Nas recounted the incident to the principal, offering his version of events, which differed from the other class's portrayal. Both stories converged on one fact: Nas striking Ikenna first. The principal, considering Nas's six-year unblemished record, listened as Kendra—Nas's mother—plea against his expulsion. She emphasized that his scholarship was pivotal and losing it would devastate their family.

The principal, moved by Kendra's plea and Nas's exemplary history, decided not to expel or suspend him. Instead, a warning was issued, with a stern promise of expulsion should such behavior recur. This decision brought relief to Nas, Kendra, Victor, and his teacher. The teacher lauded Nas's brilliance, while Victor vowed to ensure Nas avoided similar trouble, swearing upon his mantle and badge as an ACE agent.

The meeting concluded on a positive note. Kendra took the opportunity outside to impart a stern lesson, though it quickly evolved into a heartfelt discussion. Nas, understanding his mother's concern, reluctantly bid her goodbye, albeit feeling slightly embarrassed.

Kendra juggled multiple roles, working as a janitor in the hospital and serving as a housekeeper for Victor's family. Despite her demanding schedule, she managed to assist at the local hospital, applying her knowledge as a former witch to aid in deliveries and healing. She also mentored Phoebe and Rayna during their visits, Nas's friends, their friendship spanning childhood, unaffected by social or magical differences.

Nas returned to class to meet his friends during their free period, anticipating a break afterward for lunch. However, things took an unexpected turn. On their way to collect their trays, they encountered another student, a wielder of magic. The intense gaze Nas received signaled trouble ahead, prompting him to consider having lunch in the classroom. His friends advised against it.

The cafeteria lady, a jovial black woman with dark hair and eyes, shared a close friendship with Nas. Despite appearances of favoritism, she always ensured Nas and his friends received the best and largest food portions. That particular Monday, they were served Jollof rice and turkey, with fried plantains. Knowing about Nas's morning ordeal, she discreetly hid an extra turkey lap within the Jollof rice and added a breast on top, with extra servings of fried plantains, aiming to uplift Nas's spirits. While his friends received one piece of meat each, Nas noticed theirs were visibly larger than the other students, their plantains towering over the rest of the students. When Nas questioned her about potential trouble, she boldly stated her dominion over the kitchen, claiming anyone sneaking around would taste her wrath, including teachers and the principal. Grateful, Nas headed to his usual table.

However, upon arrival to his usual position, he found a rugged looking boy and his gang occupying his seat, prompting Nas to choose another. This decision irked the boy, as Nas to retreated to the quieter back area of the cafeteria. During this move, he overheard hurtful conversations questioning his friendships, with voices remarking on the popularity of Michael, Peter, Alexei, Phoebe, and Adrian, insinuating that associating with a "worthless dud" like Nas was unbecoming.

"You guys don't have to stay with me, you know. You'll be damaging your rep. Uni is only a few months away, I don't want y'all to have a rough one because of me."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Michael hit Nas on the back. "We've been friends since we were 6. Let them say whatever they feel like. Who gives a fuck about rep?"

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Nas's expression brightened, and he took his seat with his friends. After taking a bite, he gave the cook a thumbs up from his seat, and she returned the gesture with a smile. The food was so good that Nas couldn't help but stuff his face.

The boy who took Nas's seat and had been staring at Nas approached him along with his gang, easily identified as members of the basketball team by their jackets. Nas, hoping to avoid trouble, attempted to leave, but he was forcefully pushed back into his seat.

"What do you want, Ademola?" Nas asked, eyeing the towering boy from his seat.

"I heard you gave one of my classmates a thrashing. You must be feeling pretty good about yourself," ademola hissed

"And here we go again." remarked Adrian, speaking with a mouthful of food.

"I don't want any trouble. Just leave me alone," Nas said.

"It seems like letting you roam freely has made you forget who's sent you to the hospital a few times."

Nas's friends were furious and ready to confront Ademola, but Nas stopped them. At that moment, the cafeteria lady had stepped into the back to serve more food for the students requesting seconds.

"I see you're holding your dogs back. Why don't you let them bare their fangs, so I can teach you all a lesson? And why are you hanging out with this dud? You all have powerful magic, especially Alexei with his rare type. You're way above him. Come chill with the cool kids and leave this dud to die alone."

"Dud or not, there's no way we're leaving him to hang out with the likes of you. All you have going for you is basketball and magic. Besides that, nothing. You don't even have the brains to know you're being a nuisance. Your grades are so bad it's painful to look at. And you have the nerve to talk down on someone else? You should seriously re-evaluate your priorities," Phoebe retorted with a smirk, fueling Ademola's anger. He attempted to attack Phoebe, while his teammates looked on with sheepish smiles.

"Attacking a lady? How low will you go?" Michael interjected, and Nas couldn't help but giggle, further infuriating Ademola. In his rage, Ademola grabbed Nas by his collar. Most of the cafeteria, including the cafeteria lady, was already laughing at Ademola and his group, which only fueled their anger.

"What did I do? I didn't even say anything. Oh, I get it. You can't beat them, so you're picking on me because I'm the DUD. You're such a coward," Nas smirked.

"Keep talking, and I'll pound your face in." Ademola threatened

"I'd prefer you didn't. I already fought once today. I don't feel like sending someone else to the hospital," Nas continued, provoking Ademola further.

Ademola manipulated the wind, triggering the alarm. "Remember, you fucking psycho, no magic on school grounds," warned Nas.

"No fighting in the cafeteria," the cafeteria lady called out.

"We're not fighting, just having a conversation," Ademola retorted, releasing Nas. Nas then joked about Ademola being all talk. As Ademola deactivated his magic, the alarm went off again.

"Watch your back, Nasya" Ademola warned before leaving, blowing away Nas's food.

As the entire dish cascaded down from Nas's head, revealing the buried turkey lap within the mountain of Jollof rice, the alarm sounded once more. Ademola's friends warned him that security would arrive any second, prompting their swift return to their seats. Nas, feeling slightly embarrassed, casually retrieved the turkey breast from atop his head and the turkey lap from the ground. He began munching on them, indifferent to the gazes around him.

Within a minute, security entered the cafeteria, guided by the cafeteria lady's pointing finger toward Ademola. They swiftly escorted him out of the cafeteria. Nas and his friends strolled past the commotion, Nas still enjoying his turkey with both hands. As they passed, Ademola spat on Nas's face, but Nas continued walking without pause. Knowing Nas was a non-magic user, the security refrained from apprehending him, despite Ademola's friends accusing Nas of involvement in the disturbance. Nas wiped the spit off his face, nonchalantly remarking, "You're lucky you didn't spit on my meal." This only fueled Ademola's fury further.

Nas apologizes for wasting the food, but the cafeteria lady insisted he make it up by joining her in the kitchen the next day. His friends agreed to join, and she packed their usual takeout, specially prepared for Nas and his friends, as they headed back to class.