Chapter 11: School Beginnings (2)

Garmr then convinced Frenrin to leave the room and explore the academy.

They walked out into the large hallway, wandering without much direction.

Eventually, they found the cafeteria.

Frenrin rubbed his stomach. "How did I only just remember that I needed to eat?"

Garmr laughed. They then walked inside the cafeteria, where there were only about twenty students, despite it being evening.

Frenrin and Garmr went in line, although there wasn't anybody else actually in line, so they met the lunch lady without waiting.

The lady stared at Frenrin and inspected him before speaking: "I haven't seen you here before. I need your token and name."

Frenrin responded, "I don't have a token; I was never given one."

She snorted in response, "No token, no food."

Frenrin felt his anger rising, but it was nothing compared to what he felt in Revan's office.

Garmr looked at Frenrin and put his paw on his cute little furry chin. He then thought of something and immediately transmitted to Frenrin, "Tell her your name."

Frenrin was unsure of what telling her his name would accomplish, but he trusted Garmr's judgment a lot. He then plainly told her his name.

The lunch lady's face immediately dropped. "Fr-Frenrin?! I'm so sorry, Sir Frenrin! I was told to make a special exception for you. Do not worry; I will personally prepare your own dinner."

Frenrin smiled, quickly glancing toward Garmr and then back at the lunch lady with a big smile. "It's alright; I do not mind. Thank you for your generosity."

The lunch lady then calmed down. "Thank you for your understanding. What would you like for dinner? I will make it with my best effort!"

Frenrin responded while continuing to smile, "Whatever is easiest for you to make, but I do need food for my dog." Frenrin then pointed at Garmr.

"Thank you for your kindness," she replied, "but it would be disrespectful for me to make a standard meal. I will make you my own specialty."

Frenrin was getting tired of the back and forth. "If that's truly what you want, then thank you very much."

Garmr and Frenrin then sat down at one of the whitewood tables, with Garmr sitting in a chair as well.

While Garmr and Frenrin were waiting for their dinner, a young boy came to introduce himself.

The boy sat across from Frenrin and Garmr at their table. "Hello! My name is Erin. I thought your dog was really cool and came to introduce myself."

Frenrin glanced over at Garmr and smiled while responding, "Hi, my name is Frenrin. My dog's name is Garmr," he said as he looked toward Garmr.

Erin continued talking. "Do you mind if I pet him?"

Frenrin frowned. "Sorry... Garmr really doesn't like being petted."

Erin wore a frown. "That's... disappointing, but I understand."

Erin's face returned to a neutral stance, wearing a slight grin. "Why did the lunch lady act like that with you? Are you some high-class noble or something?"

Frenrin froze for a moment before Erin continued, "Sorry if I hit a nerve there. You don't have to tell me; I was just curious. Usually, nobles love bragging about their family."

Frenrin wanted to make some excuse, but he couldn't think of any. He couldn't lie and say he was a high-class noble, and anything else would sound like a lie. He also didn't want to reveal his element, at least not yet.

"I'm sorry; I can't tell anybody about my circumstances," Frenrin said with a pouty look.

Erin saw his expression and immediately thought, "This kid must be from a very special bloodline. He was probably sent here and told not to rely on his family."

Erin decided to try and get on Frenrin's good side. "Do you need any help with anything in the academy? I am pretty experienced and know a lot about this place."

Frenrin thought for a moment before asking, "Is there a map? I've only been here for about a day, and I don't know my way around at all. I only found this cafeteria due to luck."

This confused Erin immensely. He froze before responding, "Every student that is enrolled here receives a map. Did you really not get one?"

Frenrin shrugged. "I really didn't get one."

Erin thought to himself, "Not only did the lunch lady treat him as if he were some sort of royal noble, he didn't even receive a map. This is truly too strange..."

Resolutely, Erin pushed his confusion out of his mind. "I will draw you a copy of mine. It might be a bit crude, though; I'm not a very good artist."

Frenrin felt this was a good time to improve his acting. He got out of his chair and bowed toward Erin.

"Thank you very much!"

Erin felt flustered. "It's alright; it'll only take me about two minutes. Let me go to my room and draw a copy real quick."

Frenrin responded while smiling, "Thank you; it really means a lot to me."

Erin then left for his room, leaving Frenrin and Garmr behind.

Frenrin immediately sat back down in his chair, slumping into an uncouth state.

He placed one hand on his face, speaking telepathically to Garmr: "I really do not like acting; it's very tiring."

Garmr responded, "Heh, think about how I felt for the majority of my life. I told you it wouldn't be easy; you can always stop if you want to."

Frenrin yawned. "I know, but I also can't stop."

Frenrin and Garmr then waited for either their food to arrive or for Erin to return.