The door closed behind Polystar.
Soren sighed.
Understanding the kind of mind Polystar had was a chore.
But he could not stop him. He did not even have the strength or desire to.
"I heard that Instructor Eagle-wing eyebrows left the Sickbay early. Maybe we can talk to him." Pencil suggested.
Soren turned to him, he nodded.
"Just try not to let him find out how we figured it out. The amount of rules we have broken could get us expelled for real."
Pencil nodded, preparing to leave.
However, just as he stood...
Grrrrwwwwwl...
His tummy growled loudly.
All eyes turned to him.
Pencil turned waving with a forced smile, "please dont mind that. Its just..."
"You are out of money, aren’t you?"
"Don’t worry Soren. I am actually good. I just wait in the cafeteria and eat up the leftovers."
Well that explains why he is not losing weight.
Soren thought to himself. But still, one of his best friends eating leftovers in the cafeteria left a bad taste in his mouth.
If it was when they were back ho and hustling for their daily al, then no problem.
But right now, he had money. His people should not suffer.
"For how long now?" Soren asked.
Pencil was silent. Hands rubbing behind his back nervously as he looked away from the people in the room.
Soren knew that look. Pencil must have been hiding it.
At the very least it was a few days. No... it might even be more.
"That’s what you get for being a coward and not having any fights." Vass comnted, staring at the round boy with disgust. "You don’t even hunt."
He walked, pushing Pencil out of his way.
However, Vass paused at the door, eyes down in thought briefly. Then he turned to Soren. "Can you truly use... Blackfield?"
The question had co out of nowhere. But soren nodded. "Yes, I can."
Vass gritted his teeth, looking away. "You are wounded. I’ll go ask instructor Eagle-Wing Eyebrows."
He opened the door and left the room.
This stunned Soren.
He was not expecting that. Vass was not the kind of person to lend a hand, much less volunteer to take on an errand.
—he even considered the fact that Soren was wounded.
Grrrrwwwwwl....
Pencil grabbed his tummy tighter.
Soren smiled, "let’s go get you sothing to eat."
A while later, they stepped into the academy cafeteria.
This was the cafeteria strictly arnt for first year cadets.
Bloodshine supported soren by the arm, steps gentle because of his injury.
Even his white cadet uniform was simply placed over his shoulder.
The space was far larger than it had any right to be.
Then again, knights were treated special—and cadets were knights to be.
High arched ceilings stretched overhead, supported by pale stone columns carved with faintly glowing runic lines that regulated temperature and lighting.
Long rows of reinforced wooden tables filled the center, polished smooth from years of use.
To the left, an open counter displayed trays of steaming food under soft warming lights—thick stews, roasted ats, glazed root vegetables, rice infused with herbs. The scent alone made Pencil visibly sway.
Large windows lined the far wall, revealing the academy courtyard beyond, where students usually trained.
Usually.
Today, the atmosphere inside was different.
Quieter.
Tighter.
The mont Soren, Cynthia Bloodshine, and Pencil stepped in—
Conversation dipped.
Not fully silent.
But close enough.
Heads turned, and whispers began.
"That’s him..."
"Wasn’t he the one—"
"Punched Goldsworth to a bloody pup—"
"I heard the Red Swords had to—"
"Goldsworth’s family is going to—"
"I heard the Big three Parties already have him in their sight."
"Really, the big three? I heard the seniors cant wait for him to elevate from his clown status."
"Too many people with plans for a re F–rank."
"That Commoner is no longer a re F–rank in my opinion."
Soren felt the stares settle on him like physical weight. It wasn’t hostility.
It wasn’t admiration either.
It was sothing in between.
A mixture of curiosity, disbelief, and caution.
He frowned slightly and leaned toward Bloodshine.
"Why is everyone staring?"
Bloodshine didn’t hesitate.
She slipped her arm through his, fingers wrapping possessively around his sleeve. Her expression brightened dramatically.
"Because," she declared loudly enough for several nearby tables to hear, "my husband is nøt so incredible."
Soren nearly choked.
Pencil froze mid-step.
A few students’ whispers intensified imdiately.
"Husband?!"
"They’re official?"
"When did that happen?"
"Yeah... i have heard rumors."
"What of the giant with the helt?"
"I heard that’s his sister."
"Wait till that guy cos back and hears this."
Bloodshine bead proudly, leaning her head lightly against Soren’s shoulder as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
Soren rubbed his temple.
"That’s not—"
But she squeezed his arm tighter, smiling sweetly at the surrounding students as though daring anyone to object.
Vapour released from Cynthia’s helt. "Soooreeennn."
Soren turned. It almost seed like cynthia was jealous. But he was not sure.
No, it couldn’t be. She was just uncomfortable from all the stares. Yes, that was it.
Pencil, anwhile, stared at the food counter like a man witnessing salvation.
His stomach growled again.
Louder this ti.
A few nearby students snickered.
Soren turned. He rembered them the sa ones that he saw in the hallway bullying Pencil.
Soren exhaled softly.
Whatever storm was brewing around them politically—
Whatever rumors were spreading—
None of that mattered right now.
He glanced at Pencil’s stomach
"Co on," Soren said quietly. "Order properly. Anything you want. I’m paying."
Pencil hesitated.
"You don’t have to—"
"I know," Soren replied simply. "I want to."
Bloodshine tilted her head, still clinging to him.
"I’ll nøt have sothing too," she added casually. "Supporting my husband døesn’t take energy."
Soren sighed again.
But this ti, there was the faintest hint of a smile.
They moved toward the counter.
At such a ti, Pencil stopped. "Hold on. If I am going to eat well, I’ll have to take a leak first."
"Now?" Soren asked.
Pencil nodded vigorously.
Soren waved a hand. "Okay, hurry up then"
Pencil rushed towards the Toilet area.
However, as he did, those bullies sitting at the corner, rose, and headed towards the Toilet.
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