As Haru made his way to the cafeteria, he noticed that many of his fellow Arknights were already seated, eating and chatting. The atmosphere was a bit more relaxed than it had been in the morning, but there was still an underlying tension, likely due to the intensity of the day so far.

He walked over to the food counter and picked up a tray, choosing a hearty meal to refuel after the gruelling physical exam: grilled chicken with a side of roasted vegetables, rice, and a bowl of miso soup. For dessert, he grabbed a small fruit salad. The meal was nutritious, designed to keep the students in peak condition.

With his tray in hand, Haru scanned the room and spotted a table where Saki, Yue, Elif, Junko, Aslan, and Angel were seated together. He walked over, and as he approached, the group made room for him."Hey, Haru," Saki greeted him with a smile as he sat down. "Where's Luis?"

Haru set his tray down and took a seat. "He went off to think and be by himself for a bit," he explained, trying to keep his tone casual. "Said he needed some time to process everything.

"The group nodded, understanding the need for some space after the intensity of the morning. They all turned their attention to their meals for a moment, and Haru dug into his food, savouring the warmth and flavour of the chicken.

As Haru sat down at the table with his meal, the group welcomed him with nods and smiles. The conversation quickly picked up from where it had left off, with Saki leading the way.

“So, how did you guys feel about the physical exam?” Saki asked, glancing around the table as she took a bite of her food.

Haru shrugged, swallowing a mouthful of rice. “I’m pretty satisfied. Third place isn’t too bad.”

“Yeah, you did well,” Saki agreed, grinning. “I’m happy with second place, too. It’s nice to see the hard work paying off.”

Elif nodded, but looked a bit disappointed. “I thought I’d do better, honestly. But those hip thrusts got me. I guess I’m more of a runner than a weightlifter.”

“Hey, it’s only the first day,” Haru reassured her. “We’ve all got our strengths. You were killing it in the running.”

Angel, who had been unusually quiet so far, finally spoke up. “Yeah, no one’s perfect at everything. I mean, look at me. I’m not exactly built for endurance, but I’ve got other strengths,” he said with a wink, making the group chuckle.

Aslan, still looking a bit down, hesitated before speaking. “I really struggled. I’m worried I won’t be able to keep up…”

Saki leaned over and gave him a light punch on the arm. “Don’t worry about it, Aslan. Everyone starts somewhere. Just keep pushing yourself, and you’ll improve.”

“Yeah, what she said,” Angel chimed in, leaning back in his chair. “And besides, we’re all in this together. We’ll help each other out.”

Yue, who had been quiet as well, finally spoke up. “I really appreciate the support. I just… I hope I can find my place here.”

“You will,” Haru said confidently. “We’re all here to grow, and we’re going to do it together.”

The conversation shifted to their Theory class, and Haru brought up the lesson on Breachers. “That was some heavy stuff. I knew they were dangerous, but hearing about the different levels and the Sigma-class… It’s kind of terrifying.”

“No kidding,” Saki said, nodding. “But it’s good to know what we’re up against. We need to be prepared.”

“Definitely,” Elif added. “I’m still wrapping my head around the idea that there are creatures out there that could wipe out entire regions.”

Junko, who had been mostly listening, spoke up quietly. “It makes me realize how much we still have to learn. We’re just at the beginning.”

Angel nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, and that’s why we’re here. To get better, to get stronger. We can’t let the fear of what’s out there stop us from reaching our potential.”

Haru smiled, appreciating how the group was coming together, even if they were from different backgrounds and with varying strengths.

Angel then leaned forward, his usual grin returning. “By the way, Haru,” he started, his tone teasing. “Speaking of potential… when are you going to talk to Aurora?”

Haru nearly choked on his drink, caught off guard by the question. “What? I—uh…”

Saki, catching onto Angel’s teasing, joined in. “Yeah, Haru! We’ve all seen the way you look at her. You should definitely go talk to her.”

Haru, trying to keep his composure, shook his head with a slight laugh. “I’ll talk to her… after I finish my lunch.”

Angel laughed, giving Haru a playful nudge. “You better! No time like the present, right?”

