“As I just explained, the academy’s grounds are quite constrained.
With over forty thousand students across both the junior and senior divisions, our capacity would have been overwhelmed long ago if we hadn’t made the most of every space in the standard dormitories.
Assigning two students per room is already the bare minimum, a concession to their need for quiet during meditation.”
Sifney Asfurliden shook her head, and while her reasoning was undoubtedly sound, You’er found himself unable to maintain his composure.
Two distinct paths lay before him.
His first option was to dutifully accept the arrangement and meticulously conceal his true gender, hoping to avoid detection.
Yet, the issue extended beyond mere discovery; he simply could not reconcile himself with living there under such false pretenses.
He mused that it would have been far simpler if he had truly been born a girl.
His second choice involved revealing his identity and moving into the male dormitories alongside Timobi, though he feared such a revelation would be utterly unacceptable to Timobi.
You’er’s gaze flickered with intense indecision for a few moments before he ultimately gritted his teeth.
‘I’ll just live there, then,’ he resolved, ‘anything is better than causing Timobi pain.’
“Timobi, you must protect yourself well when your big sister isn’t around, alright?
If anyone bullies you, tell me, and I’ll give them a good beating!” You’er said softly, stroking Timobi’s head.
“Mhm, Timobi understands,” he replied, nodding obediently.
“Come along now, little one,” Sifney urged from beside him.
With the new semester just beginning, her workload was already mountainous; had You’er not been such a unique case, she would never have taken the time to personally escort him.
For a student to be personally guided by a mentor on their very first day of enrollment was an occurrence almost unheard of within Gatarnia Academy’s history spanning several centuries.
“Then… Timobi’s leaving, Big Sister You’er, will you miss Timobi?”
As the moment of parting truly arrived, even if only for a brief separation, Timobi found himself deeply reluctant.
His little mouth pouted as he gazed at You’er, his earlier facade of resolute confidence crumbling instantly.
“Of course I will… Now, go on, don’t keep Mentor Sifney waiting too long.”
You’er couldn’t help but smile, giving Timobi one last embrace before gently guiding him towards Sifney Asfurliden.
Timobi departed with a lingering gaze, turning back almost every step of the way.
This sight deepened You’er’s understanding of the profound reliance Timobi placed on him.
While You’er cherished the feeling of being needed, he knew, as Sifney Asfurliden had rightly stated, that such constant dependence would ultimately hinder Timobi’s growth rather than aid it.
Only by leaving his side could Timobi truly mature.
“Go forth and grow, Timobi, grow into a man who will make Uncle Tilu proud!”
Having bid farewell to Timobi, You’er drew a deep breath, composing his thoughts.
It was time to confront his own predicament.
****
“A newly admitted advanced student? Head to room 818; there’s still an empty bed there.”
The dorm manager was a woman who appeared strikingly young and beautiful, likely in her mid-twenties.
You’er detected a potent aura emanating from her, leading him to surmise that she was likely a graduate from previous years who had chosen to remain at the academy.
After verifying You’er’s identification card, the dorm manager presented him with a key.
Then, as if a thought had suddenly struck her, she promptly called him back.
“Oh, that’s right! Come inside first so I can take your measurements.
Once you’re officially enrolled, you’ll be required to wear the academy uniform.”
You’er’s body stiffened momentarily, yet he complied, stepping inside.
He reasoned that merely taking measurements shouldn’t expose him; after all, his current physique, save for one tell-tale feature, was virtually indistinguishable from a female’s.
His skin, in particular, was as luminous and fair as pearls, enough to incite envy and jealousy in countless girls.
“Your bust is a bit… unfortunate,” the dorm manager commented with a sigh.
“But don’t worry, drink more milk, and it’ll grow someday, trust me.”
“Uh…”
Once the measurements were complete, the dorm manager set aside her tools, then patted You’er’s shoulder.
Her expression was one of profound regret as she offered a heartfelt, albeit awkward, consolation that made his face twitch involuntarily.
