"Hugo Clay, are you here? Answer me if you are."
"Ngh...?"
One day, while Yugo was preparing breakfast in his usual corner of the courtyard—the place he called home—an unfamiliar voice called out to him. He let out a dazed grunt in response.
Following the sound, a man emerged from the rustling shrubbery. "To think you were actually living in a place like this... I find myself at a loss for words."
"Oh, hello... Um, who might you be?" Yugo asked, offering the most logical question for a stranger visiting his campsite.
The man looked surprised for a moment, then nodded as if everything suddenly made sense. "That’s right; you’ve lost your memory. It stands to reason you wouldn't recognize me. I am Uno Castle, the High School Division First-year Grade Supervisor for Luminous Academy. See that you remember it."
"Professor Castle, then. Thank you for the introduction. Did you have some business with me?"
In a word, Uno Castle looked the part of a strict educator. Though he was approaching middle age, his sharp, spirited gaze was made all the more intimidating by his cleanly shaved head. Despite the harsh impression, his perfectly tailored attire gave him the air of a refined, cultured individual.
Yugo thought to himself that the teachers in charge of entire grades were cut from a different cloth. When he asked why the professor had come to see him, the answer was blunt.
"Clay, how long do you intend to stay here? As a student of the prestigious Luminous Academy, do you feel no shame in camping out like a vagrant instead of living in the dorms?"
"Well, I mean, I have thought about it. But there wasn't much I could do..." Yugo stammered, caught off guard by the legitimate criticism. It made sense; if a regular student occupied a portion of the courtyard as their private residence, no teacher worth their salt could ignore it.
"Still, you are quite the survivor. Your tent and gear are impressive, and it looks like you’ve been eating well. You even have a horse...!"
"I bought the camping gear with money from requests. As for the food... I use the cafeteria a lot, but some friends in the Cooking Club have been sharing their leftovers, which has been a lifesaver. And don't worry about the horse. He's a friend. Just a friend."
Yugo let out a sheepish, servile laugh while trying to gauge the professor's mood. He desperately wracked his brain for a way to stay, terrified that he would have nowhere else to go if he were evicted.
Uno cleared his throat. "I acknowledge your resourcefulness. However, this is academy property and a communal space. As an educator, I cannot allow you to occupy it for your exclusive use."
"I—I understand, but if I'm kicked out, I won't have anywhere to..."
"Do not worry. I have already made arrangements. I’ve secured a vacant room in the student dormitories. Yugo, you are to move there immediately."
"What!?"
Before Yugo could process the shock, Uno continued. "Be aware, this is a standard room for general students. It is nothing like the luxurious, sprawling suite you occupied back when you were a noble. I won't entertain any complaints on the matter."
"No, no! I’m not complaining at all! But I don't have the money for dorm fees..."
"Your involvement in the serial murders committed by Rush Winhelm, the defense of the village at the foot of Mount Yumyum against Magic Armor Beasts, the recovery and destruction of a forbidden demonic sword, and your recent rescue of an entire village population have all been noted. As a special exception, your fees have been waived. You need not worry about your finances."
Yugo was stunned. This was almost too good to be true. To go from sleeping in a tent to having actual walls and a roof was a dream come true, but the suddenness of it left him reeling.
"Um... why is this happening all of a sudden? I'm thrilled, but it’s just so unexpected..."
"...On the contrary, it is long overdue," Uno replied. "I received reports about your living situation a long time ago. However, out of consideration for your father, the head of a prestigious noble house, we were unable to act quickly. Furthermore, I was injured while protecting a child during Winhelm’s rampage and had to take a leave of absence to recover. I sincerely apologize for leaving you in this state for so long."
"No, Professor, you don't have to apologize. My father’s anger was my own fault. If anything, I'm the one who should be thanking you."
"Do not thank me. Save your gratitude for your friends. Melt Epee, Marcos Borg, Hex Ono, Misery Pim, Claire Rouge, and those Cooking Club students you mentioned... even Anhel Amber from the Industrial Department came to me the moment I returned to work. They all petitioned on your behalf, demanding you be given a proper room. I am simply fulfilling their request."
"Those guys... They really did that...?" Yugo whispered, moved by the loyalty of his companions.
Uno watched him for a moment before speaking in a level tone. "You will be moving into the Fifth Dormitory. Room 043 is waiting for you. Pack your things and vacate this area by tomorrow. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir! Absolutely!" Yugo shouted, his voice full of energy.
Uno nodded, satisfied that his message had been received. As he turned to leave the courtyard, he paused. "You have found some fine friends, Clay. See that you do not betray them. Devote yourself to your studies."
"Yes! Thank you again, Professor!"
Uno walked away, his retreating figure projecting an air of quiet satisfaction.
And just like that, Yugo’s move was decided. Following the professor's orders, he began packing his few belongings to head toward the Fifth Dormitory.