Chapter 8: Conflict

Porter Academy was located in a mountainous forested area thirty miles north of Hertz City, the imperial capital. The campus itself sprawled across more than ten miles, and it took Rowland and his companions four or five hours of riding to finally arrive at the academy near midday.

At the grand entrance to the academy stood a long row of tables, behind which sat teachers dressed in black magical robes. They were busy receiving the stream of new students coming to register.

“We’ve completed our task in bringing you here. Now, just take your acceptance letters to those tables and handle your enrollment procedures,” Mr. Harvey instructed, pointing toward the desks. Then, with a meaningful glance at Rowland, he added, “Young man, I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot of each other in the future!” With that, he and the other two teachers departed.

The enrollment process was simple: first, a test of spiritual strength and elemental affinity, followed by verification against the acceptance letter. Once all was confirmed, the teacher handed Rowland his dormitory key, which bore the number: 2015.

Before long, Karina also received her key. As the two walked side by side toward the dormitories, a voice suddenly called out behind them, “Excuse me, miss, may I have the pleasure of making your acquaintance?”

Turning, they saw a tall, fair-skinned boy whose features were undeniably handsome, though the slight downward curve of his lips betrayed an air of arrogance that marred the overall impression.

“Are you speaking to me?” Karina asked uncertainly.

“Indeed, beautiful lady. I am also a newly arrived student. My name is Tracy. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” The fair-skinned boy extended his right hand with practiced courtesy.

“Oh, hello. I’m Karina,” she replied politely, shaking his hand.

From start to finish, Tracy didn’t so much as glance at Rowland, who stood at Karina’s side, but continued to lavish attention on his chosen quarry. “Miss Karina, what are the odds I’d meet such a beautiful classmate on my very first day? It must be fate. Might I have the honor of taking you for a ride?” As he spoke, he brought forward a tall, magnificent horse, its golden tack gleaming—a clear sign of its exceptional quality.

“Sorry, I’d rather return to my dormitory first. I’m afraid I can’t accept your invitation,” Karina replied coolly.

Tracy seemed oblivious to her rebuff, pressing on, “Miss Karina, if you ride my prized steed—Lightning—you’ll experience a speed as swift as the wind, smooth as silk, without the slightest jolt. To roam the ancient grounds of Porter Academy with you astride Lightning would be a dream come true!”

“I really must decline. Rowland, let’s go,” Karina said, a trace of annoyance flickering across her face as she took Rowland’s arm to leave.

“Hmph, boy, take your miserable donkey and get out of here while you still can, or you’ll regret it!” Tracy had noticed the pair long before they entered the academy; he’d been immediately captivated by Karina’s gentle beauty, but seeing her so close with Rowland atop a donkey had filled him with resentment. Now, witnessing their easy intimacy, jealousy flared, and he spat the words at Rowland with venom.

Rowland’s brows knitted, and he was about to retort when suddenly a gruff, impatient voice sounded behind them: “Hey, whose trash horse is this? Move it, don’t block the young master’s path!”

They turned to see a black panther standing behind them, bearing astride its back a rotund youth whose belly bulged in three distinct rolls, so massive that even the muscular panther beneath him grimaced under the weight.

“You fat pig, are you looking for a beating?” Tracy snapped, his anger barely contained.

“You little brat, are you tired of living?” At the insult, the fat youth’s small, bean-like eyes widened, and he shrieked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

With a low growl, the black panther underscored his master’s indignation.

The panther’s rumble sent nearby beasts into a frenzy, and Tracy’s prized steed bolted in terror, whinnying pitifully as it galloped away.

“Just you wait, you fat pig! There’ll be plenty of time to deal with you. And you, boy—don’t even think about pursuing Karina, or you’ll regret ever being born!” Tracy spat his threats at both the fat youth and Rowland before dashing off after his horse.

“I’ll be waiting for you, if you dare,” the fat youth retorted just as fiercely. Then, turning to Rowland, his tone softened, “Rowland, is it? My name’s Marlowe, also a new student. Pleased to make your acquaintance. And you too, Miss Karina.”

Rowland found the fat youth’s easy friendliness agreeable and replied politely, “Nice to meet you, Marlowe. I’m Rowland. Thanks for intervening just now, or I would have had to deal with that guy myself.”

Marlowe waved a pudgy hand dismissively. “No need to mention it. We’re dormmates, after all—helping each other is only right!”

“Dormmates?” Rowland was puzzled.

Marlowe jingled his own dormitory key, which also bore the number 2015. Realization dawned on Rowland.

The three set off together in good spirits. As they neared the dormitory area, Karina and Rowland parted ways, she heading to her own dormitory.

“Hey, Rowland, your donkey must be a level-four Windchaser Donkey, right? Oddly enough, my level-six Blackstripe Panther’s roar didn’t faze it in the slightest,” Marlowe remarked, eyeing the donkey as they walked.

“Hmph, what’s so terrifying about a little panther?” came a disdainful voice in Rowland’s mind.

Rowland couldn’t help but smile wryly. Ever since that incident on the road, when Marlowe’s curiosity was piqued by the donkey’s ability to transfer Karina from her chestnut pony onto its own back—giving Rowland a not-so-innocent advantage—Uncle Kus, who had laughed himself breathless at the scene, had suspected the donkey wasn’t just any ordinary Windchaser. Its unruffled indifference to a level-six panther’s roar seemed to confirm that there was indeed something unusual about Little Black.

After some searching, the two finally found dormitory number 2015. Next to it stood a tall, stone building—a stable for magical beasts and horses.

Marlowe and Rowland each settled their respective magical beasts—Blackstripe Panther and Little Black—into the stable.

“Well, looks like someone beat us here,” Marlowe observed, noting several horses already tethered inside.

“Let’s go meet our roommates, then!”

They approached the dormitory door. Rowland inserted his key and turned it gently; the door swung open.

Inside, a few people were tidying one of the beds. A handsome boy stood to one side, but what really drew Marlowe and Rowland’s attention was the stunning beauty beside him. She was a vision with her flawless, pale skin, golden hair cascading down her back, and a violet dress—the very embodiment of elegance and grace.

Marlowe and Rowland exchanged a glance, the same thought springing into both their minds: Could it be that our dormitory is co-ed?

As the door opened, the occupants looked their way. The golden-haired beauty gave a few instructions to her attendants, then approached Rowland and Marlowe with the handsome boy in tow.

“You must be the new students joining dormitory 2015. This is my brother, Bill—he’ll be living here as well. I’m his sister, Victoria. I hope you’ll look out for one another and grow close.”

“Ah, yes, of course! We’re both new students. I’m Marlowe, and this is Rowland,” Marlowe replied, flustered by her presence.

“Hello, Bill. Hello, Victoria. It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Rowland said with a polite smile. Victoria was indeed beautiful and poised, but he did his best to remain composed.

A charming smile briefly softened Victoria’s otherwise cool, ethereal features. She nodded gently to the pair, then turned to her brother. “Bill, everything’s about ready here. I’ll be off now—enjoy getting to know your new roommates.”

With that, she and her attendants headed out.

“Miss Victoria, please visit our dormitory often!” Marlowe hurried after her, opening the door with surprising agility for someone of his size.

“I think I will,” the golden-haired beauty replied courteously.

Just as she was about to leave, an arrogant voice echoed from nearby: “Hey, you fat oaf, and you, Rowland—get out here and kneel to apologize to Young Master Tracy, or I’ll beat you so badly you’ll be picking up your teeth from the ground!”