I rode close to the sidewalk, lines of expensive cars and decorated carriages driving by, all in the same direction. They weren't driving too quickly, nor did they go at a particularly frustrating pace. It was almost reminiscent of a parade.

Must be the students' belongings.

The kingdom had done an average job of moving towards something closer to a meritocracy, prestigious academies like Marivik accepting more from those of the "common" class, but nobility is...nobility. Elitism is still prevalent, and after a few years this move-in day display has basically become tradition.

Cars were available, of course, but horse-drawn carriages were popular. Those who used carriages - the most expensive (and most tedious) modes of transportation - were usually from generational aristocratic families. It wasn't only for beauty; using a carriage was an important power-play, and honestly, in nine out of ten cases, it was to signal to other noble families, showcasing that might was still held.

I swept my eyes over the passing carriages, making sure to check out the various crests covering each one. Which family was still in power, which ones' influence had waned - I had to know this much, at least.

I hope my stuff hasn't been shipped in a carriage. Have to call mom and ask later.

It wasn't long before the Academy's housing quarters came into view. In total, there were ten big Houses with a similar style as the main academy building, each holding hundreds of students.

I drove through the paved paths while enjoying the grand scenery, avoiding any parked cars and carriage horses and movers carrying boxes into rooms opened by Academy staff. Bright banners were tied to baroque lampposts, exquisite calligraphy signaling which House was nearby. It took a couple of dead ends and accidental circles to finally make it to the front of my building: Rosalind.

Rosalind seemed to have a theme of pale blue, although its construction looked to be almost exactly the same as the surrounding Houses. A wave of students had already gathered here too, some helping movers, some instructing them, others simply lazing around the tidy lawn. Best of all...

No main characters in sight! 

I got off my bike and walked it through the nearest arched doorway, happily surprised by the stable-looking bike rack sitting along the wall. What didn't happily surprise me, however, was the long, winding staircase.

...My schedule says I'm in room 311.

After locking in my bike and reclaiming the torment of my heavy briefcase, it was time to take on the two flights of stairs.

Okay!

I took a deep breath, pulling my briefcase towards my chest and pushing off the tiled floor, speeding up as many steps as I could. My goal: the second floor!

Push, step, push, step, push, step...!

I was offered a short reprieve in the form of a landing, although I didn't think twice before jumping onto the next flight.

Push, step, push, step, push, step, p-! No, pause!

The second floor! I tried to ignore the fact that my breathing had become ragged as I stepped out of a passing student's way, watching the girl carry a cardboard box practically at face level. She turned, and I noticed some kind of book peeking out from a tear in the box.

"Wait...!" I trailed off, breathing deeply as the student climbed up out of sight. My hesitant warning was too late and too quiet.

Well, good luck.

Loud voices echoed across the corridors from movers and kids and staff all speaking over one another, their figures flickering along the hallway further away from my position.

I decided to take a few seconds to catc-...to admire the scenery, moving from one side of the landing to the other as I looked up and down the staircase. The walls were covered in paintings, names and dates inscribed under each distinct, original artwork. Flowers, people, cartoon characters...I could even see a particular chunk of wall depicting the realistic likeness of three characters from a well-known series called "Star Battles". Whoever created this game had created a bustling, imaginary world that skillfully evaded copyright.

Well then, time to continue.

I took a short breath, tightening my hold on my briefcase. And then I began again.

Push, step, push, step, push, step...!

Ignore the landing, Shion.

Push, step, push, step, push, step...

Finally, I had - with scarcely concealed heavy breathing - conquered the endless flights of stairs. My poor legs were thankfully spared from walking much further, as less than ten steps were needed to reach the three neat little numbers nailed to the wall at my left: 311. A piece of paper with my name on it was seemingly taped right underneath the door number.

There was a busy wave of people on this floor too, their overlapping words adding a sense of liveliness to the old building as I approached the closed baby blue door. I moved my briefcase to my other hand before reaching out towards the handle. Grabbing it, I pushed down, and then-

Locked.

