The sound of footsteps echoed in an irregular rhythm. Shoe soles clashed against the cold, hard white marble floor.
Rows of long tables and wooden chairs were neatly arranged in the vast, yellow-painted room. Some were accompanied by banter and laughter, yet quite a few remained empty.
Students strolled leisurely, carrying trays filled with their lunch. Steam rose from their bowls containing a variety of menus. The aromas of soup, toast, fried meat, and strong spices mingled together. Although it was a large room, the jumble of scents felt stifling to Elysia's sensitive nose.
Yet, in a snap of a finger from an old woman with an apron, a gentle breeze blew in and carried those aromas out through the air vents located in the gaps high on the walls.
Celina was the first to place her lunch on the dining table. She raised one eyebrow in Elysia's direction. "Haaaah~ finally, we can rest. A tiring day, isn't it?"
Elysia nodded slowly, placing her plate right beside her.
"Ei, Elysia, do you have... have... informação about that new lesson?" Elysia gave a faint laugh hearing her friend's broken language. But she nodded and offered an understanding smile.
"I do. My elder sister once told me about it."
"So... what exactly is the magic combat class?" she asked with a furrowed face.
"Haven't most students already awakened their magic pathway, Celina?"
Celina nodded repeatedly.
A week had passed since then. Many students in Elysia's class had successfully awakened their magic pathways. Some even seemed capable of using magic reflexively. Celina was one of them.
"But what's the connection?"
"Of course there is. How do you think you control magic in the midst of a fight?"
Celina's eyes widened. Her hands clapped, as if her head had just realized Elysia's meaning. "I understand now. Agradeço, Elysia!"
Elysia responded with a small nod.
After a week of only learning basic magic theory and using the Lumen Astralis ritual, they finally received one additional subject. Namely, the magic combat class. A class designed to train them to use magic in battle.
Elysia sighed, her head dipping slightly. In the end, this place was actually intended as a military training ground, wasn't it?
Having pondered for only a moment, the sound of soft footsteps was heard behind her. A thin smile spread on her lips. Without even turning, she already knew who owned those stealthily approaching footsteps.
Someone suddenly hugged her from behind.
"Elyyyy! I missed you."
"It hasn't even been a month since we parted."
"A week feels like a year, you know."
"You might be right." An expression of relief was etched on Elysia's face.
Celina furrowed her brow, asking cautiously. "Ely, who is she?"
Elysia turned to her. "Let me introduce you, she is my twin sister, Irine."
"Woah, the one you often talked about!" Celina's eyes instantly sparkled. But it quickly faded, replaced by a confused expression. "But... you don't look alike at all."
If Irine and Elysia walked side by side, no one would believe they were twins. One represented a winter rabbit, while the other represented a summer full of spirit.
"That's how our race is. Twins but not identical. We have many twin siblings, but it's very easy to tell them apart. If not by their physique, then their personalities are vastly different. As you can see from me and Ely." Irine then extended her hand. "Irine."
Celina quickly grasped it. "Celina. Nice to meet you, Irine."
Wide smiles were exchanged between the two.
"Nice to meet you too, Celina. Thanks for keeping an eye on my shy little sister."
Elysia shot a sharp glance at Irine. "Who are you calling shy, you chatterbox. Besides, our age difference is only a few hours. Don't act like you're my elder sister."
Irine chuckled softly. "True. But you're still my little sister."
Elysia could only sigh.
Meanwhile, Irine excused herself to buy a lunch menu and also wanted to introduce her new friend to them.
Celina nudged Elysia's arm. "Do you think I can get along with your sister, Ely?"
"You two are similar. I'm sure you can become close quickly." Her lips curved slightly, but it instantly faded, replaced by narrowed eyes. "Wait... since when did I permit you to call me Ely?"
"Hm... can't I?" Celina tilted her head.
Once again, Elysia sighed, resigned. "Do as you want."
Before the soup in her bowl cooled, Irine had returned, bringing her food tray. This time, she was also accompanied by a blonde-haired girl with sea-blue irises.
Her pointed ears were enough to explain her race as an elf. The hood and cross necklace she wore marked her as a church girl. The smile on her lips seemed sincere and calming.
"Let me introduce you, this is Imaria." Irine turned to Imaria. "Imaria, this is my little sister that I always tell you about. And next to her is Celina. We also just met a few minutes ago."
The girl observed Elysia carefully before bowing respectfully. "Pleased to meet you, Lady Elysia." She then turned and did the same to Celina. "Pleased to meet you, Lady Celina. May the gods bless you."
