The lunch bell echoed across the academy.
Within seconds, the quiet hallways became crowded as students streamed toward the dining hall.
Ethan walked beside Rowan while Oliver squeezed through the crowd to catch up.
"There you are!" Oliver said, slightly out of breath. "I almost lost you two."
"You got distracted again?" Rowan asked.
Oliver looked offended. "I was talking."
"You were talking to half the class." Rowan interjected.
"They seemed interesting."
Ethan chuckled. "At this rate, you'll know everyone by the end of the week."
"That's the plan."
The three entered the dining hall together.
Compared to yesterday evening, it was even busier.
Students from every department filled the room.
The noise of conversations blended with the clatter of trays and silverware. The smell of fresh bread and roasted chicken drifted through the air.
"I'm starving," Oliver declared. "I've been starving since first period."
"You were eating a pastry twenty minutes ago," Rowan reminded him.
"…That was a snack."
After collecting their lunches, the three searched for an empty table.
"Over there" Oliver pointed toward a table near one of the tall windows.
It was just large enough for the three of them.
As they sat down, Ethan glanced around the hall almost instinctively.
And, unsurprisingly…
He spotted Adrian.
This time, however, something was different.
Instead of sitting alone, Adrian was eating with Caleb Mercer.
The two weren't talking much, but the silence between them wasn't awkward.
Caleb occasionally commented on something, and Adrian would respond with a short answer.
It wasn't a lively conversation.
But it was comfortable.
Ethan smiled faintly.
Oliver followed Ethan's gaze.
"The commoner again?"
Ethan quickly looked back at his own tray. "I just happened to notice him."
"Mhm."
Oliver wore an amused smile.
"You've noticed him quite a few times."
"…Have I?"
Rowan took a sip of soup. "I've noticed too."
Ethan nearly choked on his water. "What?"
"You seem interested in him."
"It's not like that."
Oliver leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "Then what is it?"
"I…"
Ethan couldn't exactly say,
"Because I know he's the protagonist of a novel and if I don't save him, he'll die in five years."
So he settled on the safest answer.
"I heard he's talented."
Oliver nodded. "That's true."
"They say he defeated an adult swordsman during the practical test."
Rowan looked surprised.
"Seriously?"
"So the rumors weren't exaggerated."
As they continued eating, more students entered the hall.
One group of nobles stopped near Adrian's table.
For a brief moment…
Ethan thought trouble was about to start.
Instead, one of them simply looked at Caleb.
"Mercer."
Caleb looked up.
"What?"
"We're heading to the training grounds after lunch."
"You coming?"
Caleb glanced at Adrian.
"I already promised Ashbourne we'd practice together."
The noble raised an eyebrow.
"With him?"
"Yeah."
After a second's pause, the noble shrugged.
"Suit yourself."
The group walked away.
Adrian quietly continued eating as if nothing had happened.
Caleb only rolled his eyes.
"Ignore them."
"I am."
His voice was calm.
Almost indifferent.
Ethan watched the exchange thoughtfully.
"He's already learned to ignore comments like that…"
The realization wasn't comforting.
It meant Adrian had been dealing with prejudice long before entering the academy.
A blue notification appeared in front of Ethan.
[Observation Recorded
Caleb Mercer
Relationship to Hero: Friendly
Trust Level: Moderate
Recommendation: Allies who support the Hero may become valuable in the future.]
Ethan blinked.
"So the System tracks other people too."
[Affirmative.]
"Can you tell me everyone's information?"
[Negative.
Information is only recorded after sufficient observation or interaction.]
"That would've been too convenient."
The System didn't disagree.
Lunch ended faster than Ethan expected.
Students began returning their trays before heading toward their afternoon classes.
Oliver stood and stretched.
"Practical Spell Casting is first."
Rowan nodded. "I hope we actually cast spells."
Oliver looked nervous. "I hope I don't accidentally burn my eyebrows off."
"You'll be fine."
"That's easy for you to say."
As they carried their trays toward the return counter, Ethan found himself walking a few steps behind Rowan and Oliver.
At the same moment…
Someone approached from the opposite direction.
Without thinking, both of them stepped to the same side.
Then the other side.
They stopped.
"…"
Adrian.
For a second, they mirrored each other's movements before both pausing.
"…Sorry," Adrian said.
A faint hint of embarrassment flashed across his usually calm face.
Ethan smiled awkwardly.
"No, that was my fault."
The corner of Caleb's mouth twitched as he watched from a few steps away.
"You two are doing that thing where nobody can decide which direction to move."
Ethan let out a small laugh.
"I guess we are."
Adrian gave a nearly imperceptible nod before stepping aside.
"This way."
"Thanks."
Ethan walked past him.
After only a few steps, he heard Caleb teasing quietly behind him.
"I've seen monsters with better coordination."
"…"
Adrian sighed.
"I noticed."
Ethan couldn't help smiling.
"So Caleb jokes around with him…"
It was nice to see.
The Hero wasn't completely alone.
Outside, students split off toward their respective afternoon classes.
The Swordsmanship Department headed for the outdoor training fields.
Magic students returned to the magic building.
Before Adrian disappeared around the corner, he glanced back for just a moment.
His eyes landed briefly on Ethan.
Not with suspicion.
Not with distrust.
More like…
Recognition.
"The noble from earlier."
[Side Quest Updated
Introduce yourself to Adrian Ashbourne
Progress: 15%
The Hero now recognizes the Host's face.]
Ethan blinked.
"…Only fifteen percent?"
[Recognition is not acquaintance.]
"…Fair enough."
He adjusted the strap of his bag and followed Rowan and Oliver toward the Magic Department.
This afternoon…
He would finally learn his first real spell.