Chapter - 12 [ Cafeteria ]

The next morning, Victor stepped out of his flat and descended to the lobby. The other four students who shared the building were already waiting for him, standing in a loose circle. Their chatter stopped as Victor approached.

Each of them was dressed in casual yet expensive clothing—a stark contrast to the uniform they were only required to wear on campus. The attire subtly spoke of their statuses, but Victor paid little attention to it.

"Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Michael Ohara."

The first to step forward was a man of modest height, lean to the point of appearing fragile.

His striking orange hair made him stand out among the group. His handshake was firm despite his slim frame, and his friendly grin was undeniably genuine.

"Hi, I'm Victor Kal," Victor replied, shaking Michael's hand.

One by one, the others introduced themselves—except for the young man who had come to his flat the day before to invite him to this meetup.

That young man was Justin Durch, who lived directly below Victor on the sixth floor.

Michael's flat was on the fifth, while the fourth floor housed Novaria, often referred to as "the Princess." The third floor belonged to the last member of their group, Kushi Dadun.

"Guys, I invited everyone here today to get to know each other better since we'll be staying in the same building," Justin began with an approachable tone. His demeanor radiated easy confidence.

Justin had a tall frame—though still shorter than Victor—with black hair and sharp brown eyes.

His friendly disposition made it hard to determine whether he was naturally easygoing or simply good at hiding ulterior motives.

"Since it's our first day, why don't we head to the cafeteria for breakfast together?" Justin suggested with a smile, his tone inviting.

No one objected. The group seemed content to let him take the lead, at least for now.

The cafeteria, Victor soon learned, was a central gathering place for everyone on campus—students, teachers, and staff alike.

While staff and teachers had a separate section, students ate together regardless of status.

Special students like those in Victor's group were granted privileges, such as dining in their flats if they chose, but today was different.

"I heard all the special students are eating breakfast in the cafeteria this morning," Justin explained as they exited the building. "That's another reason I thought it would be nice for us to go together."

Victor walked quietly behind the group, his sharp eyes studying Justin. Is he a controlling type or a natural leader? he wondered.

The group followed a paved pathway from their building to the main road, where a small bus was waiting to take them to the cafeteria. The ride was brief, lasting only a few minutes.

"So, Princess Novaria," Justin began as they disembarked. His voice took on a respectful tone. "How are you finding things here? Are you comfortable?"

Justin's words were polite, but the subtle reverence in his tone was unmistakable. Victor noted it with mild amusement. Flattery at its finest.

"Friend Justin, you don't need to address me like that," Novaria replied, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Everyone here can just call me Novaria."

Her beauty was undeniable, and her smile could have left most people breathless.

Yet, the group, composed of individuals who had likely seen their share of wealth and grandeur, maintained their composure.

"And I actually like it here," she continued. "In my castle, I was always confined to studying or meditating. I wasn't allowed to have friends—Father wouldn't allow it."

Her voice softened, the smile faltering ever so slightly. The weight of her words lingered in the air.

"I wish I could say I understand," Kushi said, stepping closer to Novaria and taking her hand gently. "But I'm not a beautiful princess like you. Don't worry, though—now that we're together, you'll have plenty of friends here."

Her tone was warm and soothing, and the others nodded in agreement. Even Victor offered a brief smile to maintain appearances, though his thoughts ran in a different direction.

'Funny. Acting as though you care. You can't hide the fact that you all want a connection with the Princess of Waria.'

Having lived a lifetime before arriving in this world, Victor had seen this scenario countless times.

He knew better than most that everyone sought benefits from relationships, himself included.

However, here in Gazzile, he had no need for such connections. He already had the resources and fame to live comfortably.

The bus arrived at its destination, and the group stepped out. The conversation shifted to lighter topics, and even Victor chimed in occasionally to avoid standing out.

When they reached the cafeteria, the sheer scale of it left Michael gaping.

"That's huge…" he said, craning his neck to see the top of the building. He nearly stumbled backward, causing Justin to catch his arm with a laugh.

