The map led them down the stairs to the main hall and then through another path that connected two different sections of the institution. The design of the place used long tunnels to connect all the areas of the institution. They were built out of fortified glass and iron and then covered in tiles.
The 180% view these tunnels presented was naturally amazing. They felt as if they were floating in the air above the island rather than standing on the ground.
At the end of the tunnel, the group found themselves inside a large place, stretching at least several hundred meters in all directions.
Countless tables were set across the entire area of the place. On the other side, a long buffet was set spanning the circumference of the entire room.
“So this is the cafeteria… Looks pretty over the top. In theme with everything else.” Arthur commented.
Many students had already arrived before them and filled the entire place. The delicious smell of food instantly hit Arthur’s nose and he felt his stomach cry.
‘This smell…’ He licked his lips. Looking over his shoulders, he could see that they had the same reactions as he did.
“Ehem, I don’t know about you. But, I’m going.” Arthur said as he quickly stormed away.
“Hey, wait!” Emmy exclaimed as she rushed after him.
“… Those two…” Danny sighed while facepalming. “At least wait till everyone is here.”
“I’m also hungry,” Isla commented in a comically cold tone. “I think I’m going to follow them.”
“…” Danny stared up at her. “O-Of course. By all means, go ahead.”
‘I have never seen her like this… It’s… adorable!’ Danny bit his lip in frustration. He didn’t even realize that his cheeks were a little more red than usual.
“Ehem! What am I even thinking about?” Shaking his head, Danny moved after the group. However, in his peripheral vision, he suddenly noticed something that made him halt completely.
The other three moved toward the buffet, picked up their plates, and started getting their food. There were endless types of vegetables, meats, sauces, dressings, and desserts. There were dishes from every single place in the world cooked to perfection. The smell was simply heavenly.
Arthur took a moment to admire the food before he started scooping portions of everything he found inviting. His plate quickly filled up to the brim with food.
“Damn it, I will take another plate after this one.”
Meanwhile, Emmy and Isla watched him with astonished looks on their faces.
‘How is he eating all of that…? Does his stomach have no end?’
With that, Arthur finally carried his plate to one of the free tables before he sat down. There were plenty of free areas that it was almost impossible to fill this entire place with the number of students present in the academy.
‘Isla and Emmy will take some time to choose their own food. I should probably wait for them.’ Arthur thought to himself as he put the spoon down to wait.
*Clank*
However, the spoon slipped from his hand and fell to the ground. “Hm…” Arthur slowly bent down and picked up the spoon. Upon rising up, Arthur was about to put it down again when he heard a noise coming from an awfully close distance from him.
“These chicken tenders are quite good. Perfectly cooked and the batter is flavorful.”
‘What?!’
His eyes widened as he looked to the side only to realize that someone had sat down next to him.
‘When did he…?’ Arthur didn’t know how to react at all. A split second ago, there was no one sitting next to him, and then out of nowhere, someone appeared there. What made it even more shocking for Arthur was that he didn’t feel the boy’s presence at all. He simply wasn’t there and then was there.
“You should try the chicken tenders, I recommend them.” The boy said as he bit into the piece of meat and stared at Arthur, giving him a full look at his face.
The boy was strikingly handsome, with reddish hair and blue eyes. He had a very decent build and a calm aura around him. However, that aura gave Arthur the chills. He didn’t even need to think about it… This wasn’t someone he wanted to be around.
“I already have chicken tenders on my plate,” Arthur replied coldly.
“Oh my, is that so? Well, it seems we have a similar taste.”
“… Who are you?”
“Ah, you know, just another student trying to make it in this academy. First days are always tough, aren’t they?”
“…”
‘Why is he having a conversation with me? Fuck, he’s giving me the creeps.’ Arthur mused as he grabbed his spoon.
Then, Arthur heard another voice. But, this time, he had felt the two people approaching them beforehand. Looking up, he noticed that Isla and Emmy had stopped midway and stared directly at the boy sitting next to him.
“What are you doing here?” Isla asked coldly as she glared daggers at the boy.
Seeing the deep frown on Isla’s face, Arthur was taken aback. ‘Huh? She knows him?’
The boy stopped eating and looked back at Isla. “I found an empty seat and simply sat down.” Then, he resumed eating as if nothing happened.
“Leave.” Putting her plate on the table, Isla ordered him coldly. Her aura was as threatening as ever.
‘I have never seen her this angry. Who is this guy?’ Arthur kept staring back and forth between Isla and this anonymous person. Calling the situation tense was an understatement. Something told him that given a better place, a fight would’ve broken out.
“…” The boy stopped eating again and sighed. “Again? What have I done? I’m simply eating.”
“There are other empty places.” She replied.
“But why not this one?”
“Since when did you enjoy sitting next to strangers?”
“I’m trying to be social. Knowing how you see me, I’m going on a journey to better myself.” The boy shrugged. “So I can be better.”
“…” Isla stared at him silently.
“I wonder when you will stop being this angry, Isla. It ruins your pretty face.” The boy said as he picked up his plate and turned to look at Arthur. “It was nice having a chat with you. Let’s have a cup of coffee together in the future.”
After saying that, the boy walked away casually, leaving Arthur a little stunned. He didn’t even understand how that guy had that much composure even though he was in the most tense situation possible.
“So that guy is here…” Emmy muttered under her breath with a frown. “I was surprised I didn’t see him this entire time…”
“… Sigh…” Isla simply sighed and sat down.
“Mm, guys? Who was that dude?” Arthur asked.
“…” Emmy gave Arthur a meaningful glance as if she was telling him not to ask.
“It is nothing. Whatever happens, don’t associate yourself with him, Arthur. He is not a good person.” Isla replied as she started eating.
“… Yeah, he gave me the creeps. I don’t intend to talk to him ever again.”
‘However, that doesn’t mean I’m not going to investigate this bastard. I don’t like how he did that ‘I can appear out of nowhere and avoid your senses’ type of entrance into my life. Tsk!’
A//N: Don’t forget to give the book some golden tickets for good luck! :3
