One by one, the new entries filled the dining halls. There were different tables spread throughout the room, and on each side of the tables were several seats positioned closely together.
A single table could accommodate maybe eight to ten people surrounding it.
Between these tables were various foods and fruits laid out. It looked like an all-you-can-eat buffet.
There were empty plates positioned in front of the seats, and all one had to do was take a seat, dish out food onto the plates, and eat to their fill.
Aiden had just stepped in and taken an empty seat. Meanwhile, his roommate sat somewhere much farther away from him.
The dining hall was mostly segmented by class. Some tables were entirely nobles, while others were exclusively commoners.
That was when a certain girl with black hair, who had been watching for his entry into the halls, moved away from her seat and walked toward Aiden’s table.
She was the noble Arianna Greystone, daughter and heir of the Greystone family.
Aiden hadn’t been paying much attention to her approaching presence.
When she got close, with a plate of food in her hand, she lowered her head to speak to a rather naive-looking commoner boy who sat to Aiden’s right.
"Is it okay if we switch seats?" she asked. Her voice sounded really pleasant and alluring, and with the beauty she radiated, it was difficult to say no.
Her long black hair was tied up in a ponytail, and she had fair skin.
The boy stood with his plate of food, and Arianna took his place. This was when Aiden, with a puzzled expression, turned toward her before looking back at the food he had been serving.
People’s attention noticed this, and it drew unnecessary stares and murmurs from different tables.
This was especially notable because Arianna Greystone, from one of the most prominent families in Xathia, had gone to share a table with peasants and commoners.
"May I have your attention for a moment?" Arianna began. It was evident she had come to speak to him.
Aiden had just finished serving the amount and type of food he wanted, then gestured for her to continue.
"My name is Arianna Greystone, and to say this simply, I have come to propose that we ally," she said.
"Ally? Over what?" Aiden asked whilst turning his face back to her, with a puzzled expression.
She leaned forward so that her reduced voice would still reach his hearing. "You see, people have different reasons for joining the academy. Some join to gain power to fight family wars, some to achieve simple mastery of magic, some to make a name for themselves. My goal, however, is to be the Grand Magus someday."
"Isn’t someone filling that position already?" Aiden asked the rhetorical question.
"That position can be challenged," she said with a small smile.
"Heh," Aiden smiled briefly. "Well, I respect your ambition."
"What can I call you?" Arianna asked.
"Aiden," he answered simply.
"Now Aiden, I’m sure you have your reasons for being here. Whatever those reasons are, you’ll need to reach the top ranks of the academy to achieve them. In that, we share a common goal," she said.
Aiden seemed to be getting interested in what she was saying and replied, "Keep talking."
She smiled, realizing she was beginning to pique his interest. "I have it all worked out. Team rankings, guild rankings, merit stars. Every proper method to climb the ranks fast and efficiently. I just need the right people."
"You seem to know too much for someone who only just joined the academy," Aiden noted. He wasn’t even familiar with the last few things she had mentioned.
She smiled slightly upon hearing this. "My uncle was once a guild captain. I learned a lot from him before his unfortunate passing last year."
"Why me anyway?" Aiden asked.
"Isn’t it obvious? You had the highest rating this kingdom has ever seen, even higher than Kayden’s. Naturally, that puts you ahead, and it also means the strength of your spells would pack a punch. That potential is exactly what I’m looking for," she said, not hiding how ambitious she sounded.
"The way I see it, you need me more than I need you," Aiden said as he cut and put a piece of food into his mouth.
"More like a mutually beneficial arrangement," Arianna retorted. "You might be the one with the most potential, but I have the most knowledge about how this academy works. By the time others learn to find their pace, we would have scaled much farther ahead."
Aiden had bought into allying with her. It was true he hadn’t understood the academy processes yet, but someone who knew how these all worked would definitely come in handy.
And had an idea of the perfect way to start. He could get her to tell him what she knew about the guilds since she seemed so knowledgeable.
This would ensure that his daily quest was sorted out nicely.
He then extended his hand toward her with a smile and said, "A mutually beneficial arrangement it is."
She smiled back and stretched out her hand to receive the handshake. With that, they had both cemented their agreement to work together.
They both continued eating properly. The chatter in the hall and the noise that came with it only grew by the minute.
Eventually, most of them were done eating, and some were already heading back to the dorms.
"We need to talk more, but not here," Arianna said.
"I agree. Perhaps the library?" Aiden replied with the suggestion.
"Perfect," Arianna said.
They both stood from their seats, and Aiden followed behind Arianna, who seemed to know where she was headed despite having only just arrived like the rest of them.