The cafeteria was no less impressive than an airport, its architecture bold and extravagant.

The building's grandeur seemed fitting for an institution that hosted students of such high status.

Currently, only first-year students were present, as the holidays were still underway for the rest of the academy. Even so, the cafeteria buzzed with energy, the air alive with chatter and the clinking of utensils.

As the group entered, most of the students immediately recognized Novaria.

Some bold individuals even attempted to approach her, but Justin subtly released a small burst of his Aura, discouraging them. The effect was immediate—they backed off without a word.

"You're like a celebrity," Michael teased, grinning at Novaria.

"It's always the same, wherever I go," she replied with a sigh, waving politely at the students who were clamoring for her attention.

"Can't expect anything else from dogs," Kushi muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible.

Novaria glanced at her. "Did you say something?"

Kushi shook her head, a faint smile on her lips. "Nothing important."

Victor, standing a step behind the group, caught the comment but chose to ignore it. Instead, his attention remained on observing his companions.

'Kushi is proud and arrogant,' he noted silently. 'Justin hovers between controlling and leading. Michael is the funny, easygoing one. And Novaria... She's a kind soul, but clearly tired of being treated like glass.'

Despite his observations, Victor refrained from making any definitive judgments.

'It's too early to tell who they really are. People always have hidden layers.'

As the group settled at a table on the upper floor of the cafeteria, the energy in the room remained palpable.

Students continued to steal glances at Novaria, their curiosity and admiration evident.

Victor leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant. He had seen this kind of dynamic play out before—alliances forming, rivalries brewing, and ulterior motives masked behind smiles.

For now, he would watch and wait, content to let the others reveal their true selves in time.

While the others seemed to be building camaraderie, Victor remained an outsider, observing from the shadows of his own thoughts.

In this new world, alliances and friendships would inevitably form, but Victor knew better than to rush.

---

Another group of students made their way toward Victor's group, their presence commanding attention.

Like Victor's companions, they too were dressed in casual but clearly expensive clothing.

Yet, their demeanor and stride held an air of importance that set them apart.

"The one in front is the Emperor Khan's youngest son, Bahadur Shere Khan," Justin whispered to the group, his tone slightly tense.

Victor noticed the subtle shift in his companions' postures as they registered the name.

It was no small matter to cross paths with someone from the Khan Empire—the largest empire in Gazzile, ruled by Emperor Bahadur Ashok Ali Khan, a Second-Tier Aura Grade User.

The empire's vast power and influence made its name a topic of awe and reverence across the world.

Shere Khan, unlike the others in the cafeteria, stood out even more by wearing his traditional attire: a peach-colored silky kurta pajama, intricately embroidered with gold threads and adorned with small pearls.

His short, full beard and neatly trimmed haircut gave him an air of refined elegance, a deliberate effort to showcase his royal taste.

"Princess Novaria! I expected to see you here," Shere Khan said, stepping in front of the group. His wide smile was directed solely at Novaria, barely acknowledging the others seated at the table.

Novaria stood gracefully, her smile warm but carefully measured. "Please, Prince Shere Khan, no need for courtesy. We are fellow students in Heaven," she replied. Despite her words, her tone and posture were notably formal.

The rest of the group followed suit, standing up as a show of respect. Victor hesitated for a brief moment, his sharp eyes catching the subtle contradiction in Novaria's actions.

While she claimed there was no need for formality, she maintained an attitude that mirrored deference.

'She's playing her cards carefully,' Victor thought. Not surprising, considering the Khan Empire is twice as large and powerful as the Waria Kingdom.

Victor couldn't fault her for her caution. The Khan Empire's reputation was formidable, not just for its size but for its independence.

Unlike other global powers, it rarely participated in international collaborations, even during the crises caused by dimensional rifts.

They handled their own problems and avoided entanglements, leaving their exact ranking among global powerhouses shrouded in mystery.

