Raised in Dungeon

Chapter 273 Cultural Differences

The entranceway to Oxwade School was framed by a picturesque row of majestic maple trees, their vibrant leaves forming a stunning natural archway. As you approach to the academy territory, there is a unique form of an intricate circular enclosure. This was not your typical fence; its a circular combination of gates, like one floor of a colosseum. The circular perimeter was defined by a series of gates strategically positioned at regular intervals, allowing access to the school's grounds from any direction one chose.

A grand and large building, that's what Allen thought as he called back when he first arrived at the academy building. Yet, as he gazed at the building now, he noticed that the building was considerably smaller in his eyes.

It wasn't that the building was getting smaller; rather, it was Allen's perception that had undergone the size of the building. The building seemed dwarfed by the sheer number of students converging upon it.

As he watched a continuous stream of students pour into the academy building, he couldn't help but feel a doubt,

"There's no way everyone will be able to fit in," he thought.

But everyone was, surprisingly, fit inside. They managed to easily enter the building, assisted by the Disciplinary Commission, and some members of the Student Executive Board. Because of they assistance, the students were able to enter the building without experiencing any uncomfortable crowding or getting stuck, which was quite strange because the building seemed cannot contain this sea of people.

However, referring to the gathering as a mere "sea of people" wouldn't do it justice. What struck Allen most was the incredible diversity that characterized this assembly. It wasn't just a homogenous sea of faces but a dynamic tapestry of different races.

All the students who walked toward the academy were in groups; surprisingly, most were mixed-race. It became evident that many individuals, such as Sharik, were many of them who didn't care about being friends with other races.

Sharik reached out and tapped Allen's shoulder, "Allen, look at them," Sharik urged, his finger pointing skyward.

Sharik touched Allen's shoulder and said, "Allen, look at them," Sharik pointed upwards.

Allen followed Sharik's gaze, "So they are Aarakocra," he mumbled. His eyes landed on the sky creatures.

"This is also the first time I saw them in front of mine," Felicia said, mesmerized by their presence.

The Aarakocra, often referred to as sky creatures, were a captivating presence. They soared gracefully through the air, effortlessly gliding over the school's grounds before descending with an air of natural elegance. Their humanoid forms, resembling a fusion of avian and human characteristics, made them unmistakable. Feathers adorned their bodies, their wings the most distinctive feature. As they made their way toward the school, they stood out against the backdrop of more typical students.

It was impossible not to be captivated by the Aarakocra. Even those who might have previously focused their attention elsewhere, perhaps on Allen's unique hair, momentarily turned their gaze to them, mesmerized by their ethereal presence.

"Wait, it looks like you Praeterea class students," a lizard-type demi-human female senior wearing the school's harpy eagle emblem called out to Allen's group. "New students of the Praeterea class should wait in the outer field."

Allen and Felicia looked at the field, and several people were standing still. But their focus shifted to a particular spot where something unexpected was happening.

"HOEEEK!!!" a tall female elf among the new arrivals suddenly doubled over, throwing up vomit at the female dwarves who stood in front of her.

"What are you doing?!" shouted the friend of the dwarves who was vomited on by the elf. The dwarf who were vomited on remained silent. Based on the stories of others who had witnessed the incident, it appeared that the dwarf had found the elf's handkerchief fallen to the ground and was trying to return it to her, but she was getting elf's vomit instead.

*The elf coughed. "I'm sorry, I can't help it," then she wiped her mouth with a new handkerchief. Then she continued, "You girls are too disgusting, so when this little dwarves talks to me, my vomit comes out immediately. But don't worry, our vomit shouldn't stink."

The dwarves sure were not pleased with the elf's response, as the elf seemed to be mocking them. "What the heck is that?!" shouted the dwarf, "He just wanted to give you the handkerchief you dropped, but why the attitude?"

Receiving the dwarf's yell, the elf was confused.

"Hm? I already apologized, right?" she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Is there something wrong with the way I spoke?"

The dwarves, humans, and demi-humans who had witnessed the incident gaped in disbelief as the elves looked confused and didn't know what made the dwarf angry with her. One of the dwarves couldn't contain her frustration. "Saying she is disgusting is rude!" she shouted, demanding an explanation.

"Yeah, I can't help it. She's disgusting, so should I lie?" the elf said.

The elf's response, delivered with an innocent expression, did little to alleviate the tension. Their nonchalant demeanour, in contrast to her rather inappropriate comment, created an unsettling atmosphere. She clearly felt guilty, but her apparent detachment made her come across as creepy.

"You have to pay for what you did!" the dwarf declared, her frustration boiling over.

The elf, however, remained unapologetic. "Didn't I say I was sorry?" she retorted. "Are the barbarian tribes really this destructive?"

There was no right and wrong side; that's what Allen thought when he saw it. It wasn't that he lacked the ability to make a judgment, but rather that such a judgment would be futile. The lines of division ran deep, and even the students at Oxwade School were not immune to these divisions. Some believed the elves were in the right, while others stood firmly by the dwarves.

"Cultural differences," Felicia mused, offering a succinct explanation for the situation.

"What's that?" Allen inquired,

Felicia clarified, "Simply put, their common sense is different. Just like Sharik bonded with you because of your strength, each race may have unique values and beliefs. What they consider right and just may not necessarily align with the views of other races.

For elves, they must be honest, and the rich of apology word differs from us. For the dwarves they cannot stand with over-honest reaction as they are being underestimated directly by the elves.

Even though I have known about it, I still underestimated the significance of these differences."

Allen contemplated the situation. 'That means they don't understand each other, huh?' he thought. The profound impact of cultural disparities on the students' interactions became increasingly evident, and Allen realized that fostering understanding and unity among the diverse races at Oxwade School would be far more challenging than he had thought. He started to doubt how the academy survived to this point? While small problems like that alone can create big problems.