...I was a little stupid today, wasn't I?

Only after half-heartedly shaking the doorknob a couple of times did I turn away, scanning the weaving, shifting throng of individuals around me. To my luck, a staff member - an upperclassman, most likely - passed by soon after. I opened my mouth, only to close it as the staff member picked something up off the floor and handed it to some student with a shout.

"Hey, you dropped this!"

The student turned around, barely glancing at the notebook before snatching it away with a low thanks and adding it onto the pile of books and journals in his arms.

"Excuse me." I briefly tapped the staff member's arm, ensuring that I had the young woman's attention.

"Oh hi! How can I help you?" Her head whipped towards me, looking tired, but that didn't seem to get in her way much as she glanced at the door directly behind me. "Did you need your key?"

"Yes please."

"No problem...Shion? Can I see your student ID please?"

"Right, one second."

I yanked my phone out of my chest pocket, snapping back its case to remove the plastic card. The shiny 'Year 1' sticker flashed silver as I passed my ID into her expectant hands.

"Perfect, here you go! Welcome to Marivik Academy!" It didn't take long for her to check my picture to my face and she promptly handed me my ID and a small, brass key, the brunette giving me a little wave and a smile as she left down the hectic hallway.

I turned back toward the door once again. After a quick turn of the key and a distinctive 'click', the blue door opened wide, allowing me to, at last, take a look at my living quarters.

It was a small room, just enough for one person. The day's last sunlight faded in through the expansive window at the far wall. A bare mattress laid on a bed on the right, with a wooden desk, small cabinet, and tall wardrobe on the left. Unopened boxes were stacked throughout, the movers probably leaving them here earlier today.

What a pain to unpack...

I set my briefcase on the desk, pushing the chair out to take a seat as I took my cellphone out and dialed. A somewhat flat-sounding voice responded shortly.

"Hello, hello. You took your time calling!"

"Hi mom. I just got to my room."

"Your room? How is it?"

"Not bad. I'll send some pictures later."

"You better! That's what a good daughter ought to do."

I made a sound of acquiescence. She spoke again.

"How were your classes?"

"Classes?" I thought back to my long day, my eyes inadvertently moving towards my desk. "They won't be easy but I think I'll be okay for now."

A sighing hum sounded through the line, her words now slightly drawn out.

"You'll do better than okay, I'm sure." She exhaled. "With you going to this school, I'll be even more bored. You and your brother always did too well. How will I work if you're both too successful? I'll just be bored all day."

I just made another sound of agreement, tracing circles on the hardwood floor with my foot.

The moment of silence between us was broken, the boxes reminding me of a question.

"I've been meaning to ask you: was my stuff brought in a car?"

"No, a carriage. We are a noble family, aren't we?"

A pause.

"Oh."

"Unhappy?"

I gave a hum myself before trying my best to put my thoughts into words.

"No, just...expensive. It's not like we have our own carriage at home. They're expensive to rent." My words turned into a mumble.

"You think I don't know?" Her tone was chiding. "That's exactly what I told your brother. He said to tell you not to worry about it when you called."

"Oh."

"It's your birthday gift from him. He said to consider the cost interest for giving you a late gift."

Another pause.

"I see." I decided to expand on my reaction, "Thank you. I mean, thank him for me."

"Do it yourself when he comes to visit. I'll remind him to see you. I'm hanging up now, I have to bring the laundry back in."

"Okay."

I listened to the beeps of the disconnect tone for a few seconds before moving my phone away from my ear, my head turning towards the bed. It didn't take long for me to stand up and walk across the small room, and with a trust that I could never demonstrate in a trust fall, I fell backward, my arms splayed wide as I plopped down onto the mattress.

And, like a curse, my gaze returned to the myriad of boxes. A deep sigh escaped me.

A/N: Thanks for reading, as always. Please comment as you go, would love to hear your thoughts! I read your comments, promise!