studiobondurri Chapter 63 Dormitory (3)
Chapter 63 Dormitory (3)
Chapter 63 Dormitory (3)
I wove my way through the forest path following the attendants.
Silence enveloped us.
There was no issue with following them, but I had no clue where we were heading.
If this is the route to the dormitory, I ought to be able to remember the way.
Where are we headed right now?
One of the figures in front, upon hearing me, turned and tapped their mask lightly.
It was a signal for me to don my mask.
.
And yet, there was no response to my question.
Their cautious approach made it clear our destination was shrouded in secrecy.
From within my garments, I withdrew the mask and placed it upon my face.
A few minutes along the path, a mist began to blanket the forest.
My sense of direction was now completely obscured. Memorizing this route had become utterly impossible. Even with a map, Id be groping blindly.
No signs of other travelers or landmarks presented themselves, yet the attendants moved unimpeded.
After a short journey, a blurred silhouette of a barrier came into view on the misty horizon. It stretched endlessly to either side.
The attendants headed toward it.
Emerging from the fog that split the horizon was a wall, ornate as if it encircled a royal palace, both thick and high like a fortress.
Before us appeared a steel gate massive enough to admit two carriages side by side.
The attendants halted in front of it and all turned to face me.
Then the man standing in the center spoke.
This area is strictly off-limits to unauthorized personnel. Eternia calls this expansive territory the Labyrinth. It is imbued with strong disorienting magic that disrupts ones sense of direction, so please be cautious.
As his words ended, the steel gate slid open on its own.
Beyond it lay a fog denser than before, thick like curtains made of white silk.
It was suffocating to behold. Was my dormitory truly within, a place unfathomable in size and direction?
I asked cautiously,
What lies within?
It seemed unlikely that such a vast expanse called the Labyrinth was intended solely for the dormitories.
Inside are the Filion Grand Library, housing ancient magical texts and artifacts, a magic research institute, the Forbidden Forest, and your destination the Masters Class dormitory known as Thorn Garden. Unauthorized intruders are prevented from reaching any area for their protection.
.
As I pondered, the man seemed to sense my contemplation and added,
You are already within the Labyrinth. Feel free to ask any questions.
I asked at once, as though I had been waiting,
Who are you?
Though they wore masks similar to the Masters Class examiners, their aura and attire did not match those of the examiners.
We serve as the librarians of the Filion Grand Library. We assist with the daily affairs of the Masters Class and manage the librarys books and artifacts.
They treated me a mere student with a deference usually reserved for those of higher standing. It was an unusual feeling.
How am I to find my way here?
A map of this place does not exist. Here, one must heed the guidance of magic.
The man gestured to a woman beside him, who then carried a chest forward and opened it before me.
Inside lay a silver compass.
Only a magical compass can navigate the Labyrinth accurately. Hold this, and whenever you declare your destination, the needle will guide you there.
As I took the compass, the needle abruptly began spinning wildly like a top.
I watched it spin, and after a moment of thought, I posed another question,
What happens if I dont use the compass?
If we do not intervene, you will eternally lose your way and be unable to reach any destination. Be wary, lest you trip over a skeleton from time to time.
A boy currently enrolled in the Imperial Royal Academy I do not have the authority to divulge his exact identity.
.
And presently, there arises a need for a consultative decision from Eternia regarding the handling of this successor to the Holy Sword.
Silveryns brows were deeply furrowed. For some reason, she seemed openly averse to getting involved.
Silveryn turned her back on the paladins and took a few steps away.
Then, maintaining a moment of silence as if to gather her thoughts, she let out a small sigh and finally spoke out.
Alright. Convey that I will attend.
***
Its like a nightmare, this dreadful fog. So thick that the librarians leading the way appeared as mere blurred shapes just a few steps ahead.
I think I understand what it means to be forever lost. In this place, one cannot trust their own eyes. After only a few hours spent here, one might fear the onset of madness given the eerie nature of this space. Had my dormitory not been located here, I would never have set foot in this place again.
Following the librarian for a while, a shadow of a mansion began to emerge from within the fog.
As we approached, the mists thinned gradually.
Finally, a grand mansion revealed itself before us.
There were no thick walls or iron gates, but hedges of rose vines separated the labyrinth from the mansion grounds like a fence.
This was Thorn Garden, my assigned destination and true dormitory.
The garden, a striking combination of dark vines and bright red roses, was spectacular. In one corner, Plantera snipped away at the branches, moving at a leisurely pace.
Apart from being situated within the labyrinth, the scene was extraordinarily serene.
The librarians stopped midway down the entry path leading into the garden and fixed their eyes on me.
Our role ends here.
Is this the end?
Are they just going to drop me off and leave? No formal procedures, room assignments, or anything of the sort?
The questioned librarian simply nodded.
Everything here was built for the Masters Class. Once the student who has become the owner graduates, the estate will be demolished without a trace. So, whether you tear down or renovate the mansion, that choice is yours. Of course, you should probably confer with us first.
I should consult with you, the librarians?
As if they hadnt heard my query, they remained silent for a moment but then suddenly offered their farewells.
We will see you again at the entrance ceremony.
The librarians greeted me briefly and then vanished into the fog.
Its a bit unsettling. It feels like theres something theyre deliberately not telling me.
The sight of the large mansion designated as my dormitory fills me with an overwhelming sense of dismay rather than excitement.
All around, fog shrouds the senses to the brink of derangement, and the mansion itself is intimidatingly large.
I shook off the random thoughts and crossed the garden towards the mansion.
Then, I swung open the double doors and stepped into the hall of the mansion.
Immediately, the chandelier hanging from the ceiling ignited by itself, casting a bright light around.
This must be a mansion managed by magic.
As I stood there inspecting the interior, the sound of a voice suddenly rang out behind me.
Hello.
I snapped to attention as if doused with ice water.
Could I have misheard? For a moment, I doubted my own ears.
I hadnt even fathomed that someone else might be present in this mansion.
The voice was vaguely familiar, as if I had heard it once before, though I cant pinpoint exactly where.
From behind me, the soft footsteps approached my direction.
I hastily turned around.
Making no sound, a girl was standing about ten paces away from me.
Our eyes met, and with a slight tilt of her head, she spoke,
Are you Candy?