The group laughed, the tension from earlier in the day easing further. As they continued to eat, Haru couldn’t help but think about what Angel had said. Maybe it was time to talk to Aurora, but for now, he focused on finishing his meal, enjoying the camaraderie that was beginning to form among his new friends.

Haru finally stood up, still hungry, and decided to get seconds. As he approached the serving area, he noticed the new dish—a rich, aromatic beef stew with tender chunks of meat, potatoes, and carrots, accompanied by freshly baked bread. He piled some onto his plate, his thoughts already turning back to the training and what lay ahead. As he turned to return to his seat, he found Lawrence standing nearby, watching him with his usual stoic expression.

"Not bad in the race," Lawrence said, his tone even, but there was an edge to his words.

Haru nodded, setting his plate down. "Thanks. I was aiming for first, but Saki’s endurance and Callus’s freakish stamina made that tough."

Lawrence’s gaze sharpened. "Your performance wasn’t bad. You’ve got speed, I’ll give you that. But staying ahead for most of the race means nothing if you can’t finish strong."

Haru raised an eyebrow, sensing the challenge in Lawrence’s words. "I was taught by the best," he replied, his voice steady. "And I finished in the top three, didn’t I?"

Lawrence’s lips curled into a slight smirk. "Yusei taught a lot of us. Me, Aurora, Callus… But somehow, he chose you as his direct apprentice." His tone grew more cutting. "It’s either because you have potential, which I doubt, or it’s because you’re from the Zaurelias Empire, and that’s just favoritism."

Haru felt a spark of anger ignite within him. He set his plate down with deliberate care, meeting Lawrence’s gaze with a steely glare. "You’d better watch your mouth," Haru warned, his voice cold. The tension between them was palpable, and the room seemed to hold its breath.

Lawrence took a step closer, his voice dripping with disdain. "Do you really think you’re the future of this institution? With talents like Callus, me, Aurora, Ashelyn, Luis, and even Blaze here, you’re just a pretender. I’ve heard the rumors. You’re the forgotten son of the Tadashima household, left to rot in the suburbs. You’re nothing more than Yusei’s tool, his pawn in some petty game against Reikou."

Haru’s eyes narrowed as his anger flared. He stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. "And you’re just the last hope of a fading bloodline, clinging desperately to past glory. If your ancestors could see you now, they’d be ashamed to call you their descendant."

Lawrence’s face twisted in anger, his fists clenching at his sides. "How dare you," he snarled, stepping into a fighting stance, his posture radiating fury.

Haru mirrored his movement, ready to defend himself. The room went silent, all eyes fixed on the two young men who were now face-to-face, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

"You think you’re so special," Lawrence spat. "But you’re just another brat trying to play in the big leagues. You’re nothing, Haru. Nothing but a mistake."

Haru’s expression hardened, his fists clenching. "And you’re just a relic, Lawrence. A relic of a house that’s already crumbling to dust. You talk big, but you’re just scared that your time is already up."

The air crackled with tension, and it seemed that at any moment, fists would fly. The dinner ladies near the entrance whispered urgently, preparing to call for help. It was clear that a fight could break out at any moment.

Before either of them could throw a punch, Aurora stepped between them, her presence commanding immediate attention. "Enough!" she said sharply, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. She pointed at Lawrence. "You were out of line, Lawrence. You started this."

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She then turned to Haru, her gaze stern. "And you, Haru. Your last comment was completely disrespectful, not just to a family but to an entire nation."

Haru felt a wave of guilt wash over him as he realized the weight of his words. He turned to see the students from the United Kingdom of Aurelian, including Angel Goldstone, looking visibly upset. Bowing deeply, Haru apologized to his peers, the dinner ladies, and especially to Aurora.

"I'm sorry," he said earnestly. "I shouldn’t have said that."

Lawrence, however, remained unyielding, his expression cold. "It was nothing but the truth," he muttered, turning on his heel and storming out of the lunch hall.

Blaze, who had been watching the confrontation with a grin, shouted after Lawrence, "I was hoping Haru would beat you down! That big ego of yours needs a reality check."

The room buzzed with murmurs, but most ignored Blaze’s outburst. Haru turned back to Aurora, gratitude evident in his eyes.

