Chapter 5

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Translated by Sylph

Read only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net.
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After the staff called Evi, they handed the documents to another staff member who was waiting and asked for guidance.

“Hello? Nice to meet you. I’m called Melody. Please take care of me.”

Melody reached out her hand while grinning.

There was no sign of reluctance in her gaze as she looked at Evi with a lively impression.

Feeling a good vibe, Evi cautiously took her hand.

Then Melody shook the held hand vigorously.

A smile came out naturally at the cheerful shaking. Watching that, Melody slowly began the guidance.

“I saw the documents. You came from Elam. Wasn’t it hard coming all the way here?”

“Yes. Rather, it was enjoyable. It was the first time I’ve come this far, and especially to the capital.”

“Yes, yes, the capital is wonderful. It must have been even more enjoyable if it was your first time. Now then, while we go to the lodging, I’ll give you a slow introduction to the Gifted Center.”

Melody took out a book from the briefcase she was holding and handed it to Evi.

“If you turn over the cover, you’ll see a map of the Gifted Center. There are many buildings and the building is different for each class, so it might take a bit of time to memorize at first. But there will be people helping in various places, so ask anytime if there’s something you don’t know.”

“Yes.”

Evi looked for the map while answering.

In the map, the names of dozens of large and small buildings were written along with what lecture halls and classes were held there.

Melody smiled at the sight of Evi looking at the map diligently.

It was the moment she was about to say that she could memorize it slowly.

“I’ve memorized it all. Thank you for showing me.”

Evi cautiously closed the book and then returned it to Melody.

“You memorized it all?”

Melody’s voice grew large in surprise. Then she muttered while bursting into a hollow laugh.

“Well, it’s a child of the Gifted Center. I forgot because it’s been so long since I met one.”

The Gifted Center is a place where all the children said to be smart in the Empire are gathered.

Naturally, there were children among them whose memorization ability was exceptionally superior.

‘Even so, it’s incredibly fast.’

In the map, the names of buildings, classrooms, and ongoing classes, as well as the offices and names of subject professors, were all written, so in fact it was half like an instruction manual.

Yet she memorized it all.

Swallowing her surprise, Melody returned the book to Evi again.

“You don’t have to return that. It’s an instruction manual for the Gifted Center that is distributed to all children who enter. Not just the map, but the school rules of the Gifted Center and basic explanations about life in the Imperial Palace are all written there.”

Evi’s eyes grew round at the words that it was a book distributed to everyone.

“Then is this mine?”

“Of course. You see the space to write your name inside the cover at the bottom, right? Write your name first later when you go to the lodging. This book is only given once, so be careful not to lose it.”

“Yes!”

At Melody’s answer, Evi touched the book held in her hand with a joyful expression.

‘I don’t have to return it.’

When she was in the orphanage, books were always borrowed from the library of the upper school.

Therefore, to Evi, a book was always something that had to be returned.

But her own book.

There weren’t even many books in the orphanage, but even those were just books in a state where they almost had to be thrown away after being passed around and read by many people.

Moreover, because they were all picture books made of short and easy sentences, they were books read by children younger than Evi.

Even that, didn’t the Director set a time and not give them because they fought saying they would each see it?

Evi looked further into the book.

The cover of the book was covered with high-quality leather.

The title ‘Gifted Center Guidebook’ was a new book with gold leafing that sparkled and the corners of the book were reinforced with solid metal.

Evi hugged the book with force.

She felt sorry for the Director who had seen her off with worried eyes, but Evi already liked this place too much.

When Evi couldn’t hide her smile, Melody smiled along and said.

“It’s troublesome if you’re that happy with just one book. There’s a pile of things to receive in the future.”

“Pardon? Are there more things to receive?”

“Of course. A simple notice about life in the Gifted Center must have gone before you came; did you read it? By any chance, do you remember what the sentence at the very top was?”

There was no way she didn’t know.