"Are they also special students?" Shere Khan asked, his eyes scanning the group with quiet interest.

"Yes, Prince," Novaria replied with a polite smile. She gestured to her companions one by one. "Meet Justin, Michael, Kushi, and Victor. We all reside in the same building."

"Pleased to meet you all," Shere Khan said, his tone cordial but distant. Then, turning slightly, he gestured to the students behind him. "And these are Arjun, Carl, Denis, and Wale."

The four individuals accompanying Shere Khan nodded politely, their presence understated compared to the Prince.

"Shall we all sit together?" Shere Khan suggested, his smile broadening as he turned back to Novaria.

"Of course!" Novaria agreed without hesitation, her tone bright and welcoming.

As everyone settled into their seats, an unspoken tension lingered in the air. Shere Khan's commanding presence made even Novaria appear slightly nervous, a detail Victor didn't miss.

Victor observed the dynamic silently, his expression neutral. It was clear that most of his companions were out of their depth with Shere Khan.

There was little public information available about him, adding an air of mystery to his already imposing status.

However, Victor noted that Novaria seemed to know him well enough to exchange pleasantries with ease.

"Prince Shere Khan, how do you feel about this year's students?" Justin asked suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice was steady, but Victor could detect the subtle effort in maintaining his composure.

Shere Khan tilted his head slightly, intrigued by the question. "What do you mean by that, Justin?"

Justin leaned forward, his tone confident. "What I mean is, this year, Heaven has admitted significantly more students compared to last year. And the number of special students is nearly double. It seems the institution has something planned for us."

Shere Khan stroked his beard thoughtfully, his expression turning serious.

"Interesting. I hadn't considered that," he admitted. "My father didn't mention anything, and when I questioned the scout, he remained tight-lipped about any upcoming events."

His words sparked a flurry of thoughts among the group. Everyone seemed to be racing to piece together what this influx of students could mean.

Victor, however, remained silent. He had noticed the unusual admissions trend from the start, but he saw no reason to share his observations.

Why waste energy explaining when it yields no results?

Before the conversation could continue, Michael broke the tension with a loud exclamation.

"Guys, we should eat! I'm starving over here!"

Laughter rippled through the group, the mood lightening. Even Shere Khan cracked a small smile at Michael's dramatic delivery.

"Indeed," Novaria said with a chuckle. "Let's not forget why we came here in the first place."

The group turned their attention back to their meals, the earlier tension dissipating as they began to chat about lighter topics.

As Victor ate quietly, he observed the dynamics of the expanded group.

Shere Khan was undoubtedly the focal point, his presence overshadowing everyone else.

Arjun, Carl, Denis, and Wale appeared loyal to him, speaking only when prompted. Novaria, while maintaining her charm, seemed slightly guarded.

Justin and Kushi were eager to engage Shere Khan, perhaps hoping to make a favorable impression.

Michael was less focused on status, with his humor keeping the atmosphere lively.

Victor smirked faintly. 'Everyone is playing a role. The question is, who's playing it best?'

The rest of the meal passed uneventfully, but Victor remained on high alert, filing away every interaction for later consideration. In this world, alliances and rivalries often began with a simple meal.

As the group finished their breakfast, Shere Khan stood, drawing everyone's attention.

"It's been a pleasure meeting all of you," he said with a polite nod. "I hope we'll have more opportunities to interact in the future."

With that, he and his entourage departed, their exit as graceful as their arrival.

The table fell silent for a moment before Michael leaned back with a sigh. "Well, that was intense."

Justin chuckled. "Get used to it. Heaven is full of people like him. We'll be rubbing shoulders with all sorts of royalty and elites."

Victor said nothing, his mind already turning over the morning's events. The dynamics within this group—and the larger web of students at Heaven—promised to be more complex than he'd anticipated.

'This world is no different from my old one,' he thought. 'Power and influence always find a way to take center stage.'

As the group prepared to leave the cafeteria, Victor couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a much larger game.