After his conversation with the Headmaster came to an end, Eden returned to the long table belonging to Cavlo House and took his seat. The moment Merry and Willie saw him emerge from the room beside the stage, they immediately moved over to sit next to him.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Willie was the first to speak.
"Eden, what did they call you in there to talk about?" he asked in a hushed but excited voice. "And why didn't you have to be sorted by the Appear Mirror?"
Merry, who had also been watching Eden closely, seemed to have already guessed the answer. Tilting her head slightly, she spoke before Eden could respond.
"Is it like what Willie guessed earlier?" she said quietly. "Your potential was hidden, but Professor January knows you do have potential—so he assigned you directly to Cavlo House?"
Before Eden had the chance to say a single word, Merry had already come astonishingly close to the truth of what had happened in the room. The realization made Eden pause in surprise.
"You're right about most of it," Eden said softly at last. "But there are still some things I haven't told you."
He glanced around the Great Hall, lowering his voice even further.
"There are too many people here. I'm not sure whether someone Naomi warned us about might be present. It would be better to wait until we're somewhere private before I explain everything."
After quietly sharing this with Merry and Willie, the three of them fell silent and waited together as the sorting of the remaining new students continued.
"Welcome, everyone," a professor spoke up once the sorting of all new students had concluded. He was dressed in a brown three-piece suit, his appearance neat yet relaxed. "I am Professor Engelite, and I will be your Head of House."
He smiled as he looked over the gathered students.
"There's no need to be so tense," Professor Engelite continued in an easygoing tone. "Have you already forgotten what our House represents?"
A ripple of quiet laughter passed through the students.
"Now then," he said, clapping his hands lightly, "all first-year students assigned to Cavlo House, please follow me. I'll take you to the Cavlo House common room so you can become familiar with the place you'll be living in for the next five years."
He paused deliberately, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"And choose your roommates carefully."
The moment those words left his mouth, a wave of excitement swept through the newly sorted students. No one had expected that they would be allowed to choose their own roommates.
Professor Engelite seemed almost amused by the reaction. He waited until the chatter grew louder before speaking again.
"Each room accommodates two students," he explained. "It's the same arrangement as on the ship you arrived on. You're welcome to room with the person you shared a cabin with back then—but we'll make the final decision after you've had a proper look at the dormitory."
After his explanation, many students quickly settled on their choices in silence, already deciding who they wished to share a room with. Naturally, there were also those who had yet to make up their minds, their unease plain on their faces as they glanced nervously around at their fellow first-years.
"Professor Engelite, please announce such matters after you have returned to your own House," Professor Enliszdo said, his expression clearly displeased. "You are giving my students the mistaken impression that Herlone House assigns dormitories in the same way."
"Ah, my apologies, Professor Enliszdo," Professor Engelite replied with an easy smile. "I'll take my students to the dormitory at once. Please, continue."
After speaking, Professor Engelite turned back toward the newly sorted Cavlo students and said cheerfully, "Well then, let's head to the dormitories. Follow me."
As the students of Cavlo House followed Professor Engelite out of the hall, those walking at the very back could still hear Professor Enliszdo addressing the new members of Herlone House in a firm, measured voice:
"Herlone does not allow students to choose their own dormitories. As for how the assignments will be made, I will explain once we arrive at Herlone."
"Did you hear that just now, Eden, Merry?" Willie said. "The head of Herlone House sounds so strict. I'm really glad we all ended up in Cavlo."
After speaking, Willie stuck out his tongue, clearly expressing his dislike for Professor Enliszdo.
"Yeah," Eden replied with a small smile. "It's a relief that the three of us are in the same House."
Yet even as he spoke, Eden's thoughts drifted back to the moment in the room earlier—the brief glance Professor Enliszdo had cast at him after he concealed the truth. It had been only an instant, but the sensation lingered, as though the professor had seen straight through him.
As the three continued chatting, Professor Engelite spoke up, addressing the Cavlo students.
"This building you see before you is where our dormitories are located."
At his words, the new students began to look around. The first-floor hall was lined with numerous paintings—some depicting strange and wondrous beasts they had never seen before, others resembling the portraits that adorned the walls of the Great Hall. In the center stood several sofas and tables, forming what looked like a space meant for students to gather and converse.
"So this is the common hall?" one student asked.
