Dorm Rules and Club Initiation
"Ah, I'm seriously gonna die."
After grilling my body in the steaming hot water and stepping out, I felt refreshed but utterly drained, my energy sapped right out. Outside the window, it was pitch dark. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"Should I be happy that the soundproofing is this good...?"
Gandbik Island, the land of eternal night where the sun never rises. To outsiders, it just sounded like exaggerated hype. It wasn't like there was no day or night at all, or that the sun truly never came up. Yeah, the sun does rise. But just for a fleeting moment, super low on the horizon, barely visible if you squinted. Around lunchtime, it'd start peeking up, and by the time you'd finished eating and were ready for a nap, it'd already be setting.
'At this rate, I might as well eat lunch outside...'
I'd once mocked it as over-the-top, but it took less than a week for me to nod along to the name "eternal night of Gandbik." They say people need the sun to live. No matter how brightly you lit up the surroundings with magical lamps to mimic broad daylight, nothing could replicate that subtle life force from the real sun pouring down from above. Spending day after day under artificial light made it feel like not just my energy, but my very soul was being gnawed away bit by bit. My mood was stuffy, and with no internet as the sole savior in the darkness, this wasn't a school—it was a prison without bars. Was this a magic academy or a Confucian one? Cheonghak-dong or what?
Holidays without classes were even worse. Step outside, and there was nothing to do. Hole up all day sleeping, and the night still wouldn't break with sunrise—you couldn't tell time at all. Until you woke up and checked the clock, you couldn't even distinguish if it was lunchtime or the next dawn.
"Sigh—my kids are the well-behaved ones, and here I am making a fuss."
Where there's magic, there's bound to be black magic—that's the rule. Not that they split it strictly into light and dark, but some were banned due to danger. So spells teetering on that edge, like summoning or necromancy from odd schools, had a bad rep in magic society. They wouldn't outright crack down, but flashing them around would draw dirty looks. So I was playing it safe, gauging the vibe and keeping them under wraps.
The kids were sharp enough to read the room, staying quiet like they did at home without nagging.
"Well, it might just be a fleeting moment anyway."
Now what? It was around 9 PM. From midnight to 4 AM was curfew—no hallway wandering or outside activity allowed. With a private room including a bathroom, it wasn't inconvenient, but it meant being stuck in this rectangular box.
"Plenty of time left, though."
So what to do? Can't visit other rooms, nothing to do.
"...Screw it~ Just flop into bed~"
No point overthinking. Time to rewatch some random video I'd seen before and crash.
"Lopang, come out here and give my legs a rub."
『……Po.』
Sinking into that soft embrace melted away my fatigue gently.
"Heeeng—"
Amid the scattered clothes I'd stripped off during my shower, the dorm guidelines I'd glanced at on day one and shoved aside lay discarded like trash.
This notice is issued to maintain order within Gratia Dormitory and ensure the physical and mental safety of all students. All residents must familiarize themselves with the following rules. Violations will result in penalties borne solely by the offender.
1. Occupancy Limits and Cohabitation Ban
This dormitory operates on a one-person-per-room basis. Overnight stays by two or more persons, excluding brief visits, are strictly prohibited. If anyone other than the assigned resident is found staying in a room, they will be evicted immediately regardless of circumstances.
2. Meal Times
Breakfast: 06:00 – 08:00
Lunch: 11:00 – 13:00
Dinner: 18:00 – 20:00
All meals are served on time in the dormitory dining hall.
3. Nighttime Access and Movement Restrictions
From midnight to 04:00, all entry/exit and movement is prohibited for student rest and safety. Corridor travel during this time may be mistaken for unauthorized intrusion, and any harm from security magic or personnel will not be the school's responsibility. Even if student identity is confirmed, disciplinary corporal punishment will be applied as per regulations.
4. Facility Maintenance and Staff Interaction
Laundry and cleaning are handled periodically by school-hired staff. To prevent loss, store valuables and personal items in locked personal lockers. The school will not compensate for damage or loss of items left outside designated spaces. Unauthorized dangerous items found will be confiscated immediately, with disciplinary proceedings.
