64 Osp Day 1 - In The House (1/2)
One of the teachers called out something. I saw fellow students bowing in response and hastily did the same.
Keiran gestured for us to take a seat and keep our eyes forward. Everyone, including his teachers, sat down. He remained standing to address the crowd.
His image was as sophisticated and stylish in his navy gentleman suit as the first day I had seen him at the Doll Shop. I glanced to Alina and noticed her paying particular attention to his words. My attention wandered around to other girls at our table and saw similar expressions. It seems Keiran had some fans.
”Welcome back students for those who are with us for another year. I would also like to welcome new students to the fold.” Keiran smoothly welcomed the ma.s.ses with his hands and voice that had some of the girls gus.h.i.+ng.
I mean yeah the old geezer was good looking, but he paled in comparison with Leinard. My heart fluttered at the thought of my colonel. I shook off the thought and returned my focus to Keiran's address.
”Before we commence with lunch, some house-keeping matters to go over.”
My mind began to wander and eyes droop with boredom as he waffled on about grounds, barriers and rules of staying within grounds until permitted otherwise. It seemed all the students were confined to a dormitory within the grounds somewhere. His hands talked about soap waste and other stuff that didn't interest me.
”Now, for new students. About your houses.”
I yawned and copped an elbow jab from Death to pay attention.
Keiran explained what each banner meant, which was pretty much self explanatory. The tables we sat at were the primary magic skill we held strong apt.i.tude towards and were learning with the aim of being a specialist in that skill. However, everyone was required to learn cakra magic when they reached their senior years before graduating from a Page (the rank of all students) to a Knight-Ensign rank and becoming part of a working squad.
He turned to face the banners and waved his hands back and forth before them. Silver numbers sparkled beneath the animal symbols.
”Sixty Nine?” I signed, finding that number oddly funny.
It seemed some of the other boys on the table did too with their momentary chuckles.
We learned that these were 'house point numbers' that were awarded to students whenever they displayed ethical and good behaviour or when they achieved a winning result in sport matches. The house that received the most points were awarded a huge celebration in town and dorm privileges that seemed a big kind of win. It definitely got a lot of my peers buzzing with excitement.
”Settle down.” Keiran firmly brought order back to the crowd.
He added a bit more boring house keeping pointers before saying some golden words.
”Without further ado, enjoy your lunch everyone.”
On cue, a number of animachines entered the hall, wheeling in trays of steaming and delicious smelling food.
My eyes lit up with delight at the tray placed before me of savoury mashed potatoes, steam vegetables, stewed fruit and ice cream! I clapped my hands in a thankful prayer at the plate of ganmodoki piled high before my eyes. They were fat sized patties too.