As they climbed the stairs, the wood creaked gently underfoot. The hallway stretched long and tidy, each door marked neatly with carved numbers and windows overlooking the courtyard. Just as Naomi stopped before Room 7, a familiar voice echoed from behind.
"Wait—Shaun?!"
Shaun turned, blinking in surprise. "Sabastian?!"
Standing near a doorway with a laundry basket in his arms was Sabastian, his blue hair tied loosely back. His eyes widened before lighting up in disbelief. "I knew that voice! What in the world are you doing here?"
Shaun laughed. "Moving in. You live here too?"
"Since the first day of the academy!" Sabastian said cheerfully. "Room 6—just next to yours. Talk about coincidence."
Naomi raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained. "I take it you two already know each other?"
"Yes, my lady," Sabastian said quickly, setting the basket aside. "We're classmates—and friends."
"Good," Naomi replied, smiling warmly. "It's always pleasant when residents arrive with friends already by their side."
Before she could say more, a soft bell chimed from the reception below. Naomi sighed lightly and turned toward the staircase. "That'll be another visitor. Excuse me for a moment, boys."
As she descended, her voice drifted up softly. "Shaun, once you've settled in, join us in the common hall for dinner."
"Understood!" he called back.
Once she disappeared down the staircase, Sabastian turned to Shaun, still half-stunned. "You didn't tell me you were joining this dorm!"
Shaun blinked. "I did! Remember, I mentioned I'd be visiting Lady Naomi's dormitory soon?"
Sabastian scratched his head, embarrassed. "Oh—oh, right! You did say that, didn't you? I guess I wasn't listening properly that day… I was too distracted, hanging around with those noble idiots. My bad."
Shaun crossed his arms with a playful smirk. "Figures. At least now I know where all that focus went."
Sabastian laughed, rubbing his neck. "Hey, can you blame me? Anyway, I'm glad you're here. This place was starting to feel a bit too quiet."
Shaun smiled, holding up his key. "Room 7, huh? Guess we're neighbours now."
"Perfect," Sabastian said. "Once you settle in, come by my room. I'll show you around."
Shaun grinned. "Sounds like a plan. Lead the way, roommate-next-door."
The two laughed as they walked down the hall together, golden afternoon light streaming through the windows.
**********
Shaun unlocked his new room—Room 7—and stepped inside. It was simple but neat: a single bed tucked beside the window, a sturdy wooden desk, and a blue curtain swaying gently with the breeze. A small flower pot rested on the windowsill, holding a budding white lily. The faint scent of clean linen filled the air.
Shaun ran his hand across the desk's surface and smiled softly. "Feels… peaceful."
"Not bad, right?" Sabastian's voice came from the doorway. He leaned against the frame, grinning. "Rooms here are plain, but Lady Naomi keeps everything spotless. I've seen her scold a disciple once for leaving mud prints in the hallway—he cleaned floors for a week after that."
Shaun chuckled. "I can imagine. She's kind but strict in her own way."
"You got that right." Sabastian stepped inside, balancing a small plate of dried fruits in his hand. "Anyway, come by my room for a bit—Room 6. It's right next door."
**********
Shaun followed him inside. Sabastian's room was almost identical in layout, though the space felt warmer—books neatly stacked on a shelf, a few seashells arranged along the windowsill, and a small hand-painted wooden boat resting on the desk.
A small painting hung on the wall: a family portrait framed in simple oak. A man with rugged features and sun-weathered skin smiled proudly beside a woman with gentle blue eyes and a younger girl with blue hair tied in pigtails.
Shaun's eyes softened. "That's your family?"
Sabastian nodded, his tone growing quieter. "Yeah. My father, Silver Seaborne, is fisherman back in Mariana Town. My mother, Karla, takes care of home. And that little one there is my sister, Pearl—ten years old and already boss of the house."
He chuckled, his gaze lingering on the portrait. "She used to follow me everywhere when I went to the docks. Said she wanted to be a Water Magus like me one day. Guess I'll have to live up to that now."
Shaun smiled warmly. "You will. She sounds amazing."
Sabastian turned the question back with curiosity. "What about you? You mentioned you're from Nuzzle Village, right?"
"Yeah." Shaun leaned against the wall, a faint nostalgia flickering across his face. "My father, Sharek Thunderhawk, works the fields. My mother's a housewife—Sarah. And my little brother, Rico…"
He paused, shaking his head with a grin. "Let's just say he's the energy plant of our house. If you ever hear loud laughter from miles away, that's probably him."
Sabastian laughed. "Sounds like you've got a lively home."
"I do," Shaun said softly. "And I miss them sometimes. But I came here to grow stronger—so one day they can be proud to call me the World's Strongest Magus."
Sabastian raised an eyebrow playfully. "Still chasing that dream, huh?"
"Always," Shaun replied, grinning.
"So how did you end up here, Shaun? The Leafsong Nest isn't exactly next to the academy."
