Chương 13: Meeting a Weirdo

Chapter - 13

I wasn't able to relax for long, though. Just as I was sinking into the blissful peace, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. They were light, but insistent. I ignored them, hoping that whoever it was would just move along. Instead, they stopped right in front of me, and I heard someone clear their throat.

I still didn't open my eyes. Maybe if I pretended to be asleep, they'd leave me alone. No such luck.

"Psst. Get up. You're sitting in my seat."

That idiotic comment snapped my eyes open. 'Her seat?' I thought, incredulous. Of all the places in this massive academy, this girl was claiming ownership over a random bench under a tree?

I blinked a few times, taking in the figure standing before me. She was short but her body was strikingly curvy—full breasts, a narrow waist that flared into wide hips. Her skin had a warm olive tone, smooth and flawless, and her face was a perfect heart shape with high cheekbones and a soft jawline. Her lips were full, naturally pink, and her large, almond-shaped eyes were a deep, rich brown. Her wavy chestnut hair cascaded down her back, swaying slightly in the breeze. She was stunning, no doubt about that, but the apathetic look she was currently giving me kind of dulled the effect.

I glanced around the field. There were 'plenty' of benches. Even if you excluded all the benches that didn't have any shade and weren't under this tree, there was still enough room for at least a dozen people to sit comfortably. I raised an eyebrow, giving her a look that I hoped screamed, 'Really? Of all the seats in the world, you're upset over this one? Like, really, really?'

She didn't seem to care about my silent protest. Instead, she repeated herself, her voice calm and emotionless. "Get up from my seat. No one's allowed to sit there."

At least she wasn't yelling or being outright rude. Her expression was completely neutral, as if she were just stating a fact, like telling me the sky was blue or water was wet. But that didn't make her claim any less absurd.

I considered just getting up and moving to avoid escalating things. But my pettiness was a stubborn, unwelcome companion, and I wasn't about to let it go so easily. Instead of leaving, I scooted to the side, making a big show of sliding over.

"Here, your seat's free now," I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

To my disappointment, she didn't even seem annoyed. She simply took the seat beside me, as if I'd done exactly what she expected. Without another word, she began rummaging through the small bag she had slung over her shoulder, her leg brushing against mine briefly as she settled in. If my closeness was bothering her, the lady didn't show it on her face. It wasn't the reaction I had hoped for, but I couldn't exactly kick her out now.

I sighed and leaned back, closing my eyes again. Despite the strange interaction, I was still exhausted and figured I could steal a bit more rest before heading back to my dorm—wherever the hell it was.

As I tried to relax, a subtle scent began to fill the air around me, catching me off guard. It wasn't overpowering, but it was warm and soothing, a mixture of earthy tones and something sweeter, like wildflowers after a light rain. It reminded me of lavender and chamomile, with just a hint of honey—a comforting, familiar smell that made me think of home, of quiet mornings with my mom when I was young.

I felt myself relaxing even more, the scent lulling me into a sense of peace I hadn't realized I was craving. For a few moments, I allowed myself to drift, forgetting where I was, who I was, and all the chaos that had become my life in this strange, new world.

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When I opened my eyes again, I was greeted by the soft glow of the evening. The sun had long since set, and the sky was painted in hues of deep purple and blue. I blinked, disoriented for a moment. 'How long had I been asleep?'

I sat up, stretching my arms above my head as I tried to shake the grogginess from my mind. The bench beside me was empty now, the mysterious girl long gone. I must have fallen asleep for hours.

Rubbing the back of my neck, my stomach took that moment to rumble loudly, voicing its displeasure. 'Great, I haven't even had dinner yet. At this rate, I'll be lucky if I don't miss it entirely.'

I stood up and stretched, rolling my shoulders to work out the stiffness from sleeping on a bench. Surprisingly, I wasn't even mad about the bizarre encounter anymore. If anything, it had been more amusing than frustrating. But now, the only thing on my mind was finding my dorm and getting some much-needed food and rest.

Thankfully, I didn't wander aimlessly for long this time. After about ten minutes of walking, I realized with a mix of relief and embarrassment that my dorm—Dorm Building 4—had been right next to the open field where I'd been resting. 'How in the world did I miss it earlier?' I mentally kicked myself for wasting all that time.

Entering the building, I noticed it was quieter than I had expected. Most students were probably already holed up in their rooms. Thankfully, I found someone in the hallway who pointed me in the direction of the mess hall.

When I got there, the sight that greeted me was nothing short of impressive. The hall was immaculate, from the polished marble floors to the gleaming wooden tables lined with precision. There were numerous workers and servers, ensuring everything stayed spotless and orderly. It felt less like a school cafeteria and more like a grand banquet hall, with the attention to detail you'd expect in a palace.

I was served a plate of food that looked so appetizing I nearly forgot my exhaustion. The dish was called moussaka, layers of eggplant, minced lamb, and a rich, savory béchamel sauce on top, baked to golden perfection. It looked divine. One bite, and I was sold—the flavors melded together perfectly, the spices just right.

'Perks of staying at an academy made by gods,' I thought to myself as I devoured the meal. Every bite was like heaven, and I couldn't help but marvel at the quality of the food here.

With my stomach full and my mood significantly improved, I made my way back to my dorm room. Tired, but now much more at ease, I was just glad the day was finally over. It had been a whirlwind of awkward introductions, confusing classes, and weird encounters, but at least I'd survived. That was something, right?

As I lay down, my body sinking gratefully into the bed, one last thought drifted through my mind before sleep claimed me: 'Will I meet that strange bench lady again?'