You’er couldn’t help but wonder if there was something amiss with this dorm manager.
While taking measurements was one thing, her hands had roamed and kneaded over his body throughout the entire process, as if she had developed an insatiable addiction to touching him.
The moment the measurement concluded, You’er beat a hasty retreat from the dorm manager, practically fleeing into the dormitory building.
He leaned against the wall, gasping for breath, having initially believed the manager’s furrowed brow indicated his disguise had been exposed.
To his utter disbelief, she had merely been lamenting his ‘small chest.’
It was simply outrageous.
‘Room 818, then,’ You’er thought to himself.
‘I only hope my roommate will be a more agreeable sort.’
Having steadied his breathing, You’er proceeded down the corridor towards his assigned dormitory.
*Knock, knock.*
Out of courtesy, You’er refrained from using his key immediately, instead opting for a gentle series of knocks.
“Who is it?” A clear, melodious girl’s voice quickly echoed from within the room.
“Um… could you open the door?” You’er asked after a slight hesitation.
A soft ‘click’ resounded, and a small, fair, almost translucent hand was the first thing to appear.
Then, as the door swung fully open, a girl of about sixteen or seventeen materialized before You’er.
She possessed bright black eyes that shimmered like a starlit night, and her long, dark hair cascaded like a waterfall, secured with a lovely red ribbon and adorned with two delicate red hairpins at her forehead.
She was clad in a black and purple pleated dress that elegantly accentuated her tall, alluring figure and her full, voluptuous physique.
The girl’s exquisite features, sculpted like fine jade, were captivatingly beautiful.
You’er had only ever encountered three other girls whose beauty could rival hers: his sister Lilinai, Princess Yuina Rose Sesika, with whom he had shared three days, and Noelle Noah, to whom he had pledged his life.
“Who are you?” the girl questioned, a flicker of wariness in her eyes as she regarded the masked, unfamiliar ‘girl’ before her.
“I am a new student from the First Branch.
Perhaps, starting today, I’ll be your roommate.
My name is You’er.
It’s a pleasure to meet you,” You’er offered, extending a hand in a gesture of friendliness.
*Smack!*
To You’er’s utter astonishment, the girl, without a moment’s hesitation, sharply slapped his hand away, her gaze utterly devoid of warmth.
“I haven’t acknowledged you as my roommate.
Get out of my sight before I get angry, or even that old hag downstairs won’t be able to save you.”
“…”
You’er’s gaze gradually sharpened, turning cold and clear.
This sudden, inexplicable barrage of harsh words from the girl ignited a spark of anger within him.
He met her pure black eyes, responding with a calm, emotionless tone, “Perhaps I won’t require the ‘old hag’ you speak of to rescue me.”
“Are you challenging me?” the girl retorted, her beautiful eyes narrowing, a hint of danger glinting within them.
“It would seem you were the first to issue a challenge,” You’er stated, showing not an iota of fear.
“Very well.
Let’s settle this with our own hands, then.
Ten minutes from now, meet me at the training hall downstairs!” With that declaration, the girl slammed the door shut with a resounding ‘bang.’
The girl had decisively closed the dormitory door.
Though You’er possessed a key, he made no move to open it, instead exhaling softly before turning and descending the stairs, retracing his steps.
He had genuinely not anticipated encountering such significant trouble immediately upon entering the dorm, let alone finding himself directly challenged to a fight.
“Oh, you came down quite quickly, didn’t you?
I thought you’d argue with her a bit more.”
A spacious training hall, designated for various activities, lay directly beneath the dormitory building.
In its expansive emptiness stood a solitary figure: the very dorm manager who had so cleverly ‘assigned’ him to room 818.
“It’s been ages since anything truly interesting happened,” the dorm manager remarked, covering her mouth with a hand and smiling coquettishly.
“Since I’m bored anyway, allow me to officiate your little duel today.
No need to thank me; I’d be too embarrassed.”
“…”
You’er was speechless, realizing he had been thoroughly set up.