章 23: The Emperor's plan

Garmond sat at the far end of the bustling cafeteria with Hendrix, the two of them new to this vibrant yet unfamiliar place. They exchanged glances, occasionally stealing looks at the lively groups around them, unsure of how to break the ice. The chatter and laughter felt like a distant melody, a world they were both yearning to join.

Garmond's heart swelled with a bittersweet longing. After years confined to the castle and the academy, the chance to return to his childhood was a dream come true. As the heir to the throne of Kingdom Orion, he had never known the simple joys of play or friendship; his life had been a gilded cage, filled with tutors and training. He was a boy blessed with a golden spoon, yet that very blessing had isolated him. Now, surrounded by peers, the weight of his solitude pressed heavily on his chest.

Ariana, sensing his turmoil, softly spoke, "Your life was somewhat lonely." Her insight pierced through the fog of his memories, revealing the cracks in his carefully constructed facade. He had always projected an image of happiness, yet inside, there was a deep chasm, one that ached to be filled.

"What can I say?" Garmond replied, the corners of his mouth twitching downward as memories flooded back. Suddenly, he turned to Hendrix, finally summoning the courage to engage. "So, what were you doing back in the village? What was life like for you?"

Hendrix's expression shifted, shadows flickering across his face. "My mom died when I was six, and it was hard for my old man. To help out, I joined him as a hunter. It was fun—until…" His voice faltered, the weight of his words pressing down like a heavy stone. "Until my dad was killed."

The word hung in the air, sharp and cruel. Garmond could see the anger twisting in Hendrix's features, a whirlwind of regret and self-reproach. The young man's eyes were ablaze, and Garmond felt the heat of his shame.

"Killed?" Garmond echoed, his heart pounding with empathy.

"Yeah, he was arguing over a kill with a soldier. They didn't know I was there." Hendrix's voice trembled, and Garmond could sense the tsunami of emotions surging within him. "I had to pretend I saw nothing and just… leave."

Garmond's chest tightened at the unrelenting guilt in Hendrix's voice. He knew all too well the sting of powerlessness. They were bound by their shared pain, two souls navigating a world that had dealt them harsh hands.

As Hendrix recounted tales from his days as a hunter, the stories poured forth like a river—adventures with wild beasts and narrow escapes. Garmond listened intently, caught in the vividness of Hendrix's recollections. Yet, the longer Hendrix talked, the more Garmond's energy ebbed.

"Ugh, this is getting too much," he groaned inwardly.

"But you wanted to have a discussion," Ariana interjected, her teasing tone cutting through his fatigue.

"A discussion isn't a lifetime story! I just asked one simple question!" he thought, his patience fraying.

"Then listen. It would be rude to interrupt," she reminded him.

"Who cares about being rude? I'm freaking hungry!" Garmond's eyes grew heavy, his throat parched. As Hendrix's voice faded into a dull hum, all he could envision was a steaming plate of grilled meat.

"Hey, can we have some of these?" he asked the young lady behind the counter, his voice laced with excitement.

She pointed to a rectangular board hanging nearby, listing prices for the food.

"You gotta be kidding me! I have to pay for my food even here?" Hendrix blurted, drawing curious glances from the other students.

Garmond felt a wave of frustration wash over him. Why can't he think before he speaks? The other students stared, their expressions a mix of surprise and disdain.

"What do I do now?" Garmond thought, panic surging through him.

"Normally, we offer the food for free, but due to the training course, you'll have to hunt beasts, bring back their cores, and trade them for food," the young lady explained matter-of-factly.

"Wait, I can trade with these?" Garmond asked, pulling out a shimmering crystal from his pocket. The radiant aura emanating from it caught everyone's attention, their eyes widening.

"A magical beast?" someone murmured, their astonishment palpable.

"How did a peasant like him get his hands on those?" another scoffed, whispering conspiratorially, but Garmond's keen ears caught their scorn.

