After Aaron turned back, his first destination was the academy bathrooms, where he intended to wash away the remnants of his encounter in the desert. His clothes bore the evidence of battle—dirty, torn, and stained with blood. Along the way, he encountered fellow students, each reacting differently to his disheveled appearance.

Some regarded him with wonder, likely captivated. Others eyed him with apprehension, and a few, with a hint of superiority, looked upon him with indifference or arrogance.

Unfazed by the varied reactions, Aaron proceeded steadily towards the showers, his thoughts consumed by the recent epic battle with the desert scorpions.

Despite missing the start of class in the auditorium, Aaron's demeanor remained remarkably calm. Nearly three-quarters of an hour passed before he emerged from the bathroom, cleaned and ready to resume his day.

The first hour nearly elapsed by the time he was prepared. Though he had missed the beginning, his composed attitude suggested that he was unconstrained in the face of a trouble. With the images of the desert still fresh in his mind, he made his way to the restaurant, knowing there was no chance the professor would admit him to class.

Particularly Mr. Marlowe's history lesson. Mr. Marlowe, a member of the esteemed Romero family of the 1st house, appeared to be between 50 to 55 years old, a fresh middle aged, considering the average lifespan of 120 to 150 years in current times.

Despite his standing, he often treated his students disrespectfully and brusquely, especially those from commoner backgrounds, displaying a sense of superiority. His behavior towards young women of the simple class was particularly sexist.

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The restaurant remained quiet, with students on kitchen duty preparing for the morning break. Aaron went for a table by the window and settled in.

"Buddy, we haven't served yet. You'll be waiting a while." A 3rd year student shouted across the hall.

"Don't mind. I'm in no rush."

Aaron slumped in his chair and shifted his gaze to the window. The sky was on the verge of rain, a dramatic canvas split between darkened clouds in the west and patches of wispy formations in the east, bathed in a spectrum of grey and orange hues under the subdued sunlight.

"Are you a freshman?" A tall blond boy, around nineteen, interrupted his nirvana.

"Good morning! Yes, freshman!" Aaron replied.

"Ooh, good morning! My mistake. How did you end up here? Did you come out early?" This senior didn't seem like a bad person.

"No, I never went in."

"Hahahaha! You look so comfortable and cool! I like you! Do you want me to get you something to drink until we're ready to serve?" He wasn't misbehaving at all and seemed like an unworried guy.

"Mmmm, I would drink a natural juice easily!" Still reeling from what he had been through, what Aaron needed was something to energize him.

"Coming right up!" The senior turned to leave but Aaron called him back.

"What's your name?"

"I' m Mateo, nice to meet you!"

"Aaron, I'm glad too."

It was half past nine when the melodious bell signaling the school break rang out, and slowly the restaurant began to fill with students.

Among the crowd, Aaron noticed many familiar faces, including Mikaela. Some of them spotted him lounging in his chair, sipping his juice, and grinned knowingly. As soon as she caught sight of him, she hurried over.

"Are you serious? Where have you been? It's the last day before we close for the elections holiday. Did you think you could skip out?" Mikaela's tone was furious.

"I don't understand your outburst. I had an accident so I'm a little late." Aaron replied aloof.

"An accident? What happened? Are you okay?"

"Do I look unwell to you? Why are you suddenly so interested in my whereabouts today?"

Mikaela felt akward feeling Aaron's tone, she didn't answer, and turned to leave for the bar.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Ok, I was harsh, I admit it. I apologize."his attitude changed in a split of a second.

With her back turned to him, Mikaela wasn't expecting such a quick apology, and was caught off guard "Okay, whatever!"

"I'm very starving! Would you be so kind as to bring me a plate from the bar too? I'm very tired, really." Aaron seemed so sincere, Michaela couldn't tell if the apology was genuine, or if it had a purpose.

"Tell me, really, are you always like this?" her voice dropped.

Aaron crossed his fingers, "I promise once you get back, I'll discuss in depth whatever topic you choose!"

"What an ass! He's good with his words. It's okay, I know exactly what we're going to talk about.

In depth!"

Mikaela, was the first student for a long time, who started the academy a year younger. She was still 14 years old, but her knowledge and skills could easily match teenagers two years older. Also, like all girls and boys of her age, one of her basic interests was romance and relationships.

The first break was about half an hour and was the largest of the day. The crowd at the bar had no end. Ten minutes had already passed and Mikaela began to lose her patience. She quickly searched with a thorough look, and saw a well -known face five places ahead.

She tucked her hair behind her ear in a elegant way and touched his waist with her finger. "Lev! Hey! Do me a favor, will you?"

