"So, how’s the bath here in the Fifth Dormitory? I’m sure it doesn't quite measure up to the ones in the noble dorms, but it’s still pretty great, don't you think?"
"Yeah, well, I guess... but like I told you, I’ve got people waiting for me back in my room. I’d really like to get moving soon..."
Yugo stood up as he responded to Avad, who continued to chat with him in that relentlessly cheerful tone.
But Avad was determined to keep him there.
"Now, now, hold on! We’ve already sent word to your friends, and besides, your change of clothes hasn't even arrived yet! Trust me, staying here and relaxing for a bit is the right move! Right!?"
"Hmm...?"
It was a logical point, yet something felt fundamentally off. Avad was being so insistent that Yugo’s suspicion was reaching critical levels.
However, Yugo couldn't entirely dismiss the possibility that the man was simply acting out of genuine kindness. While he harbored deep doubts, he chose not to voice them, settling for fixing Avad with a look of intense skepticism.
Whether Avad noticed Yugo’s misgivings or not, he simply stared back with that same unwavering smile.
"Man, there really is nothing like a good soak! It’s even better when you’ve got company, don't you agree?"
"Yeah, I guess so..."
Yugo felt as though they were trapped in a cycle of forced conversation. Even assuming Avad was intentionally keeping him in the bath, what could he possibly hope to gain?
It was suspicious, certainly, but the fact that he couldn't even fathom a motive made it all the more unsettling. Just as Yugo was racking his brain for an answer...
"Are you in there, Brother? It's me, Fee."
"Oh, Fee? What are you doing here?"
"I heard the news from someone at the dormitory. You got your clothes wet, didn't you? Marcos-san told me to bring you a change of clothes."
"Oh, really? Thanks! You’re a lifesaver!"
"Wait! Just a few more minutes—!"
Hearing his younger brother’s voice from the dressing room, Yugo felt a wave of relief. He called out his thanks, genuinely grateful that Fee had brought his things from the room.
He had no desire to spend another second alone with the enigmatic Avad, so Yugo ignored the man's attempt to stop him and climbed out of the tub to meet his brother.
"Here’s a towel. Sounds like you’ve had a rough time, Brother."
"Thanks, Fee. This whole thing has turned into a massive headache. What a pain."
Yugo took the towel Fee offered with a wry smile and began to dry himself off.
Once he had changed into the spare uniform, he gathered up his damp clothes from the dressing basket. The moment he slipped the bracelet back onto his wrist, a look of confusion flickered across his face.
"Huh? Wait a second..."
"What’s wrong, Brother?"
"I don't know... I just felt something weird for a second?"
He couldn't quite put it into words, but a strange sense of dissonance nagged at him. He couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong, but he knew something was different.
What was this feeling? As Yugo desperately tried to wrap his head around the sensation, several boys marched into the dressing room.
"Aha! There he is! Yo, Newbie Yugo-kun! Taking a bath at this hour... as expected of the former heir to a Prestigious Noble House. You certainly have a taste for the finer things!"
"Uh, hello... Excuse me, but who are you?"
"We’re your seniors here in the Fifth Dormitory. We heard a new guy had arrived, so we’ve been looking all over to get a glimpse of your face."
"Oh, I see. As a fellow resident of this dormitory, I look forward to getting along with you."
Yugo offered a polite bow to the upperclassmen who had appeared so suddenly. The senior male students, who were watching him with mocking smirks, dropped the next bombshell.
"By the way, there’s a tradition in this dormitory. Whenever a newcomer arrives, the seniors give them a little 'warm welcome'... We need to see what you’re made of, so come join us for some exercise. Just so we’re clear, you don't have the right to say no."
"Wh-What!? No, hang on a minute! I’ve got friends waiting for me, and I literally just got out of the bath. I’d really like to skip the workout today, if it’s all the same to you..."
"Oh, we know all about that. Bringing girls into your room the second you move in... how envi— cough! I mean, how scandalous! We’re going to beat some discipline into that spirit of yours, so move it!!"
"Seriously...?"
This had taken a bizarre turn, Yugo thought as he was surrounded by the uncompromising group. Realizing that he truly didn't have the right to refuse, Yugo let out a heavy sigh and spoke in a resigned voice.
"Fine, I get it. So, what exactly are we doing?"
"Nothing too crazy, just a little sparring match. It’s not like we’re having a formal Duel with stakes or anything, so let’s just have some fun with it. Think of it as a slightly Rough Welcome Ritual."
Yugo felt a tiny bit of relief once he understood their intentions. He suspected his common sense might be a little skewed given that he didn't find "fighting" to be particularly "crazy," but he figured it was ten thousand times better than being surrounded by the American Football Club and sentenced to Punishment by Tackle the moment he stepped through the door.
With a shrug of his shoulders, Yugo followed the seniors toward the training grounds.