" What??... Seventy??? "
" Yes, ma'am... " said Oravien.
" Are you sure about this? That number doesn't make any sense. "
" Yes. Here, take this documentation sheet. "
" What's going on, father? " asked Razin.
" Don't worry... you'll know soon. "
The woman in charge of student registration at the school looked at the documentation paper... and indeed, Oravien was right.
" ...Really?... This boy... has immense potential. I don't think I've seen a seventy since I started working here ten years ago. "
" Even I was shocked... when I learned of this. Razin, you're truly special. Keep working hard in your studies... most likely, you'll draw everyone's attention once they find out about you. "
" Then let's review the information. "
Name: Razin Alethiar
Age: 6 years
First Beat: Seventy
Years of Study (Currently): 3 years
ID Number: 7474
" Yes... that's excellent, " said Oravien.
" Seems like this year is prosperous for the ruling family... We've registered two students from Alethiar. "
" ...Boy... don't waste what you've been given... Work hard in your studies. "
" Of course! I'm excited! " said Razin.
Razin (to himself): Why is everyone talking about me like this? What's so special about me?
" Registration is complete now... and the payment's been made. You can now live in the school dorms... If you want, you can explore the place today before classes start tomorrow. "
" Yes! Thank you! "
The woman (to herself): This boy... how? The highest beat I've ever seen in my life was 40... and the highest one registered this year was 24... This one is 70? Is he supernatural?
" ...Razin, this is where our journey together ends... You'll now be on your own, living and managing things by yourself. Are you ready for this? "
" Of course! Once I make friends, we'll support and help each other. "
Oravien smiled and placed his hand on Razin's head.
" I'm excited to meet them. I'm sure they'll be good people. "
Razin smiled.
" From time to time, depending on circumstances... your mother and I will come visit you here. It won't be frequent, but we'll try. "
" Yes! That's okay. "
" I'm eager to see you grow and mature, Raz... When you finish this school, if you follow my instructions, you'll have surpassed me in power! "
Razin hugged his father one last time.
" Be a good boy, Raz... Goodbye. "
" Yes, Father. "
Oravien went on his way...
It didn't take long before Razin's smile turned into tears.
Razin's eyes welled up: " Father... I don't want to be alone. "
The woman patted his head.
" ...Don't worry, boy... You'll have fun here. You won't be alone. You'll surely meet good friends. "
Razin wiped his tears.
" ...Yes... thank you. "
" Come on, I'll show you to your dorm building. "
" Alright. "
The two entered the school officially.
Razin was stunned by the beauty of the building.
" ...I... I'm going to study here... I'm so excited!! "
" Come on, follow me. "
Razin followed her, walking past beautiful scenery.
Fountains... grassy areas full of trees and flowers... luxurious buildings... and many students. That's what Razin saw as he walked.
The woman stopped.
" Here... this is your dorm building. You'll be staying in room number 74. Here's your key. Don't lose it. Now go... start your journey. "
Razin was nervous. He'd never had a social experience like this before. He was scared to open the building's door...
" Good luck, Razin Alethiar... You're a good boy. "
Razin got excited and opened the door.
He started walking on the first floor toward the stairs.
There were many students—his age and older.
Most eyes turned toward him... a nervous new student who just entered the dorm. Some gave neutral looks... others gave negative and contemptuous stares.
Razin was extremely nervous.
Razin (to himself): I feel a bit scared... I just want to get to my room.
When he reached the second floor, he found that it was the beginning of the dorm rooms. There were three main hallways, and each hallway had 10 room doors.
Razin wasn't familiar with how dorms worked, so he started checking every door number. All the room numbers on that floor were between 1–30, because the rooms were arranged in order—but Razin didn't realize that yet.
As he was looking at the plaques above the doors...
" Hey you... What are you doing? Are you spying on people's rooms? I'm reporting you. "
" N-No! I'm just looking for my room! " said Razin nervously.
" Oh... "
The boy started walking toward Razin and got closer.
" What's your room number? "
" 74. "
" What? Your room is 74 and you're looking for it on the first floor? Are you stupid? "
" No, I'm not stupid... I'm just new here. "
The boy (laughing in disbelief): " What a weird reply... you really do seem stupid. "
" No! "
" Alright, alright! I'm just joking... Follow me. I'll show you something. "
Razin followed the boy, who led him to the start of the hallway.
