CICN Chapter 5

 

 

After calling for Ivy, the employee handed documents to another waiting staff member and asked for guidance.

 

“Hello? Nice to meet you. I’m Melody. Please take care of me.”

 

Melody smiled brightly and extended her hand.

There was no sign of hesitation in Ivy’s gaze as she looked at her lively demeanor.

Feeling good, Ivy cautiously took her hand.

Melody then shook her hand vigorously.

The cheerful shaking made Ivy involuntarily laugh. Observing her reaction, Melody gradually initiated the guidance.

 

“I saw your documents. You came from Elam, right? Did you have a hard time getting here?”

“No. I actually enjoyed it; it’s the first time I’ve been this far away, especially to the capital.”

“Yeah, the capital is impressive. You must have enjoyed it even more if it was your first time seeing it. Alright, let me introduce you to the academy on our way to the dormitory.”

 

Melody pulled a book out of her briefcase and handed it to Ivy.

 

“When you flip the cover, you’ll see a map of the academy. Since each class takes place in a different building, memorizing the layout of the academy may take some time at first. But there are people around to help, so feel free to ask if you don’t know anything.”

“Okay.”

 

Ivy replied and turned to the map.

The map showed the names of numerous large and small buildings, along with the classrooms and courses held in each.

Melody smiled as she watched Ivy earnestly study the map.

She was about to say that she could take her time memorizing it.

 

“I’ve memorized it all. Thank you for showing me.”

 

Carefully closing the book, Ivy handed it back to Melody.

 

“You memorized it all?”

 

Melody’s voice rose in surprise, then she chuckled and muttered to herself.

 

‘Well, she’s a prodigy from the academy. It’s been so long since I met someone like her, I forgot.’

 

The Gifted Academy is where all the smart kids in the Empire are gathered.

Naturally, some of them were exceptionally good at memorization.

 

‘But still, she’s incredibly fast.’

 

The map listed not only the names of the buildings, classrooms, and ongoing classes but also the offices and names of the professors. In a way, it was like an instruction manual.

Yet she memorized it all.

Swallowing her surprise, Melody handed the book back to Ivy.

 

“You don’t have to give that back. It’s a guidebook given to all new students at the academy. It includes not only the map but also the academy’s rules and basic information about palace life.”

 

At the mention of it being a book for everyone, Ivy’s eyes widened.

 

“Is this for me, then?”

“Of course. See the space for your name on the inside cover? Fill it out later, when you get to the dormitory. You will only receive it once, so take care not to misplace it.”

“Yes!”

 

Ivy happily accepted the book in her hands.

 

‘I don’t need to return it.’

 

During her time at the orphanage, books were always borrowed from the library of the advanced school. 

So, for Ivy, books were always something to be returned.

But this one was hers.

There were only a few books in the orphanage, and most of them were in a state where they had to be discarded after being passed around by several people.

Moreover, they were picture books with short and simple sentences, intended for younger children than Ivy.

They weren’t even allowed to keep them due to fighting over them, so the director set specific times for sharing.

Ivy examined the book further.

The cover of the book was adorned with luxurious leather.

The title “Guidebook to the Academy” was embossed in gold, shining brightly, and the edges of the book were reinforced with sturdy metal, making it look like a new book.

Ivy hugged the book tightly.

Although she felt sorry for the director, who had bid her farewell with worried eyes, Ivy already loved this place.

Unable to hide her smile, Melody laughed along with Ivy when she giggled.

 

“You shouldn’t be so happy with one book. You’ll receive more in the future.”

“Really? There’s more?”

“Of course. Before you came, there must have been a brief information sheet about life at the Gifted Academy; did you read it? Do you remember what the first sentence was?”

 

She couldn’t help but know.

That sentence was the reason she knew she had to go to the gifted academy.

 

“All necessities during your stay…”

“Are provided by the academy.”

 

Melody completed Ivy’s sentence and said confidently,

 

“Now, let’s go get your school supplies and uniforms!”

 

In response to Melody’s words, Ivy answered loudly with a smile full of happiness.

 

“Yes!”

 

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

 

“We’ve arrived. This is the dormitory of the academy.”

 

Pointing at the building with both hands holding a large bag, Melody explained.

 

“This is the… dormitory?”

 

Ivy stared at the building, her mouth agape.

The only dormitory Ivy had seen was the one at Elam City’s advanced school.

In fact, that building was in better condition than the one Ivy had lived in at the orphanage, but it lacked any distinctive features and was designed to accommodate as many people as possible.

She assumed, deep down, that the dormitory at the Gifted Academy would be similar.

However, the building in front of Ivy was as beautiful as any other building at the academy.

Ivy, still staring blankly, hurriedly followed Melody inside.

 

“Let’s see, it’s around here…”

 

As she followed Melody, Ivy’s eyes darted around the building.

 

‘The space between the doors is incredibly wide!’

 

But that wasn’t all.

The red carpet lining the corridor was softer and more luxurious than the blankets Ivy used to cover herself with.

Feeling like she was walking on clouds, Ivy’s steps felt light.

 

“Oh, here it is. Room 305.”

 

At the door, where Melody stopped, Ivy couldn’t help but marvel again.

 

“It’s so spacious. And so grand.”

 

Could this really be the door to her dorm?

Although she had seen it on the way, being told it was her room made the grandeur even more apparent.

 

“I’m sorry, can you open the door for me? I have a lot of stuff.”

 

In response to Melody’s request, Ivy pressed her pounding heart and grabbed the doorknob.

Click.

With a soft sound, the handle turned smoothly.

With Ivy’s weak strength alone, the heavy door easily swung open.

As the door fully opened, a warm breeze brushed against Ivy’s cheek.

 

“Wow……!”

 

Despite mentally preparing herself, she couldn’t help but let out an exclamation.

 

“This is my room…”

 

Ivy was reminded of the picture books she used to see at the orphanage.

The princess’s room depicted in those picture books.

Even that room was not as magnificent as this.

Beautiful paintings adorn the high ceiling, making it necessary to tilt one’s head to see them.

The walls were covered with elegant patterned wallpaper, and the thick curtains hung on the large windows overlooking the garden were as soft as the carpet.

Ivy stepped inside as if entranced.

She had suspected, given the wide space between the doors, that it was not just a single room inside.

Upon opening the door, there was a spacious area serving as an entrance, with another door on each side.

Ivy looked at Melody as if to ask if she could open it, and she nodded as she followed her in.

 

“There are two bedrooms each. It’s a rule for two people to share one room. Since we arrived first, you can choose either side. Which side would you like?”

“Either one is fine.”

“Then why don’t we take the one on the right? It’ll have a better view of the fountain in the garden.”

 

Melody’s words were simply fascinating to Ivy.

She could choose a room for such a reason.

At the orphanage, the little ones had small rooms, and the older kids had bigger ones.

There was never any consideration for the view outside the window, nor could they choose their own rooms.

But to be able to choose a room with a better view of the fountain.

Ivy opened the door Melody had mentioned on the right.

Warm air and a sweet floral scent greeted her.

Beyond the door was a large bed, accompanied by a dark wooden desk.

Ivy stood still, taking in the room’s sights.

Compared to the grandeur of the entrance, the room was modest. But that’s exactly why Ivy liked it even more.

The entrance may have been a place she couldn’t have even dreamed of, but this room was the most wonderful she had ever imagined herself in.

Warm and fragrant, with her own bed and her own desk.

Ivy clasped her hands tightly.

She truly wanted to stay here for a very long time.