"A good question—but unfortunately, no," Professor Engelite replied with a grin. "This is just the main lobby. Every academic building has one. It's meant to be a shared space where students from different Houses can socialize."
He gestured upward as he continued.
"The entrance to our House dormitories is on the second floor. Come along—follow me."
With that, Professor Engelite led the Cavlo students toward the staircase and the entrance above.
"Do you all see this statue?" Professor Engelite said, gesturing ahead. "This is the entrance to our dormitories. Simply speak the words 'Bonkers Lilres' to it, and the wall beside it will open."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"However, it will only respond to the Headmaster of Lillemins, the Head of Cavlo House, and Cavlo students themselves. Even if someone else knows the spell, the wall will not open for them."
After finishing his explanation, Professor Engelite demonstrated it himself. He turned toward the statue and spoke clearly, "Bonkers Lilres."
At once, the statue's eyes glimmered with a faint light. Moments later, the wall beside it slowly receded backward before sliding to the left, revealing a staircase lined with a navy-blue carpet.
"That's how it works," Professor Engelite said casually. "From now on, this is how you'll enter the dormitories."
He glanced over the group with a relaxed smile, then added, "And just a reminder—Lillemins is protected throughout. Don't try using magic to break into other Houses' dorms, or blow up the sofas, or anything like that."
The warning was delivered lightly, but the meaning was clear.
"If there are no questions," he concluded, turning toward the stairs, "then follow me."
"That was incredible—did you see that?" Willie said excitedly to Eden and Merry. "Professor Engelite just finished speaking, and the wall actually opened on its own!"
"Of course I saw it," Merry replied, her voice tinged with excitement. "It really is amazing. I can't help wondering what else we'll get to learn here."
"Let's follow Professor Engelite upstairs first," Eden said as they began climbing the stairs. "Though to be honest, I'm more curious about who you're going to room with, Merry. It's definitely not going to be the two of us."
"You don't need to worry about that," Merry answered lightly. "Just like Professor Engelite suggested, I'll be rooming with the girl I shared the ship with. But what about you two? Are you sure you're going to room together?"
She turned the question back on Eden.
"I already talked about it with Willie on the way here," Eden said, sounding a little embarrassed. "We still don't really know anyone else yet…"
As Eden and Merry continued their conversation, the new students arrived at the dormitory common room. The entire space was decorated in shades of navy blue. Unlike the Great Hall, there were no unsettling portraits on the walls—only ancient stonework and several softly glowing candles that provided gentle illumination.
At the center of the room, just like in the main hall, were single armchairs and small tables. Along the walls stood long sofas that could seat three to four people. Two staircases led upward to the student rooms, and between them burned a warm, welcoming fireplace.
"This is the Cavlo House dormitory. Welcome, everyone," said a girl standing in front of the fireplace. She wore a navy-blue robe fastened with the House crest.
"I'm your dormitory prefect. I'm a second-year student, one year ahead of you. You can call me Modesty—that's my first name. If that feels awkward, you're welcome to call me by my family name, Patsy."
She smiled gently before continuing.
"Professor Engelite has other matters to attend to, so I'll be the one helping you confirm your rooms. After that, I'll take you to the storage hall to meet Mr. Paimor, who will issue the supplies you'll need for your classes."
After finishing her introduction, Modesty gave the new students some time to familiarize themselves with the common room and discuss their room arrangements. After a while, she spoke up again.
"Please have one representative from each room come over to register. Those of you who haven't decided who you'll be rooming with yet should also come and register. I'll inform you of your room numbers after you've finished collecting your supplies from the storage hall."
"Eden, you go," Willie said, half-sprawled across the sofa. "Let me sit here a bit longer—this couch is way too comfortable."
"Alright then," Eden replied with a laugh. "Just make sure you don't slide lower and lower until you end up on the floor."
With that, Eden chuckled to himself and walked over to the table where Modesty was seated.
Because his conversation with Willie had delayed him for a while, Eden ended up at the very back of the line. By the time it was his turn, Modesty was no longer focused on the registration papers. She lifted her head and looked at this rather special new student.
"You're the one who was taken away by Professor January, aren't you?" she asked. "I didn't expect you to end up in Cavlo. I thought you'd be placed in Razer—after all, you're the first student in history who didn't undergo the sorting. You've set a brand-new record."
As she spoke, Modesty smiled and registered Eden's name before adding, "I'm really looking forward to seeing what you'll do here."
