Chapter 39: Buying a Phone
"Eh, little Nero?" Adam called out for the third time, but Nero seemed lost in thought.
’I wonder what he’s so deep in thought about that he hasn’t responded to me? Well, it must be something important. I’ll just wait and enjoy my meal. It would be perfect if I had a nice whisky to go with this,’ Adam lamented, his thirst for alcohol growing. As expected from a race known for its love of drink, alcohol was forbidden in the cafeteria. Even with plenty of credits, you couldn’t buy it since it was prohibited.
It’s worth noting that while there were many dishes available, not all of them were free. Only the basic meals were served to the cadets; if you wanted something more exotic or delicious, you had to pay for it. This was a military facility, after all, so you can imagine the kind of basic meals being served—something any normal cadet wouldn’t want to eat. Everyone ended up buying what they wanted. Adam’s meal cost 15 credits, while Nero’s salad was 10 credits. Naturally, it was Nero who paid, not because he felt forced but because it was what a decent man should do. After all, he had promised to buy Adam a phone after this; it was the least he could do.
Meanwhile, Nero was lost in his thoughts, fully aware that facing everything alone would be difficult. He needed allies, which is why he had decided to make friends. Among them, there was bound to be someone who could help him later; they could prove to be useful in the future. As he dwelled on the past, a memory surfaced.
’I wonder what history my mother’s family has? The Adams family is incredibly mysterious. I haven’t found anything about them, and from what I’ve gathered in the Raizen’s family, even they don’t know much about this family. Before she died, my mother told me I must visit a certain village in the northern hemisphere; she said I might find some answers there. I’ll go once I’m strong enough. Just another thing to add to my growing list.’ Nero mentally noted before snapping back to reality.
"I’m sorry, I was lost in thought for a moment, reflecting on the past," Nero apologized. His aim in doing so was twofold: first, he wanted to be considerate, and second, he was showing that he wasn’t averse to sharing his past, demonstrating his willingness to build a strong relationship with Adam. Some might call this a calculating move, but isn’t everything we do in life calculated? Even acts of kindness are calculated; you do them because they fulfill something within you. Nero didn’t think his actions were wrong.
"You don’t have to feel sorry for that. Let’s have a heart-to-heart conversation later over drinks," Adam replied, a warm feeling spreading inside him. His decision to befriend Nero felt like the right one; his intuition as a dwarf was telling him that this young man would bring about change. He needed to befriend Nero, and who knows? Once Nero became famous, Adam could boast about their friendship. Above all, he wanted to create something exceptional to be remembered for, and he felt that being around Nero would ignite his creativity, allowing him to craft remarkable artifacts. The thought of such a future brought a smile to his lips.
The two chatted happily until Lux and Blake arrived and joined them at the table. They quickly ordered their meals: Lux opted for a hearty Bolognese spaghetti, its rich, meaty sauce clinging to perfectly cooked strands of pasta, topped with a sprinkle of parmesan and fresh basil. Blake, on the other hand, lazily ordered a Caesar salad, a crisp mix of romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and a creamy dressing that he picked at absentmindedly, seemingly uninterested in Adam’s playful pestering. The atmosphere was lively as they settled in, the aroma of their meals mixing with the sounds of the bustling cafeteria around them.