Towan woke up first, stirred by the faint orange glow filtering through the window. He turned his head toward it, catching the sight of the sun rising over the academy grounds. The sky shifted between soft amber and deep violet, painting a serene picture that contrasted with the anticipation bubbling in his chest.
“That’s… nice to see, huh,” he murmured to himself, his voice low so as not to wake his brother.
He glanced over at Elliot’s bed, where the younger boy lay sprawled out, the blanket half kicked off. His chest rose and fell rhythmically, his face slack in peaceful slumber. For a moment, Towan let himself smile. It wasn’t often they had moments of quiet like this, and he wasn’t in a rush to disturb it.
“What should I do?” he thought, his gaze falling on the small table between their beds. A neatly folded timetable lay there, along with a few stray notes they’d jotted down the night before. He picked it up, smoothing the creases with his thumb as he scanned the schedule.
“So, our first class is in… about two hours,” he said aloud, though the only one to hear him was the clock on the wall. Its soft ticking seemed to agree with his calculation.
He flipped the timetable over, revealing a detailed map of the academy’s sprawling layout on the other side. His eyes traced the pathways, locating the cafeteria and the various lecture halls. The map was simple yet effective, with key points marked in bold ink.
“Well then,” he said, tucking the timetable into his pocket, “I guess I can go and have breakfast.”
Towan cast one last glance at Elliot. “I’ll let you sleep a bit longer,” he muttered, grabbing a jacket from the chair by the desk and putting on the uniform. He quietly opened the door, careful not to let it creak too loudly, and stepped out into the cool morning air.
After a few minutes of walking and stretching to shake off the morning stiffness, Towan arrived at the cafeteria. His steps slowed as he stepped inside, his eyes widening at the sheer size of the space.
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The room was vast, with high ceilings and large windows that let in streams of golden morning light. Long rows of tables filled the center, while one entire wall was lined with an impressive assortment of breakfast options. Steam rose from trays of hot food, and the enticing smell of fresh bread, sizzling eggs, and brewed coffee filled the air. There were stations for coffee, tea, and even mate—a surprise that made him raise an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Damn,” he muttered, taking it all in. “They’re really feeding us well here.”
His gaze landed on a section showcasing eggs, fruit, and other nutritional breakfasts. His stomach growled softly in approval as he approached, trying to decide what to pick.
“Are you new around here, young man?” a deep voice called from behind the counter. Towan looked up to see a burly man in a kitchen uniform, wiping his hands on a towel. His face was kind but curious, as though he could easily spot a first-day student.
“That’s right!” Towan replied with a small smile. “I’m starting today.”
The man chuckled knowingly. “Thought so. I’ve been working here a while, and I’ve got a knack for spotting fresh faces. Let me give you a quick tip since you probably missed the initial rundown.”
Towan tilted his head, listening intently.
The man leaned forward slightly, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. “Here’s how it works: the more effort you put into your grades, the better food and accommodations you’ll get. Think of it as a little incentive to keep you on your toes.”
“Got it,” Towan replied, though he couldn’t hide his surprise. “So… I can eat these?” He pointed toward a plate of scrambled eggs and a glass of orange juice that had caught his eye.
“Sure thing! During the first term, everyone gets access to all the basics. No restrictions. But after that…” The chef paused for effect, tapping a finger against the counter, “you’ll start using points to decide what you can eat and where you can stay.”
“Points?” Towan repeated, his brow furrowing. “No one told me about points.”
The man grinned, clearly amused. “Ah, don’t worry about it for now. You’ll hear all about it soon enough during orientation. For today, just enjoy the free ride while it lasts.”
He slid the plate of scrambled eggs and orange juice toward Towan with a practiced ease. “Here you go, kid. You’ll need your strength. First days are always an adventure.”
“Thanks,” Towan said, taking the plate and giving the man a small nod of appreciation. As he turned to find a seat, he couldn’t help but think about this whole point system. It added a layer of pressure—and intrigue—to an already intense start to the academy.