By mid-November, it was already almost winter.
The arrival of the Yarolan Royal Academy's Academic Visiting Group had to be dated back to the Sunday before last.
The two-week academic visit had now reached its tenth day.
Ikelite's rainy weather was unpredictable, and strong winds had begun blowing across campus again after a long absence. The drop in temperature was especially noticeable.
"What a racket. This weather."
After classes let out for the Wednesday break, there were basically no students picnicking or reading on the lawn. They hurried past with their clothes pulled tight around them, wanting only to get back to their dorms from the classrooms as quickly as possible, away from the wind that left their hair in disarray and the sky that looked ready to rain at any moment.
At the end of the path the students passed along, the trees in the massive botanical garden had huddled together, their leaves trembling in the wind. Only the Old Liberal Arts Building deep within the garden stood firm against the gale.
Third floor, Student Union Room.
Outside the window, the cold wind was light and indifferent as it roamed recklessly along the walls, searching for a gap in the windowsill through which to slip inside.
Yet in this warm space, the heavy curtains and sturdy walls shut out the wind and chill completely, leaving behind only a cozy, homey atmosphere.
Vice President Asina was tidying documents beside the bookcase with a rare air of leisure, but the president was nowhere to be seen.
The academic visit from the Yarolan Royal Academy was nearing its end, and the Student Union's affairs were no longer as hectic.
The peaceful passage of these past few days had finally allowed Dean Loren to relax his taut nerves. As long as he sent