So loud.
Vergil made his way to where the aroma of food originated from. Trays clattered. Students chattered. All of it echoed off the walls and into his ears.
The cafeteria wasn’t just humongous, it was gorgeous. Polished stone floors, veined with reactive crystals, shimring faintly from the incoming sunlight. Chandeliers hung from the roof, their hue changing colour depending on the ti of day. The walls were adorned with animated murals depicting scenes of past success and graduates.
I didn’t expect this from the academy.
It was one thing to see sothing resembling dia. And another to use magic to imitate it.
He stepped into the line, letting his gaze wander. Each student that walked past, carried a tray with food that looked divine. Dishes that one would expect to only see in a royal banquet were handed out as if it was the norm.
[Vergil, your drooling.]
Vergil rubbed his mouth, watching a boy carrying a bowl of soup. Its broth glowed a fiery gold, with thick strips of at. Another girl carried food that crackled faintly with static, while soone else enjoyed a dessert that released a fragrant aroma.
This is why I wanted another life. Food is life!
Vergil’s stomach rumbled, loud enough for his face to form a scowl. ’If this is what we are given, then what do royalty eat?’ He glanced around again.
His turn ca quickly. Standing at the front of the queue, and looking up at the floating nu. Which roater slowing in an orderly manner. The choices were endless, and they all had an illustration of what each looked like.
’So many different beasts. I wonder where they get all this food from?’
His system chid in casually.
[Enjoy yourself today, soon, I’ll be recomnding what you should eat.]
’... really?’
[I have to help you sohow.]
’Oh they sell boar.’
"Stonehide Boar cutlets," he spoke. "Then, glowlwad rice and... a sparkfruit frizz."
The won behind the counter, nodded with a smile, with a small wave, magic runes flared to life on the counter behind her.
Vergil watched as the raw ingredients shomred into view, fresh, thick slices of boar marinated in a deep brown glaze of crushed peppers, salt and dried herbs.
The won passed her hand over the heating rune, the stone grilled. The cuts hitting the surface with a loud sizzle burning beneath a golden fla. The scent of both at and spices hit his nose imdiately.
Each cutlet cooked in re seconds. What should’ve taken at least an honour was done in an instant. She flipped them with a precise motion, adding a glaze of thick lava-root reduction that shimred with a sheen or orange.
She plated them next to a bed of glowleaf rice, laced with bioluminescent herbs and a scoop of emberfruit chutney.
Finally ca the drink. The Sparkfruit Frizz was poured from a crystal dispenser. A pale blue colour with faint popping bubbles. It fizzed up naturally, sparkling more intensely as it entered the glass cup.
"Here you go," she smiled, passing the tray.
He took the tray gently, marvelling at how the cutlets were seated to perfections. Thr edges slightly charred, the centers leaking its juicy flavour.
This will be the first posh al I will eat. Gotta savour it while its hot.
He moved swiftly, to find a seat, most of the seats were already taken and those that weren’t,the students that sat gave him weird yet curious looks.
He would have just sat down, but it would ruin his appetite if they stared. He knew they ant no harm. Well so did, but he wanted to dine with his friends.
He kept moving through the sea of students, the clatter of his cluttery on his tray made him careful before a shout tore through the noise.
"Vergil!"
He turned towards where it ca from.
Ray and Kael where seared near the fall wall, under one of the crstyal-lit columns. Ray waved him over with bis fork mid bite, already halfway through his plate.
Kael nodded. Composed, sipping from a blass of chilled mistalped tonic
Vergil sat next to Kael, putting his tray on the table. "How was your horoom?" He asked, reaching for his utensils.
"Not too bad," Ray spoke, swallowing a mouthful of food. "Almost fell asleep though."
"We had Helra Vance," Kael interjected. "She’s one hell of an instructor."
Vergil gave an odd look. He had no idea who was or whay she was. "She must be important." He nodded
"She is in Vaeloria," Kael confird. "I heard she used to interrogate nobles using... questionable thods."
"Though, the law stops it now." He added.
Ray’s expression soured imdiately, he turned away and poked at his food. "Who would do that voluntarily," he muttered.
Kasl gazs flicked towards him, then back to Vergil. A smile forming at the corner of his mouth. "I wonder why? Was it because she dragged you out of class."
"I can just imagine it," Vergil sighed. "Sounds just like him."
Ray gave them a mock-glare. "She ambushed , when I was sleeping."
"Dont forget to ntion the part, where the spar lasted less than ten seconds." Kael added
"Didn’t know sparring counted as ambushes."
"It does, when she tells you to demonstrate your technique," Ray gulped. "And the next think you know, you’re flat on your back."
"Still, not a bad fight. I gave her a run."
Vergil and Kael have him a look as if to say. ’Sure you did, buddy.’
"It was a good technique though."
Vergil chuckled, shaking his head. "I’m surprised she didn’t have your head."
Kael turned his attention to Vergil. "What about you? Who was your teacher?"
"Rael." Vergil responded
Kael nodded once. "He’s solid. A bit on the cold side, but genuinely on the better side.’
Vergil tapped his fork against his plate, the leaned in just a little.
Vergil tapped his fork against his plate lightly, then leaned in just a little.
"I’ve got a question, though."
That subtle shift in tone pulled both Ray and Kael to lean in.
Vergil’s brown eyes sharpened, his earlier amusent fading away. "What happens if soone who isn’t registered by the Church uses divine energy here, in the academy?"
Kael blinked. Ray coughed profusely. The silence between them stretched. Ray furrowed, unsure if this was just a hypothetical.
Kael set his drink down, eyes narrowing in thought. "... technically. Nothing. The academy has a treaty with the other continents that protects their students."
"While we’re here, they can’t legally act."
Ray tilted his head. "But that’s only inside the school grounds, right?"
"Exactly." Kael’s tone grew serious. "Outside is completely different. If words get out, tjey may bove quietly. And do whatever to get rid of them."
Vergil remained unreadable.
Kael leaned forward, whispering. "So of the students here. Especially those from Aurelia, wouldn’t hesitate to kill, even in front of everyone. To them, they’ll think they’re cleansing a heretic."
Ray looked uncomfortable. "Even if its bot sanctioned by the Church?"
"They don’t care. So ofnthem believe it belongs to the godess and the angels. And if you wield it without proof. Your a blaspher.
Vergil exhaled l, the spike again. "I asked Professor Rael about it. He gave part of that answer. But then he stopped."
"Kael nodded. "Of course they would. Talking about it draws too much attention. They have their limits since they fund alot to the academy."
"So whats the point," Ray whispered. "If they can’t protect students when the academy’s hands are tied?"
"Its not about protection, it’s about politics." Kael responded. "If sothing happens outside the academies jurisdiction and nobody claims responsibility, the academy stays ’neutral.’"
Vergil stared at his remaining cutlet for a mont, the glaze had cooled slightly, the wsrmth still trapped under the crispy crust.
So if I reveal it. I’ll only be protected for the duration of my stay at the academy. And thats if I don’t leave school grounds.
But the words "proof" ca to mind. Perhaps there’s a way to justify my ans.
His voice was quiet now. "So uh, what happens after graduation."
Kael lips parted, but Rays ca out first. "They’re fucked."
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