“And that is why your biology, environment, and psychological makeup all influence what forms of mana manipulation you are most suited to.”
Professor Fall’s lecture was interrupted by the ringing of the bell.
Ding.
Dong.
Ding.
“Alright, class,” he said, placing down his chalk.
“That will be all for today. Read pages nineteen through twenty-five to prepare for next week’s lesson.”
He glanced around the room.
“You may go to lunch.”
The moment he finished speaking, the classroom erupted into movement.
Students began packing away their books while sighs of relief filled the room.
As I packed my bag, Imara leaned toward us.
“We should hurry, guys. My brother said the cafeteria becomes a battlefield at lunch.”
Simon looked unconvinced.
“Princess, I’m pretty sure the academy has enough food to feed the entire school.”
“I’m not worried about the food,” Imara replied.
“I’m worried about finding a seat.”
That was a fair point.
Soon we left the classroom and joined the flow of students heading toward the cafeteria.
The halls were packed.
Some students walked beside us toward lunch while others were already carrying trays toward the academy gardens and outdoor seating areas.
When we finally reached the cafeteria doors, I immediately understood what the student guide had meant when he suggested eating outside.
The place was packed.
Lines of students stretched across the room.
Almost every table was occupied.
The air buzzed with conversation.
Honestly, it looked more crowded than some city markets.
Surprisingly, however, very few people paid attention to us.
A handful of students glanced our way before returning to their meals or conversations.
The older students seemed far less interested in gossiping about royals.
Honestly, it was refreshing.
“Wow,” Simon muttered.
“Look at that line.”
“Right?” Imara agreed.
“I always wondered why lunch lasted two hours.”
She pointed dramatically.
“Now it makes sense.”
We joined the line.
As we waited, I noticed Imara practically bouncing on the spot.
Simon noticed too.
“What has you shining so brightly, Princess?”
I nodded.
“Seriously. You’re practically floating, and we haven’t learned any levitation spells yet.”
Imara grinned.
“When I met up with Jasiri earlier, he told me the academy was going all out for today’s lunch.”
She began counting on her fingers.
“Pan deer steak.”
“Sweet corn soup.”
“Sapphire fruit.”
“I should have known this was about food,” Simon sighed.
“Well, that’s one of the things that makes you lovable, Princess.”
I smiled.
Honestly, I was beginning to understand what made Imara happiest.
Her family.
Good food.
And opportunities to prove her honor.
After nearly fifteen minutes, we finally reached the front of the line and collected our trays.
Then came the difficult part.
Finding somewhere to sit.
As we searched, a familiar voice called out.
“Imara!”
At a table near the center of the cafeteria sat Ogun and Aleksandr.
Surprisingly, there were several empty seats around them.
Ogun waved.
“Looking for somewhere to sit? Come join us.”
Imara immediately brightened.
“Thanks, brother!”
“Seriously,” Simon added.
“I was beginning to think we’d be eating on the floor.”
I nodded.
“Thank you.”
We carried our trays over and sat down.
“No problem,” Ogun replied.
“We always sit here.”
He jerked a thumb toward Aleksandr.
“Last year, Aleksandr sat here and everyone avoided the table like it was cursed.”
Aleksandr didn’t even look up from his food.
“You make it sound like I stopped them.”
“They’re just cowards.”
Ogun laughed.
“Of course they avoided the table.”
He pointed dramatically at his friend.
“You always look like you’re one inconvenience away from striking someone with lightning.”
Aleksandr rolled his eyes.
I continued eating while listening to them.
Honestly, they were surprisingly entertaining.
“Really,” Ogun continued, “he should be thanking me.”
Aleksandr raised an eyebrow.
“For what?”
“For being your only friend.”
“Yes. Thank you so much.”
The sarcasm in Aleksandr’s voice earned a laugh from everyone at the table.
As Imara ate, she suddenly looked up.
“Wait. Where’s Jasiri?”
Ogun sighed and leaned back in his chair.
“Student council work.”
His expression softened.
“Ever since he dropped to A Class this year, he’s been pushing himself too hard.”
A sad look appeared on Imara’s face.
“It’s still bothering him, huh?”
“Yeah.”
Ogun nodded.
“I keep telling him he can always climb back up.”
“But you know how stubborn he is.”
Imara quietly nodded.
As the conversation continued, I suddenly felt someone looking at me.
I glanced up.
And immediately met a pair of red eyes.
Aleksandr.
For some reason, neither of us looked away.
The silence stretched for several seconds.
Then Simon noticed.
“Oh.”
A grin spread across his face.
“This must be awkward.”
Aleksandr looked at him.
“Why?”
“Well…” Simon gestured between us.
“The history between your kingdoms.”
“That war ended a hundred years ago.”
He shrugged.
“I wasn’t alive.”
Then he glanced at me.
“So it has nothing to do with me.”
I nodded.
“Same.”
Honestly, I’d always disliked that part of history.
“When I learned about the war, I thought it sounded pointless.”
Aleksandr raised an eyebrow.
Then a small smirk appeared.
“Hm.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
A satisfied smile crossed Simon’s face.
“Look at that.”
“World peace achieved.”
Imara snorted.
“Pretty sure that’s not how that works.”
“Let me have this.”
The conversation continued after that.
Much more naturally than I expected.
Before long, the lunch bell rang.
Ding.
Dong.
Ding.
Ogun and Aleksandr stood.
“Well,” Ogun said, gathering his tray, “we need to stop somewhere before class.”
He waved.
“See you later, Imara.”
Aleksandr gave us a brief nod.
Then the two second-years disappeared into the crowd.
After returning our trays, we headed outside the cafeteria.
Imara stretched.
“Well, Dufus, you’re on your own.”
Simon immediately clutched his chest.
“This is cruel.”
“I have Introduction to Artifacts.”
“Alone.”
I nodded sympathetically.
“If it were up to me, I’d switch with you.”
“See?” Simon pointed at me.
“Li Qiang understands my suffering.”
Imara rolled her eyes.
“Oh please.”
Then she pointed at both of us.
“You two are acting like you’re marching off to war.”
She looked at me.
“Li Qiang, you’ll be fine. It’s only the first day.”
Then she looked at Simon.
“And Dufus, we’ll meet back here after class.”
“I need to talk to both of you about something.”
Simon’s curiosity immediately sparked.
“What thing?”
“You’ll find out later.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Life isn’t fair.”
With that, we split into two groups.
After changing into my training clothes, I left the locker room and met up with Imara.
Together, we began making our way toward Practical Combat Magic.
And for the first time all day, I felt nervous.