Chapter 12: Lunch Rush
The silence in the dorm was perfect. For the first time since arriving in this world, Ethan had a bed that wasn't falling apart, roommates who weren't actively threatening to murder him, and—for the moment—no fireballs trying to end his life.
He was sprawled out on his mattress, arms tucked behind his head, legs dangling over the edge. For once, just existing felt good.
That peace, naturally, lasted about twelve seconds.
SCREEEEECH.
He bolted upright so fast he smacked his shin on the underside of the bedframe. "What the hell—?!"
Across the room, Kai grunted from his bed and rolled over, while Aiden calmly stood and started buttoning his shirt like this was normal.
"That's the bell," Aiden said, his tone annoyingly casual.
"That's not a bell. That's... that's torture," Ethan hissed, rubbing his ears.
Kai sat up, squinting. "Wait—you don't know what the bell is?"
Ethan blinked. "I mean, I thought it was some kind of mana alarm—"
"It's lunch," Kai deadpanned. "Lunch."