LUNCH

Outside the lecture hall, the hallway was alive with shifting holographic posters and streaming class schedules overhead. Drae stepped out, scanning quickly until he spotted Yven leaning against a pillar, arms crossed.

Standing next to him was another student, slightly taller than both, dressed in a dark, sleek campus jacket with minimal markings only a small biotech crest on the sleeve. His hair was neatly swept back, his expression easy but sharp at the edges.

This was Rhydan Vo, known for his calm confidence and annoyingly perfect punctuality... at least, most days.

Drae walked up and clapped hands with him, pulling him into a quick shoulder bump.

"You almost missed the entire morning block again," Drae teased, smirking.

Rhydan rolled his eyes, returning the bump. "Please. Not all of us have you two as private wake-up bots."

Yven barked a laugh, stepping forward. "Hey, he's got a point. Drae basically carried me out of bed this morning."

Rhydan clicked his tongue, leaning forward. "Well, maybe if I had a personal chauffeur service from Drae Eltin, star of the front row, I'd be early too."

Drae shot him a mock glare. "Says the rich kid who gets everything on schedule. What happened? Your automated breakfast drone jam again?"

Rhydan scoffed, jabbing Drae lightly on the arm. "Coming from the professor's favorite? You two practically share a neural link at this point."

Yven snorted, throwing an arm around Drae's shoulder. "Yeah, seriously. If he praises you any harder, he'll start feeding you crystal supplements during lectures."

Drae shoved Yven's arm off, grinning. "Shut up. Not my fault he notices actual effort, unlike you spoiled brats."

Rhydan leaned back, raising both hands as if in surrender, a grin slipping across his face. "Spoiled? I'm not the one getting free research advice from Prof. You keep this up, he's going to adopt you."

All three burst into laughter, heads tilted back, a few passing students glancing over and shaking their heads at the noise.

Rhydan finally wiped his eyes, stepping forward. "Anyway. To celebrate our survival through another Prof's monologue, lunch is on me."

Yven immediately slapped his hands together. "Did the Vos Biokitchen bots slip you an extra ration again?"

Drae chimed in, eyebrows raised. "Or did your family just decide to flood the cafeteria with 'experimental food samples' again? You know, the 'totally not synthetic' steak slices?"

Rhydan tilted his chin up dramatically. "I'll have you know it's gourmet-level. Almost Earth-tier."

Yven nudged Drae. "Almost."

Rhydan shook his head, turning to walk ahead. "You two coming or not? I don't hear any actual complaints about free food."

Without another word, both Drae and Yven stepped forward at his heels, still jabbing at him with playful insults as they followed him toward the cafeteria block.

As they walked down the long corridor toward the lift platforms, Rhydan stayed half a step ahead, tapping rapidly on his phone screen.

"Who you texting now? Another lab drone? Or your nutritionist checking your micro-vitamin levels?" Yven jabbed, leaning to peek.

Rhydan clicked his tongue without looking up. "Relax. I'm inviting Liora and her friends to join us for lunch. Figured we could all use some decent company after getting roasted in class."

Drae raised an eyebrow. "Decent company for you two, maybe."

Yven threw an elbow toward Drae. "Hey! Speak for yourself a little fun wouldn't kill you."

They stepped onto a wide disc-shaped platform embedded into the floor. Rhydan hit the control pad with a thumb swipe, and the machine gave a soft chime before rising steadily upward.

Three levels above, the cafeteria zone opened up like a miniature sky plaza. Transparent walls curved around the main dining area, offering a view of distant glimmering spires and slow-moving hover traffic.

Automated drones zipped between tables, metallic arms balancing trays and sealed containers, while hovering service bots dropped plates off directly to waiting diners.

The three found an open table near the glass wall, sliding into the cushioned benches.

Rhydan set his phone down and sighed. "They confirmed. Should be here in ten."

They barely had time to glance around before a new ping lit up Rhydan's screen. He checked it, and his face twisted.

"What the hell…"

Yven leaned over, eyes wide. "Don't tell me they bailed."

Rhydan slammed the phone face-down on the table, voice sharp. "They had an emergency session added last minute. Some advanced design lecture. They're not coming."

Yven groaned, head tipping backward against the glass. "Ugh. You mean I got my hair fixed for nothing?!"

Drae snorted, pulling his tray closer as a delivery drone landed smoothly beside him, steaming containers arrayed neatly.

"Guess that's life," Drae muttered, cracking open the first dish without even a glance at the phone drama.

Inside, vibrant plant salads gleamed with lightly oiled root slices and bright sprout curls almost identical to Earth's microgreens, but enhanced with local crystal-stimulated growth for higher nutrient density. Beside it, a seared meat cut sat, edges caramelized to a rich brown sheen.

Rhydan had ordered one of the premium cuts: thick slices of demon beast meat, hunted from the outer plains and considered a luxury even among Aserin's wealthiest. Crimson marbling laced each piece, faintly glowing from internal crystalline channels unique to the creatures' biology.

Rhydan let out a long, defeated exhale, staring at the dish meant to impress.

"What a waste," he muttered, pushing the tray forward with a single finger.

Yven shook his head, looking between the meat and Rhydan's expression. "Tough luck, buddy. At least Drae's enjoying life."

Drae didn't even glance up, already halfway through his plate. He lifted a crisp green spiral with his fork, eyes calm and unbothered.