Chapter 381:First years.

Chapter 381: 381:First years.

Silver stared at the words in wonder. For some reason, that simple message felt almost unreal.

He had finally made it. After everything they had gone through coming from Delta three to here, he had actually made it.

Looking back at his past self on earth who had been just trying to stay alive because there was nothing else to do, this sort of accomplishment felt like something he could be proud of. He wished his parents had been there to see him succeed in this new very hostile world.

The administrator smiled.

"Congratulations. Silver Ruddington and Ravenna Arkland, as of this afternoon, you’re officially registered as first-year students of Alpha Three Academy."

Ravenna slowly exhaled. Silver looked toward her, she smiled at him without hiding the satisfaction in her eyes.

"We made it."

He nodded.

"We made it."

Ravenna squeezed his hand.

The administrator glanced at their intertwined fingers. Her smile became slightly amused.

"Enjoy that while you’re standing here."

He looked toward her.

"Why does that sound threatening?"

"Because now I have to give you your dorm assignments."

Ravenna’s expression changed.

Silver looked suspicious.

"Why would dorm assignments threaten hand-holding?"

The administrator pulled two information packets from beneath the desk.

"Male and female residential areas are separate. Students of opposite sexes are not permitted to reside in the same dormitory buildings, regardless of whether they’re dating, engaged or married."

The two looked at each other, wide eyed.

Mallory laughed behind them.

Silver turned.

"You knew?"

She smiled.

"I assumed it was obvious."

He looked back toward the administrator.

"Not even engaged students?"

"No."

Ravenna finally spoke.

"That’s fine."

He looked at her, his eyes filled with betrayal. Was he the only one annoyed by the separation.

She shrugged.

"It’s an academy, Silver. What did you expect?"

He thought about it.

"Honestly, I hadn’t thought about the dormitory arrangements at all."

"I’ll forgive you for not researching housing regulations."

The administrator handed Ravenna her packet.

"Female first-year residence, eastern residential sector. Your specific building and room number are listed inside."

Then Silver’s.

"Male first-year residence, western residential sector."

He accepted it and opened the packet.

Ravenna leaned over.

"How far apart?"

Silver checked the map.

"Far enough that sneaking into your dormitory would require actual planning."

The administrator immediately looked at him.

He closed the packet.

"That was a joke."

"Make sure it remains one. Unauthorized entry into opposite-sex dormitories carries disciplinary penalties."

Ravenna smiled.

"I’ll make sure he behaves."

Silver looked offended.

"Why is everyone assuming I’m the problem?"

Ravenna, Mallory and the administrator all looked at him. He stared back, sighed, then nodded.

"Fair enough."

The administrator reached beneath the desk again. This time she produced two neatly packaged uniforms.

Silver’s was larger.

Ravenna’s was fitted differently.

The colors matched what he had seen throughout the academy: a deep earthy brown forming the primary jacket and trousers or skirt, complemented by muted green sections along the collar, cuffs and trim. The combination was surprisingly elegant rather than dull, with metallic academy insignias attached near the chest.

The administrator placed them down.

"Standard first-year uniform sets. You’ll receive additional sets after your dormitory registration is finalized."

Silver picked his up and rubbed it lightly. The material felt durable.

"Armored?"

"Reinforced fabric. Not enough to replace actual protective equipment, but considerably more durable than ordinary clothing. The academy expects students to train while wearing uniform variants frequently."

Ravenna lifted hers.

Near the chest was a small green bordered badge. Silver found the same badge on his.

The lettering was simple.

FIRST YEAR.

He ran his thumb across it while she looked at hers.

"This feels strange."

He glanced over.

"What does?"

"Actually having it."

Silver understood.

For weeks, the academy had been somewhere ahead; a destination, but now, they were students.

The administrator continued explaining their materials.

"Your student identification cards will function as access keys for most permitted academy facilities. Your first-year badges must remain visible while you’re outside residential areas. The academy uses badge distinctions to identify year groups quickly, especially during the first month."

Silver placed the uniform back into its package.

"What happens today?"

"Nothing academically demanding."

Silver’s expression brightened.

"Excellent."

Ravenna looked toward him.

"You look far too happy about that."

"I’ve had enough demanding activities this week."

The administrator laughed.

"Today is the only day you’re going to hear us explicitly tell you to rest. Admissions day is reserved for settling into dormitories, collecting materials, familiarizing yourself with the immediate residential areas and recovering from travel."

He nodded seriously.

"I already like this academy."

"Enjoy it. Tomorrow brings orientation."

His happiness disappeared.

The administrator continued.

"After orientation, first-year candidates proceed into initial evaluations and class placement procedures. You’ll receive exact times through your student cards later tonight. Do not be late."

Ravenna looked at Silver.

"He won’t be."

Silver raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you answering for me?"

"Because I know you."

"I arrived before today’s deadline."

"You cheated on this one."

"Still counts."

The administrator handed them the final documents.

"Orientation tomorrow. Class placement follows according to your assigned schedule. Tonight, rest. You’ll have enough opportunities to prove yourselves starting tomorrow."

Silver looked down at the uniform as the word rest went through his mind. It sounded wonderful.

"Is sleeping for fourteen hours considered acceptable?"

The administrator looked at him.

"As long as you’re awake for orientation."

"I can work with that."

Their registration completed, Silver and Ravenna stepped away from the desk.

Mallory joined them.

Ravenna immediately examined her student card while Silver looked at his. His photograph was from when he was approaching the desk.

He frowned.

"I look terrible, they butchered my handsome face."

Ravenna leaned over.

"You look normal... why on earth are you complaining over this?"

"You won’t get it, anyway that’s worse."

She laughed.

Silver smiled, then he looked around. A small part of him expected to see Shawn somewhere among the representatives but he wasn’t. There were plenty of older students in academy uniforms, but none were his cousin.

Ravenna noticed him searching.

"Looking for Shawn?"

He nodded.

"I thought he might be around admissions."

"He is, but the academy assigned him as one of the representatives handling intake duties. He told me we probably wouldn’t properly see him for four days."

"Four?"

"Apparently they’re keeping the representatives busy throughout the admissions and orientation period."

He sighed.

"I suppose the lecture can wait."

She smiled.

"You sound disappointed."

"I’m devastated."

"You’re relieved."

"Extremely."

Mallory shook her head.

"You should probably be grateful Shawn helped while you were missing."

Silver’s humor softened.

"I am."

He looked toward Ravenna.

"Thank you for finding him."

She nodded.

"I didn’t know who else from your family I could reach."

"You chose well."

She hesitated before speaking.

"He tried calling your grandfather."

Silver became quiet.

"Did he answer?"

"No."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

After what had happened with the investigators and how quickly Association resources seemed to have shifted, he had questions, but not today.

Today, he was too tired to chase them.

"That’s something for later."

Ravenna studied him.

"You aren’t worried?"

"Not enough to investigate tonight."

She smiled.

"Good."

Silver raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"I’m glad you said that."

"Why?"

"Because I was preparing to threaten you if you decided to start investigating something instead of sleeping."

He looked toward Mallory.

"She’s become very controlling while I was gone."

Mallory smiled.

"She was already controlling."

Ravenna stared at both of them.

"I can hear you."

He squeezed her hand.

"I know, that’s the whole point."