Place laundry only in designated bins. Items left indiscriminately outside bins will not be collected except in special cases and risk loss or contamination.
If encountering staff, remain calm and courteous as a dormitory member. Avoid unnecessary personal conversations that hinder their duties.
5. ...
They say even a bull's horn should be pulled out at once. It means seizing the chance when it comes to get things done. It's one of my favorite proverbs—I'm the type who prefers knocking everything out in one go.
And Rupert, despite his soft impression and usual mild demeanor, turned out surprisingly decisive when it came to action.
Was school admin always this fast?
Saturday morning. The five of us who'd agreed to join the same club gathered in front of the activity center. I thought we'd come early, but three were already there. Jayden, as expected, had arrived first to hold the spot. Rupert and Jane, being from the same dorm, came together, and I'd walked over side-by-side with Lily from Gratia too.
"You're late."
Jayden's first words upon seeing us. I patted my empty wrist in disbelief.
"Not late. We've got five minutes till the agreed time. You guys are just way too early."
Ugh—this picky bastard. Look at that getup. His uniform collar not a thread out of place; he'd clearly been pacing here way before schedule.
Jayden snorted at my retort.
"Hmph. Arriving early is on time; arriving on time is late. No basics."
"Yeah, yeah, you're perfect~"
Rupert gave an awkward smile at the childish spat between the 190cm giant and the 140cm shrimp.
"Haha, come on in. Hey Lily. Seojun and Jayden are full of energy this morning—looks good."
Rupert always found the sight of us clashing head-on fascinating. Most students wilted under Jayden's massive build and overbearing aura, unable to even meet his eyes. But this little guy was different. Head held high before the towering frame, mocking the near-50cm height gap with his barbs—it was awe-inspiring every time.
'How does he not get intimidated by that presence?'
Rupert marveled inwardly.
"Alright, everyone's here—shall we head in? Better wrap it up quick and do something together since we're all here."
With a gentle smile to lighten the mood, Rupert pointed briskly at the activity center door. The kids followed him inside.
The heavy tactical hall door swung open, blasting us with noisy chatter and stuffy heat despite it being Saturday morning. New semester club recruitment was in full swing—young kids weaved through crowds of upperclassmen in the vast lobby. Flashy posters enchanted with all sorts of magic floated mid-air, hyping their clubs, while students' eyes gleamed with excitement and nerves.
"Whoa, this is insane. Is there class today or what? Feels like the whole school's here."
Lily, walking beside me, nodded in agreement at my mutter. Jayden, figuring delay was pointless, frowned and straightened his clothes.
"Hmph, no order whatsoever. Rupert, better handle it fast and get out."
"Don't worry, won't take long."
Rupert, unfazed by the chaos, strode confidently through the throng toward the Exploration Club lounge.
"Here we are."
Unlike the "exploration" vibe suggesting hustle, the lounge had a surprisingly calm atmosphere. And unlike the bustling outside, it was sparsely populated.
"Welcome—you must be Rupert's friends? Nice to meet you. I'm Lucian."
A smooth baritone filled the space. True to Rupert's brother, his smile carried their shared easygoing charm, but a sharp glint in his eyes explained why he ran this massive club. Seventh year—barely an adult, yet he exuded a mature gravity that drew admiration. More adult than most grown-ups, wrapped in solemn poise.
No son outdoes his father... wait, brother. These days, people in their forties acted like kids—what had rushed this guy to grow up so fast?
The club's leader's warm, refined welcome eased the slight tension from our group.
"Hello."
We each bowed politely in our own way, offering brief thanks and greetings for overlooking our various quirks.
Lucian scanned our faces one by one. When his gaze passed Jayden and me, his eyes narrowed slightly, as if spotting something intriguing.
"Rupert praised you guys nonstop—curious to meet you. Looks like my little bro made some great friends."
Lucian nodded with satisfaction, smiling.
"Welcome to the Exploration Club, everyone."