Lucan stretched, a yawn escaping his lips as he surveyed the corridor of the staff dormitory. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting long, dancing shadows on the floor. A sea of cardboard boxes were in front of him. "Alright... let's get the stuff moved in!" he said to himself.
With a key jingling in the lock, Lucan stepped into his new room. It was a one-room apartment, surprisingly spacious, with a separate kitchen and bathroom. The room was bathed in a soft, warm glow, thanks to the large window that looked out onto a small patch of green.
The kitchen was a marvel of modern convenience. A magical water faucet, black countertop. Beside it was a compact stove, perfect for whipping up quick meals.
The living area was simply furnished with a bed, a wardrobe, and a sturdy desk. It was functional, nothing more, nothing less.
He felt bit sad as he realized there was no television, no gaming console. In his past life, he had worked tirelessly, to secure enough funds to make a future filled with gaming marathons and anime binges. He had even toyed with the idea of starting a YouTube channel, sharing his passion with the world. But now, those dreams were will be never come true.
"No TV or air conditioner, huh? Just as expected," he muttered, shaking his head.
Satisfied with his inspection, Lucan stepped back into the corridor. With a glance around to ensure he was truly alone, he selected one of the boxes and carefully pried it open.
Lucan stepped back into the corridor. With a glance around to ensure he was truly alone, he selected one of the boxes and carefully pried it open.
"Hey, you can come out now," he said, his voice gentle.
A peculiar rustling sound emerged from the box, followed by a series of high-pitched chirps. As the lid was lifted, a flock of tiny, feathered creatures burst forth. They were not ordinary birds, but miniature, humanoid avian beings with large, curious eyes. They fluttered around the room, their wings making a soft rustling sound.
"Chirp, chirp!" they exclaimed in unison, their voices sounding like a chorus of tiny bells.
These were no ordinary pets; they were intelligent, sentient beings. He had received them as a gift from his oldest brother.
"Alright, little guys," Lucan said, "Let's get this place set up."
The tiny creatures understood his words. They began to work diligently, lifting and carrying boxes with surprising strength. They even managed to fold clothes and hang them neatly in the wardrobe. It was a surreal sight, watching these tiny, feathered beings perform domestic chores.
As he watched them work, Lucan's mind drifted to the about academy. Soon, he would be attending the academy, where he would be tasked with teaching unruly game characters. It was going to be annoying.
The main reason would be Maris. She was known as the most beautiful woman in the academy, with many boys trying to ger her attention. Now as Maris guardian, he lived with her, so of course this would make many boys jealous and might try to prank or stupid things to provoke Lucan.
"Chirp!" one of the birds interrupted his thoughts, offering him a small, glowing fruit.
Lucan accepted gratefully. "Thanks," he said. "You've been a huge help."
With the apartment finally organized, Lucan took a moment to relax. He was surrounded by his belongings.
Lucan took a moment to enjoy the serenity of his newly organized apartment, but his mind was already planning the next move. His thoughts drifted to Xue Lan, the biology teacher who had kindly shown him around the dormitory. He figured it would be a good idea to invite her over for dinner—both as a thank you and a way to get to know his new colleague better for future use.
"Well, no time like the present," he said to himself, grabbing a bottle of wine he had tucked away in one of the boxes.
He made his way to the second floor, where Xue Lan's room was located. As he ascended the stairs, he noticed how quiet the dormitory was. Most of the staff were still enjoying the last days of summer vacation, so the building felt almost deserted. Lucan reached Xue Lan's door and knocked lightly. Searᴄh the Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
There was a rustling sound from within, followed by the sound of footsteps approaching the door. When Xue Lan opened it, Lucan was taken aback. She stood there, her face flushed, with beads of sweat trickling down her forehead. Her usually immaculate hair was slightly tousled, and her clothes clung to her body, soaked through with perspiration.
It was clear that she had been working hard or perhaps engaging in some intense physical activity.
"Lucan!" she exclaimed, a bit surprised. "I wasn't expecting you."
"Sorry for the intrusion," Lucan said, quickly recovering from his surprise. "I was just wondering if you'd like to join me for dinner tonight. I wanted to thank you for showing me around earlier."
Xue Lan smiled, wiping her brow with the back of her hand. "That sounds lovely, but as you can see, I'm a bit of a mess right now."
Lucan waved off her concern. "No worries, I can wait. You should take your time to freshen up."
"Thank you, Lucan," she replied, a hint of relief in her voice. "Give me a few minutes to get cleaned up, and I'll come by your room."
Lucan nodded and returned to his apartment, setting the table and preparing a simple meal. Tonight, he decided on a light, refreshing dinner: a crisp salad with a tangy vinaigrette, a pasta dish with a simple tomato and basil sauce, and some freshly baked bread. He placed the wine bottle on the table, alongside two glasses.
As he was putting the finishing touches on the meal, there was a knock at the door. Lucan opened it to find Xue Lan, now looking much more composed. She had changed into a light, flowing dress and had tied her hair back into a neat bun. The only trace of her earlier exertion was the slight flush that still colored her cheeks.
"Come on in," Lucan said, stepping aside to let her enter. "I hope you're hungry."
Xue Lan smiled warmly. "I am. This smells wonderful, by the way."
They sat down at the table, and Lucan poured them each a glass of wine. For a moment, they ate in comfortable silence, savoring the food and the company.
"So, how are you finding the academy so far?" Xue Lan asked, breaking the silence.
"It's been a bit nostalgic," Lucan admitted. "Coming back here after all these years, seeing how little has changed… It brings back a lot of memories."
"I can imagine," Xue Lan replied. "I felt the same when I started teaching here. It's different being on the other side, isn't it?"
"Definitely," Lucan said, chuckling. "I'm still getting used to the idea that I'm going to be the responsible teacher now."
Xue Lan laughed softly. "You'll get the hang of it. The students can be a handful, but they're also full of potential. It's rewarding to see them grow."
They continued talking long into the evening, discussing everything from their favorite places in the academy to their personal lives. Lucan learned that Xue Lan had a passion for history and had traveled extensively before settling down to teach. In turn, he shared stories from his own life that wouldn't matter if others know.
By the time the night had fully set in, they had finished the wine and most of the food. The conversation had flowed easily.
As she stood to leave, Xue Lan turned to Lucan and said, "I'm glad we had this dinner. It's good to know there's someone here I can count on."
"Likewise," Lucan replied, walking her to the door. "And don't hesitate to drop by anytime. My door's always open."
Xue Lan smiled, m "I'll hold you to that, Lucan. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Xue Lan," he replied, watching as she disappeared down the corridor.
---
"Another woman... Why is Lucan-sama talk to more girls in the capital? Is it bad idea for him to stay in capital?" Maris muttered. In the capital, she saw Lucan talking with more woman than she saw him in last five years when they were in the town.
"But, I'm sure I will be the one who get Lucan-sama, be his wife." Maris said to herself.