Episode 9
“The way students are sorted into dorms is a secret, and it’s never changed since the school opened. But the sorting method itself changes every year.”
That’s why the whole empire gets excited to see how Spellmore will assign dorms each year—it’s a big event.
“I’ve never heard of a hat being used.”
Before they started switching things every year, they used a magic catapult. Students would get launched toward the tower of their assigned dorm.
But about 450 years ago, some students got snatched by wyverns waiting in the sky with open mouths… so the catapult was retired for good.
Yikes.
“Yeah, doing that today would probably get the school shut down.”
“Don’t worry, stuff like that doesn’t happen anymore.”
…Then why do both of them look like they miss those days?
“The tradition of the four dorms was ended five years ago.”
“If only I were born six years earlier.”
Even the second-year seniors nodded, agreeing with Sellie’s muttered wish.
“Why did they end it?”
Before answering, the seniors looked around, then gestured for her to come closer—like it was something secret.
“Well… the dorms were pretty much the same, but since it became a competition, people started thinking ‘our dorm is the best!’ That led to rankings…”
“And that caused some dorms to be popular and others to be avoided by incoming students and their parents…”
“Oh…”
“Six years ago, a parent even sued Principal Rexarion.”
“…What?”
“They demanded the sorting criteria be revealed, saying it wasn’t fair.”
Apparently, parents had been complaining for about ten years, getting more and more upset, until finally, someone filed a lawsuit over it.
This fantasy world smells a little too familiar—like home.
The furious principal teamed up with the efficiency-obsessed vice principal (a rare thing), and they decided to remove the dorm tradition altogether.
So now, 1st and 2nd-year students are just sorted by gender. At least 3rd to 6th-years still have dorms based on majors, so that old vibe still lingers.
“At least this school cuts off nonsense from parents fast.”
Thanks to that refreshing decision, Sellie was left choking on the dream of a magical dorm experience she would never have.
“I was so excited about the dorm system…”
Still, at least they didn’t shut down the whole school.
“Thank you for explaining everything.”
“See you later!”
Sellie said goodbye to the seniors and climbed the stairs heading east.
As she thought of the girls’ dorm she saw on the tapestry earlier, her disappointment faded and excitement took over.
A tower floating in the sky? So cool.
The dorm, called the Dreaming Tower, was connected to the main Spellmore tower by a bridge and floated in the air.
“The view from up there must be amazing!”
But that excitement faded after she passed the 5th floor.
“Huff… huff… In a world with flying ships and fingerprint scans, there’s no elevator?!”
Good thing she had built up stamina in the forest.
Otherwise, like a girl she saw on the 11th floor, she would’ve been collapsed on the stairs sucking a lollipop for emergency sugar.
“Fi-finally… 18th floor!”
At last, she reached her destination.
When she opened the heavy wooden door, a stone bridge stretched out into the sky. The floating tower at the end looked incredible—it made all the effort worth it.
“Wow…”
Sellie found her room by the number on her key and her eyes sparkled again.
“It’s exactly what I imagined for a medieval-style magic school dorm!”
The room had high arched ceilings and a fireplace. It wasn’t huge—made for two people—but it was warm and cozy.
“What about the view?”
She walked straight to the window, its thick black velvet curtains tied back with golden cords. Outside, the glowing forest and twinkling city lights painted a perfect sunset.
A half-nature, half-city view? Perfect.
Time to check out the room.
On either side of the big window were matching furniture sets: a bed above a desk, bookshelf, and drawers.
“A bunk bed?!”
Sellie’s eyes sparkled again—another dream come true.
There were two sets of furniture, but Sellie was the only one there. Since there was luggage on the other bed, her first roommate must have gone to dinner.
“Huh?”
As Sellie went to put her own things down, she paused. Everything on the other side was already neatly arranged.
At first, she thought maybe the staff gave her the wrong room. But nothing looked used—everything was brand new.
“Ah, the school must provide all this.”
New textbooks were lined up on the shelf, and the clothes hanging inside the closet looked like fresh school uniforms.
“They give out uniforms for free?!”
What a great world.
But still, why no elevator?
And what if the uniform doesn’t fit? They didn’t even check…
…But she didn’t need to worry.
As soon as she tried it on and thought it was too big, the uniform shrank to a perfect fit.
“Whoa—size-adjusting magic? This world is better than Korea.”
But still. Why no elevator?
She stood in front of the full-length mirror inside the closet door.
Wearing a white shirt, a deep green striped tie with the school crest, and a sweater, Sellie started tearing up.
“I’m really wearing a school uniform…”
Her old middle school didn’t have one, and high school was supposed to be her first. But she died before she could wear it.
“But this is better. A science high school uniform wouldn’t look like this.”
She put on a long robe that reached her ankles and a pointy wizard hat—and now she really looked like a mage.
“Huh?! A magic wand?!”
She grabbed the wand from a box and gave it a swing.
“…Nothing happened.”
“Guess I’m not a real mage yet.”
Still, she had another dream: flying on a broomstick.
“Why didn’t I get a broom?”
Maybe they don’t teach that here?
She picked up her first semester schedule from the desk and scanned it.
Basic Magic
History of Magic
Beginner Magic Flora & Fauna
Intro to Combat Magic
Understanding Magic Engineering
There was no “Flying 101,” but even the class names made her super excited.
“I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
She quickly unpacked what little luggage she had and jumped up to the top bunk, bringing along a thin book from the desk.
“Wow, it’s so soft!”
Maybe the bed really was comfy, or maybe she was just exhausted. Either way, the mattress and blanket felt like marshmallows.
She was melting into the bed like cheese in a grilled sandwich when the book she was holding dropped onto her stomach.
“No! I don’t want to get expelled on my first day—I need to read this!”
The gold title on the purple leather book shimmered:
Spellmore School Rules & Dormitory Guidelines
As soon as she opened it, blood-red letters flashed a chilling warning:
The Spellmore school rules are written in someone’s blood.
If you don’t want your blood used for the next revision,
make sure to read and follow these rules carefully.
If something happens that the rules don’t cover, use your common sense.
If you lack common sense, the school won’t be responsible.
“…Wait. That’s not real blood… right?”
Sellie cautiously flipped the page, not letting her fingers touch the scary red text. Usually, these types of books were boring and sleep-inducing.
“What in the world happened here to make them write rules like this?”
But instead of making her sleepy, it made her wide awake.
Do not nod during Mr. Crowley’s class.
The last student who nodded still hasn’t left his lab.
“…What kind of teacher is Mr. Crowley?!”
