While others were covering traces of the reaper leasing to them, some were getting ready for their first exams.
It was already Seth's third week in the institute and the exams were set to begin after another week.
While he regularly went to the library to study along with Liz and Taro, Seth was waiting for the big news.
It wasn't a hidden secret that the reaper who hunted talented students had been caught. In fact, practically everyone in the institute knew about it now as well as his target.
Seth Samiel was the target everyone knew The Reaper was after as very few knew Raela was also a target.
Seth had requested that it be kept a secret from her and the principal agreed to his request.
Principal Salmit had been away for the last three days as he took it upon himself to bring the reaper to the right authorities who resided away from Nicadia.
Principal Salmit had to leave for the imperial capital of the empire where he would hand over the reaper as well as receive the bounty fee.
He promised to return in three days and if things went slower, he would be back on the fourth day.
It was the third day and Seth was already expecting him.
"Don't be late again or you'll get beaten." Taro said beside Seth. He was wearing a brown pair of trousers and a white shirt that matched his hair which he buttoned, leaving the topmost button untouched.
Seth on the other hand wore a black pair of trousers and an armless top, both of them walking out of their dorm.
"It's not fair. This week's supposed to be free for everyone but somehow, I'm the only one still going for classes." Seth complained.
"You should know the break doesn't apply to private lessons. As long as the private teacher says the classes will hold, you'll attend them." Taro said without staring back at Seth who was looking at him.
They both noticed the dorm master at the same time. "Good morning, old man." They both bowed their heads in respect.
"Morning, young ones. Where might you both be heading to?" The old man asked them both.
"The cafeteria. We're empty and need a refill." Taro who knew the old man longer replied, tapping his belly as he spoke.
"Ohh. Then, by all means, you may proceed. Do get this old man something when you're returning." A smile bloomed on the wrinkled face of the man.
"Of course," Seth replied to his request with a nod. "Anything for you." Seth smiled and gave another bow to the man before they walked away.
"You seem in a good mood today." Taro broke the silence as they got closer to the cafeteria, him noticing the smile never leaving Seth's face.
"Well… something like that," Seth replied, the smile still visible.
Why would he be happy? In a few hours or a day, he'd be receiving over two hundred thousand gold coins as the reaper's bounty had crossed a million gold coins. Just twenty percent was enough to create a permanent smile on Seth's face.
"What's it about?" Taro was getting interested, seeing the deepening smile on Seth's face.
Was Seth going to spill the beans? No!
Seth wasn't going to tell anyone, Taro included as the only ones who knew were him and the principal and he wanted it to remain that way.
"You'll get to know about it when the time comes. For now, let's just eat our fill." Seth patted the shoulder of his new friend and roommate. This statement alone was enough to generate a smile on Taro's face as he could be somewhat considered a foodie.
He couldn't tell Taro about the bounty cut he'd receive but he would treat him to meals he'd never forget.
They both headed into the cafeteria with smiles threatening to split their faces.
One expecting a dangerous sum of money for someone his age while the other was expecting delicacies that would make him too tired to walk back to the dorm.
Seth arrived at the counter, speaking to the lady present. "We'll have two plates of all your best dishes." This request of his turned the heads of many.
While many students were wealthy, only a few could ask for the best dishes and even fewer could ask for two plates of all the best dishes.
When they saw who had ordered was Seth, the ones who truly knew the price of the best foods were dumbstruck.
Weren't the Samiel family in a financial crisis?
How was it possible that their first son was requesting such?
Even the lady who knew Seth well asked with widened eyes. "Pardon, but are you sure you can afford such a bill?"
The price of food in the cafeteria ranged from a few silver coins to one hundred gold coins for a plate.
There were over two hundred different delicacies with over twenty of them being worth around one hundred gold coins each. These were the best of the best.
The twenty best delicacies would equal two thousand gold coins for a plate each and since Seth requested two plates each, that would come to four thousand gold coins.
Yes. It was crazy expensive as even the allowances of the wealthiest students were barely over a thousand gold.
Only the best-paid teachers got between three thousand to five thousand gold coins as a monthly payment and even they wouldn't spend so lavishly.
What then could make the son of a financially downcasted noble family order food worth four thousand gold coins?
"Of course, I can afford that much. Anything for my friend here." Seth replied, dipping his left hand into his pocket and patting Taro with his right hand.
Seth then pulled out a black card with a single drawing on it. More like a single line of writing.
He showed it to the lady and her widened eyes grew even wider. It was clear she understood what the card meant as her next words confirmed Seth's order would be delivered. "My apologies. Your orders would be brought to your table."
Shocked gasps escaped the mouths of those who watched the scene play out before them. They thought Seth was dumb and was going to be humiliated but it turned out to not be so. His request would be brought to his table?
That was absurd!
As they walked to the table they had chosen, Taro asked. "Hey, what was that about this being for me and what was that black card that made the lady answer without any question?"
"I promised to treat you to a good meal and that's what we're gonna do. About the black card, let's not talk about it for now."
"Let's just focus on the food, although I doubt we'll be able to eat all of it. We'll bring the leftovers to our roommates." Seth pointed at the trays being brought toward them at the end of his sentence.