is your uniform. We apologize for the delay as there were some technical difficulties."

The man extended an envelope to him and Jonathan received it and saw that his name was written on it. He nodded in return and the man walked to the next room.

Jonathan poked his head out into the aisle and saw that there were many people in similar attire with envelopes in their hands. They were all knocking on the doors and handing out the envelopes while repeating the same sentence Jonathan had heard.

Without bothering to ponder, Jonathan closed the door behind him as he walked to his table. Opening the envelope, he pulled out a pair of uniforms.

"Nice."

He couldn't help but utter his initial evaluation as his eyes scanned the deep blue pair of pants and a lighter shade upper-wear. Upon witnessing the degree of craftmanship on the uniform, he was left to wonder who in the world might have such exquisite skills.

Jonathan had an urge to try them out at the very moment, but he hesitated and decided to take a bath before wearing them.

It was then he realised that the envelope was not empty, yet. He put his hand in and pulled out a few more things.

"An identity card, a badge and a letter."

The identity card was a 4-inch wide and 2.5-inch long metal plate with a tenth of an inch thickness. This greyish-white piece of metal had his name, race, year and innate affinity engraved on it. There was a minuscule portrait of him at a corner of the card and it was barely discernable.

Turning over, Jonathan saw the prestigious symbol of Prima Equilion etched onto it. It was the figure of a roaring lion with wings as it pridefully stood on top of a peak. The degree of detail caught his eyes and he stood there for a few moments.

After placing the identity card on the table, he picked up the badge. It had '1st year' inscribed on it. It did not take more than a second for him to figure out that the badge is supposed to be pinned on the uniform.

The letter was waiting to be picked up and Jonathan considered its plea. The badge rested on the table as the letter was unfolded.

"Students,

After breakfast, all first-year students must gather at the assembly hall. And make sure that you have gone through the guidebook entrusted to you."