"Of course you will, since I'm asking you!"

Lev was a boy not very attractive in appearance, but he had a nice style and deep voice. He was one of Aaron and Mikaela's classmates. They didn't have much contact with each other, especially with Aaron, but Mikaela knew he had a crush on her.

"Hmm, well let me think about it!" Lev responded playfully.

Mikaela remained unfazed and retorted, "We don't have that much time sweetie! Well, once you've thought about it and made up your mind, can you get me the plate of assorted meats please!"

"I didn't know you liked 'meat' so much!"

"Of course, I like meat. Not all kinds, but if it's worth it, I might as well indulge," Mikaela remarked mercilessly.

"If you think I'm an ignorant little girl, then you're fooled my dear."

Lev's mouth fell open, you could tell he blushed a little, and he was at a loss for words. He tried to force a smile, but hearing what Mikaela said, his mind was thinking of other things and his eyes were looking in the wrong places.

"Your turn!" said the previous student in line from Lev.

Some people listening to the conversation started laughing and commenting. Some positively and satirically, and others negatively and critically. The age range of students at the institute was from 15 to 20 years old, and everyone could attend any course of any year they wanted. In short, the spaces of the academy were shared.

Lev, though cocky and inexperienced, was no fool. He took Mikaela's order along with his own and passed it to her.

"There you go. I hope you didn't misunderstand my way. You know that.. um.. you know!"

"Yes, I know! Thanks, I owe you." Michaela grabbed the plate and ran over to Aaron. There were less than ten minutes left until the next lesson

"You owe me a favor, don't forget!!!" Lev cried out loud as she was walking away from him.

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"Here, you can eat as much as you want!"

"Where is yours?" Aaron asked wondering.

"I'm not that hungry. I'll eat some of yours, is this okay?" it was now Michaela's turn to be provocative.

"While you still can! Didn't it have any vegetables to bring?" Aaron had already begun to eat.

Michaela wanted to steer the conversation in a different direction, but Aaron remained lost in his thoughts.

"It had. You don't like meat?"

"I eat amost anything. I'm not a fan of meat, but I've leaned not to be picky with ma food." as he talked, Aaron devoured one fillet after another. Right next to him, Michaela was watching at him with a look of wonder, curiosity and excitement.

"Shall I tell you something? I feel very comfortable with you.. Sometimes you get on my nerves, but every time, your behavior lets me know that it's my problem that I feel this way. I always get it wrong. Can you explain it to me? How is this possible??"

Aaron swallowed his bite, and looked Michaela in the eyes,

"All I can think right now, is that this is either because whatever I say, I never target anyone personally, but I speak my truth.."

He paused and put another bite into his mouth.

"EIther? Either what?? Stopping in the middle of what you're saying and eating? Seriously now?"

With his mouth full, Aaron continued his thought,

"You'e eithe stating to fall in love ith me."

It was the moment Michaela had raised the cup to her lips drinking some tea, and spat it all out. Luckily she managed to get her head down, or Aaron would have taken a second shower.

"WHAT!?? Did i get that correctly??"

"I didn't expect you to be so shocked after your conversation with Lev." Aaron responded casually.

Mikaela started to turn red in embarrassment. The sight was unique, since the moments when you could see her in such a state were rare.

"Our conversation was overheard this far?? In this fuss? It can't be!"

As the break wound down, two tables ahead, a mock argument had broken out between four boys and two girls, catching Aaron's attention.

"Okay okay, nothing happened? He didn't say anything terrible to you, or grabed your ass. Yet!" stated one of the boys.

The group burst into laughter. Everyone seemed to be having fun. Everyone, exept one girl. She was sitting with her head slightly bowed, a suppressed smile painted on her face, and her hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her skirt, showing that she was in a stressful situation.

"Tiara, don't take him seriously. He's stupid and perverted. The professor is a gentleman. He's never going to force any move. Don't worry." the girl who had previously seemed amused by the whole situation suddenly changed her tone.

"Of course you know very well, how much of a gentleman the Professor is!" said a second boy from the group looking at his buddies, bursting into laughter again.

"Ho! HO! I'm glad you're having a good time.." she leaned towards them benting her waist into a particularly hot pose and continued, ""I know very well how much you would like to taste a bit of this body.. unfortunately, you are still young and inexperienced!"

Michaela was also watching the scene, when Aaron took her hand and pulled her to go outside.

"Come on, there's only two minutes left!" The exit was 20 to 25 meters away, and passing by the group of clowns, Mikaela casually shot a sharp look at Tiara.