Eden returned her smile and replied, "I'm curious myself—to see what kind of performance I can actually give."
"Is everyone finished with registration? If so, follow me," Modesty said as she walked toward the staircase leading out of the common room. "I'll take you to the storeroom to collect the equipment you'll need for your classes."
"I wonder what we're going to get over there," Willie said, finally pushing himself up from the sofa and hurrying over to Eden and Merry. "What do you think it'll be?"
"Probably things like spellbooks or wands," Eden replied casually.
"Didn't you two notice?" Merry said in a lowered, almost conspiratorial voice. "Earlier—Modesty, and even the professors—they were all wearing gloves. And none of them looked the same. Don't you find that strange?"
"Could gloves be the key to casting spells?" Eden asked.
"But Merry and I already used a spell back in the Great Hall during the Appear Mirror sorting," Willie said, puzzled. "So magic probably has nothing to do with gloves, right?"
"Maybe Mr. Paimor will explain it to us once we get to the storeroom," Eden said.
His answer earned nods of agreement from both Merry and Willie. Without realizing it, the three of them quickened their pace, drifting toward the front of the group.
"It seems we're the first House to arrive," Modesty said. "After passing through this corridor, you'll reach the storeroom. It's a grand spire—once you go inside, you'll see Mr. Paimor. I'll wait for you here."
After pointing in the direction of the storeroom, Modesty remained at the entrance of the corridor, waiting as the Cavlo House students went to collect their supplies.
"Let's go and see if my guess was right," Merry said, taking the lead and stepping into the storeroom first.
"So, Cavlo House students, right?" Mr. Paimor said the moment Merry entered. He was already standing in the center, clearly expecting them. "I knew you'd be the first to come find me."
On the table before him lay stacks of spellbooks and a set of magical maps issued by the school.
"These are the spellbooks you'll need, as well as the school's magical maps," Mr. Paimor explained. "The books will be delivered to your rooms later by upperclassmen. For now, you only need to take the maps. They'll make sure you don't get lost on campus."
He picked up one of the maps and held it up.
"Now, let me show you how to use it. Once opened, it has two modes. The first is to simply speak the name of your destination—or the class you're heading to—directly to the map. The second allows you to view the school floor by floor, displaying the layout of each level."
"You may choose whichever method you prefer. Just tell the map what you need, and it will respond accordingly. Do you have any other questions?"
As Mr. Paimor finished his explanation, Merry raised her hand.
"Excuse me—do we not need gloves?" she asked. "I noticed that the professors and the dorm prefect were all wearing them."
"A very good question, young lady," Mr. Paimor said with clear interest, turning toward her. "Those gloves are magical tools used by wizards to amplify their magical power. In the coming days, your Head of House will take you to another island near the school, where you'll purchase gloves suited specifically to you, along with tailored items such as your robes and uniform."
"As for exactly which day that will be," he added, "that will depend on the decisions of each House Head."
"Thank you, Mr. Paimor," Merry said.
After receiving the answer she wanted, she turned to Eden and Willie and whispered softly, "Looks like none of our guesses were quite right after all."
After Mr. Paimor finished his explanation, he dismissed the new students and sent them out of the storeroom. When they returned to the entrance of the corridor, Modesty was lightly rocking up and down on her heels, clearly having had nothing to do while waiting outside.
Seeing Eden and the others emerge, she smiled faintly and spoke.
"Did everyone get their maps?" she asked. "If you open them now, they'll display your room numbers. The boys' rooms are to the left once you go upstairs, and the girls' rooms are on the right."
She continued calmly, but with clear emphasis.
"From now until midnight, you're free to do as you like. You may return to your rooms to rest or explore the campus. However, remember this—any location marked with a red cross on the map is strictly off-limits. After nightfall, try not to linger in areas without lighting. And do not approach the wall on the eastern side of the island. If the professors catch you there, the consequences will be severe."
With that warning delivered, Modesty dismissed the Cavlo House students and went off to attend to her own matters.
"Eden," Merry said softly as she moved closer to him, "since now's a good time, shouldn't you explain what happened to you back in the Great Hall?"
"I did say I'd explain it to you," Eden replied quietly. "Let's find somewhere we can go on the map first."
As he spoke, Eden opened the magical map. Sure enough, a room number appeared on its surface.
Room 7.