After a few more minutes of chatting with Helena, we finally arrived at the cafeteria.
As soon as the door opened, I was greeted by a peculiar sight and a bittersweet aroma that invaded my nostrils.
The hall was large, with long tables arranged in parallel rows.
So acolytes were scattered in small groups, speaking in low voices or eating in silence.
The area was illuminated by magical globes floating above the tables, emitting a soft, pulsing light, just like in all the other places I had visited.
At the center of the cafeteria stood sothing that would catch anyone’s attention.
A green-skinned, muscular creature with arms that resembled tree trunks.
It was clearly an ogre, but it wore a white apron already stained with many colors and a chef’s hat that looked too small for its disproportionate head.
In front of it was a huge cauldron, with steam rising and filling the air with a strange, salty sll.
Beside the cauldron was a long, organized table with trays, plates, knives, forks, spoons, and cups.
On the opposite side, I noticed a buffet offering various types of food, from gleaming fruits to steaming cuts of at.
Helena, excited, walked ahead and exclaid.
—I’m starving!
Since she was small, she had to climb onto a chair to reach the items on the table. Holding her dress with one hand so she wouldn’t trip, she carefully picked up a tray, making sure nothing fell.
The scene was so amusing that I almost laughed, but I held back, maintaining my composure.
I picked up a tray right after, adding a plate, spoons, knives, and a cup.
I walked toward the ogre and stopped in front of the bubbling cauldron.
The sll was... peculiar, to say the least.
I frowned as I looked at the dark green liquid, with pieces that looked like vegetables floating beside sothing I preferred not to identify.
The creature noticed my expression and sighed as if already used to such reactions.
—Cave goblin soup. Rich in iron. The taste isn’t the most appetizing, but it’s good for your health.
I gave a slight smile but shook my head in refusal.
—No, thank you. I’ll stick to traditional food.
The ogre simply nodded, apparently unconcerned, and went back to standing still.
I moved to the other side of the cauldron, where the traditional dishes were.
There, I filled my plate with all kinds of at.
Chicken, beef, and even a piece of snake at that looked perfectly grilled.
I filled my cup with red wine, ignoring the available juice options.
With my tray ready, I looked around and saw Helena already seated at one of the tables.
She was alone, swinging her feet that barely touched the floor.
As I approached, I noticed she had filled her tray with fruits, bread, and a small bowl of soup, probably one of the simplest ones.
I sat in the chair beside her, placing my tray on the table carefully.
—So, Helena, it seems you didn’t dare try the goblin soup either, huh?
She laughed and took a bite of a fruit that resembled a shiny apple.
—Oh, no way. I like things that actually look like food, you know? But I admit their soup is good if you’re desperate for energy.
As I cut another piece of at and chewed, I casually looked at Helena.
Even now, transford into a doll, she was still made of flesh and bone.
Her delicate movents while eating were not entirely natural, probably a side effect of being turned into a doll.
I decided to break the silence.
—Who is your professor? I asked, trying to sound indifferent.
Helena paused for a mont, her eyes fixed on her plate as she chewed a piece of the shiny fruit.
—Daniel.
The na did not surprise .
During my reading of the information scroll about the professors, Daniel had been described as one of the most notorious.
—I see...
I replied, not taking the matter any further.
I knew it made no sense to show pity or compassion.
This world was not a place for the weak, and no one had ti to mourn.
After finishing my plate, I stood up and carried the tray to the designated area for dirty dishes.
I scraped the leftover food into the trash, and the dull sound of the impact echoed briefly.
Then I returned to Helena, who was still seated, her doll-like arm resting on the table.
—Good night, Helena. I’m heading to bed.
She raised her small gloved hand and waved lightly.
—Good night, Eduard. Sleep well.
I walked down the corridor to my room, and the silence of the tower at night felt almost oppressive.
Turning the doorknob, I entered and closed the door behind with a soft click.
I took off my clothes and tossed them carelessly onto a nearby chair before collapsing onto the bed.
I’m completely exhausted...
I think I went about 15 to 18 hours without proper rest.
Closing my eyes, I gave one last ntal command.
—Biochip, set the alarm for 5:30 a.m.
The familiar electronic sound echoed in my mind.
["Beep!"]
["Alarm set!"]
The countdown began:
["08:00:00"]
["07:59:59"]
["07:59:58"]
["07:59:57"]
.
.
Within seconds, the world around vanished, and I was dragged into a deep, dreamless sleep, as if my body were desperately begging for that rest.
.
.
.
["00:00:05"]
["00:00:04"]
["00:00:03"]
["00:00:02"]
["00:00:01"]
["00:00:00"]
["Beep!"]
["Beep!"]
["The alarm is ringing!"]
The voice of the virtual laboratory echoed, pulling out of sleep.
Already?
I thought as I issued another ntal command.
—Deactivate the alarm!
["Beep!"]
["Alarm deactivated!"]
The sunlight streaming through the window was relentless, illuminating every corner of the room and reminding that a new day had begun.
I got up, grabbed the clothes I had thrown on the chair the night before, and went to the bathroom.
The cold water on my face helped drive away the lingering drowsiness, and after a quick routine, I left the room.
My stomach was already growling with hunger as I headed to the cafeteria.
When I entered, the atmosphere was completely different from the previous night.
Many acolytes were scattered across the tables, eating a variety of breads, fruit-decorated cakes, hot coffee, and other items I didn’t bother to observe.
I paid them little attention, going straight for the ats, which were now my main focus.
I took generous portions of beef and chicken, along with a glass of water to accompany them.
I chewed with determination, feeling strength and energy returning to my body.
Only at, water, and wine...
That’s all a warrior needs.
After finishing my al, I headed toward Professor Miguel’s laboratory, my mind already anticipating what I would find there.
When I reached the tal door, marked with industrial symbols engraved with precision, I took a deep breath and entered.
At the center of the laboratory, Miguel, my new professor, was completely focused on his work.
His eyes, visible through the lenses of his glasses, shone with the sa golden light as before.
His orange mustache still perched on his face, but now he wore a dark leather apron covered in oil stains and burn marks.
Miguel was working on a combat automaton, a humanoid machine made of reinforced steel, with flexible joints and protective plates along its back.
He carefully adjusted a sequence of gears that controlled the automaton’s arm movents.
The gears, arranged in layers, were connected by small shafts and powered by an internal motor fueled by a pulsating magical crystal embedded in the machine’s chest.
—Adjust the torque ratio on the right arm, he murmured to himself as he tightened a valve with a shining wrench.
I remained silent, watching.
I wasn’t foolish enough to interrupt him while he was so absorbed in his creation.
...
1424 Words
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