After the final act of entertainment concluded, everyone returned to their seats and began eating the meals they had purchased. The food tasted especially exquisite today, enhanced by the appetizing entertainment that had preceded it.
Pyris and Aurelia were the only ones left standing, scanning the area for a place to eat. Pyris was dangerously fatigued after all the combat and activities, having expended a significant amount of energy fending off a Rank 6 like Ragna, and he urgently needed to replenish himself. Awakeneds could suppress their hunger only up to Rank 19; before that, they required more food than ordinary people.
As Pyris's eyes roamed the room, he smiled broadly when he spotted Valarie sitting alone in the corner. Without hesitation, he grabbed his sister's hand.
"Hello there, we meet again!" he said cheerfully. Aurelia raised an eyebrow, pinching his side, but Pyris remained unbothered.
"Ahem What a surprise to see you again..." Valarie responded awkwardly, her gaze skirting away from Aurelia before she nodded in acknowledgment.
Despite the earlier intense sex, Pyris acted as though everything were normal.
"Mind if we sit? Unless, of course, you're saving these seats for someone else," Pyris said, already settling himself into a chair, making the question seem somewhat redundant.
Aurelia, slightly bewildered by his forwardness, quickly sat down beside him. Pyris faced away from the bulk of the cafeteria, while Aurelia and Valarie faced it.
"Yes, everything's fine..." Valarie muttered, still feeling the awkwardness linger.
The situation felt strange—she had slept with this man only a few hours ago, the same man who had publicly humiliated her brother. And now, he wanted to share a meal with her.
Yet the most unsettling aspect was…
'So much for avoiding him...' she thought. But Valarie had already resolved that, no matter her emotions, her feelings for him would fade in time. It seemed the easier route, especially given the circumstances with their families. She was certain something was brewing outside the academy.
"Very well, order whatever you'd like—it's on me. Sister, what do you want?" Pyris asked as he pressed the green button on the table. Within moments, a waiter appeared to take their orders.
Before long, the waiter returned with others carrying their food, serving it with the flair of a high-end establishment. This level of service was available to any student who could afford it. Such privileges often led those from modest backgrounds to befriend wealthier students who could easily pay for such luxuries without a breaking their pockets!
A food trolley rolled up, bearing two roasted chickens and various side dishes, while another waiter carried their drinks—yogurt and orange juice for Pyris, and a red smoothie for Valarie. Despite the awkwardness, Pyris had insisted she order.
The world had long moved past discrimination based on racial differences, with each race's unique traits becoming widely accepted. Dragons hoarding treasures, demons being more aggressive, and vampires needing to feed on blood were no longer seen as taboo.
Vampires like Valarie could now openly enjoy red smoothies made of blood. The blood trade had flourished, with many choosing to sell their blood for money or even becoming legal blood slaves to vampires.
Valarie's red smoothie was made from dragon blood, and she drank it with satisfaction, the sweet taste soothing her nerves. Still, she couldn't help but glance at Pyris's neck.
She hadn't forgotten the taste of his blood earlier that morning. Her pulse quickened, and she took another sip to regain composure. Pyris winked at her, but she quickly looked away.
Pyris made several attempts to strike up a conversation, but Valarie dismissed them, only heightening the awkward atmosphere. Sensing this, Aurelia kissed her brother's cheek and made her exit, knowing lunch would end soon anyway.
"See you after class!" she called as she left, leaving Pyris and Valarie alone.
Valarie shifted in her seat, clearly uncomfortable, while Pyris couldn't ignore the strange tension any longer.
"Val, what's wrong?" he asked gently. "We were fine this morning, but now I don't understand what's changed. If something's bothering you, tell me—I'm here to listen."
At the mention of their earlier encounter, Valarie tensed, her discomfort growing.
"You'll really listen?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty. Pyris nodded.
"I will," he reassured her.
"Good. Look, Pyris, I think we went off too hard this morning. I don't think it's right for me to keep thinking about starting a relationship, especially with everything going on in our families. Please, leave me alone. Your presence is making me uneasy."
Pyris remained outwardly calm, though inside he was reeling, unsure of what had gone wrong.
"Is this because of the fight with your brother, or—"
Valarie shook her head firmly, cutting him off.
"This has nothing to do with anyone else. It's just me. I don't like you or this relationship. Please, understand that." Her voice trembled slightly, though she tried to remain composed.
"What about us?" Pyris countered, gripping her hand gently. "You're talking about yourself, but what about me?"
"There was never an 'us,' Pyris. You're strong enough to handle this. You're not some teenage boy," Valarie said, pulling her hand from his grasp and standing up. "Please, respect my decision and let me go."
With that, she walked away, leaving Pyris sitting alone, staring at the now-empty seat.
[Something's wrong with her,] Lia said, her voice a quiet echo in his mind.
"Exactly," Pyris muttered, his eyes still fixed on the spot where Valarie had been. "I saw it too. I'm not letting her suffer alone. I'll figure out what's really going on."
He called for the waiter, settled the bill, and strode toward the exit, determined to uncover the truth, for now though, a peaceful of mind was a must!
*****
Power stones!!!!!!
Unfortunately today, I don't have any mention, no one emerged!