Hard work!

Absolutely! Here's your entire scene rewritten in a rich, novel-like style — full of vivid narration, playful interactions, inner thoughts, little gestures, and the subtle emotional beats that bring it all to life.

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The small joys of a first-year prince

Recess at the academy was usually a loud, bustling affair. Students crowded the cafeteria in swirling rivers of uniforms and chatter, vying for the freshest dishes or simply gossiping about the latest spectacle. Among them, at a modest table near the wall, sat Aether Ryens — fork in one hand, cheek resting on the other, eyes sparkling with quiet delight.

He was muttering softly to himself, too absorbed in his private joy to notice the world swirling around him. "Hehe… as expected of the Year 5 chosen ones. They sent their contributions so quickly." His grin widened, his fork pausing halfway to his mouth. "Is there anything else I even want to buy? Hm… no, I've already got most of what I need."

His eyes twinkled even brighter. "I even bought a shower… no more freezing baths!" He raised his fork to the ceiling as though offering a victory salute. "I am finally free!"

He dug back into his plate, savoring a thick slice of roasted pork. Morgan's fault entirely — that stubborn friend of his had hooked him on pork, but it was pricey enough that Aether restricted himself to enjoying it just twice a week. This, he decided, was absolutely worth every point.

A crowded cafeteria — and hidden nearness

Elsewhere in the same bustling hall, Vivien sat with Esme. Or rather — Vivien sat with forced composure, delicately picking at her food, while Esme nearly bounced with restless energy. Around them, a small sea of boys and girls hovered, hoping to catch Vivien's eye or work up the nerve to speak. Few succeeded. The rest drifted away, whispering about the Dean's granddaughter.

Neither Vivien nor Esme realized that, just two rows behind them, sat Aether — wolfing down his pork with the contented air of a boy who'd recently conquered the world by purchasing a hot-water pipe. His table, small and plain, was worlds away from the quiet glow that seemed to hover around Vivien's presence.

The sudden game of cat and mouse

Then a cluster of girls nearby broke into sudden squeals.

"Hey look! It's Aether — he's sitting right there. Let's go sit with him!"

Vivien's pale lashes fluttered up at once, startled by the name. She and Esme turned quickly, eyes searching. But the seat behind them was empty — as though no one had ever been there.

The girls who'd pointed laughed, shoulders shaking. "He escaped again!"

Another sighed dreamily. "Well, duh. You shouldn't say his name before you approach. Otherwise he'll hear you and bolt."

Vivien's delicate brows knit together. "What was… that?"

Esme laughed so hard she nearly fell off her bench. "Oh, it's nothing new. Aether always runs when he notices a pack of girls heading his way. It's like a game now — they actually find it cute to chase him. Honestly, he's a bit hopeless."

Vivien's lips parted faintly in surprise. She didn't fully understand — after all, she hadn't even glimpsed this elusive Aether once. The idea of someone fleeing popularity struck her as oddly fascinating… maybe even oddly admirable.

A narrow escape and warm pride

Meanwhile, already halfway down a quiet corridor, Aether let out a long sigh. His hands were buried in his pockets, shoulders slumping in exaggerated relief. "This is why I eat early most days… ugh. Today was way too close."

Muttering all the way, he made for the Technomancy Wing. The door to the mechanical lab stood wide open — the sound of busy work and bright voices spilling into the hall.

Aether stepped inside, then stopped dead. He stood there for a long moment, taking it in. Nearly every bench was filled. His classmates were hunched over delicate gears, humming mana circuits, whirring mechanisms — some with sweat running down their faces, others with bright grins of discovery. And at the center of it all stood Akabane Teach, patiently correcting a student's solder line.

Even Morgan was here, head bent close to his latest contraption.

Aether's smile broke out before he could stop it. He walked up and tapped the teacher's arm lightly. "All of them look hyped. Did something good happen?"

Akabane glanced back, and her eyes crinkled into a fond grin. "It's because of you."

Aether blinked. "Me?"

Akabane chuckled, eyes dancing. "They all saw yesterday's event. Watching you hold your ground with your mechanisms — even if just for a few seconds — did something to them. They want to be like that too. They begged me for extra lab time. How could I refuse?"

Her hand came down to ruffle Aether's hair, much to his mock annoyance. "And by the way… good work yesterday. All of us — me included — we're proud of you."

Aether felt something tight press at the corners of his chest. He quickly looked away, mumbling, "Gosh… I've gotten soft. But… this is nice too."

A treat from the "prince"

"Hey, Teach," Aether said suddenly, plopping himself on top of a toolbox right next to her chair — the sort of casual seat that would have horrified any overly formal student. "I want to do something for them."

Akabane's brows rose. "Like what?"

Aether's grin was boyish, conspiratorial. "I want to sponsor them some food. Just simple sets from the cafeteria — for all their hard work."

The teacher's eyes widened. "Again? You've done that before already!"

"It's fine," Aether waved off, legs swinging. "Not as big as last time. I've got enough points from yesterday's event. This one's on me."

Akabane tilted her head, then broke into a gentle laugh. "Alright. If that's what you want. I'll warn the cafeteria." She gave his hair another playful pat. "You're a good kid, you know that?"

Aether made a face, ducking away from her hand — but he couldn't hide the soft look that lingered in his eyes.

A small ripple through the academy

Two days later, the entire cafeteria buzzed with confused excitement. Waiters were parading trays stacked high with food — roasted meats, fluffy bread, creamy soups — all carried carefully out of the hall.

Vivien and Esme watched from their usual spot. Esme finally flagged down one of the passing waiters. "Hey, excuse me! What's all this about? Where's it going?"

"Oh, this?" the waiter puffed, balancing a towering tray. "Heard someone's sponsoring a big meal for the Technomancy 1 students. Treating the whole class, apparently."

"Ohhh," Esme nodded, then flashed a sly grin at Vivien. "Thank you!"

The waiter hurried off. As soon as he was gone, Esme drummed her fingers excitedly on the table. Around them, the entire hall erupted in gossip.

Whispered stories and curious hearts

"Did you hear? Aether's the one paying for it. Again."

"He's using his points from the event, right? That's so like him…"

Vivien listened quietly, her spoon pausing midair. Her pale violet eyes seemed to drift far away. So this… is the boy who built those mechanisms? The one who keeps running from attention, yet still spends his rewards on classmates?

A curious heat — not quite embarrassment, not quite intrigue — settled in her chest. She found herself glancing at Esme, who was smirking knowingly.

"Well well…" Esme leaned her chin on her hands. "Still say you're not interested in boys at all?"

Vivien's lips twitched in the faintest, most reluctant of smiles. "…It's not that. I simply think… he is different."

And for the first time in a very long while, Vivien felt something delicate and bright flutter awake inside her — a quiet wonder at how unpredictable life at this academy might truly become.