Chapter 96: New Home (1/2)
Smoke was pouring out of a fourth story window, and it seemed that there was some kind of commotion going on inside. Sighing, Mike gave quick instructions for Sera to remain with their packs while the other three went in to investigate. If there was a fire, they would need to move quickly.
They entered through the front door, and were greeted by the sight of a tastefully appointed common lounge, complete with an attached kitchen and dining area. It seemed that the majority of the first floor was allocated to these two areas. Strangely enough, there were no people visible on the floor, with the exception of a woman dressed in a maid outfit that was reading in one of the chairs. She looked up curiously when the adventurers burst into the room, but quickly seemed to lose interest.
Feeling slightly confused by this turn of events he started towards a set of stairs set in the back wall. Passing by the second and third floors, he was able to determine that they were composed of hallways with elaborate, numbered doors. These were evidently the residential section of the dorm. It seemed that there were four rooms on each level, suggesting that the rooms themselves were quite spacious.
The fourth floor turned out to be similar, except that most of the landing and a good chunk of the stairs were taken up by people standing around, muttering quietly. There were 7 in total. Three were dressed in the student outfits he'd seen walking around. Another three were women wearing maid outfits like the one on the first floor. The last was a distinguished looking gentleman wearing a suit who was currently pounding on door.
Moving up to join the onlookers, Mike casually asked one of the students, a sleepy looking young man in a blue and grey uniform with an insignia of a crossed paintbrush and quill overlaying a sheet of paper, ”What's going on?”
The man regarded him for a second, before answering. ”I don't know, but I'd guess Lily's experiments backfired again.” He yawned before continuing, ”This is the third explosion this week, but at least it's not toxic smoke this time. I hope they move out of the way soon, I'm late for my nap.”
”Milady! Open this door right now! We've discussed this.” The gentleman was shouting.
”Who is the yelling guy?” Mike asked while simultaneously using Appraise on him.
--------------------------------------
William
Age: 51
Race: Human
Class: Butler Extraordinaire
Title: Man of Sophistication
---------------------------------------
[That can't be a real class….]
The young man gave him another appraising look, ”That's Lilly's head butler, William. They go through this routine every few days.”
”And she gets away with causing explosions constantly?”
”I think she's supposed to be part of some big noble family in her home country, so the staff here at the University can't do much. They moved her out here to minimize the damage, I suppose.” He yawned again.
The butler William was knocked off balance as the door was suddenly thrust open. A wave of smoke rolled through the corridor, driving the majority of the onlookers back. Almost without thinking, Mike used a bit of Air Magic to push the cloud out of an open window at the end of the hallway.
As the smoke dispersed, it revealed a woman dressed in a simple pair of tattered overalls. Numerous stains, burns, and tears of uncertain origins marred the fabric's surface. The woman herself was statuesque, standing close to 180 cm with a broad and curvy frame that was heavily emphasized by her lack of any other clothing besides her coveralls.
Her short black hair was currently sticking straight up into the air, likely due to whatever explosion had taken place. Most of her upper body was streaked with soot, which gave her a reverse raccoon mask appearance when she removed her heavy-looking goggles.
While his gaze unknowingly slid down to the highly visible and generous curve of her bust, he used Appraise again.
------------------------------------
Lilliana Dornovo
Age: 19
Race: Human (Frost Giant)
Class: Alchemical Warrior
Title: Seeker of the Truth
--------------------------------------
[I guess this is what Morris was talking about when he mentioned bloodlines. I wonder if the Frost Giants of this world are anything like the ones from Norse Mythology in my old world.]
He felt a sharp pain in his ribs as Tal jabbed him with an elbow. Evidently he had been staring too long.
Williams paled when he saw the state of his charge, and quickly removed his coat to cover the young woman up. ”Milady! Please! Have some decency.”
Lilly gave a confident laugh, as she ignored the offered coat, ”Ah, William. I'm glad you're here. I think I've made a discovery! Come in! I need a test subject.”
She grabbed the poor butler, and pulled him inside the room, closing the door immediately afterwards.
This seemed to mark an end to festivities as the group of onlookers started to break up. Mike noticed a male student in glasses angrily handing over a few coins to a smug looking female student. Evidently, the drama played out often enough that it had become a source of gambling for the residents.
Sighing internally, Mike did one last Appraise on the sleepy student, before he headed back down to the ground floor.
--------------------------------
Lionel Yuthan