After the tough morning session, the group headed to the dining hall, walking slowly, sore and exhausted. Their muscles still ached from the class, but their chatter buzzed with excitement. Each of them had faced the unique challenges of their chosen weapons, and their conversations quickly centered on their experience.

As they stepped into the dining hall, the group was greeted by the sight of an expansive room filled with a warm hum of voices and the clinking of dishes. Windows lined one wall, stretching up to a high ceiling, offering a beautiful view of the academy grounds. Long, dark-wood tables filled the room, arranged in neat rows.

At the far end of the hall, a buffet area had been set up, with steaming trays of food that seemed to rest on invisible stands. Plates of vegetables, sliced meats, and assorted grains created a rich aroma that spread throughout the room. Food trays floated over from the buffet to the tables, responding to a call or wave. Jeremy found the sight fascinating; back home, he’d never seen anything like this level of convenience, and it reminded him that the academy wasn’t just a place of training—it was a blend of magic and technology designed to support their every need.

As they moved through the crowded dining hall, their steps slowed by the morning’s intense training session, a murmur swept over some nearby tables. Heads turned, and more than a few curious glances drifted toward them. Jeremy noticed right away, his lips twitching into a small, playful smile as he shot his brother a sidelong glance.

“Guess we’re already famous,” Jeremy whispered with a grin, clearly enjoying the quiet buzz their arrival was creating. He straightened up slightly, his gaze sweeping across the hall as he nodded politely to a few of the older students who were openly staring. “Hey, maybe we’re making an impression already,” he added, his tone light but carrying a bit of pride.

Andrew, on the other hand, kept his gaze trained firmly on his feet, his shoulders drawn in as he avoided eye contact with anyone who looked their way. “Or maybe they just… know the family name,” he murmured under his breath, casting a glance over his shoulder as if hoping the attention would somehow disappear.

Marcus, catching onto the dynamic between the brothers, nudged Jeremy with an amused smile. “Well, they know the name now,” he teased, clearly entertained by Jeremy’s enjoyment of the attention and Andrew’s clear discomfort. “Who knows, maybe we’ll have the whole academy talking about us by the end of the year.”

Jeremy chuckled, throwing his arm around Marcus’s shoulders in a friendly gesture. “That’s the idea,” he replied confidently. “We might as well show them that the Hoppins brothers didn’t come here just to blend in.” His gaze flicked to Andrew, who managed a brief, tight smile but kept his gaze down.

As they settled into their seats, Perci leaned over, giving Andrew a reassuring nudge. “Hey, don’t worry about it. People will get used to you guys soon enough. Probably just a lot of curiosity since you’re both new.”

Andrew nodded, his voice quiet. “Yeah… it’s just a lot of eyes, I guess.” He glanced around, shifting uncomfortably. “I mean, I got used to people knowing the name, but that doesn’t mean I’m always comfortable with it.” He shot Jeremy a quick look, a mixture of resignation and quiet understanding in his expression. “Guess it just comes with being a Hoppins.”

“Food’s here!” Perci announced, cutting through the conversation, and as if on cue, a magical tray floated to their table, landing with a small clink. Plates of food appeared before them, perfectly portioned and still warm, and the group dug in.

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Moments later, as they continued eating, Marcus let out a sigh. “I can’t believe Hendrikson can clone himself like that,” he said, shaking his head in amazement. “One version of him is intimidating enough.”

Perci nodded, rubbing her wrist. “Did you see the way his clone corrected my grip? It was like he knew exactly what I was doing wrong before I even messed up.”

Jeremy nodded, barely touching his food as his mind replayed his struggle with the spear. He glanced at Mia, who was absently tracing the rim of her drink, deep in thought. “You looked pretty focused with that bow,” he said, trying to draw her out.

Mia’s smile widened just a little. “The bow’s harder than it looks, but it’s perfect for what I want. Fire works best at a distance, so if I learn to use a bow, I’ll have another tool to use from farther back,” she explained, a spark of determination flickering in her eyes. “I’ve got a long way to go if I want to actually unlock it as a Skill, though.” She glanced at her friends, her resolve clear.

Marcus chuckled, a competitive gleam in his eye. “Well, if you’re aiming for mastery, then I’ll make sure my sword stay sharp enough to give you some competition.”

The friendly rivalry between Mia and Marcus brought out a smile in Jeremy, who leaned back, still thinking about the spear. The thrill of working towards unlocking his first weapon Skill had ignited something deep within Jeremy, a drive to prove himself that went beyond competition. It wasn’t just about being the best—it was about living up to the Hoppins family name, showing the academy and himself that he could carry on their legacy. The memory of Hendrikson’s clone reprimanding him for his ambition lingered in his mind, but it only fueled his drive further.

“Think you’ll stick with the spear, Jeremy?” Timothy asked, breaking into his thoughts.

Jeremy looked up, nodding. “Yeah, I think I will. For now,” he added with a smirk. “One step at a time. First, I’ll unlock the Skill—and then, who knows?”

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The others laughed, nodding along with his enthusiasm.

Marcus grinned, folding his arms with a playful glint in his eye. “Just be warned—I’ve already unlocked Swordsmanship,” he said with a hint of teasing. “So don’t expect me to go easy on you if we ever have to spar.”

Jeremy smirked in return. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it, Marcus. Just don’t get too comfortable at the top.”

