Black Solstice-Chapter 33: Cardmaking [2]

Reaching my dorm room, I collapsed onto the bed and sprawled out like a starfish, letting every exhausted muscle melt into the soft mattress.

A quick glance around reminded me just how absurdly luxurious this place was. The entrance alone looked like it belonged in some noble’s manor. A tall, ornate coat stand sat beside a carved shoe rack, both styled in elegant European fashion, giving the room an air of refined hospitality.

The entryway opened into a spacious living area that felt warmer and cozier than any dorm room had the right to be.

A plush sofa faced a mounted Magic Fluorescent Screen, the cushions soft and inviting, draped with warm-toned blankets that softened the room’s atmosphere. A vintage lamp stood beside the sofa, casting a gentle glow that blended with the afternoon sunlight filtering across polished wooden furniture.

My private quarters followed a simple and generous layout. From the living room branched four paths: a bedroom with its own bathroom, a quiet study lined with empty shelves waiting to be filled, a balcony overlooking the academy grounds, and a large spare room that resembled an empty studio.

According to the handbook, that room was left intentionally bare so students could customize it however they wished.

The entire dorm felt almost excessive for a first-year, but I supposed cramming important future members of devil society into tiny spaces would cause a degree of complaints.

At least, that was my reasoning as I sank deeper into the bed.

Come to think about it, the inner and outer part of the dormitory did not match at all. If the exterior resembled a impenetratable fortress built with the purpose of repelling all manner of enemies, then the interior was the exact opposite.

Indeed, it was strange.

Wasn’t this what they called a state-of-the-art deception?

I let out a long sigh, letting my thoughts drift.

Today was really exhausting.

From getting my back turned into tenderized meat, to being mentally assaulted by a professor’s hour-long ego speech, to receiving an impossible assignment... I was honestly surprised I hadn’t already curled up and cried.

If this was just the first week, what horrors awaited me in the future?

I rolled onto my stomach, burying half my face into the pillow.

It smelled faintly of lavender. How luxurious. How deceitfully comforting.

This dorm was a trap that was lulling me into a false sense of safety before the academy wrung me dry like a towel.

Still... the bed was ridiculously soft.

I closed my eyes for what I told myself would be "just a minute."

However, the logical part of my brain refused to rest quietly when there was still so much to be done.

’What now? I suppose the first order of business would be to complete Professor Corvell’s assignment as soon as possible... but I have no idea how to manipulate reishi beyond basic instinctive movement and reinforcement.’

’Which means I need to improve my reishi control, right? But how should I go about that? Can I somehow use cardmaking to help with that?’

Both cardmaking and mystical engineering required precise reishi manipulation, so in theory, if I could manage one, I should be capable of the other.

In practice, however, even with the knowledge I’d scraped together, translating it into real execution was an whole different battle.

Most devils learned how to control reishi from childhood. Meanwhile, I, as a human, seriously lagged behind.

Looking at it from a certain point of view, I was still putting on my shoes while everyone else had already sprinted halfway around the track.

The difference was that enormous.

I groaned into the pillow.

’Just my luck... dropped into a world where everyone is born with cheat codes while I’m still fumbling with the tutorial.’

Still, wallowing wouldn’t help.

If I couldn’t rely on natural talent, then I just had to brute-force my way through.

I pushed myself up, sitting cross-legged on the bed as I rubbed my temples.

’Let’s think this though. Cardmaking is the simplest structured method of channeling reishi I’ve learned so far. Well, not exactly the most simplest, but the most easiest to comprehend. If I start with the basics, I might be able to condition my energy flow to be steadier.’

Repetition would help. Consistency would help too.

Or I would blow myself up.

That was also an option.

It almost felt as though the universe was whispering into my ear: Go on and suffer productively!

"Ugh. Fine. It’s not like I have anything better to do."

Letting out a long breath, I forced myself upright and slid off the bed despite my still aching body.

I grabbed my blazer, shrugged it on, and headed for the door.

After locking it with the special key the dorm officer had given me, I stepped out into the quiet hallway and made my way toward the exit, a specific destination forming clearly in my mind.

† †

Following a casual strode, and some much-needed directions from a few passing officials, I eventually arrived at the Cardmaker’s Practical Station, which also doubled as Professor Olga’s office.

I paused at the door, took a breath, and knocked exactly three times before stepping inside.

The sight that greeted me contrasted sharply with the academy’s grand exterior.

The interior was antique and refined, its elegance subtle rather than extravagant. Aside from the neatly arranged counters and shelves, there were few decorations, yet the entire room radiated a precise sense of orderliness.

As if she had sensed the disturbance in her workspace, Professor Olga, dressed immaculately as always, lifted her gaze toward me. Her brow furrowed slightly in recognition.

"Student Cassius, how may I help you today?"

Her words were casual but there was slight hostility in them.

Did she still resent me because of that incident?

With a smile, I greeted. "Good evening, Ms Olga."

"It’s Professor Olga." she corrected.

"Yes, Professor Olga... My apologies for disturbing you at this hour."

"Get to the point. What do you want?"

"I have come here with the intent to borrow the workstation."

Her eyebrows narrowed by a few millimeters.

It was so subtle most people would have missed it, but unfortunately, I had earned the privilege of being on her personal blacklist.

"For what purpose?" she asked, folding her hands atop the counter.

I lifted the small satchel at my side.

"To practice cardmaking, of course. Why else would I leave my dormitory and come here at such an ungodly hour?"

Her gaze drifted from my face to the satchel, then back again. Something unreadable flickered within her eyes. Perhaps it was skepticism, irritation, or the deeply personal belief that I was about to waste perfectly good resources.

"You wish to use the workstation?" she uttered.

"Yes."

"Alone?"

"That would be preferable," With a pause, I corrected. "No. Actually, I would prefer if I had your supervision?"

"You would?"

"Honestly speaking, I’ve come to the realization that I can’t control my reishi very well, which tends to lead to accidents... like the one earlier today. In that situation, wouldn’t it be wiser to have an instructor nearby to prevent those mistakes from happening again?"

Hearing my neatly packaged reasoning, Professor Olga touched her chin in thought. She remained silent for several seconds before finally giving a small nod.

"I suppose you’re correct in that regard. And you’re in luck. I happen to be free at the moment, so I can supervise you."

I offered a polite smile.

"Thank you very much for your time. Please take care of me."

Professor Olga rose from her seat with the practiced grace of someone who had long mastered the art of looking perpetually unimpressed. Her heels clicked softly against the floor as she moved toward the back of the room.

"Follow me," she said, not bothering to check whether I actually would.

Lingering for a moment, I snapped out of my reverie and followed her.