Chapter 28: Instinct in the Wind
The cafeteria buzzed like a low, unending current—clattering trays, the shimmer of mana-enhanced burners, and the overlapping murmur of nearly a hundred conversations. Ethan stepped in beside Kai and Aiden, the scent of spiced meat and herbs filling the air instantly. A mild enchantment above the room cycled clean air downward, mixing with the warmth of roasted bread and tangy sauces.
They filed into the line, Ethan grabbing a deep ceramic bowl from the floating rack as Kai leaned over the rail to see what was steaming in the golden trays.
"Please tell me it’s those fried mana rice dumplings," Kai said, peeking.
"Top left," Aiden replied, already nudging a tray into Ethan’s hands. "Take them before they’re gone."
Ethan accepted it quietly, letting the warmth bleed into his fingers. It had been a long morning.
The lunch line moved steadily, students picking out meals crafted from elemental-infused ingredients—flame-charred vegetables that steamed on their own, water-enriched noodles that shimmered like glass, and cooling fruit slices that soothed mana with every bite.
Ethan loaded up without much thought—dumplings, fire-baked squash, a slice of healing-fruit tart—then followed the others toward the triad seating area, a series of runed tables arranged in loosely defined clusters. A faint buzzing spell filtered sound for each group, so conversations remained private unless someone wanted to be heard.
They found their usual spot near the tall arched windows, where sunlight poured in and made everything feel a little too peaceful.
Kai dropped into his seat with a theatrical groan. "If I fall into a mana nap after this, I’m blaming Marek and his abomination class. That orb thing nearly collapsed on me."
Aiden grinned as he sat down across from him. "Because you tried to give it stone arms. Maybe it didn’t want arms."
"I was innovating," Kai said, pointing his spoon like a sword. "Art takes risk."