As the class commenced, we eagerly delved into the assignment presented by Professor Evelyn Nightshade. However, within minutes, it became evident that the complexity of the task was no mere triviality. Instead, it resembled the challenge of dividing one's mind into four separate streams of concentration. The first focused on conjuring the magic itself, the second on shaping it into a cohesive ball, the third on skillfully juggling the balls, and the fourth on distributing that focus evenly among each ball.

It became clear that the act of juggling just two balls demanded a level of mental acrobatics akin to splitting one's consciousness into multiple fragments. As the minutes ticked by, most students came to a profound realization that they would most likely need more than a month to succeed.

Shortly after, the first class concluded with seemingly little progress made on the students' initial assignment. As they eagerly awaited the third and final class, a much-needed hour-long break was granted. During this intermission, students were free to rest, eat, or engage in any activity of their choice.

Feeling the effects of an empty stomach since he had not eaten anything all day, Ethan made a beeline for the cafeteria. There, he relished the opportunity to savor his first meal of the day, replenishing his energy and preparing himself for the upcoming challenges in the next class.

The cafeteria exuded a lively and inviting atmosphere, bustling with students seeking nourishment and camaraderie. As Ethan entered, the aroma of freshly prepared food greeted him, whetting his appetite. The space was adorned with colorful posters and artwork, adding a vibrant touch to the otherwise functional setting.

A series of serving stations lined the walls, each offering a diverse array of culinary delights. There was a salad bar brimming with crisp, fresh greens and an assortment of toppings. A hot food section displayed an array of mouthwatering dishes. The scent of warm bread wafted from the bakery station, enticing patrons to indulge in a variety of freshly baked goods.

Amidst the cheerful chatter and clinking of cutlery, students huddled in groups, sharing laughs and conversations over their meals. The cafeteria was a hub of social interaction, where friendships were forged and ideas exchanged.

As Ethan stepped into the cafeteria, he noticed a noticeable shift in the atmosphere. Cheerful laughter and socializing where quickly exchanged for whispering comment and unwelcoming looks.

Taking it in stride, Ethan thought to himself, "I guess it's not entirely unexpected, but I can't let that deter me from having a meal." Determined to focus on his own needs, he continued on his path towards the inviting serving stations.

As Ethan patiently stood in line at the serving station, a group of students approached him. At the forefront was a young man exuding an air of arrogance. With a smug expression, he decided to seize the opportunity to inquire about yesterday's speech.

"Hey there, Ethan, right?" he said with a mocking tone. "Fancy seeing you here after that little show you put on yesterday. Trying to impress us all with your 'view,' were you?"

The other members of the group snickered, clearly relishing their leader's condescending approach. Ethan took a deep breath, choosing to maintain his composure despite the blatant attempt to provoke him.

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"Well, it's always good to explore new perspectives." Ethan replied calmly, refusing to let their mockery rattle him.

"But come on," the boy continued, narrowing his eyes. "Your last comment was quite the audacious statement, don't you think? You believe you can mock and insult us without any repercussions? This is the real world, not some fairy tale. It should be well-established, considering how you've lived like a rat, trampled upon by all."

Ethan paused, realizing that this confrontation went beyond mere taunting. He chose his words carefully, trying to deescalate the situation knowing full well that the chances were slim.

"I completely acknowledge that my choice of words was rather peculiar during that particular moment. My genuine intention was never to 'insult' you; instead, I aimed to foster a sense of competitiveness among all of us." He responded firmly but diplomatically.

The atmosphere grew tense as the group exchanged glances, caught off guard by Ethan's composed yet assertive demeanor.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I would like to have my meal before class begins." Ethan calmly expressed, attempting to pass by the group of students. However, he found his path obstructed by their leader, who stretched out his arm, barring Ethan's way.

"...What is it?" Ethan inquired.

The boy sneered, "You'll regret crossing paths with us nobles!" With a swift motion, he swung his arms towards Ethan's food tray, clearly intending to knock it over. Without a hint of panic, Ethan whom was standing still, focused and channeled the element of wind, skillfully creating an very small invisible force field around his food tray covering the exact location the boy's hand would hit.

Upon contact with the wind shield, the boy's arm rebounded forcefully, causing him to stagger backward and ultimately fall onto the floor. The unexpected turn of events left the group in stunned silence.

As the leader's face flushed with embarrassment and anger, he tried to regain control of the situation, "Don't just stand there! Take him down!"

The rest of the group, eager to please their leader and salvage his wounded pride, reluctantly followed his command.

As they closed in on Ethan, he remained composed, fully aware of the potential consequences of this escalating confrontation. Yet, he remained resolute in his belief that violence was not the answer. Instead of retaliating, he took a step back, raising his hands in a gesture of non-aggression.

"Listen, there's no need for this. We don't have to resort to violence." Ethan said with a calm demeaner as if he didn't really care if they actually wanted to escalate the issue, but as somewhat an adult he still tried to defuse the tension made by childrens. "Let's find a way to resolve our differences peacefully."

However, the group, fueled by their leader's wounded ego and the mob mentality, didn't seem receptive to his plea. They pressed forward, attempting to corner Ethan. It was then that a voice from the crowd spoke up.

"Enough!" It was a staff member from the cafeteria, who had been observing the situation from a distance. She had witnessed the entire exchange and decided to intervene before things got out of hand. "Let's all take a moment to cool off. Violence is strictly forbidden in MY cafeteria!"

Her authoritative tone caught everyone's attention, and the group hesitated, uncertain of how to proceed. Sensing an opportunity to prevent further escalation, the woman stepped in, guiding the students away and encouraging them to disperse peacefully.

"Go on, all of you. Leave or go back to your seats, if you keep causing problems you will not be served any food that my staff makes!" she directed, and one by one, the students began to disperse, their anger subsiding.

Feeling grateful for her timely intervention, Ethan wondered, 'Is she the one in charge of the cafeteria?' Regardless, he thanked her for stepping in and calmly resumed his pursuit of a place to enjoy his meal. He felt relieved that the situation had been defused without anyone getting hurt.

Contemplating the potential consequences of such a situation, Ethan couldn't help but shudder at the thought. "If I had let things escalate and ended up putting all of them in the hospital," he mused to himself, "it would have put me in a difficult situation."