"Thank you," he said sincerely. "Could we talk privately?"

Aurora nodded, understanding the need for a more personal conversation. As they stepped aside, the tension in the room began to dissipate, though the echoes of the confrontation lingered in the air.

Haru walked with Aurora to a quieter table near the end of the dining hall, balancing his plate of food as they sat down. Aurora raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised that Haru still had the appetite to eat more after everything they had just gone through.

"You’re still hungry?" Aurora asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Haru chuckled, shrugging as he took a bite. "I need fuel. Always have."

Aurora giggled softly, the sound instantly bringing back memories for Haru. Her laugh was just as enchanting as he remembered. He found himself momentarily lost in that memory but quickly refocused on the conversation.

"It’s been a long time since we were in Bethel together, dancing," Haru said, his tone carrying a nostalgic warmth.

Aurora nodded, a wistful smile tugging at her lips. "A lot has changed since then."

"Such as?" Haru prompted, genuinely curious.

Aurora leaned back slightly, her gaze distant as she reflected on the past. "I went back to the capital after training with Yusei. My family needed me to prepare for my role, so I started working closely with them. I even got into sewing and fashion design."

Haru’s eyebrows shot up in surprise and admiration. "That’s impressive. But then, I always imagined you’d succeed wherever you went. You’ve always had this iron confidence and kindness about you."

Aurora’s cheeks tinged pink as she played with a strand of her hair, clearly pleased by the compliment. "Thank you, Haru," she said softly.

Haru felt his heart skip a beat, but he kept his focus. "How did you manage to change so much, though? You’re... well, you’re different."

Aurora tilted her head slightly, her eyes locking onto his with a mix of curiosity and something else—something that felt like a connection. "I could ask you the same thing. You’ve changed a lot since we last met. How did that happen?"

Haru hesitated for a moment, his thoughts flickering back to the intense journey he had undergone. "I’d love to give you the full story," he said, his voice sincere, "but we don’t have much time right now. Maybe later?"

Aurora nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I’m planning on going to the library after school. Maybe we can talk there?"

"That sounds perfect," Haru agreed, his heart warming at the idea.

There was a brief silence before Haru spoke again, this time his voice carrying a weight of something deeper. "I never forgot about my offer, you know."

Aurora’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. "Haru... my response wasn’t personal. It was an official response."

"What if I asked again?" Haru’s question hung in the air between them, his tone both hopeful and uncertain.

Aurora looked away, her gaze drifting to the window as she considered her response. "This time," she said slowly, "the offer might have to be re-evaluated."

Haru felt a flicker of hope but kept his composure. "I meant what I said back then, Aurora. One day, I’ll be the Greatest Arknight in history."

Aurora turned back to him, her expression softening. "You’d have to be made noble in some way first. And with your family dynamics... it might be an issue."

Haru nodded, acknowledging the truth in her words. "I’m working on it."

"You’d best be quick," Aurora replied, her voice tinged with an edge of urgency. "My family... they’re considering an engagement with the Goldstone family. My father is quite fond of Lawrence."

A pang of jealousy flared in Haru’s chest. "Are you fond of Lawrence?"

Aurora’s gaze met his, steady and direct. "I don’t harbor any romantic interests in him. We’re good friends, and it wouldn’t be the end of the world to marry him... but it’s not what I want."

"Then what do you want?" Haru asked, his voice low, almost pleading.

Aurora’s eyes softened as she looked at him, the memory of the boy she once knew clear in her mind. "I want to be the best I can be, no matter the area—whether it’s being a wife, a mother, an Arknight, or a designer. But," she paused, her gaze growing more intense, "I do have my preferences."

The meaning behind her words wasn’t lost on Haru. He simply nodded, understanding the depth of her statement.

Aurora stood up, smoothing out her uniform. "I have to go, but we’ll talk at the end of the day."

Haru nodded, watching as she walked away. "Good luck for the rest of the day, Aurora."

She glanced back over her shoulder, giving him a small, genuine smile before heading out of the dining hall. Haru sighed, feeling a complex mix of emotions swirling inside him as he finished his meal, his thoughts still lingering on the conversation they had just shared.

