The boy wants to retort however, when he remembers that Alistair managed to dispose of the vat in the time it took for him to catch up to him, he breaks out into a cold sweat.
He swallows down a nervous lump in his throat and asks, "What would you want in return?"
The student heard stories before about how other students would take advantage of each other. Taking their meal cards, making them do their chores, taking rewards from missions. He didn't think he would be taken advantage of so quickly into his first year.
"I want you to teach me how to read immediately after you fulfill your oath." Alistair demanded with a solemn expression.
The student does not believe his ears, "Y-You want me to teach you how to read? How did you pass the literacy test to get in here if you can't even read? Wait never mind, is that all you really want?"
Alistair nods his head, "Yes, and I want you to do the oath thing you did with Mrs. Diamond and walk me through each step."
After saying this much, he tosses the bowl of Rough Special to the student and looking as if he had come across and unexpected windfall, the student snaps to attention and explains.
"I can definitely do that! The first thing I do is channel the magic energy inside of me into my hand and then think of the person I am making the oath to-. I just realized I don't know your name. My name is Roger, so now that I gave you my name may I have yours?" The student says
"Oh! I'm Alistair, nice to meet you, and what do you mean magic energy?" Alistair asks, remembering the term magic coming up a few times before, it manages to peak his interest.
"You don't know magic energy either? Wow man... you really are not going to have an easy time here. I can't explain magic energy all that well considering I'm just a beginner in using it myself. The teachers go over it in class though, so you might want to either study it in the library later or ask to be tutored."
He puts his hand out to show that it shines with a faint white light,
"After I gather the magic energy, I form it into a brand in accordance with the ritual they teach us here. I then bring the brand to my chest and think about that person. As I think about the person and hold it against my chest, I am able to state the vow."
He stops to give the command, "I swear to teach you to the best of my abilities, how to read after completing my previous vow as per Alistairs orders."
Roger creates a white circle next to the golden one on his chest. "The moment you finish speaking, the other person will feel your magic and choose whether or not to accept by crushing the power or dropping it."
After Roger finishes speaking the oath, Alistair feels a sense of power gushing towards him. A strange pressure forms in his hand, he clenches his fist and easily crushes the invisible pressure
As he speaks through the steps he goes through for the vow he follows them one by one, solidifying the pact with Alistair.
Roger put his hand on his chin in a thinking pose, then added, "Also if you can, try to not mention you don't know any magic to anyone other than teachers. Students here will be quick to bully you into leaving the school if they find out. It is a competition here after all."
They arrive at the doors of the cafeteria, Alistair becomes curious about the competition that Roger mentioned but does not have any time to pry for further information. "I'll find out from him afterwards."
They enter the cafeteria and Mrs. Diamond is sitting alone with the tray of food next to her, all other students that were previously filling the room have all dispersed.
Mrs. Diamond began thinking more about the situation after cooling down while waiting for the two boys return.
"Maybe that would be a bit harsh to subject him to eating it in front of everyone. I guess it's better if I don't hold up every ones studies as well." She thinks to herself.
"Alright everyone, you can all leave now." She says to the crowd of students in around her.
The students originally would want to stay and watch such a spectacle, however, Mrs. Diamonds word is law at the academy. Though some students grumbled in dissatisfaction, they immediately disperse.
The two students walk back into the cafeteria shortly after everyone leaves, ready to fulfill the oath given to Roger. When they walk up to Mrs. Diamond however, she appears more relaxed and holding a softer expression.
"So, you have seen the slaughter house and what we use to make the Rough Special. Do you find the freshness of those ingredients more to your liking?" Mrs. Diamond starts off the conversation as they walk closer to her.
Alistair motions to speak, but just as he is about to he has an epiphany. "Maybe it is better not to say that food was better than hers. She became very upset when I wouldn't eat it."
He does not know what to say to make up for what he said earlier, so he decides to say what he heard in the feast at the Brightstar household.
"I'm sure that you're food is amazing, I just can't eat it though. Sebastian said that my body has a 'unique constitution'." Alistair says with utmost sincerity towards Mrs. Diamond.
She is slightly taken aback at the situation. Although it is not uncommon for someone to have a unique physique, none yet have affected their diets. Only physical changes come about from unique physiques such as harder skin, flexible bones, elongated limbs, and many more.
Thinking back to the situation previously she becomes flushed in the face about how worked up she became.
"Child, it's okay, I understand now. In the future just let me know what type of food you like and I will personally prepare one meal of that nature for you!" She pats her chest as reassurance.
Feeling bad about turning down her food previously, Alistair feels he needs to show that he does like at least one of her meals.
Alistair then walks over to Roger and takes the bowl from him, opens the lid and shows her the contents.
"Mrs. Diamond you already did prepare a meal with the food I love!" Alistair smiles widely and pours the bowls contents into his mouth and devours it in one gulp.