The sun shone brightly overhead as they left the drama-filled academy grounds. The dust from the fight still clung thinly to their shoes, but Kazien walked as if nothing had happened.
They hurried away from the crowd that was still frozen in shock, heading to the cafeteria to quench their thirst.
As soon as they arrived at the spacious and bustling cafeteria, the aroma of cooking immediately greeted their sense of smell. The scent of freshly baked bread and savory meat broth slightly eased the tension that had been weighing on their shoulders.
The three of them went straight to the ordering counter. Without wasting time choosing food, they ordered fresh fruit juice drinks to wet their dry throats after the tension on the field.
They carried the tray containing their ordered drinks, looking for a place to sit. However, that tranquility was merely a dream.
For the umpteenth time today, Alvin became the center of everyone's attention again. The presence of a High Elf in the public cafeteria was a rare sight, and coupled with rumors of the fight just now, all eyes were on him.
Whispers began to be heard like the buzzing of bees.
"That's him..."
"Is he the one fought over by the Class 1-B student earlier?"
"I heard Marina fainted..."
Some students seemed to want to approach, curious about the figure who had just triggered the brutal duel on the field. Their steps were hesitant, but their direction was clearly towards Alvin.
Seeing these signs, Alvin and Allen immediately felt scared and wary. However, their fear was not directed at other students. Rather, they were afraid that Kazien would go on a rampage again like what happened before. The memory of Marina's body being flung far away due to Kazien's one casual kick was still very fresh in their minds. The thud sound when the girl's body hit the ground still rang in their ears.
Their feelings became uncertain. Their eyes did not leave Kazien's figure. Both Alvin and Allen always watched the young man's movements, guarding in case Kazien's hand started to clench or his murderous aura leaked out again. They were like guarding a time bomb.
"Over there is empty!" pointed Allen.
They finally found an empty table in a somewhat secluded corner of the room. They sat down, sighing deeply.
However, the universe seemed not to be on the side of their break time. Just two minutes after they sat down, and their lips had just touched the rim of the glass, before they could even fully enjoy their drinks...
Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!
The sound of the academy's great bell echoed throughout the room, deafening the ears. The bell rang loudly, signaling that the precious break time was over and students must return to their respective classes immediately.
Kazien froze. The glass in his hand trembled.
"Damn it!" he hissed.
His face darkened, gloomy like a cloudy sky. Kazien became very annoyed because he couldn't enjoy his break time casually even for a moment. His plan to sit quietly, chat, and enjoy a drink with Alvin was shattered by disturbance after disturbance.
Alvin, sitting next to him, was immediately sensitive. He reached out his hand, stroking the back of Kazien's clenched fist on the table gently. Alvin's cool skin touch provided a calming effect.
"My dear, don't think about it too much." coaxed Alvin with a soothing voice, his eyes gazing gently into Kazien's turbulent eyes. "You have to accept the reality that I am a different race from everyone here. It's natural if they are curious and make a fuss. I hope you can control your emotions, for my sake. I don't want you to get into trouble on the first day."
Those gentle words slowly softened the hardness on Kazien's face.
He closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, trying to hold back his exploding annoyance, and then exhaled slowly to calm himself for a moment.
Kazien opened his eyes. His gaze was more controlled.
"Let's go back!" invited Kazien briefly, getting up from his chair without finishing his drink.
As they stood up, Kazien did something impulsive.
Unconsciously, due to excessive protectiveness and a desire to ensure no one else disturbed "his belongings", Kazien reached out both his hands.
He grasped Alvin's hand tightly with his left hand. And with his right hand, he snatched Allen's hand.
He pulled both of them at once, then led them to walk together leaving the cafeteria towards the classroom like a possessive big brother holding his younger siblings so they wouldn't get lost in a market crowd.
Allen's eyes widened staring at his hand held tightly by Kazien. His face heated up instantly. His heart beat strangely because of the sudden treatment from his cousin.
Why is he holding my hand too? thought Allen confused mixed with embarrassment. He glanced at other students staring at them in wonder. If holding Alvin is normal, they are engaged. But me? Am I his lover?
Although struggling with his own thoughts full of question marks, Allen did not shake it off. There was a strange sense of security in his cousin's strong grip. He kept following Kazien's wide and firm steps, which continued to lead him cutting through the corridor crowd towards the classroom.
The route to Class D required them to pass a row of other classes in the main corridor.
Their steps were firm, until when passing in front of the door of Class B, Kazien's steps slowed slightly.
His head turned to the left. His eyes narrowed sharply staring into that classroom through the open window.
Kazien showed his annoyed expression again. He remembered information from other students' whispers that the blue-haired girl earlier, Marina, was in that class.
The girl who had ruined his time with Alvin and Allen, humiliated his fiancé, and dared to want to snatch his future wife openly.
His gaze was so sharp, as if wanting to burn down the entire Class B. Unconsciously his hands started to grip Alvin and Allen's hands quite strongly until it made their joints hurt a little.
Feeling the change in pressure, Alvin immediately squeezed Kazien's hand back, slightly stronger as a signal.
He looked into Kazien's eyes and signaled him through an intense gaze: Don't do that. Don't look for further trouble. It's enough.
Kazien caught the message. He gritted his teeth, then sighed roughly.
He broke his deadly gaze from Class B. He turned his face forward again, focusing on walking straight.
Kazien was able to control his emotions thanks to Alvin's intervention, allowing Alvin to breathe a sigh of relief beside him. Thank goodness...
Meanwhile, Kazien continued walking while grumbling in his heart. His annoyance hadn't completely subsided.
I don't know what will happen in this academy if Alvin doesn't try to calm me down like this, thought Kazien sourly. Just on the first day of becoming a student at this academy, not even half a day yet, trouble has already come to me incessantly.
Kazien looked at the faces of the students they passed in the corridor with a cynical gaze. He felt disgusted by the hypocrisy and arrogance radiating from their aura.
This academy makes me feel sick!There are so many shameless people attending school here. People who judge others only by status, look down on others, and even dare to want to snatch someone else's future wife openly in front of their partner's face. Truly a trash can wrapped in gold.
They finally arrived at Class D and immediately went to their respective seats.
Not long after, the classroom door opened wide. A tall, sturdy male teacher stepped in. A luxurious official royal wizard robe swept the floor. The magic aura radiating from him was quite strong and dominating, making the classroom atmosphere, which was still whispering, become silent instantly.
The lesson had started again.
The teacher stood in front of the class, looking at the students with an appraising gaze.
"Good afternoon!" greeted the teacher with a confident and echoing baritone voice.
He turned around, took a chalk, and wrote his name on the blackboard with dramatic and stylish hand movements.
"I am Orlando Walgarvest." he said while turning his body, his robe fluttering. "Your Magic Theory teacher, as well as one of the royal court wizards of the Kingdom of Garveon."