Chapter 1

University of WAR (2)

    'Damn it.'

    Esther clenched his jaw as misfortune greeted him face to face.

    The Weapon Selection Ceremony was conducted on the opening day of the term, allowing students to input their data into a modified magical device. The device then assigned a weapon suited to its owner. If a suitable weapon was already possessed, nothing would happen. The array of weapons spanned from simple, minor ones to tools for creating weapons, and even anti-aircraft equipment. There were rumors that some had even obtained rare relics from the ancient warriors in the Archaic War, which were incredibly hard to come by. Initially, Esther had no personal weapon; his possessions were all books, making him highly interested in this ceremony.

    ‘Wonder if they expect me to smack people with a novel during a fight,’ he mused inwardly, secretly admiring the creativity of those faculties’ parents, especially when the conversational partner is trying hard not to smile.

    "Isn't this a bit too much? The punishment seems overly harsh."

    "The schedule announced online required you to bring your belongings early on, but it seems you did nothing. I'll give you until midnight today... As for your accommodation, it's over there," the Director said, disregarding his protest and pointing towards a shabby building behind Esther. "Take your belongings there to the storage room."

    Esther gaped at the indicated destination, a single-story brick and mortar building tinged grey as if stained by smoke. Its appearance and size resembled public restrooms at a gas station, marked by bullet holes, partially erased magic circles, huge burn marks, and dozens of bloodstains around, including a solitary iron door and no windows...

    It hardly looked like living quarters.

    My goddess...

    "Er... is that hole near the roof supposed to be a window?" he muttered before noticing the elderly man reaching into his robe and tossing a key through the screen in an impossible manner, forcing Esther to catch it incredulously.

    A sleek black key, its shape was more akin to etched letters attached to a handle than something meant to unlock doors. Worse, it reeked of blood, revulsion doubling for Esther.

    Despite his astonishment at the direct transmission technique, his irritation with the rotten room as his living space utterly overshadowed it.

    "Don't look so glum... It's all yours now. You could stay there till your fourth year without complaints."

    'This damn toilet building?'

    He held the key, shaking his head, letting his already unruly hair become even messier. He looked at the key as if questioning his fate. After a moment, Esther opted to leave the Director and the professor in frustration.

    "Oh, before you go, there are some rules about that room. It has been problematic before, so from this moment, under the authority of the Director, you're 100% responsible for that room and everything in it. If anything happens because of the stuff inside, you'll have to handle and be accountable for it, as the faculty has no rights to it whatsoever. That key in your hand is part of the room too. Take good care of it."

    Er... If a lion came out and bit someone, that was on me, too?

    "Take it easy," the other party said, seeing his expression. "I haven't checked it for a while. If you can't stand it, sleep outside. But you still need to keep the key with you. And since you're missing the Weapon Selection Ceremony, maybe you'll find something in there to use temporarily. That could be a good opportunity. I don't know what kind of secrets are hidden in there."

    So, no responsibility for the place at all, huh Mister? This room's issues weren't enough already?

    "I get how you feel, but it's your fault," the interlocutor said, smiling smugly. "No matter how tough it gets, don't hesitate to seize what you want. This place is meant for battle. If you hesitate, death will come to you before success. Remember, you're on the battlefield, not just in a classroom."

    "Understood," Esther responded loudly, in contrast to his true feelings.

    "Welcome to the University of War..."

    Even though Esther was puzzled by many of the Director's words, he preferred not to dwell on them, focusing instead on finding his way out. The last thing he thought of was that even if he were to blow up the building, nobody would complain, and certainly, it was not as easy as he imagined.

    'A strange premonition, but whatever.'

    He bid farewell to the two professors and set off to bring his belongings in time.

    After Esther had left…

    "Director, what are you playing now? Suddenly assigning that cursed storage building, and not even the faculty dares enter. Yet you assigned it to a freshman. What are you thinking?" The kind-hearted witch professor asked with a tense voice.

    "Calm down, Prof. Reina,” the Director shrugged, even though he felt odd about his own idea. "That room's issue has been resolved, and the case is closed. The kid isn't particularly exceptional; his test scores were mediocre. I was just messing with him. If he comes to file a complaint, I'll move him to the dorms then. Ha ha ha."

    "But you're not planning to take that key back, are you? Just having that key is like being halfway to hell for that kid."

    "I just wanted to test if the students this year are more capable than the last," the elderly man's face showed clear anticipation in his words.

    "Last year, someone barely managed to escape; even those punished by me for minor offenses at the university and assigned just to watch the door of that building ended up in shock over trivial matters. This is a University of War; I don't want it filled with weaklings. Fearing the shit out of them by a small building like a public toilet at a gas station... if that kid really manages to stay, it would be a miracle. Previous years' seniors wouldn't stand being outdone by a junior achieving what they couldn't. It's a form of personnel development, ha ha ha." When Prof. Reina heard the Director's explanation, she immediately shook her head.

    "I bet he won't last two weeks. Want to take that bet?" the scheming Director challenged with amusement.

    "I think he could make it. I see potential in that kid. Director, don't underestimate my judgment," the plump witch replied with a satisfied tone. "I give up on other matters, but I'm confident about this ability of mine."

    "Then we'll see," the elderly man replied, glancing towards the old building about to welcome a new member.

"That girl is anything but ordinary."