Michael and Rudy made it to the great hall with no issues. As they walked through the doors, the duo received a few disinterested glances before those people turned their attention back to their food.
Like Rose had said, the long tables dominated the great hall. But compared to last night, there were fewer than half who had decided to get up early for breakfast.
"How do we get food?" Rudy asked, his eyes scanning the hall—looking for an indication of where he might need to go to order. An adjoining kitchen, a server—anything.
"You two are first-years?" An older teen asked from nearby, his tone proper. The guy’s posture was as straight as a spear, his clear blue eyes evaluating them despite being half covered by his fringe.
Michael nodded, unsure of what the teen wanted.
"Go take a seat and send so mana into your emblem, you’ll be able to order food based on what dorm you were assigned." He stated simply, gesturing to the side for them to continue on.
Hmm? This isn’t just a mark? Michael thought, pulling back his cuff and looking at his violet emblem with interest.
He felt the older student stiffen the mont he revealed the violet emblem.
The guy cleared his throat, "T-the academy emblem acts like a student ID," he began to explain without prompting. "But its actually far more sophisticated. Not only does it contain all of your personal information and class schedules—you can also access the Arcadia network by infusing mana into it."
"Arcadia network?" Michael was intrigued, he had never heard of such a thing.
"Yes, the Arcadia network is a wonderful thing. Not only can you purchase things from the academy store, you can also review class materials, browse the library and all sorts of useful things. It would be best if you see for yourself," the guy added, his tone much more respectful than before.
"I will, thank you..." Michael said, looking for so sort of na tag—though it was clear he didn’t have one.
"Oh, ah—my na is Jason. I’m a third year," he said with a nervous smile.
He’s a student? A third year at that... Michael blinked in disbelief. Sure the guy was wearing a uniform, but he seed more like a lowly staff mber employed to assist the first-years.
Perhaps it was because of his respectful deanor that it seed this way.
Michael led Rudy past the third-year and found an open spot at one of the long tables, taking a seat.
"That guy was nice," Rudy mused.
"Yeah... but only when he saw our emblems," Michael remarked, now even more keenly aware of the difference in status between the dorms.
"So what did he say? We just send mana into the emblem and order our food?"
"Mmm, give it a try."
Michael did the sa, sending a stream of his red mana towards the violet emblem on the back of his right hand. The mont he did, he almost jumped up in shock.
"Whoa! What is this?" Rudy exclaid with shock.
In front of him, a translucent display appeared showing all of his information—along with an unflattering picture of himself.
It labeled his na, his height and weight, and his birthright rings—including his potential as an Arcanist mage. It also showed his dorm status and the fact that he was a class representative.
This thing is really in depth... It even has my shoe size, he remarked with wonder.
"Oh wow, you can turn the page." Rudy announced.
Michael tried to turn the page as his friend said and was t with another window, this ti showing different nus.
Network, Library, Cafeteria, Class Schedule, Mission board... his interest was piqued.
To think that there was such a system in the academy.
"Oh yes! Pancakes!" Rudy’s loud voice broke him out of his reverie.
"Shhhh!"
His loud voice caused a disturbance within the great hall, drawing so ire from the other nearby students. So of them openly glared at him, creating a tense atmosphere.
Rudy shrunk back, "Yes, pancakes." He repeated, this ti in a whisper.
Michael couldn’t help but chuckle, deciding to look at the cafeteria nu for now. He would have plenty of ti to explore the other things in the future.
How do I click sothing?
Yet as he thought this, the cafeteria nu opened, displaying the dishes available for breakfast.
Huh? I can manipulate it with my mind?
Michael was impressed by the ingenuity of the emblem. Not only did it hold all of his information down to every last detail—it was also able to connect to his mind, enabling it to function lightning quick.
How are they doing this? And how will the kitchen know what I ordered?
Michael’s thirst for knowledge only increased after seeing the wonders of the emblem. He wanted to know how it was made, and how it functioned.
But he quickly cald down. Baby steps Michael... I’ve still got four years in the academy, he reminded himself.
He browsed through the nu and chose a simple al of ham and eggs with two slices of bread. There was no price attached to the al—sothing he was grateful for.
Having worked as a butler for the past three years, he had saved a small amount of money, but it would not be enough to last four years of his boarding at the academy.
Shortly after, their two als were delivered by a young woman who was dressed nicely. She gently placed the plates in front of the two and perford a small bow before returning to where she’d co from.
"Oh... I thought it would just magically appear in front of like last night’s feast," Rudy admitted, sounding slightly disappointed.
Michael let out a small laugh, "I doubt the headmaster would have enough ti to use space magic for every individual al throughout the day,"
"Why? Is it hard magic to do?" his friend asked innocently.
It was clear from his tone that the guy wasn’t joking, he truly seed to be a novice when it ca to magic. Perhaps if it wasn’t for his potential, Rudy might not have even passed the entrance exam.
"Yeah, only the top mages can perform it since the spells are so complicated. You’ll find out soon enough just how difficult magic is my friend." Michael said, nudging him. "Now let’s eat, our first class is Mana Theory."
The two then enjoyed a nice breakfast together before their real journey as students would begin.
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