After the LEE results, my admission was officially confirmed into Stardome Academy. The 25 students who had qualified in the LEE were all invited for a dinner in the admission hall that night. After the exam ended, I went back to the guest rooms—rooms that had been assigned to us once we'd recovered from the ordeal. I freshened up, changed into something decent, and made my way straight to the admission hall. By the time I arrived, most of the noble kids were already seated and chatting away, their laughter filling the space. I took a seat quietly, and just as I settled in, the other four students entered the hall.
An old instructor walked up to the stage and stood there silently for a moment, letting the murmurs and chatter continue for a bit. Then he cleared his throat—loud and sharp. Instantly, silence washed over the room and all eyes turned to him.
He began, "Before we begin dinner, we have one important event. Each of you will be allocated to a house and a class section. Normally, this ceremony takes place in the Great Hall with all due tradition, but since you're latecomers, that privilege isn't available to you. So, let's get this done right here. Be ready."
The blunt way he delivered the news caused some amusement and mild grumbling among the students. His cold attitude made it clear he wasn't interested in pleasantries or ceremony.
Without wasting time, the old instructor selected a student from the crowd and called him up to the stage. The boy walked up, straight-backed and eager, wearing an expression that said he was ready to conquer the world. When he reached the instructor, he was asked a single question:
"What do you want to do in the future?"
The boy didn't hesitate. "I want to become the patriarch of my family and make my dad proud," he said, his voice full of pride.
The instructor squinted at him, measuring his words. Despite the skeptical look, the boy didn't flinch.
"So, you wish to walk your father's path. Nothing wrong with that. You're assigned to House 'Hippocampus' and Section-3. Return to your seat."
Then he scanned the remaining students and called up the girl sitting next to me. For a split second, I thought he meant me. The girl rose, walked to the stage, and was asked a completely different question. Her response seemed to satisfy him, and she too was assigned a house and section.
And so, it went—student by student, each called to the stage, asked something unique, and sorted based on their responses. Some questions were straightforward, while others were cryptic and strange. Eventually, my name was called.
I stepped up to the stage, trying to keep my nerves in check.
"Young man, what's your name?" he asked.
"I'm Kex Tejowrath, sir," I replied, the words coming out with a bit more tension than I intended. My mind was spinning with worry—what house would I get? What if I messed this up?
The instructor nodded slowly. "Alright, Kex. How about you choose the house you wish to join?" he offered, as if granting me a special privilege. But I'd seen him do this before. Two students had been given the same offer, but neither had ended up in the house they chose. It felt more like a test—a trap cloaked in freedom.
"You have five options: House 'Hippocampus', House 'Ursaleo', House 'Whiteoyak', House 'Phosperors', and House 'Onidrake'. You've got one minute. Make your choice."
One minute? That wasn't nearly enough time. Still, I had to think fast.
Delly had told me that Whiteoyak was currently the most popular and prestigious house. But picking it might make me seem like I was chasing fame, and the instructor might reject me just for that. He also mentioned that Ursaleo and Phosperors were strong houses too known for their grit, legacy, and independence.
After a moment of internal debate, I spoke clearly: "I choose House 'Ursaleo'."
The instructor's eyebrows lifted in surprise. He looked at me as if reevaluating everything he thought he knew.
"Why did you choose House Ursaleo, young man?" he asked.
"Because I admire it. I like Ursaleo's hunting style, its physical prowess, its appearance, and most of all—its strength," I said, without trying to impress. Just the truth. I didn't add anything extra. I didn't need to.
"Interesting answer," he muttered. "Alright then. You're allocated to House Ursaleo and Section-5."
With that, I returned to my seat, heart still racing. A few students looked my way, some curious, others indifferent. I was too relieved to care.
Once everyone had been sorted, the old instructor took off his outer robe, revealing a badge beneath it. He introduced himself as the Chief Warden of Stardome Academy, the one responsible for the safety and welfare of all students. His name was Mr. Lugio Kraser, and his presence suddenly felt a lot more important.
Then the dinner began. Tables were lined with dishes I had never even dreamed of seeing—roasted meats, spiced vegetables, desserts that sparkled like gemstones, and drinks with soft glowing hues. I didn't hold back. I tasted everything I could, filling my stomach until I could barely move.
Later that night, I returned to my guest room and crashed into bed, exhausted but content. The thought that I would be seeing Lady Eve again starting tomorrow gave me a warm feeling as I drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, I woke up early, packed my luggage, freshened up, and followed the signs to House Ursaleo. The directions were clearly marked, so I had no trouble finding the dorm. It stood tall and proud, with wide arching entrances and detailed engravings that hinted at its storied history. The building had a certain dignity, a bold presence. Just walking toward, it made my chest feel heavier, like I was stepping into something important.
I walked through the main doors and approached the reception desk—only to find the receptionist completely passed out, face buried in her arms, snoring softly.
"Hello? Hi? Can you wake up?" I whispered near her ear, unsure of how to proceed. She just shifted slightly, turning her head the other way, clearly deep in sleep.
I stood there, unsure, until an old lady in an apron stomped in from the hallway, leaned in, and shouted directly into the receptionist's ear with all the force of a general shouting at a solider. Then she turned around and walked off like nothing happened, humming to herself.
The receptionist jolted awake, blinking rapidly. She rubbed her eyes, adjusted her glasses, and looked at me.
"Hello! I'm Silia, the receptionist of House Ursaleo. How can I help you?" she asked, still half-asleep.
"I'm Kex Tejowrath. I've been assigned to House Ursaleo. I'm here to check in," I said, handing over my admission and allotment letters.
"Ahh, one of the LEE students! We expected you folks maybe tomorrow or the day after. Didn't think you'd show up this early. Well, Kex Tejowrath, your room is ready. Just fill in your details in this register," she said, pulling out a thick logbook and handing me a feather pen and ink bottle.
"Here's your room stone. You're in Room 205 on the second floor. My full name is Silia Ekhan, by the way. If you ever need help regarding anything in the dorm, I'm your person. And congrats on getting into House Ursaleo," she added with a sleepy smile and a slow blink.
After I filled out the register, she called a helper to assist with my luggage—not that I had much. Just a couple of bags and some gear I'd carried from home.
We climbed the staircase and made our way to the second floor. I pulled out my room stone and pressed it into a socket on the door. As my uso flowed through it, the door unlocked with a soft click and a small shimmer of light.
The room was simple but neat. A bed, a desk, a small shelf, and a wardrobe. Nothing fancy, but it was mine now. I brought my luggage in and started arranging my things, preparing for the days to come. A new life, a new house, and a future I hadn't yet imagined—but was ready to face.