Wasn’t it because of that sentence that she thought she must surely go to the Gifted Center?

“During the stay in the Gifted Center, all food, clothing, and shelter…”

“Will be provided by the Gifted Center.”

Melody, who completed the sentence following Evi’s words, spoke vigorously.

“Now then, this time, let’s go to receive textbooks, stationery, and uniforms!”

At Melody’s words, Evi answered with a loud voice while making an infinitely happy smile.

“Yes!”

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“We’re all here. This is the dormitory of the Gifted Center.”

Melody pointed at the building in front of her while holding large bags in both hands.

“Is this… the dormitory?”

Evi looked at the building, unable to shut her mouth.

The only dormitory Evi had seen in her life was the dormitory of the Elam City upper school.

In fact, it was just a building made to stay as many people as possible, which was just in better condition than the building of the orphanage she lived in, angular and with no particular characteristics.

So she thought in her heart that the dormitory of the Gifted Center would also be in a similar form.

But the building in front of Evi now was a beautiful building that wouldn’t fall behind any Gifted Center building.

Evi, who was staring blankly, hurriedly followed behind Melody.

“Let’s see, it’s around here…”

Even while following behind Melody, Evi was busy looking around.

‘The space between doors is incredibly wide!’

Not only that.

The red carpet laid in the corridor she was walking was fluffier and softer than the blanket she always covered herself with while sleeping.

Evi’s footsteps were light as if she felt like she was walking on clouds.

“Ah, here it is. Unit 305.”

In front of the door where Melody stopped, Evi had no choice but to be surprised once again.

‘It’s big. And incredibly splendid.’

Could this really be the door of the dormitory?

Although she had seen them all along the way, when it was said to be the door of the room where she would stay, that splendor touched her even more.

“I’m sorry, but would you open the door? There’s too much luggage.”

At Melody’s words, Evi pressed her thumping chest and grabbed the handle.

Click.

The handle turned smoothly while making a small sound.

The heavy door opened easily even with just Evi’s weak strength.

When the door was fully opened, warm air brushed past Evi’s cheek.

“Wow…!”

She had made preparations in her heart in her own way, but an exclamation ended up bursting out.

“This is my room…”

Evi thought of the picture books she used to see in the orphanage.

The princess’s room drawn in the picture book.

Even that room was not more splendid than this.

On the high ceiling, which could only be seen by tilting her head up, there were plenty of beautiful paintings.

The walls were covered with soft wallpaper in elegant patterns, and in the wide window where the garden was visible, thick curtains that looked as soft as the carpet were hung.

Evi went inside as if possessed.

Although she had guessed since the space between doors was wide, the inside was not just a single room.

If one opens the door and enters, there was another door on both sides of a wide space that served as an entrance.

When Evi looked at Melody as if asking if it was okay to open, she, who followed inside, nodded her head.

“There are two rooms each. Because it’s a rule that two people use one unit. Since we came first, we can choose any side. Which room do you want to use?”

“Either side is fine.”

“Then shall we use the right room? Because the fountain in the center of the garden will be better visible from this side.”

Melody’s words were just amazing to Evi.

That one can choose a room for such a reason.

In the orphanage, small children used small rooms and big children used big rooms.

She had never separately cared about the scenery outside the window, and she couldn’t choose the room herself.

Yet to be able to choose such a wonderful place for the reason that the fountain is better visible.

Evi opened the right door Melody spoke of.

Along with the warm air, a sweet scent of flowers was felt.

Beyond the door, there was a large bed and beside it was a desk made of dark-colored wood.

Evi stood still and put the appearance of the room into her eyes.

Compared to the splendor of the entrance, the room was on the plain side. However, because of that, Evi liked it even more.

The entrance was a place she couldn’t even dream of, but right here was the most wonderful room of her own that she had imagined many times.

A place that was warm and fragrant, and where there was a bed of her own and a desk of her own.

Evi clenched both hands tightly.

She sincerely wanted to stay here for a very long time.