" First of all... rooms in this building are ordered. Your room will be on the fourth floor. But look— to save yourself time and not look like an intrusive idiot like I did—don't check every room. At the start of each hallway, there's a sign listing the room numbers in it. So if your number isn't listed there, don't bother. "
" Oh! That's helpful—it'll make things easier! But... I'm not intrusive or stupid! "
" I know, I know. "
" Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! "
" Don't be so formal! We're schoolmates... I get that you're new to this school, but you make it feel like you're new to life itself. "
" No! ...Well... maybe yes. I don't know. "
" Doesn't matter... What's your name? I'm Colin. "
" Umm... I'm Razin. "
Razin awkwardly walked off without even trying to end the conversation—he just assumed that's how things worked.
Colin (annoyed): " This guy... he's irritating. "
Razin started heading up to the third floor.
Razin (to himself): There are a lot of boys and girls here... most of them my age. Do all the students live here?
While Razin was lost in thought, he suddenly bumped into a girl... blonde hair, green eyes... about his height.
" !!...I'm sorry! I'm so, so, so sorry! Please forgive me! I didn't mean to—sorry! "
The girl looked at him:
" ...Calm down, please... It's not a big deal. I made a mistake too, so I apologize. "
She walked off as if nothing had happened.
Razin lifted his head.
" Umm... what just happened? Did I mess up my apology? But never mind... she forgave me. I should be nice to girls like my father taught me. "
Razin reached his room... opened the door...
And was stunned by the sight.
" What! This is so beautiful... Is all this really mine? It's better than my room at home! What is this... is something wrong?... This room... it's amazing. "
He remembered his mother and father...
Razin's expression changed.
" ...But... it's missing a lot to feel like home... Still, it'll do. "
Stomach grumbling
" ...Ugh, I'm hungry—I forgot to eat!! I need to find a place to eat now... What a tiring day. "
Razin left his room to look for food.
He went down to the second floor.
He looked for someone to ask about food places.
" Excuse me... could you tell me where I can find a place to eat? "
" Oh! You're Razin. "
" Huh? Do I know you? "
" Did you forget my name this fast, you idiot? I'm Colin! "
" Ah, I remember now! ...Anyway, I came to ask about food not your name—where can I eat? "
" You!... You really need to learn some manners. "
" What? Did I say something wrong? "
" Everything wrong... but never mind. You're weird. "
" I'm really sorry. "
" It's fine. So... there are two places to eat at school. One on the first floor of this building... and another 200 meters outside to the east. "
" Oh, thank you so much! "
Razin started walking off, again, without knowing how to end a conversation or even giving a second thought—just out of ignorance.
" Wait a second! "
" ?.. "
" I don't recommend going to the one downstairs. The food there is cold and not fresh. Go to the one outside—it's better. "
" So much walking... ugh. "
" You'll have to get used to it. This is your life now. "
" Yeah... thanks. "
Razin began walking out of the building.
Colin gasps: " This guy really doesn't know how to talk. "
Razin stepped outside.
" It's already dark... I have to hurry. "
He started walking east toward the place.
Razin (looking around): But... this place is really beautiful! I feel comfortable here... and the people are nice too... Should I try to make a friend?... No... Father said not to trust people too easily.
Razin arrived at the place.
" So this is it... I can smell something delicious! "
He entered. It was crowded. People looked at him for a moment as he entered, then looked away.
Razin (to himself): Do people stare at every little thing they hear? This is annoying... I don't like people looking at me... It makes me nervous.
Razin reached the counter and looked at the food menu.
Razin (thinking): Hmm... What are these foods? I've never seen anything like them before.
He stood in front of the counter, thinking, while people beside him were ordering:
" Give me number one, I want number three, number two please... "
And he was still standing there...
" This is confusing... I don't know... but I want to eat something. "
He looked to his left... and saw the same girl he had bumped into earlier on the stairs.
Razin tensed up a little.
" Number two, please. "
" Sure! What name for the order? "
" Verina, please. "
" Of course. "
Razin (thinking): She ordered so quickly... I guess I'll order the same. It might be good.
" Number two. "
" What? "
" I want number two. "
" Oh... of course. Name for the order? "
" Razin. "
His order was ready and handed to him.
" That'll be 5 silver coins, please. "
" What? Isn't the food free? " razin said like an idiot
" Of course not... Why would you think that? "
" Hmm... So that's why my dad gave me ten gold coins... I thought everything was free... What a disappointment. "
" I only have gold coins... no silver. "
" Give me one and I'll return the change. "
Razin gave the worker a gold coin.
" Here you go... 40 silver coins back... and here's your order. "
Razin took both and left immediately.
The worker sighed.
Razin returned to his room.
" I think life is nice here. "
He entered and shut the door.
" No matter! Now I should enjoy the food before I sleep. "
Razin started eating...
" It's really delicious!!... That girl had great taste... I'm full now. "
" Now... I want to sleep... so I can wake up early and make it to class. "
" I'm incredibly excited... I'm going to start becoming strong from tomorrow! "