Shaun leaned back a little. "My father's friend told him about this place—said it's one of the safest and most disciplined dorms around. Once he heard Lady Naomi runs it, he didn't even let me argue."
Sabastian laughed. "Yeah, that sounds like my father too. He'd heard of this dorm long before I even got accepted into Silver Heaven. He wrote a letter to Lady Naomi himself, asking her to keep a room for me."
Shaun grinned. "So we both got here thanks to our dads' instincts."
"Guess they know what's best for us," Sabastian said with an easy smile. "Even if it means living under someone scarier than an academy instructor."
Shaun laughed softly. "You're not wrong about that."
**********
The two fell into easy conversation, talking about the dorm's routines and residents.
Sabastian leaned back in his chair. "So here's the thing—there are eight rooms in the boys' building, same for the girls'. But right now, only five of us stay here. Four are upper-year magi who already graduated last month. They're just waiting for their Magus Certificates—should get them in a couple of days. Once they're gone…"
He exhaled, tapping the side of his cup. "…I'll be the only one left. Honestly, I wasn't looking forward to that."
Shaun looked up, smiling. "Guess fate didn't want you to be alone, then."
Sabastian grinned. "Yeah, looks like I got lucky. You'll make this place less quiet."
"Glad to be of service," Shaun said, chuckling. Their laughter filled the small room—simple, genuine, unforced.
Through the open window, the gentle hum of evening cicadas mixed with the rustle of the dormitory's garden leaves. For the first time since arriving, Shaun felt that The Leafsong Nest wasn't just a dormitory—it really was what its sign promised: a second home for young birds. After talking for a while longer, Shaun stretched his arms and stood up.
"We should probably head downstairs," Sabastian said, glancing at Shaun. "Lady Naomi might need hand with something. Everyone here helps out—it's kind of rule."
Shaun smiled, nodding. "Yeah, good idea. Wouldn't hurt to lend a hand."
The two made their way toward the stairway. The soft wooden boards creaked under their steps, and faint sunlight filtered through the narrow hallway windows. The peaceful hum of the dorm was suddenly broken by a familiar voice echoing from below.
"Hey—mind giving me a hand with this luggage?"
Shaun froze mid-step. Wait… that voice— Both he and Sabastian leaned over the railing and blinked in disbelief.
Standing in the main hall, carrying a stack of neatly packed bags, was none other than Shaumin, his brown hair slightly tousled from travel, a calm grin tugging at his lips.
"Shaumin!?" Shaun blurted, rushing down the stairs. "What in the world are you doing here!?"
Sabastian followed, equally startled. "Don't tell me you got kicked out of your mansion already?"
Shaumin chuckled, setting his luggage down near the reception counter. "Not quite. Starting today, I'll be living here at The Leafsong Nest."
Both Shaun and Sabastian exchanged a look of complete confusion.
"You… a noble… in a dormitory like this?" Sabastian said incredulously. "You're not joking, right?"
Shaumin smirked. "Do I look like I'm joking? You two talk like it's a crime for me to live among commoners."
Shaun frowned, still trying to wrap his head around it. "But why? You have everything—a big house, servants, your own room at the estate. Why would you choose a plain dorm like this?"
Shaumin straightened, his usual confident tone softening just slightly. "Because I wanted something different. I told you before—I don't want a life cushioned by luxury. I want adventure, experience, the real world. And…"
His gaze met Shaun's, a faint smile forming. "…when I heard you were moving in, I made up my mind. Thought it'd be good to start my journey from same place as you."
Shaun blinked, momentarily speechless. "You mean… you joined because of me?"
Shaumin shrugged casually. "Why not? Traveling with friends is more exciting than doing it alone."
With that, he pulled a small leaf-shaped key from his pocket and dangled it in front of them. The tag shimmered faintly with the engraved number 8, a rolled parchment tied neatly to it.
"Room 8," Shaumin said proudly. "Looks like we're all neighbours now."
Sabastian laughed. "You've gotta be kidding me—room 6, 7, and 8. We're practically a block!"
Shaun grinned widely. "Guess the universe really wants us stuck together, huh?"
"Seems like it," Shaumin replied, adjusting his bag strap with a smirk.
A faint bell rang from the reception, signaling evening tea time. Naomi's voice called from the hall, calm but firm,
"Boys! I hope you're not plotting trouble already."
The three exchanged a quick look before laughing in unison.
Sabastian leaned toward the others. "How about a little boys' outing? The marketplace near the academy should still be open. Let's grab some snacks before the curfew bell."
Shaun grinned. "I'm in."
Shaumin nodded, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Lead the way, then."
And as the three stepped out of the dorm together—sunlight dimming into gold behind them—Shaun couldn't help but feel a quiet spark inside. For the first time, he wasn't just another disciple. He was part of something new—a friendship that felt like it might just last a lifetime.
**********