Chapter 39: An Old Debt
The homeroom session had ended, leaving behind a lingering tension in the air. Professor Vekar's words had been nothing short of disheartening to most, stripping away any illusions of an easy academy life. The announcement of the upcoming Practical Evaluation had shaken several students, as it was evident in their stiff postures and quiet murmurs as they dispersed from the classroom.
Velren, however, remained mostly unaffected. It wasn't as if he had expected the academy to be lenient in the first place. Still, the lack of details regarding the evaluation left him mildly curious.
Pushing those thoughts aside for now, he found himself wandering toward the cafeteria—a large, open hall located within the main academy grounds. The scent of freshly prepared meals wafted through the air, mingling with the chatter of students scattered across the numerous tables and benches. Large stained-glass windows filtered in streams of soft daylight, casting a warm ambiance over the vast dining area.
Despite the grand design, it was the sheer variety of food that momentarily overwhelmed Velren.
'This is... something else, alright.'
He had spent most of his life cooking for himself, relying on whatever he and Fenrir could hunt in the forest. On occasion, Gramps would bring supplies from the kingdom—dried goods, grains, spices—but most of Velren's meals had been prepared with his own hands. He considered himself a decent cook, always experimenting with new recipes when he had the chance.
Yet, here he was, standing in front of a vast selection of dishes he had never even seen before.
After a brief moment of indecision, he settled for something simple.
Now, sitting at a desk in the corner of the cafeteria, Velren glanced down at the tray in front of him.
A modest lunch set.
Perfectly shaped rice balls, sprinkled lightly with sesame seeds, neatly cut rolled omelets, stir-fried vegetables, and a couple of cherry tomatoes.