I'll Be Fine Skipping One Meal

Ask her out?

Just say it if you want me arrested.

Lucas chose to ignore that suggestion.

As for her secrets.

He had no interest in prying into personal matters.

The following math class was incredibly soporific, and Lucas dozed off at his desk during break.

Several times, Sophia tried to talk to him but was too shy to disturb him, spinning around in her seat like a little top.

Lucas got annoyed and simply placed his hand on her head. "Stop moving, watch the board."

"Oh."

Sophia really did freeze like a stuffed doll, not moving an inch.

Two classes later, Sophia's face was red from holding it in when she finally asked weakly: "Lucas, I need to use the bathroom."

Lucas asked puzzled: "Then go?"

Sophia whispered: "But you told me not to move."

Lucas: ...

Being this obedient will get you killed one day.

"You can move now."

"Mm!"

Sophia nodded happily, seeming delighted just to talk with Lucas, her little legs carrying her quickly out of the classroom.

[Impressive! Such a talented young mage following your every word! It reminds you of your early days learning magic, when that junior apprentice also harbored feelings for you, but alas... You reminisce deeply, centuries of memories flashing through your eyes, Charisma +1.]

There were too many things wrong with that to even start criticizing, and Lucas was gradually getting used to it.

When lunch break came.

Sophia waited until other students had gone to the cafeteria before slowly taking out a cheese sandwich from her desk, stuffing it in her pocket, then going to sit in a corner by the flower bed outside the classroom.

Few students came here, so she wouldn't have to worry about others seeing that she couldn't afford lunch and could only eat sandwiches.

Sophia thought as she took out the cheese sandwich, holding it preciously.

"Today it's cheese flavored, I must savor it properly," she thought happily to herself, swinging her legs together with joy.

Before this, she could only afford whole wheat, which filled her stomach.

But... it always took her so long to finish.

"Rustle."

As she tore open the wrapper, the sandwich's aroma made Sophia's eyes bright.

But then.

"What are you doing here?"

Lucas stood holding his lunch box, looking at Sophia sitting by the flower bed, hiding like a little hamster.

Sophia jumped in surprise, turning to see Lucas. Her scared expression immediately turned to a blush as she lowered her head, mumbling incoherently.

The cafeteria was too noisy with those kids, giving Lucas a headache, so he'd come out looking for a quiet spot.

He looked at the tiny sandwich in Sophia's hands, barely palm-sized, thinking how could that be enough?

He asked: "Why aren't you eating lunch?"

Sophia looked at Lucas's lunch box, then at her sandwich, quietly clutching it tighter, mumbling, "I... I don't like lunch."

[You've discovered the young mage secretly consuming magical items in this secluded spot. When discovered, she chooses to lie to save face. Dragon's authority cannot be deceived! You are greatly angered and must teach her a lesson, claiming these magical items!]

Lying?

Lucas raised an eyebrow, suddenly remembering the conversation he'd overheard in the bathroom.

"Did you run out of money?"

Being found out, visible panic spread across Sophia's face. She clutched the sandwich tighter, shaking her head repeatedly like a bobblehead. "No no, I have money."

Lucas said nothing more, instead sitting down nearby and opening his lunch box, filled with colorful, appetizing food.

Sophia stole a glance, then quickly looked away, nervous at sitting so close to Lucas for the first time.

"Lucas, you..."

Lucas turned. "What?"

Sophia held up her sandwich. "Would you like to try?"

She swallowed. "It's cheese flavored, I heard it's really good."

Lucas was somewhat surprised, looking at her serious little face with an ambiguous smile. "That precious sandwich of yours, you're willing to share it?"

Sophia nodded like a pecking chick, saying matter-of-factly:

"Because you helped me. If you don't want to eat it now, I can save it for you, and give it to you whenever you want to eat it."

"Then what will you eat?" Lucas asked.

"Me, I'll be fine skipping one meal, my sister will make me something nice when I get home." Sophia's face was earnest.

Lucas looked at her for a while, until Sophia became self-conscious and shyly lowered her head.

He took the sandwich and immediately ate a large portion.

[As expected of you! The young mage, intimidated by your dragon's presence, offers up her precious magical bread with both hands. You consume it immediately, for such treasures are rare and opportunities fleeting.]

[Magical Energy +3, Power +3]

[However, the young mage still seems troubled. You sense this but realize the dangers are many - best to proceed with caution.]

With less than a quarter of her sandwich remaining, Sophia actually seemed happy, watching Lucas hopefully asking: "Is it good?"

Lucas swallowed, saying plainly: "It's okay... not bad."

Sophia's face immediately brightened.

But the next moment, a lunch box appeared in her hands.

Lucas yawned, "I'm full, don't want to eat the rest. It's yours."

Sophia froze, then immediately shook her head, her ponytail swaying wildly.

"No..."

Lucas just gave her a cool glance. "Eat."

"Oh."

Under his intimidation, Sophia could only lower her head and pick up the spoon, then look up again. "Lucas..."

Lucas frowned. "Kids aren't allowed to talk while eating."

Sophia didn't dare speak anymore, obediently eating her lunch.

For some reason, whenever Lucas used this gruff tone with her, she couldn't refuse.

And somehow, today's lunch tasted especially good?

After Sophia finished eating.

Lucas said directly: "Is it because you bring snacks for your classmates, but they don't pay you back, that's why you have no money for lunch?"

It was easy to deduce from what happened this morning.

Sophia froze, instinctively wanting to say "no."

But Lucas's next words nearly broke her.

"You lied, and I really hate kids who lie."

Sophia's eyes instantly reddened with tears as she frantically waved her hands. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, Lucas, please don't be angry..."

Seeing her like this, Lucas couldn't help but sigh, reaching out to pinch her cheek. "Also, stop saying sorry all the time. The more you apologize, the more they'll bully you, understand?"

Sophia nodded dazedly, not minding the cheek pinching and actually seeming happy. She then told him everything.

"At first they paid me, but later they said they'd keep a tab, and then it just became like this."

"This morning I wanted to keep one sandwich for myself, and they cornered me in the bathroom."

This is straight-up school bullying, isn't it?

Lucas sighed, "How long has this been going on?"

Sophia weakly said: "Two months..."

Remembering how fierce Lucas had been this morning, she quickly added in her baby voice: "They're keeping track in a notebook, they said they'll pay me everything at the end of the month."

Lucas held his head. "Where's this notebook?"

Sophia lost confidence in her own words, saying quietly: "They... they have it."

...