Silverhart Online 108 A place to stay

With Gray's completion of his personal quest, it was also the moment when he got to level up from 22 to 23. Out of the usual five attribute points that were awarded by the System, he spent two in Intelligence, one in Willpower, and the last two in Endurance. Intelligence for the boost of his spell power and overall Mana, Willpower for his Mana and Stamina Regeneration in addition to having the capability of overcoming mind debilitating spells that's a potential no doubt for extreme danger, and Endurance because more Health is always an assurance.

Gray also asked Ezkiel if he knew someone named Julian. As a result, the Headmaster's eyes widen a bit at how the elf knows the Bard.

"Julian, huh." Ezkiel inquired with a look of curiosity. "I know of him, yes. That womanizer is my younger brother, in fact. May I ask how do you know of him?"

"Lady Stephania tasked me to deliver a letter to him on her behalf when my companions and I passed by Einsberg two days ago," Gray answered. "Do you know where he is?"

"He's most likely at the Musician's Pub in the district of Devil's Hub drowning himself in mead and wine while indulging in his debased urges of woman touch, haha." Ezkiel said Julian's whereabouts with a snicker.

'Musician's pub… well, that's convenient.' Gray thought with delight at his two quests that are located in one place. 

"Heh, I bet those urges must have run in your family," Gray smirked in defiance. 

"I won't deny that." Ezkiel grinned in response. "It's in the Kallistus blood to pursue what your heart desires no matter the odds."

"Right," Gray replied. "Do you also know where we can find the local Jewelry dealer of this town where we can sell some jewelry?"

"Yes, and the shop that you are referring to is called The Velvet Box," Ezkiel responded with a nod. "The shop is at Trade Town, and it's hard to miss."

"I see," Gray said with appreciation. "Thanks for the information, Headmaster Ezkiel."

"A pleasure to help, young elf." Ezkiel smiled. His attention then turned to Isamu, eyeing at the cat-folk with utmost intent, much to Isamu's wary. "Isamu Meiyo, is it? Gray mentioned that you are a Knight, yes?"

"Yes, my lord." Isamu nodded in response, relieved that the Headmaster is not actually going to go back to being a perverted drag again. 

"If that's the case, then there will be a tourney exclusive for Knights that will be held on the second day of the four-day festival at the arena grounds located at Trade Town," Ezkiel said to the cat-folk. "If you wish to test your mettle against your fellow Knights and participate in the said event, I suggest that you register yourself there immediately, for I heard that today is the last day of registration. Oh, and bring 100 gold for the registration fee."

"Truly, my lord!?" Indeed, Isamu's eyes widened with excitement at the prospect of attending a tournament and getting the privilege to fight against other Knights to hone his combat capacity. "I'll head on there in an instant."

"Alright, I suppose we have our plans set for today," Gray said with a cheerful tone. He also inquired Ezkiel regarding a vital matter about their stay here in town. "The guard outside the town gates mentioned that you'll be providing us with somewhere to stay, correct?"

"Indeed," Ezkiel said in agreement. "The dormitory is the one at the right side of this building that faces the Grand Auditorium. Simply proceed there and speak with the dorm receptionist. She'll guide you to your rooms."

And another question." Gray asked with a slightly worried expression. "The rooms are free, right?"

"You and your companions are guests here at the University." Ezkiel chuckled in response. "It would be inappropriate to charge guests with a rental fee now, would we? You don't need to worry about your finances draining for the duration of your stay here. Although I would naturally require you to pay, should I deem that you're overstaying your welcome here."

"Neat." Gray beamed with gratitude. "Many thanks again." 

Ezkiel simply nodded once more. "If there's nothing else, you're free to take your leave. I recommend that you get settled at the dormitories for now and tour around the town after."

"Got it," Gray answered with approval as he and his companions took their eventual departure from the office. 

As per the Headmaster's suggestion, they instantly proceeded back at where they came from, leading to the exit of the Academic Building. On their way out, they also saw Penelope smiling at them in a friendly manner as per her duties as a helpful receptionist.

Following Ezkiel's instructions as well as remembering what the guard escort told them during their initial tour, the gang easily navigated themselves at the Academy grounds, ignoring the stares of curiosity once more that they garner from the Bards at their proximity. 

Entering the dormitory, the interior of the building, as per Gray's thoughts, is akin to a luxurious hotel of a sort. A reception counter is right in front of them, the interior designs of the place are almost similar to the Academic building. The only difference probably is that behind the wooden doors at the corridor and hallways are instead rooms where Bards or visitors of the University are staying. 

On their left side is a vast space that houses the eatery of the University where numerous wooden tables and chairs are seen all over the said place and are occupied by some Bards eating and minding their own affairs. This is where the Bards mostly take their meal, especially breakfast, before proceeding to the Academic Building for whatever business that they have there. This means that the occupants of the dorm do not find the need to go anymore to any local tavern or pubs for a full set of prepared meals to satiate their hunger and start the day, thus adding to the easiness of their University lives.

