I followed Belle and the rest of the newly minted Midnight Foxes into the dining hall, my morning high from essence still going strong. The system timer now read just over six days, which felt like an eternity compared to the desperate scramble of the past forty-eight hours.
"Grab your food fast," Belle commanded, pointing toward the buffet. "I want a full strategy session before next class."
"Yes, ma'am," Jordan mumbled, giving her a lazy salute that made Belle's left eye twitch.
I loaded my tray with grilled chicken, steamed vegetables, and a mountain of pasta. My body was starving after this morning's workout, and if Silver-tier essence was going to keep boosting my gains, I needed fuel to match.
When I turned around, I caught Naomi watching me from the salad bar. Her plate held a sad little pile of lettuce and half a chicken breast. I gestured toward her tray with a questioning look, and she shrugged apologetically.
"Still not hungry?"
