The cafeteria smells of spiced meats and something…floral? Definitely not the greasy diner aromas I remember. I head for the line, stomach rumbling, finally ready for a proper meal. Just as I'm about to step up, a trio of cadets barrel past, bumping into me.
"Move it, trash," one sneers without even a glance.
Sigh
They're not worth it
I step into line, focusing on what more important than some idoits. This academy has everything, apparently. A menu board lists options I can barely pronounce, but a burger and fries jump out. Feels normal. I order, adding a sprite, no ice—an old habit. It's the little things, I guess, the echoes of a life I barely remember, that make this feel almost real. Almost.
I snag my tray and scan the room for an open table. Most are packed, clusters of laughing students already claiming their territory. Finally, I spot one tucked away in the corner, thankfully vacant. Perfect. I settle in, savoring the quiet for a moment. It's a small victory, a sliver of peace in this chaotic new world.
The burger smells incredible. I take a bite, and…wow. It's not a Five Guys burger, not even close, but it's damn good. Real meat, a toasted bun, crisp lettuce. A wave of contentment washes over me. I chase it with a sip of sprite, the fizz a welcome sensation, and then a handful of perfectly golden fries. This…this is livable.
I'm halfway through the burger, utterly absorbed in the simple pleasure of eating, when shadows fall over my table. I slowly look up.
"Hey, trash."
It's the guy who shoved me earlier, flanked by his two equally unpleasant friends. They're grinning, clearly looking for a reaction. My jaw tightens. So much for peace.
The leader stops directly in front of me, chest puffed out like a puffed-up bird. "Enjoying your meal, trash?" He emphasizes the word, dripping with contempt. "Thought I recognized you. The Heroic Corps' little pet. What, they send you here to spy on us?"
I don't bother looking up. Just take another bite of burger, savoring the taste.
"I said, are you spying on us?"
He's getting louder now, attracting glances from nearby tables. Still, I chew, swallow, and take another delicate sip of sprite.
That seems to push him over the edge.
Suddenly, a hand smashes into my own, sending the burger and fries flying. They land with a splat on the floor, a greasy mess. I blink, surprised more than anything, as his fingers tighten around my collar, yanking me forward.
"Who do you think you are, commoner trash, to ignore me?" he snarls, face inches from mine. "You think just because the Heroic Corps took a liking to you, you're better than everyone else?"
Seriously? This is a hero academy? I was expecting… I don't know, honor? Decorum? Apparently, it's just a breeding ground for entitled bullies.
I let a slow smile spread across my face, tilting my head slightly.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," I say, my voice dripping with mock sincerity.
"Did my refusal to acknowledge your magnificent presence wound your delicate ego? It's a tragedy, truly. Maybe you need a safe space that allows you to express yourself."
His face turns an alarming shade of red. All the bravado seems to deflate, replaced by pure, blind rage. "You little…" He winds back his fist, aiming for my jaw.
Honestly, I barely register the movement. My hand shoots up, catching his fist in a firm grip.
His eyes widen in disbelief. For a moment, he just hangs there, suspended in mid-air, his knuckles white. A collective gasp ripples through the cafeteria.
Around us, the chatter dies down. Heads turn. Forks pause halfway to mouths. I can feel dozens of eyes on me, A few look genuinely surprised.
He tries to yank his fist free, but I hold firm. It's not even exerting much effort. His strength is…underwhelming. I could probably fold him in half like origami. Which I refrain from doing. For now.
"Is that all you got?" I ask, my voice calm, almost bored. "I expected a little more from a future hero. Honestly, I've seen more threatening kittens."
The cadet tugged again, a frustrated grunt escaping his lips. What the fuck? he seemed to think, his eyes wide with disbelief. Why is this trash's grip so strong? "You guys gonna help me or just watch?" he barked at his two friends, a desperate edge to his voice.
They started to move forward, eager to join the fray, but a voice cut through the rising tension. "What's going on here?"
A hush fell over the cafeteria. Every head turned. It was Selene Halix.
She rarely graced the cafeteria with her presence. Her appearance stirred a ripple of surprise through the crowd. She moved with a quiet authority, a composed grace that commanded attention.
She walked directly towards Cael and the other cadet, her expression unreadable. Anticipating her arrival, Cael loosened his grip, releasing the cadet's hand just before Selene reached them. The cadet, clearly relieved, stumbled back, adjusting his collar.
Selene stopped directly in front of them, her gaze sweeping over both of them. "What happened here?" she asked, her voice cool and even.
The cadet quickly recovered, a practiced innocence washing over his face. "Nothing, Miss Halix. We were just…talking."
Selene's face darkened. It was a subtle shift, a tightening of her jaw, but it didn't escape anyone's notice. "We're all equal in the academy," she stated, her tone laced with steel.
"Yes, Selene," the cadet stammered, quickly correcting himself. What a simp, Cael thought, a flicker of disgust crossing his features.
He was about to turn and walk away, wanting to avoid a pointless lecture, but Selene's gaze locked onto his. "And you?" she asked, her voice sharp and direct. "Is that true?"
Cael turned back, raising an eyebrow. "You talking to me?"
"I know you're new here," Selene continued, her expression unyielding, "but you shouldn't be causing trouble unnecessarily."
Is she an idiot? Cael thought, his irritation growing. He'd dealt with enough naive do-gooders in his past life. Then, he remembered. This wasn't some anime cliché. This was a B-ranker, a prodigy, someone he definitely shouldn't provoke. Still, he wasn't about to let her dictate the narrative.
He casually slipped his hands into his pockets, met her gaze with a brazen confidence. "You weren't even here to know what happened, and you're already placing the blame on me?"
Selene's annoyance flickered across her face, betraying her composure. A murmur rippled through the surrounding students. Someone, a nobody, was actually talking back to Selene Halix.
Before Selene could respond, she took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. He had a point. "You're right," she conceded, her tone softening. "My apologies."
"It's fine," Cael replied, a charming smirk playing on his lips. "I'm a very forgiving person." He turned and walked away, leaving Selene standing there, a frustrated expression etched on her face.
As Cael disappeared into the crowd, the cadet from earlier, emboldened by Selene's earlier attention, tentatively approached her. "Selene, I… I was wondering if you'd like to see a movie sometime?"
Selene barely glanced at him, her expression radiating pure disdain. Seriously? she thought to herself.
* * *
To be Continued….