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11. New routines (+ Short summary)

"What can I do for you?", Fharan asked and motioned his butler to leave. Headmaster Zeren watched as the man closed the door behind him and turned back to Fharan.
"I'm here today to discuss your future stay at the academy your highness.", he started. "You passed the tests as you might've guessed. You were actually the only participant that was able to get a full score on this year's paper and in an astonishing time as well as I've heard.
I'm sure you know that the practical test might be mandatory, but does not hold much significance beside the social prestige.
Even so, I'm certain that your blessing is also one of the strongest ever welcomed on our grounds."
He took a short break before continuing: "Now then, the examinee with the best score normally takes on the honorary position of student representative for the first years as well as holding the welcoming speech at this year's entrance ceremony and a seat in the student council.
Since your highness has refrained to make your return public I took the liberty to assume that your highness doesn't have an interest on attracting unnecessary attention which would clash with the duties of a representative."
Fharan nodded quietly.
"My solution to this matter, if you approve of it, would be to forfeit from the ranking all together and to take your highnesses name off the list. I think the circumstances would permit it. A temporary solution, certainly, but it should serve its purpose."

Zeren ended his speech and observed Fharans expression which had remained unchanged and distant.
He asked: "What would it entail to remove me from the ranking list? Aren't they usually used to arrange things like accommodation?"
"Yes and as you may also be aware the academy acknowledges status, but does not allow it to cloud our judgement or reflect on treatment. I hope your highness understands.
Since you will be at least partially excluded from the usual system my suggestion would be to put you in one of the single bed rooms in the dormitory to prevent any further mix up.
Your next practical exam will also be one of the last ones.
The rest is mostly small things and of course the prestige that comes with the official scores and appearances.
The arrangements in the second and third year are quite different so it won't be a big bother."

They talked a while more, but stayed with school related topics. It was obvious that Zeren had at least partially come to probe about his future plans and the royal couples standing in all of it. But Fharan did not give him any leeway and so the visit ended after the headmaster gave him his letter of confirmation together with the schedule for the first academy week.

It was almost unreal how fast everything went afterwards.
The new term started three weeks after the exam and Fharan moved into the provided dormitory room with Afrit.
He had been one of the points of discussion between the headmaster and the former prince. But since there was no specific rule that forbid students from bringing their pets, it was only frowned upon, there seemed to be no problem, especially since he would live alone during his first year.
He found it easy to settle down in his new surroundings and went on unnoticed. The first few weeks passed in the blink of an eye.
During the entrance ceremony, he watched as the new first place held his speech with pride and on the first day of classes the teacher letting him skip his introduction was the only reason he attracted a bit of attention, the name Fharan wasn't too uncommon after all.
Just one thing bothered him and it could hardly be called a problem. It seemed as if he had come further than he expected in his self studies. Most of the topics discussed in class were nothing new to him. That's why he was often found dozing off, never really sleeping, but not quite awake either.
Afrit took the time he was gone to further explore the academy's grounds.
They were rather large for the capital and could almost rival the palace.
There were three main buildings that contained classrooms, training areas, the offices of the teachers, a library, the auditorium, activity rooms, a cafeteria, two medical wards and so on.
Research facilities were stationed at a separate building close by. Five big and thirteen small training grounds were placed around them.
The academy furthermore called seven dormitories their own and a few additional buildings that, for example, were used as warehouses or private training halls.
In addition Afrit had explored the stables and went through the small fields of rare herbs behind the research lab before being chased out by one of the teachers.
The whole academy was surrounded by a massive, two meter high wall that was covered with magic reaching into the sky.