After glancing around the place to get a general idea of the view, the gang approached the receptionist, another young woman just like Penelope. The dormitory receptionist is a beautiful young woman with long straight hair with a red hairpin to elevate her bangs. She is dressed in a simple white dress with a black corset that hugged her slender waist and a long red skirt that reached down until just right her ankles. Indeed, none can't deny the beauty that's the woman right in front of them. Her attire and demeanor may be simple, but there's certainly a charm that many men can't resist but be enamored by it.

"Hello, my lords and ladies." The receptionist smiled at them in a welcoming manner as she quickly noticed the esteemed ranks of nobility that Gray and Selena possess thanks to the badge that they wore. "My name is Rebecca Ubane, the receptionist of the Bardic Dormitory. What can I do for you today?"

Rebecca Ubane 

Level 11

Health: 746 / 746

Stamina: 432 / 432

Mana: 1358 / 1358

Gray stated his usual introductions regarding him and his companions, resulting with the receptionist to nod in understanding about the gang's predicament as to why they're here.

"Ah yes, Lord Ezkiel instructed me in advance that should you arrive here, I'll lead you to your respective rooms. How many rooms do you need, my lord? Do know that each room is capable of supporting three persons at once strictly, having beds of the same number." Rebecca said without a shred of hesitation, clearly used to communicate with different kinds of people as per her job description.

"If that's the case, then we only need two since there are five of us. My carriage driver, Ivan Wells, will catch up later after storing our carriage and horse to the stables." Gray crossed his arms. With what Rebecca said to them, the room arrangement is definitely not hard to decipher as they'll divide themselves into groups base on gender. One room for the men; Gray, Isamu, and Ivan, while the other for the ladies; Selena and Lily.

Thankfully and conveniently, they were led only here on the same floor, where Rebecca told the gang that the room is located nearby for them to stay. Speaking of the rooms, they are located in a secluded corridor type of a hallway, and each door of a room possessed designated numbers for easier identification of one's living quarters. The foyer is also occupied beautifully by the candle sconces that are attached at the walls, accentuating the remarkable ambiance of the place that offers both grandeur for its design, and comfort for lighting up the area.

While on their trek, Gray decided to have a small talk with Rebecca as he was curious about this place. "This seems like a great place to stay. Do all Bards lived here?"

"Only the ones without a residence, to provide everyone properly," Rebecca answered. "Guests and other notable visitors are also accommodated during their trips or business here at the University."

"I see." Gray nodded. "So, the Headmaster and the Dean also stay here?"

"The Headmaster, yes. He resides at the first floor of a luxurious suite while Lord Luthais opted to stay in his Manor at High Quarter." Rebecca replied. "Together with the Headmaster, the staff, faculty, and guests also make their residence down here on the first floor. The second and third floor hosts the Bards and other parties should the first floor will be full and unavailable for use.

"That's certainly convenient indeed." Gray smiled as dictated by his carefree attitude. "With the University literally a few steps away, no one in their right mind is going to be late now, are we? Only an incredibly lazy ass is otherwise."

"Yes, it's certainly convenient like you say." Rebecca nodded with a simper of her own. "Although people who live close to their workplace or classrooms tend to be somewhat complacent from my observations to them. As a result, being late to your work or any lectures constitutes a harsh penalty. For the faculty and staff, a decrease in their salary while specific privileges will be denied access to the student Bards like access to the University's particular resources. Of course, this only applies to the ones who chose to stay in the dorm. When administering punishments, other factors are also taken into account, like where the offender lives, for example. After all, like I said earlier, some prefer to stay in their homes outside of the University like the esteemed Dean himself.

"I guess that makes sense." Gray was enlightened by what Rebecca stated to him about a part of a law and custom that the University practiced.

As they continue their walk, all of them eventually arrived at the doorsteps of the gang's rooms where Rebecca gestured respectfully for Gray and the others to stop. "Looks like we're here."

Rebecca presented two rooms facing towards one another in a corridor, with the room numbers 30 and 31. She then conjured two keys from her Inventory and handed one to Gray and the other to Lily for their respective safekeeping and ownership. "This will be the keys to your respective room. Now, do you require anything else, my lord?"

"None that I can think of for now," Gray said with appreciation. 

"Alright." Rebecca smiled in response to the whole gang. "If there's nothing else, my lords and ladies, I'll be taking my leave. If you need anything, I'll always be right at the reception hall, and delighted to provide any assistance."

And with that said, Rebecca finally left the gang to their own devices as she departed in the opposite direction back to her workstation. As such, the gang unlocked their respective rooms with the key that was provided and entered. The day is still young, and as a result, they all mutually agreed for some short relaxation time before pushing on with the plans for today, right after a nice lunch at the dormitory eatery nearby.

Chapter end