Chapter 15
The Difference in ExperienceThe Difference in Experience
Tina, the first-year representative, had striking black hair that reached her shoulders and red eyes.
She looked like a teenager, similar in age to Derke.
One thing that disappointed me was that she wasn't an SSR-grade dragon.
‘I thought she might be different as the class representative...’
It was a slight letdown, but there were more pressing matters.
There was something I needed to find out through her.
“...Tina?”
I whispered softly into her ear.
“Is there a reason why Derke is being excluded?”
“What? N-No...!”
“Shh, answer quietly.”
“N-No...! I mean, there's no such thing...!”
Despite my request for discretion, Tina practically shouted in surprise, trembling like a leaf.
Maybe because she was still young?
Her reaction made it clear that she was involved in Derke’s exclusion.
‘Lying is written all over your face...’
At least she was showing me respect.
Though they were dragons, young hatchlings seemed easier to handle.
“Is that so? Well, as the class representative, I’m sure you wouldn’t lead the bullying. Right?”
“Y-Yes...! There won’t be... I mean, there wasn’t such a thing!”
“Good. I’ll trust you. As the class representative, I believe you’ll take good care of your classmates.”
I patted Tina’s shoulder gently. With this much of a hint, she probably wouldn't directly participate in bullying anymore.
“...It’s the first day, so I’ll just do a quick check and be on my way.”
“Y-Yes, sir...!”
I casually glanced around the dormitory. The kids' luggage was in disarray, as expected from children.
“Thank you...!”
Derke, who made eye contact with me, waved her hand shyly. I returned a warm smile, trying not to draw attention.
“Everyone, make sure to finish unpacking by tomorrow evening’s roll call. If it's not done properly, I have the authority to issue demerits. Understand?”
“Yes, sir...!”
The young hatchlings responded in unison.
Seeing Tina’s obedient attitude seemed to have influenced the others to take me seriously.
The initial roll call with the first years was successful.
I wasn't sure if they didn’t know I was human or if they were just naïve.
‘Now I feel more like a dorm supervisor. Let’s keep this momentum going!’
I steeled myself and headed for the second floor, hoping it would be just as smooth.
“Second-year reporting.”
Another class representative greeted me, but the tone was different. She didn't even make eye contact.
“...Fifteen students present, no absences. Thank you.”
“...?”
The atmosphere was entirely different from the first floor. The confidence and energy were gone.
At least they were still showing respect, but barely. The others maintained a cold demeanor.
“It’s the first day, so I’ll just do a quick check of the rooms.”
“Sigh, what a hassle...”
As I walked through the hall, checking the rooms, I received unfriendly glances.
The second-year students opened their doors reluctantly, their eyes filled with irritation.
If the first years were like elementary school kids, the second years were like middle schoolers in their rebellious phase.
‘Well, at least there are three SSR-grade dragons here.’
Despite the hostile atmosphere, I mentally checked off the SSR-grade students from the list.
There were no SSR-grade students in the first year. Despite the importance of attributes, basic level (age) also mattered.
After finishing the second-year roll call, I climbed to the third floor.
My confidence was waning with each step. I was genuinely nervous.
And, as expected...
“Third-year, all present.”
“...?”
That was it for the third-year roll call.
It was over before it began. They must have been experienced enough to feel above the formalities.
“Hey, the new dorm supervisor is human? And that white hair... you look pathetic.”
“What did you just say—”
“Enough, let’s just get this over with quickly.”
“...”
The third-year representative's response left me speechless. There was no respect or courtesy.
They were like high school bullies, with their superior attitude.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“...It’s the first day, so I’ll check the rooms. Please cooperate.”
I resorted to using polite language. Their experience demanded it.
Besides, they were dragons.
“Sigh, didn't you hear me? I said let’s wrap this up quickly. Who do you think you are?”
As I proceeded to check the rooms, the third-year representative approached threateningly, her eyes narrowing.
She had black hair in a ponytail and red eyes.
She was about my height, but her presence was intimidating.
It felt like facing a school bully in a dark alley.
“...”
“What, can’t you hear me? I said to wrap it up—”
“...Tiana, stop. If we waste time here, it’s us who will get in trouble.”
Tiana was about to grab my collar when a voice interrupted from behind. It was calm and cold.
“Yeah, Tiana. The new class representative might be annoying, but let's give them a break. They won’t last long anyway.”
Another voice joined in, this one cheerful and carefree.
“...Saira, Layla? What’s it to you two? This is my business.”
I looked towards the source of the voices and saw two women with distinctly different hair colors holding Tiana's shoulders.
Their facial features were similar, but their personalities seemed to be polar opposites.
“Hey, Tiana, we’re just giving you a heads-up. Don’t get cocky just because you’re the new class rep.”
“Yeah, Layla’s right. We’re just reminding you who’s really in charge.”
“Tch... Weren’t you two supposed to be rivals?”
Twins?
My eyes widened at the realization. They were Saira and Layla, familiar names.
‘I remember now!’
I quickly looked at the assignment chart.
I remembered the SSR-grade twin dragons.
The younger sister, Layla, had red hair and wore a red cheongsam with her hair in buns.
The older sister, Saira, wore a simple blue dress. Her serene expression and closed eyes were distinctive.
“By the way, Tiana, isn’t your younger sister in the first year? What’s her name?”
Layla’s sharp teeth flashed as she threw her arm around Tiana, diverting her attention.
Simultaneously...
“Come on, let’s get this over with. You can check our room now.”
Saira invited me in with a smile that felt more like a chill than warmth.
Her voice was polite but lacked genuine kindness.
“...No, thank you. I apologize for the inconvenience.”
I decided to leave it at that. Something felt off.
Besides, the assignment chart showed no other SSR-grade names in the third year except these twins.
There was no reason to linger.
“Good decision. Don’t make the same mistake on the fourth floor...”
Saira’s words were dismissive.
“Well, I’ll be going then...”
I quickly made my way to the fourth floor.
I just wanted to finish the roll call. The fourth years needed to be quick.
Whew, that was intense.
Layla’s lively voice echoed behind me as she chatted with Tiana.
I decided not to mess with the third years from now on.
I was drenched in cold sweat.
I had to wrap up the fourth floor quickly and get out of here.
‘The third-year roll call was suffocating. I must avoid upsetting the fourth years...’
With that resolve, I headed to the fourth floor.
***
The dormitory was unusually noisy during roll call today.
It was taking longer than usual.
Before I became a fourth year, the faculty handled the roll call, just a formality.
But today was different.
Could something have happened...?
The lower floors had been noisy since earlier.
“Sophia? The atmosphere below is strange.”
“Yes, I noticed. Do you think the duty professor is making rounds because it’s the first day?”
“Damn, I was in casual clothes...!”
My peers, peeking out from the hallway, whispered to me, the student council president and class representative.
They must have sensed the unusual situation too.
A roll call that usually took less than ten minutes was dragging on. It was indeed strange.
“I think so too. The duty professor must be making rounds.”
As the student council president and class representative, I had to make a quick decision.
If we were complacent, it wouldn’t end with just demerits. Depending on the professor, we might even face expulsion.
“Everyone, change into your proper attire and prepare for roll call!!”
—First day and this already...?
—Damn! The third years should’ve given us a heads-up!
—We need to have a word with them tomorrow.
—I already want to go home... The break was too short...
My peers sighed and went back to their rooms.
I had to change quickly and get ready for roll call.
Being late could result in severe consequences.
‘Especially since I heard footsteps near the central stairs, I need to hurry.’