“Oh, so now we’re all competing?” Timothy laughed, raising an eyebrow. “I guess I better make friends with this hammer then. It’s a beast to control, but if I can get it to do what I want, I’ll be unstoppable.”

“How about a friendly bet then? First one to unlock their Skill has to share their dessert at dinner with everyone else”, Perci chimed in.

Jeremy’s eyes lit up at the thought of dessert. “You’re on! But don’t be surprised when it’s you sharing with us.”

Perci smirked, unfazed. “I wouldn’t be so sure, Jeremy. Just start planning on handing over your dessert.”

The group shared a laugh, the playful challenge adding a new layer of motivation to their training.

“Alright,” Jeremy said, grinning. “Let’s see who can actually pull it off. But remember, there’s more to this than just being the fastest. We’ve got to really master it.”

Mia raised an eyebrow. “Oh, don’t worry. I don’t plan on just unlocking the Skill—I want to actually be good at it.”

Marcus nodded, meeting her gaze. “Then let’s make it a real challenge. By the end of the year, let’s see who’s not just unlocked their Skill but has advanced the furthest. Deal?”

They all exchanged looks, each feeling the thrill of the friendly rivalry. This wasn’t just about passing the class—it was about pushing themselves and each other hard to see what they were really capable of. And as they talked and laughed, they knew that this rivalry would only strengthen their bond as they navigated the challenges of the academy together.

Jeremy noticed his brother’s silence, who had only been occasionally glancing up from his plate, and offered an encouraging smile.

“Hey, Andrew,” Jeremy started, nudging him gently. “What did you think of the training?”

The group’s attention turned to Andrew, and he looked up, slightly caught off guard but pleasantly surprised. He gave a small smile, then shrugged. “Well, I went with the mace,” he said slowly, his voice polite and measured as he gauged their reactions. “Figured it might be a good starting point—simple, not as flashy as a sword but gives a bit more weight.”

Marcus nodded with approval. “Good choice, man! Maces are no joke if you know how to use them. Bet you’ll be crushing slimes with it in no time.”

Andrew grinned. “Thanks, Marcus. I think Hendrikson’s clone was ready to step in every other minute to stop me from, you know, just… flailing.”

Perci laughed, the sound infectious. “You’re not alone in that! I thought I was going to nail a solid stance until Hendrikson swooped in and told me I was holding the thing like I was… his words… ‘setting up a tent’.” She rolled her eyes dramatically, and they all laughed, even Andrew.

Encouraged by the warmth from the group, Andrew continued. “I didn’t expect the mace to be so tricky. I thought it’d be easier to manage since it’s not as precise as a sword or as long as a spear, but it’s a whole different challenge.” His voice softened slightly as he added, “It was kind of nerve-wracking watching everyone dive right in. They all knew what they were doing, and I was over here just...winging it. ”

Jeremy’s gaze softened, sensing the hint of doubt behind Andrew’s words. “You’re doing great, Andrew. It’s all about finding your footing at first, you know?” He offered his brother a reassuring nod, and the rest of the group nodded along.

“Yeah,” Mia added, looking at him with an encouraging smile. “You’ve got a good eye for the mace. I noticed it when we were training—you’ve got that natural caution that’s perfect for working with something like that.”

Andrew’s expression lightened, visibly encouraged by their words. He glanced around, his eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and newfound confidence. “Thanks, guys,” he murmured. “Guess I just needed to hear that. I’ll keep at it, then.”

Timothy clapped him on the shoulder, nearly making Andrew spill his drink. “That’s the spirit! We’re all figuring it out together. You’re part of the team, so don’t sweat it.”

They returned to eating, but Jeremy noticed Andrew’s quiet smile as he finally joined their chatter, his shoulders relaxed for once. It felt as though some of the tension that had always hung between them had lifted, even if just a little.

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As the lunch period began to wind down, Perci raised her glass, grinning widely. “Alright, here’s to us! In a few months, we’ll be experts. The whole academy will want to know our secrets.”

Marcus chuckled, raising his glass in a mock toast. “Here’s to that—a small miracle, given how badly we were all flailing around. I don’t know about you guys, but my arms still feel like noodles.”

Timothy nodded in agreement, rubbing his shoulder with a wince. “Yeah, but I think we’ll get there. Imagine a few months from now. We’ll all be experts with our weapons, the envy of the academy.”

Jeremy grinned, feeling the determination within him flare up again. “Yeah. Today was just the beginning. I think we all got a taste of how tough it’ll be, but that just makes it more worth it, right?”

The group murmured in agreement, the weight of their shared ambitions settling in. Mia looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers as though she could still feel the bowstring digging into them. “It’s going to be a long road. But I’ve got a goal in mind, and I won’t let myself back down, no matter how tough it gets.” She glanced up, her eyes meeting each of theirs, a fierce determination behind her gaze. “And I know I’ll have you guys with me along the way.”

Perci glanced at the clock hanging above the far wall and smirked. “Speaking of getting there... How about we check out the electives list this afternoon? If there’s a course that’ll help with all this ‘expert’ business, I’d say we’ve got reason enough to sign up.”

Jeremy’s eyes lit up at the thought, remembering his struggles earlier in the dungeon when he tried to navigate the tricky paths. “I think I know exactly what I need to work on.”