Nothing has changed. The arrogance of the nobles clung to the air like a thick fog. Garmond's resolve hardened as he tossed a sidelong glance at the group. Their entitled attitudes reminded him of a past he had hoped to escape.

As the young lady reached for the glowing crystal, a voice broke through the tension.

"Here's this instead; you can save yours for later." The golden-haired girl from before stepped forward, her expression resolute.

Garmond glanced at her, surprised, then handed the crystal to the young lady, his heart racing. The gesture confirmed what he had suspected: these nobles, with their pretentious airs, were not to be trusted. They could play the role of helpful allies, but he knew all too well how quickly they could turn.

The young lady looked taken aback as they strode past her, trays laden with food. Hendrix shot her a cheeky wink behind Garmond's back, and she bristled, anger flashing in her eyes.

"Arrogant bastards," she muttered under her breath, storming off.

"Finally, something to eat!" Garmond's spirits soared as he dug into his meal, grateful to Darius for the monster core that had saved him from starvation.

"I know you have a history with nobles, but her intentions weren't malicious," Ariana remarked, her voice gentle yet firm.

"You don't know them like I do. If you did, you'd understand why I'm avoiding them," Garmond replied, his mouth full of succulent meat, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.

Suddenly, a commanding voice resonated throughout the cafeteria: "All students should gather in the training room, including the new recruits!"

Garmond paused, incredulity washing over him. Is this some sort of joke? His appetite was abruptly snatched away, frustration surging anew.

"It's a telepathic transmission," Ariana clarified, reading his confusion.

"Why does it have to be now, when I finally get a chance to eat something good?" Garmond groaned, irritation prickling at the edges of his composure.

"Maybe the universe is just against you eating," Ariana chuckled lightly.

With a resigned sigh, Garmond shoved the last bites into his mouth, glancing around as the other students began to file out. He had to follow suit, eager to familiarize himself with the school's layout.

"Thanks for the meal; we should head out too," Hendrix said, patting his round stomach, satisfaction written across his face.

They walked in silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air between them. Garmond focused on the path ahead, his mind racing with thoughts of the training room.

As they arrived, the sight before them was both impressive and intimidating. The other students were already gathered, their expressions a mix of excitement and confusion. Garmond spotted Devine, her eyes searching for him amidst the crowd, and he quickly made his way to her side.

She turned to him, concern etched on her features. "Where did you guys go? I was looking for you!"

"I was with Hendrix in the cafeteria," he explained, noticing her surprise at his companion.

"The inspector led us there after giving us our uniforms," Garmond continued, catching Devine's eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Oh, where did you guys head off to?" Devine asked, her curiosity bubbling over.

"I was just checking out the food. It was worth it, I promise!" Garmond replied, enthusiasm creeping into his voice.

She turned around in her new uniform to let Garmond see how she looked. "Do you think this uniform is nice?"

"Yes, it's actually very wonderful on you," Garmond quickly complimented, the sight of her bright smile lifting his spirits.

As they kept chattering among themselves, a loud voice echoed, quickly bringing their chatter to an abrupt end.

"I didn't expect there'd be any noise here." It was a calm voice, yet it carried a frightening aura along with it, one that made them all instinctively keep their mouths shut.

Just one look at the figure and the way the arrogant nobles acted upon seeing him, and Garmond didn't need anyone to tell him how influential this figure had to be.

He was dressed corporately in a black suit, woven from the finest materials. He walked with a gentle gait, his steps echoing in the silence as he climbed onto the platform to address them.

Garmond looked at the figure, and it quickly reminded him of the mission he had yet to fulfill and the powerful enemies he had to defeat.

His powerlessness bit at him from within. If his eyes were bullets, surely the figure would have been dead by now, but Garmond knew better than to act rashly.

All this while he had to act in accordance, all because the same words kept echoing in his head.

"I'm weak."

As much as he wanted to deny the fact, it was the honest truth, and as bitter as it was, he couldn't change it—at least for the moment.

Only Ariana could somewhat tell the