As Haru left the dining hall, he found himself flanked by Aslan and Saki, who immediately began peppering him with questions about his conversation with Aurora.

“So, what did she say?” Saki asked with a teasing grin, clearly eager for details.

Aslan, trying to sound casual but equally curious, added, “Yeah, you two seemed pretty deep in conversation. What’s the story?”

Haru sighed, running a hand through his hair as they walked. “We just caught up a bit, talked about old times in Bethel. She’s been busy with her family’s work, and we touched on a few personal things.”

Saki raised an eyebrow, not letting him off that easily. “Come on, there’s got to be more to it than that. You guys have some history, right?”

Haru smirked slightly, shrugging as he tried to downplay it. “It’s not like that. We’re friends, and we haven’t seen each other in years. There’s a lot to catch up on.”

Aslan glanced between the two of them, sensing there was more beneath the surface. “You looked pretty focused, though. Like, really focused.”

Haru chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s just... she’s different now, and I guess I am too. We’re figuring out what that means.”

Saki nudged him playfully. “Well, don’t let us hold you back, lover boy. Just remember, we’re all in this together. Don’t get too distracted.”

Haru rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall, Aurora was walking with Emma and Luella, who were just as curious about her conversation with Haru.

“So, what’s the deal with you two?” Emma asked, her eyes sparkling with interest. “You seemed pretty deep in thought after talking to him.”

Aurora smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “We were just catching up. It’s been a long time since we last spoke.”

Luella, always the more reserved one, spoke up quietly, “Did he say anything... important?”

Aurora paused, thinking back to their conversation. “He asked about the past, and we talked about how things have changed. He’s grown a lot since we last met.”

Emma wasn’t satisfied with that. “And? Come on, give us something juicy! Did he make a move?”

Aurora laughed, shaking her head. “No, nothing like that. But he did ask if I remembered his offer from years ago.”

Luella’s eyes widened slightly. “And what did you say?”

Aurora glanced between her friends, her expression thoughtful. “I told him it might need to be re-evaluated.”

Emma whistled softly, clearly impressed. “Re-evaluated, huh? Sounds like things might get interesting.”

Aurora smiled, though it was tinged with uncertainty. “Maybe. But it’s not just about us anymore. There’s so much more at stake now.”

As they neared the classroom, Haru spotted Angel and Elif chatting with Luis, who seemed to have shaken off whatever had been bothering him earlier. Haru walked up, offering a quick handshake and a fist bump with Luis.

“You feeling better now?” Haru asked, genuinely concerned.

Luis grinned, his usual confidence back in full force. “Of course, just needed a moment to clear my head. I’m good to go.”

Before they could continue, Aurora and Luella approached, joining the group. Luella seemed a bit shy around Lawrence, but Aurora was her usual composed self. They began discussing what to expect in the next lesson.

“So, what do you think Garo’s got in store for us next?” Haru asked, looking between his friends.

Aurora spoke up first, her tone thoughtful. “Probably something that’ll push us even harder. He doesn’t seem like the type to go easy on us.”

Luis nodded in agreement. “Yeah, we’ve already been tested physically and mentally. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s got something more challenging lined up.”

Luella, still a bit nervous, added quietly, “Whatever it is, we’ll get through it. Together.”

Elif, always upbeat, chimed in, “Exactly! We’ve made it this far, and we’re only going to get stronger.”

As they continued talking, Haru noticed Lawrence standing a little way off, watching the group. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, there was a silent exchange—a recognition of the unspoken competition between them. Haru smirked and nodded subtly, acknowledging the tension that had sparked between them.

Lawrence, ever stoic, simply returned the nod before heading into the classroom, clearly focused on the lessons ahead.

Luis noticed the exchange and raised an eyebrow at Haru. “Something happen in the dining hall?”

Haru shrugged, playing it off. “Just a little chat.”

Luis didn’t press further, though his curiosity was evident. “Well, whatever it was, don’t let it get in your head. We’ve got more important things to focus on.”

With that, they all headed into the classroom, taking their seats as Garo walked in, ready to begin the next lesson.