"Pleased to meet you, Imaria."
"Pleased to meet you, Imaria."
Elysia and Celina responded to her greeting in unison, each in their own way. Elysia was calmer, Celina more expressive.
After the brief introduction, the four of them sat together, ready to enjoy the meals in their respective bowls.
Celina looked down, lazily stirring the soup she had ordered. "I hate vegetables."
"Oh really? How can you hate vegetables? I think they're the most delicious food."
"Do you want to eat them, Irine?"
"Really?"
Celina nodded, preparing to hand over her vegetables.
"Ah, I heard humans like you enjoy meat. How about I trade it for my meat portion? To be honest, not many rabbitmen like meat."
"Really? Você é tão gentil, Irineee! (You're so kind, Irine!)" Celina's eyes sparkled, moving her bowl closer.
Before they could barter, Elysia slammed the table. "Don't be picky with food! You both still need vegetables and meat for your own health!"
"Oh, come on, Ely. Mother isn't here."
"But I am!"
Celina tilted her head. "Há algo de errado, Ely (What's wrong with it, Ely)? Irine and I both agree with this exchange."
"Of course it's wrong!" Elysia raised her voice, staring sharply at her. "Humans need vegetables not just for their body, but also for their skin and beauty. Do you want your skin to be wrinkled, full of acne, and dull?"
Celina jolted abruptly. "R-really?"
"You think I'm lying!"
Celina shook her head slowly.
Elysia switched her sharp gaze to her twin sister. "And for rabbitmen... we do tend to eat plants, but we still need meat. Do you want your chest to be as flat as Sister Mira's?"
Irine swallowed. "That's true, Mother often said Sister Mira didn't eat enough meat back then."
"If you already know, quickly eat your portions and don't be picky!"
They both obeyed, returning the vegetables and meat to their respective bowls. And began eating their soup.
Elysia smiled faintly. She wasn't lying, just exaggerating a little so they would eat the nutritious food their bodies needed.
Her hand stirred her bowl containing vegetable soup with warm white milk broth.
Elysia suddenly slumped listlessly. A bitter smile spread on her lips as a small memory flashed in her mind. A memory of her sharing food with a loved one in her past life.
I hope... 'he' wasn't born as a race with a tendency to eat meat. I want to be able to share food with him every day.
Rabbitmen are a sub-species of beastmen. Many of them dislike meat due to their herbivorous tendencies, and even Elysia herself didn't particularly like it. However, they still need a little meat to meet their nutritional needs.
While lost in thought, Elysia felt something. She turned, finding Imaria looking at her in admiration.
"You look like a mother, Lady."
"I-Is that so?"
Elysia stammered, caught off guard by the unexpected remark. Her heart beat fast, her cheeks flushed.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to mock you."
"No. I... I'm glad to hear it."
Her voice softened. Faintly, her lips curved, forming a smile that was almost invisible.
"Thank goodness. I thought you were offended." Imaria clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and offered a prayer. "May the gods bless you with a kind-hearted man."
"Thank you, Imaria."
She wasn't a religious person who pinned uncertain hopes on God—an entity that wouldn't necessarily grant her wishes even if she sacrificed everything.
But... for some reason, Imaria's small prayer was enough to revive her smile, sprouting a small hope within her empty heart.
"By the way, no need to be that formal. Did you forget? Noble status means nothing here."
"Alright. I understand, Ely."
"That's better."
Amidst the clinking of spoons and forks, the four of them chatted at length, occasionally laughing. It wasn't accurate to say all four, as the ones really chatting were only Irine and Celina. Meanwhile, Imaria and Elysia were more passive and chose to be mere listeners.
Ting... ting... ting...
The first bell had chimed, a sign that the break would soon end. The four of them quickly finished their lunches, then promptly returned their trays to the cafeteria lady.
After passing through the exit door, they parted ways and headed to their respective classes. Imaria and Irine walked north, while Celina and Elysia went west.
The two of them walked lightly towards their next class—magic combat.
"Ei, Ely. I heard the teacher teaching our class is very fierce. Não se sente nervoso (Aren't you feeling nervous)?"
Elysia shook her head slowly. "There's nothing to worry about."
"I hope so too."
Ting... ting... ting...
The second bell finally rang again after fifteen minutes. A sign that the lesson was about to begin. Elysia and Celina had arrived at their class. Both stepped lightly into the classroom.
"Eh?"
Just as the door opened, a long-blonde-haired elf woman was already standing before them with her arms folded. Her eyebrows were raised, her gaze cold and piercing.
"You are late."