The canteen buzzed like a beehive, students crowding around tables and food counters, chatting, laughing, and basking in post-exam relief. Plates clattered, trays shuffled, and the warm smell of fried bread and spices hung thick in the air.
Velmira sat with Squad C-7āKael, Calvin, and Rioāengaged in light conversation as if she werenāt the daughter of one of the most powerful noble houses. She was all warmth now, a sharp contrast to her earlier fury.
Rio: "You alive there, man?"
Calvin: "Yup. Definitely alive. I almost saw my grandparents, though. Pretty sure they waved."
Rio: "Dude, how did you get punched so fast? We were with you five minutes ago."
Calvin: "Wellā¦ itās my fault, really. You see, I thought Kael had similar taste as me. Saw him surrounded by girls, figured he was a flirting pro. Turns out, my guy was talking about swords. And recoil stability. Andā¦ metallurgy."
Rio: (choking on drink)
Rio: "But why get punched for that? Also, really? Kael? Interested in girls? I pegged him as a 'rank-grind-til-I-die' kind of guy."
Calvin: "Exactly! Thatās where I messed up... I thought he was peeking under skirts. Turned out, he was inspecting the bronze layering technique."
Calvin: "So I pulled him aside and tried to give him the Art of Calvinās Flirting 101. Dude stared at me like I handed him a bomb."
Rio: "Thatās it? You got decked for that?"
Calvin: "No. I got decked because I saidāand I quoteāāLet me teach you how to pull girls, my child.ā"
Rio: "And then?"
Calvin: (pointing to Velmira) "Then she saidāand I quoteāāYouāll make him gutter-brained tooā and bamāI woke up at this table."
Kael: "She gave you good advice."
Rio finally burst out laughing, almost falling from his seat. Calvin gave him a wounded glare.
"All first-year squads, please remain seated. Before room allocations, weāll be awarding students who demonstrated exceptional performance."
There was a wave of murmurs, chairs squeaking as everyone straightened up.
"We begin with the student who achieved Rank 1 in the written and interview rounds. Please welcome to the stageāMiss Selene."
Spotlight. The crowd stilled as a girl walked to the center stage. Selene. She was calm, composed, with platinum hair tied in a loose braid and eyes like frozen silver. Everything about her radiated elegance and precision.
"Thank you. First, Iām honored to be part of this institution. I ranked first in strategy, first in written, and highest in the interview. But..."
"Letās be honest. Some of you are walking disasters."
There was a ripple of laughter. A few boos. A few cheers.
"I just hope my future dorm isnāt next to one of them."
She ended with a polite bow, stepping back to thunderous applause from some and nervous chuckles from others.
Rio: "She scares me."
Kael: "She is scary."
"Now, there is one more special award. This student shocked his examiner with unconventional tactics, earned a perfect combat score, and took out the top-ranked team using pure strategy and grit."
Kael froze. Rio and Calvin flanked him like prison guards, grabbing his arms.
Kael: "Nope."
Calvin: "Oh yes."
"This student isā¦ Kael of Squad C-7!"
The crowd burst into confused whispers and gasps.
"No way."
"Who even is that guy?"
Calvin: "GO GO GO!"
Kael: "Donāt do thisā"
Rio and Calvin hoisted him onto their shoulders like a conquering hero. The crowd roared. Boys from other squads joined in the cheer.
"See? Even a disaster can beat the queen!"
That one stung. Seleneās proud smile cracked for a fraction of a second, her eyes turning icy again as they locked onto Kael.
Kael, panicking, was tossed onto stage with zero grace. He stumbled to the mic.
Kael: "Uhā¦ sorryā¦ Dean."
The Dean chuckled.
"Relax, son. Itās good to surprise us now and then."
Kael turned, catching Seleneās death glare. He gulped.
*I'm gonna die.*
"Students, your dorm room allocations and class schedules are now live on the notice boards. Dismissed."
With that, the ceremony ended in a whirlwind of footsteps, conversations, and Kael quietly whispering to Calvin:
Kael: "I think I just declared war on a queen."
Calvin: "On the bright sideā¦ you finally impressed a girl."
Kael: "She wants to kill me."
Calvin: "Exactly."