The corridors of the academy bustled with activity as Levi made his way towards the freshn cafeteria.
He had learned that the academy boasted multiple dining halls, each designated for different year groups. It was just another reminder of the vast scale of this institution.
After about five minutes of walking and going through the Elevator to reach the 4th floor, Levi finally arrived at the cafeteria that was designated for the Freshn.
As he approached the entrance, the aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, causing Levi's stomach to growl in anticipation. He pushed open the doors and found himself in a massive, well-lit space filled with mutiple long tables and bustling with students.
The cafeteria was a far cry from anything Levi had experienced in the slums. Clean, orderly, and most importantly, filled with an abundance of food.
He learned that everything in the academy - food, training, equipnts, etc… was covered by the academy fees, allowing students to eat whatever they wanted. There were even dedicated kitchens for those who preferred to prepare their own als, though few seed to take advantage of this option given the variety on offer.
And since he had a scholarship, he had nothing to worry about!
Levi's eyes widened as he took in the self-service counters, each laden with different types of cuisine.
For soone who had grown up scrounging for als, often going to bed hungry, this was nothing short of a miracle.
And on the walls of the Cafeteria, there were so quotes written, like:
"Today's al is tomorrow's power. Eat like the defender you aspire to be."
"Your plate is your first line of defense. Choose wisely."
…and many more like that.
'Motivation even in cafeteria…'
Levi chuckled as he grabbed a tray and began his culinary adventure.
First, a hearty serving of scrambled eggs and bacon, the likes of which he'd only dread of before. Next, a stack of fluffy pancakes drizzled with maple syrup. He added a bowl of fresh fruit – apples, oranges, and berries that looked like jewels to his eyes.
And lastly, a tall glass of milk and a steaming cup of coffee completed his feast.
As he piled the food onto his tray, Levi couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.
He rembered the hungry faces back in the slums, the children who would fight over scraps. But he pushed the thought aside. This was his chance, his opportunity to grow stronger, and he needed proper nutrition to do so.
Thanks to the scholarship from Valerius, Levi didn't have to worry about al costs. As he carried his loaded tray, he made a ntal note to look up proper dietary plans later.
He knew a balanced diet would be crucial for his training, but for now, he was content to indulge in the abundance before him.
'I will make a proper diet plan and follow it from tomorrow…maybe'
Levi thought as he scanned the room for an empty table, his mouth watering at the prospect of diving into his al. That's when his eyes fell upon a familiar figure, and he froze mid-step.
Sitting alone at a corner table, her silver hair unmistakable even in the crowded cafeteria, was Lysandra. She seed absorbed in thought, absently pushing food around her plate.
Levi hesitated, his earlier encounter with her during the simulation still fresh in his mind.
Should he approach her? Try to clear the air after yesterday's disaster? Or find another seat and avoid potential conflict?
As he stood there, tray in hand, weighing his options, Lysandra's head began to turn in his direction…
***
High in the mountains, where mist clung to ancient stone, stood a monastery. Its weathered walls had withstood centuries of wind and rain. Prayer flags fluttered in the crisp air, their faded colors a testant to ti's passage.
Within the monastery's inner sanctum, a lone monk sat in ditation. His wrinkled face was as still as the mountain itself, his breathing so shallow it was barely perceptible. The monk's orange robes, threadbare from years of use, pooled around him on the worn stone floor.
Shafts of pale sunlight filtered through narrow windows, illuminating motes of dust that danced in the air. The room was sparse, containing only a simple altar adorned with a single candle and a small bronze statue of a seated Buddha…no, it looked like the statue of Buddha…but it wasn't!
The silence was absolute, broken only by the occasional distant toll of a temple bell.
A screech pierced the silence.
The monk's eyes opened, revealing irises as dark as night. Above, circling the monastery's highest tower, flew a creature that defied easy description.
It had the shape of an eagle, but its size dwarfed any natural bird. Feathers of midnight blue shimred with an otherworldly light. Its beak, curved and sharp, looked capable of rending flesh from bone with ease.
The creature descended, landing before the monk with surprising grace for its bulk. From its talons, it dropped a small scroll.
The monk's hand reached out, gently stroking the creature's midnight feathers as he unrolled the scroll. On the paper, two words writhed in an otherworldly script.
"Infiltration Successful."
The monk's expression remained unchanged as he read the ssage. With a deliberate motion, he closed the scroll.
In an instant, the paper ignited. Deep red flas consud it, leaving not even ash behind.
The eagle-like monster took flight, its massive wings stirring up dust in the courtyard. It soared away, quickly becoming a speck against the distant peaks.
The monk's eyes closed once more. His hands returned to their resting position on his lap. To an observer, it would seem as if nothing had happened, as if the ssenger and its portentous ssage had been rely a dream.
The silence of the monastery returned, broken only by the whisper of wind and the distant, mournful cry of the departing ssenger.
In the mountains, silence reigned once more. The monastery stood as it always had, its secrets held close within its ancient walls.
---***---
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