Gratia's White Palace
The first impression of Gratia Dorm was like a small palace sculpted entirely from pure white marble. Seamless and smooth, as if carved from a single massive block... Ornate yet subdued decorations and tall vertical columns created an elegant rhythm. The low dome crowning it all had a soft curve that exuded firm dignity.
"Whoa—"
"Somehow, this place feels insanely bright..."
Beneath the deep shroud of night, the blindingly white exterior caught the cascading moonlight, gleaming with a subtle luster. The stone emitted a cold blue light like ice crystals, proclaiming its master was winter itself. Yet from the neatly symmetrical windows, orange light seeped through thick velvet curtains, adding a warm glow to the marble walls.
"Look at that. The building's glowing."
"Oh, for real! It's sparkling."
"Hmm, seems just a tiny bit bigger than my house."
Even the kid full of cocky bravado muttered it with feigned nonchalance, but his flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes betrayed his excitement. Exterior: pass. Even by my picky standards, it was flawless. Nice.
"Everyone, listen up!"
In front of the massive main gate, the senior student leading the first-years stopped and turned. He scanned each bewildered face with a serious expression, then smiled faintly.
"You've probably heard, but our dorm's symbol is the bear. Slow and steadfast in peace, but fiercer than anyone when protecting its cubs or territory... From the moment you step through this gate, you're in Gratia's embrace."
The senior gripped the heavy door handle and added,
"Welcome to Gratia. This is your new home."
With that, he shoved the door open hard. The massive marble slab slid back silently. Golden light poured from the gap, filling the kids' eyes. A cozy warmth mixed with the scent of burning firewood tickled their cheeks—nothing like the chilly night air outside.
The air changed the moment they crossed the threshold. Despite the cold exterior, the carpet underfoot was deeper and softer than expected. Palace-like outside, but inside it felt like a proper dorm: warm, lived-in, inviting.
"Whoa—no joke."
Truth be told, we'd kinda sensed it from the start. When the misfits got grouped together at dinner, we figured it'd be the scrappy dorm. But this? This wasn't a dorm—it was a five-star hotel on some resort island.
I savored the carpet hugging my ankles and scanned the lobby with a much more forgiving mindset.
"You're all tired, so I'll show you to your rooms. Girls, follow Katarina. Boys, stick with me."
The group split at the senior's command. Katarina led the six girls toward the west wing first, leaving seven boys including me in the lobby.
"Alright, let's go."
The senior headed to the east wing, our footsteps echoing messily on the marble floor. Midway down the hall, he stopped and pulled a heavy velvet case from his coat pocket.
"This is your ID and the only key to our dorm."
Inside gleamed a white gold ring with a milky luster. Its flat top bore an intricate snowflake pattern, like a shard of Gratia's icy white exterior plucked straight onto your finger.
"Your room number and name are engraved inside. Just lightly press the snowflake against the door handle, and it'll unlock."
The kids fished out their rings and slipped them on. A bit loose at first, they resized perfectly to fit. The substantial weight of white gold pressed reassuringly into their fingers. Flashy yet never light—this was the calm elegance Gratia aimed for, captured in a single ring.
"No way. It really looks like a snowflake."
The kid next to me held his up to the light, gasping repeatedly. Yeah, way too beautiful for a mere dorm key. I knew zilch about jewelry, but it had to be worth millions. Lose this, and it's a disaster. Suddenly, my throat tightened, hands shaking.
My Precious!
Cough!Cough!!Gack!!
The senior confirmed everyone had their seal, then pointed to the deepest end of the hall.
"Rest in your rooms until called. Your luggage is already there. And if you run into any servants—which is rare—just ignore them politely. Don't show interest or be rude."
With that, the senior left. As the other boys scattered to their rooms, I walked alone down the long corridor.
"So where's mine... here?"
A faint glow emanated from the snowflake on the handle, matching the ring.
Gulp.
I pressed my ring to it with a mix of nerves and excitement.
Click—!
The heavy lock turned, and the door swung open. Stepping inside, I got hit with a cultural shock to the back of the head.
"Whoa... for real?"
Was I dreaming? I pinched my cheek, squeezed my eyes shut and open—same view.
"Seriously?"
A massive space big enough for five people, all for me. Shalalala~ Lalalala~ Beautiful BGM seemed to play from somewhere. It felt like stepping into a hotel suite.
Through the floor-to-ceiling window, starlight rippled into the dark sky.
"This is a single room?"
The words slipped out involuntarily.
"Insane."
I wandered slowly, taking it in. King-size bed, antique desk. Opening the door in the corner revealed a marble bathroom with absurd luxury.
"Unbelievable."
It shattered every dorm concept I had. I stared at the welcome card and note on the bed. All this for free? How much are they gonna bleed us later? Dread already crept in.
In a pitch-black forest where even moonlight seemed lost, a cramped chamber shattered the silence. A faint rustle, then a voice laced with harsh static echoed.
[&!^!@#…… Leader of Muhun.]
A man standing like a shadow under a veil bowed slowly at the voice.
"Soul-Pacifying Extermination Namgyo greets you. Long live, long live, eternally! This lowly servant of the Divine Sect bows before the Great Demon Lord."
He prostrated fully, holding his breath.
[……Speak.]
A brief silence. The voice resumed, static fading but sharper, piercing the man's eardrums.
[Muhun Leader, with Nakwol so near, what urgent matter brings this?]
Despite the Great Demon Lord's scolding tone, Muhun Leader replied flatly.
"A critical variable has arisen in the Sect's grand plan. I contact you to report it urgently."
[……Report.]
"The ancient guardian spirits of Eldmier have returned."
During the Nakwol ritual, their plan to sow chaos in the academy via diversion—tying down the monstrous old guardian—had hit a snag. Current forces couldn't buy time against both the monsters and revived spirits.
An unforeseen variable.
Unpleasant static echoed emptily after his words, cold silence settling over the link.
[How strong are they now? Surely not comparable to their prime when they shook the world.]
Cold calculations raced through the Great Demon Lord's mind. Beasts just awakened after eons couldn't possibly match their ancient peak.
"Uncertain, but they haven't reached Hwagyeong yet."
A flat report, but its weight was immense. Mere beasts once, yet challengers to divinity. Fallen or not, they weren't measured by mere realms... Only one beyond the ultimate wall could handle them easily.
[The ritual proceeds as planned.]
Abandoning now was impossible—the stakes too high. Next chance might be decades or centuries away. With guardians awakened, Eldmier's power would only grow. Perhaps now, before they fully recovered, was their last shot.
[On the night Nakwol rises, the Sect's elites shall emerge in the long night.]
Muhun Leader knelt, head bowed in deepest reverence as a Sect member.
"By your command! Heavenly Demon Descends, Heaven and Earth Rejoice. Long live, long live, eternally!!"