Dragon's life in college

Ch 30

Ryu placed the seashell on a shelf. “I hope she doesn’t get offended. She never wears matched jewelry and I hope she doesn’t take this as an insult.”

Considering how important proper jewelry was to dragon society, Nigel completely understood Ryu’s concerns. On the other hand, since Oceana had never seemed to care at all about the jewelry she wore, so it was unlikely that she would be offended.

“What did you get for Turtle?” Ryu asked.

Nigel pulled the bundle out of his chest. “Things which will fit him perfectly.” He opened the bundle and began showing Ryu the gifts he had gotten for Turtle and Oceana.

After that was the done, the two went for a flight around the campus. There were a few new students enrolling this semester, although most dragons waited for the fall semester to enroll.

“It feels odd,” Nigel commented.

“What?” Ryu asked.

“Being the somewhat experienced ones. Last semester that was us, or at least me.”

Ryu nodded in agreement. “True. One semester of experience is quite a bit.”

“Although not nearly enough considering we still have three and a half years left here.”

“Way to make me feel like I’m trapped here for the rest of my life,” Ryu joked, nudging him with his wing.

“It’s not the rest of your life. It’s just at least ten more years.”

“Ten? How did three and a half turn into ten years?!”

Nigel chuckled at the look on Ryu’s face. “Well, it’s three and a half to get your basic degree, then at least three more to get an advanced degree. And after that, it takes a couple of years of active service before one is fully considered an Evil Dragon Overlord so you have roughly about ten years of school left.”

“Wouldn’t that technically be only six and a half years?”

“Well, the estimates of time are rather rough. The time it takes to get an advanced degree varies depending on what level of degree one is aiming for and what job one wants. Plus, if you enter the Royal Guard, which is one of your goals, they have their members undergo training for several years to help them advance so that technically counts as school as well. And that time doesn’t even apply to the experience needed to gain the title, so in conclusion-“

“-I have a lot of school ahead of me.” Ryu looked dejected.

“But on the bright side,” Nigel continued. “Considering your nature, you might have enough experience to get a very good head start on at least your advanced degree, cutting down your time to more like six years.”

“Well, at least that sounds survivable.” Ryu turned back toward their dorm. “We should get going. Oceania and Turtle should be arriving soon and they’ll be very disappointed if we’re not there to greet them.”

Nigel nodded and followed after him. He was excited to see his friends again. The winter break had been nice, but he was glad to see them again. The two fire dragons settled down near the entrance to the water dragon dorms. Although they could enter the dorm area, it was rather pointless considering how most of it was underwater. Also, without Oceania and Turtle there, it was rather boring.

After about twenty minutes of waiting, Nigel spotted a familiar pair of shimmering, semi-transparent wings.

“There’s Oceania,” he said, standing up.

Ryu looked up and quickly followed him. A few moments later, Oceania landed and immediately launched herself forward to hug first Nigel and then Ryu. Turtle, awkwardly landing a few minutes later, attempted a hug but just managed to trip over his own claws and do an awkward faceplant on the ground. Typical Turtle.

After greetings and the usual first questions asked after a break, and helping Turtle up and untangling him from the seaweed bags he had wrapped around himself, the four of them walked inside. Ryu and Nigel assisted them with their luggage, Oceania had only a few small bags while Turtle had brought what seemed like his entire room with him. Which was odd, considering how he already had more than enough stuff. But as Oceania whispered to them, about half of it was probably just completely random Turtle-stuff that would likely never be fully used.

Once inside, the two fire dragons waited again while the water dragons slipped under the water to stow their stuff away. Once they were back, the group made their way to their favorite spot.

This small, secluded area had quickly become Nigel’s favorite place on campus. As much as he liked his room and the math classrooms, this area was the best. Memories upon memories were built up in this place. Nigel was certain that if he ever returned here after graduation, this would be the first place he would return to.

The four of them sat there for several hours, catching up on everything that had happened over the break. Everyone’s break had been restful, and somewhat chaotic, Turtle and Nigel’s break, which is exactly what breaks were meant to be.

Gifts were exchanged. Turtle, unsurprisingly, was thrilled to see what Nigel’s siblings had picked out for him. Oceania was thrilled with the gifts Nigel and Ryu got her, immediately slipping off her mismatched earrings and placing Ryu’s in. Nigel had to admit, seeing his friend in matching jewelry for once made a difference in her appearance. Her naturally elegant appearance became more regal and imposing. Unsurprisingly, Nigel got a lot of math supplies, but also a few other things. Ryu’s gifts were all related to weapons or other things of warfare. Nigel had also gotten him a book about the basics of accounting, just enough so he would be able to keep track of how much gold he had but not need to go into elaborate detail.
As evening fell, everyone returned to their dorms. And as Nigel curled up on his bed, he couldn’t help but remember his first night there. The difference between them was immense. Instead of cowering in fear of his roommate and downing in homesickness, this time he curled up, said good night to Ryu, and fell asleep. And while he still missed home, the longing was not as bad as it had been last time. He knew, in no time at all, this semester would be done and he would be returning home. And this time, he knew he wouldn’t have as much to worry about from his siblings either. After getting terrified by Oceania and Ryu, and slightly weirded out by Turtle, they wouldn’t be coming around anytime soon. All in all, Nigel was looking forward to a good semester, Incineration class included. Ryu and Oceania had some new ideas to try out, but on that note, Nigel turned his brain off and went to sleep.