Chapter 14
The First Roll Call at the DormitoryThe First Roll Call at the Dormitory
Attention Needed
The words were clearly inscribed on the yellow badge.
"What is this? Attention Needed?"
Could it be what I think it is? I was so taken aback that I couldn't even laugh. I just stared blankly at the badge.
Looking at this badge reminded me of “attention soldiers” during my military days. Nowadays, soldiers call each other warriors, and this seemed somewhat related. In the military, recruits would often get smiley badges or yellow armbands to signify their adaptation period.
This badge probably had a similar meaning.
"Derke, did other students get this badge too?"
"No... The professor gave it only to me..."
Derke's voice was barely audible as she answered. Her face flushed with embarrassment.
She might not fully understand its meaning, but she could sense it was something shameful.
Her reaction made it clear.
It was a label indicating she needed special attention due to expected adaptation difficulties. The professor had singled her out, drawing unnecessary attention.
What kind of professor would give such a badge to a new student? It made me question their qualifications as an educator.
"Guess dragons aren't that different after all."
"Do you also find it unpleasant that I'm a Death Dragon's descendant?"
"No, not at all. If I did, why would I give you cookies and biscuits?"
"R-Really?"
"Don't worry about it. To me, you're like a lucky charm."
"Really?!"
Derke's green eyes sparkled like stars at my reassurance. Feeling a bit relieved, she took another biscuit from the bag and munched on it.
She was as simple-minded as a hatchling barely 200 years old.
[Your bond with the target has increased.]
See? Thanks to my comforting words and the biscuits, her affection for me rose again.
She was probably equivalent to a human elementary school student.
Thankfully, she was simple-minded. If she had cried all night, it would have been problematic.
And she really was a lucky charm. If I hadn't encountered Derke yesterday, I wouldn't have thought about taming dragons with Beast Taming.
Otherwise, I would have spent the next 50 years brewing coffee while growing old.
"By the way, Derke, what brings you here so late?"
"I wanted to see you all day! When I smell your scent, it feels like dad is nearby!"
"Oh, I see..."
Being ostracized on her first day of school must have been tough. No wonder she came to find me.
Despite her quirky nature, it was heartbreaking to see such a cute girl labeled as "Attention Needed."
"You should have come earlier if you felt that way."
"I was too busy! Getting my uniform, my textbooks, there was so much to do!"
Derke, now rejuvenated, chattered away. As she gestured in the air, clouds formed into the shapes of uniforms and books.
"...And above all, I heard that the break room is a scary place only for seniors!"
"Huh? Really?"
Was the break room only for seniors? This was news to me. I had no idea.
The more I learned, the more it seemed like a parody of the military, full of bad habits.
"That's why I waited outside until all the seniors left!"
"If I had known, I would have come out sooner..."
"It's okay! Seeing your face makes me feel better!"
"Haha, that's a relief. Anyway, Derke, it's almost time for roll call. Let's head back to the dorm."
Though it was a brief encounter, I had to bid farewell to Derke. It was almost time for the evening roll call.
"I don't want to go..."
"If you miss the roll call, we'll both be in trouble. Be good, okay?"
"Okay..."
***
The academy dormitory resembled a castle. It had been eerie just yesterday, but now the building buzzed with life.
Every window that had seemed dark and foreboding was now lit. It looked like everyone had settled in.
'How did they find their rooms without an assignment chart?'
Whatever, if something went wrong, the staff would have contacted me.
"Alright, go inside now."
"Okay... I don't know what roll call is, but I'll listen."
Ten minutes before roll call.
Derke, emboldened by my escort, ran into her room. I decided to enter a bit later.
Entering the dorm with me might make her more of a target for teasing.
"Wow, it's so lively here."
I lingered outside for about three minutes before slowly making my way in.
The dormitory was a bit chaotic. Kids about Derke's size ran through the first-floor hallways.
Hahaha! Eeeek-♪
The atmosphere was akin to a kindergarten. Little ones around 200 years old scurried around as soon as I stepped in.
They were young, but there was something else noticeable.
More horns and tails were visible on these kids compared to the seniors.
One even had tiny wings sprouting from their back.
It felt like seeing a blend between humans and dragons.
To be precise, everyone except Derke had some dragon feature.
'Kids sure have energy. Aren't they tired?'
They ran around regardless of my presence.
Screech, thud!
I entered the supervisor's office to start roll call.
A small sanctuary about 15 square meters in size, with just a bed and a desk.
"What's this?"
A paper on the desk caught my eye.
Student Dormitory Assignment Chart
Apparently, the administrative office had delivered it while I was sweating it out in the break room. I had seen something posted on the dorm bulletin board earlier...
The students probably found their rooms using this chart.
'Distributing it on the day itself...'
I wanted to have a word with those responsible for this.
But there was still work to be done.
The time was now exactly 8:30 PM. Time to start roll call.
As a human supervisor for dragon students.
"Let's get started."
Click!
[RRRRRING—!!!]
When I pressed the red button on the office wall, loud chimes rang from the speakers in each hallway.
The chimes only rang twice a day. Wake-up call and evening roll call.
The once noisy first floor fell silent.
They must have all returned to their rooms. The silence was blissful.
'No need to get nervous. It'll be fine.'
I reassured myself, relying on the manual for guidance. I had practiced my duties through simulations.
The real task was to physically check each floor and confirm the students' presence.
Gulp!
I couldn't help but feel nervous.
A human managing dragons? This was insane.
I needed to tread carefully and finish quickly. All I had to do was check attendance.
Step, step...
As I walked down the central hallway, I heard a voice.
"First-year reporting!"
"…?"
A first-year hatchling in uniform saluted with a firm voice. Little horns protruded from her forehead.
Behind her, first-year students stood outside their rooms.
"Ah, report."
My military habit kicked in. I returned the salute and casually spoke.
"First-year roll call report! Total: 10! No absences!"
The little hatchling, about Derke's size, shouted. This was military-style.
'Was the academy always like this?'
I tilted my head. Maybe this was more of a military academy.
There was a giant arena instead of a sports field. And a weapons depot I had yet to visit.
It seemed like a military institution.
"Hm? What's this?"
The hatchling's shoulder strap had a small green badge, like Derke's but green.
"This is a badge the professor gave me for being the first-year representative!"
Class Representative
The badge bore those words.
She was probably the smartest kid.
Why were they so formal with a human like me? Not that I minded.
"Any other issues?"
"No, sir! And..."
"Yes?"
"I apologize for not recognizing you, sir!"
The representative bowed deeply.
"...The professor said you have authority over conduct scores, so we should listen to you..."
Ah, that explained it.
They were concerned about conduct scores.
Though I doubted the seniors would listen to me...
"That's alright. What's your name, class rep?"
"First-year representative, Tina!"
Tina's voice echoed down the hall. Her enthusiasm made me smile.
They were like recruits, knowing nothing. And I was like a stern drill instructor.
"Alright, Tina. Is that all for today?"
"Yes, sir! No other issues!"
Despite everything, they were dragons. I couldn't be too casual.
I planned to win over Tina, the first-year rep, gradually.
Because...
"Good. Who shares a room with Derke?"
"Derke's roommate is me, Tina!"
The assignment chart confirmed it.
It just worked out well.
Derke's roommate is the first-year representative.
Having Tina 'the first-year representative' as Derke's roommate would help prevent her from being bullied.