章 22: Kill to eat

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Garmond sat at the far end of the bustling cafeteria, accompanied by Hendrix. As the new arrivals, they were like two islands in a sea of unfamiliar faces, their nervous glances darting from one group to another. Laughter and chatter filled the air, but for them, it felt like an exclusive party they weren't invited to.

Garmond's heart pounded with a mix of excitement and trepidation. After years spent behind the cold walls of the castle, where duty eclipsed childhood joys, he finally had the chance to reclaim those long-lost moments. As the heir to the throne of Kingdom Orion, he had been shielded from the carefree laughter of other children, forced to stay within the confines of royal expectations. The academy had been no sanctuary; his peers had always regarded him as a being apart, blessed by the gods with a golden spoon that made their camaraderie impossible.

He had immersed himself in books, rigorous training, and the relentless guidance of tutors. Conversations with others had been scarce, the only soul he truly connected with was his wife, Theresa. She had an uncanny ability to draw out his words, to make him feel seen in a world that often rendered him invisible.

"Your life was somewhat lonely," Ariana remarked, her voice echoing in the recesses of his mind. The memories she sifted through offered her a glimpse into the heart of his solitude. Though he wore a mask of contentment, inside him lay an abyss yearning for connection.

"What can I say?" Garmond replied, his voice tight with nostalgia as he recalled those days. The sting of loneliness threatened to choke him. Suddenly, a flicker of determination sparked within him as he turned to Hendrix, the weight of unspoken words lifting slightly.

"So, what was it like growing up in the village? What did you do?" He leaned in, eager to break through the thick fog of his memories and engage with this new friend.

Hendrix's expression darkened. "My mom died when I turned six. Things got tough for my dad, so I helped him as a hunter. It was fun until..." He trailed off, the pain of loss surfacing like a wound that never quite healed. "Until he was killed."

Garmond felt a chill sweep over the table. "Killed?"

"Yes." The word came out in a choked whisper. "A soldier wanted our kill. In the struggle, he... he didn't know I was there. I had to pretend I didn't see anything. Just ran."

Garmond could see the anger coursing through Hendrix, the self-loathing for his perceived weakness. Time couldn't rewind, and the scars of that day would haunt him forever. He listened as Hendrix recounted tales of their shared childhood—the thrill of the hunt, the companionship of nature—though Garmond found himself drifting, fatigue creeping in.

"Ugh, this is getting too much," he complained inwardly, stifling a yawn.

"But you wanted a discussion," Ariana interjected, her tone teasing.

"A discussion isn't a lifetime story! I asked one simple question!" Garmond grumbled, exasperation pooling in his chest. "Now I'm stuck here!"

"Well, you'll have to listen. It would be rude to cut him off," she pointed out.

"Who cares about being rude? I'm starving!" Garmond's eyes felt heavy, and the sounds of Hendrix's voice began to blur, becoming a distant hum. His gaze wandered around the cafeteria, landing on a delectable platter of grilled meat that seemed to shimmer under the lights.

"Gary! Are you okay?" Hendrix's voice jolted him back.

"Meat," Garmond muttered, lost in a daydream of savory delights.

"Pal!" Hendrix laughed, giving him a sharp tap on the shoulder. Garmond jumped, realization dawning upon him with a pang of embarrassment.

"Oh, sorry," he mumbled, a wave of hunger washing over him like a tidal wave.

"You're in a cafeteria! You can just grab something to eat if you're hungry!" Hendrix exclaimed, his eyes alight with enthusiasm.

Garmond's heart raced at the thought. He had almost forgotten they were in a cafeteria. His stomach roared in agreement, reminding him that school food had to be better than the meager rations the Karta had provided.

"Those Karta are heartless toward children," he grumbled.

"The children didn't seem to be complaining," Ariana pointed out, amusement lacing her words.

"Hey, it's not my fault my body has a huge appetite!" Garmond shot back, an exaggerated frown settling on his face.

"Oh really?" she countered, her tone light but knowing, reminding him that she still had access to his memories.

"Fine! You caught me. I'm a foodie, so what?" He rolled his eyes, laughter bubbling beneath his irritation.

"Why don't we check out what they have here?" he suggested to Hendrix, who nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah, sure! I bet they have a lot of meat!"

They pushed away from the table and made their way to the ordering station. As they approached, the tantalizing aromas of various dishes enveloped them. Garmond's mouth watered at the sight of grilled meats, fresh bread, and an array of vibrant vegetables.

"Can we have some of these?" Garmond asked, his voice bright with hope as he turned to the young lady serving food.

She paused, her gaze lingering on them for a moment before pointing to a rectangular board hanging on the wall, listing prices.

"You've got to be kidding me! How am I supposed to pay for my food here?!" Hendrix blurted, drawing the attention of nearby students.

Garmond felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. "I knew it was a bad idea to talk to him," he thought, wishing he could facepalm.

Whispers rippled through the cafeteria, eyes darting toward them in judgment. Garmond felt the heat rise to his cheeks, scrambling for a way to salvage their dignity.

"Normally, we would offer food for free, but due to the training course, you'll need to hunt beasts, collect their cores, and bring them here to trade," the young lady explained with a professional smile.

"Ah, so I can trade with these?" Garmond asked, pulling out the glowing crystal from his pocket. The shimmering aura caught the attention of everyone around them, curiosity piquing.

"A magical beast core?" one student murmured, his voice laced with envy.

"How did a peasant like him get his hands on one?" another added, lowering his tone but not low enough to hide the contempt.

Garmond felt a flicker of recognition. Their arrogance seeped through, familiar and bitter, echoing the disdain he had faced as a child.

"I expected some change, but it appears their arrogance endures, even after my death," he thought, glancing back at the group. Their entitlement was as palpable as the food on their trays.

Just as the young lady reached for the crystal, a voice chimed in from the side.

"Here, take this instead. You can save yours for later." The golden-haired girl from earlier stepped forward, offering Garmond a steaming plate of food.

Surprise coursed through him as he turned to her, gratitude flickering in his chest. But as he handed over the crystal, he realized he didn't want to accept help from those who wore their privilege like a badge.

Without a second thought, he took the plate, and Hendrix shot a wink at her, a grin plastered on his face.

She felt her irritation boil over. "Arrogant bastards," she muttered, storming away, the hurt evident in her posture.

"Finally! Something to eat!" Garmond exclaimed, relief flooding him as he piled a generous portion of spiced meat onto his tray. He silently thanked Darius for the core he had given him, recognizing that without it, he would still be languishing in hunger.

"I know you have a history with nobles, but her intentions weren't malicious," Ariana chimed in, her voice steady in his mind.

"You don't know these people as well as I do. If you did, you'd understand why I'm avoiding them," Garmond replied, though his mouth was now full, and he savored the warmth and flavor of the food.

Suddenly, a voice boomed through the cafeteria, cutting through the chatter. "All students, gather in the training hall now! Both new recruits included!"

The excitement in the air shifted, anticipation crackling like a live wire. Garmond glanced at Hendrix, who wore a mixture of confusion and eagerness.

"Looks like we're not done yet," Garmond said, his heart racing with the promise of what lay ahead.