The long steady line in the cafeteria had finally run out, and Veritas was now at front.
Seeing the prestigious menu, he looked around and decided what he was going to eat.
As it was still early in the morning, Veritas only bought a single piece of chocolate-filled bread.
With that, he walked away and headed back to the direction of the 1st Year's Sacred Echelon Classroom.
He passed through the numbers of students in the halls that were at awe by his presence. Though he looked graceful, a few were shocked by him holding a piece of chocolate-filled bread in his mouth.
In their eyes, the Prince was an individual that only ate exquisite food. So, seeing him munching on a piece of bread was very surprising!
Veritas finally made it to Sacred Echelon, and was met by the familiar faces of his classmates.
Most of them were out to get food or do their own things, but there were also some that were left inside.
Such an individual that was left inside is the particular blonde-haired girl with fierce yet hollow eyes.
He noticed her unique uniform that was the same as his. Instead of Veritas' white coat, Alice was wearing a red one, pairing it along with a black long-sleeved shirt with buttons that were gleaming like gold.
Her skirt was stretched down below her knees, colored the same as her red coat. She wore black leggings that hid her slender fair skin. Her obsidian boots stood at the ground.
Apparently, she was reading something from a book.
Veritas walked towards her.
"Lady Alice. You are not going to eat?"
She slowly stared at her left side where Veritas was at.
"Your majesty.. I'll uh.. save my appetite for lunch."
"Alright then. Shall we eat together for lunch?"
She paused for a second, and then answered:
"I wouldn't mind doing so.. Sure."
Veritas warmly smiled at her.
After that, Veritas sat down near her and engaged in small talk.
They talked about the opinions they had of the Knights Academy and its system. Veritas also shared the treatment that he received in the cafeteria.
This was very fruitful for Alice to know, once they figured out the structure of the Academy, deducing the unknown attacker would be very easy..
As minutes passed by, the classroom began to be filled once more.
Walking through the door is Morgan, who immediately notices Veritas talking to Alice. It seemed that he had something to ask the Prince.
"Uhhh.. your majesty?"
"Please just call me Veritas.."
"A-alright."
Veritas was curious what the amber-haired boy needed to ask.
"Would you mind sparring with me later? I know that you don't have to attend Swordsmanship classes but.. I want to experience combat with someone very skilled."
"That.."
Veritas considered Morgan's request but he was already occupied in the afternoon.
"I apologize but as of later, I will be occupied.."
Morgan looked dejected but Veritas continued:
"However.. I am willing to do so next time, please look forward to that."
"I am grateful.."
He bowed and showed his gratitude to the Prince.
Alice didn't mean to eavesdrop but her curiosity got her to act.
"What will you be doing in the afternoon, if it's alright to ask?"
"I don't mind, but I can't go into detail. It's something confidential after all.."
"I see.. then disregard my question."
Although Veritas had not answered her question, Alice understood his intentions.
'Something related to the plan..'
Veritas felt satisfied with the subtle answer that he gave, he knew that Alice would understand what he said.
Many more people entered the classroom and within a couple of minutes, the 15 people of the Sacred Echelon were already inside the classroom.
'Isn't class technically over, what are they still doing inside?'
Maybe they had nothing to do, so they came back to the classroom. Still, it was weird that all 15 of them had the same idea to hang out inside.
Their next class was still in the afternoon so all of them had nothing to do but wait..
There were already groups formed within the students of Sacred Echelon, some of them were already related from the past semester, and some were related due to their family ties.
However.. none of them wanted to approach Veritas.
Veritas, who was sitting beside Alice, already considered her as part of his circle.
Bello is supposed to be included in this, but due to the unique nature of their plan, they needed to be seen as strangers.
Forming circles is a way to establish the hierarchy in their class - although Veritas did not quite like this idea - it was a social norm to be held inside the Academy.
He at least needed 1 more member to make them a formal group. Although him and Alice could already be considered one.. Veritas wanted to fill up the spot.
He looked around for potential members but everyone was already acquainted with one another.
Suddenly..
The peculiar duo of the black-haired knightly petite girl and the auburn-haired boy who wanted to be Veritas' servant, suddenly approached the two of them.
"Your majesty! I overheard you planning to eat with Lady Alice, can I come?" said the servant-wannabe boy.
"Utterly ridiculous, do not make any more troubles for the Prince!"
"Ah-"
Veritas stared at Alice, who showed an indifferent expression.
"Are you fine with their requests?"
She nodded and replied:
"Sure.."
Immediately Veritas calmed the two and stopped the both of them from getting into another argument.
"You two can both come if you want.."
Veritas saw that the knightly girl's eyes gleamed with anticipation to come, so he included her in the circle.
Thus, time quickly passed and the hour struck noon.
Sitting at a table, Veritas, Alice, Leo and Hana, ate together in the gleeful atmosphere.
Veritas himself was having chicken and rice, enjoying it with brightness in his eyes.
This was a newly introduced dish to the Knights Academy cafeteria, Leo and Hana even mentioned that it was not on the menu last semester. Although the production and consumption of rice was only introduced 2 years ago, many dishes were still being explored with it.
Thus, the menu of Knights Academy went into a significant change, introducing new meals and recipes for students to try.
Of course, they were verified by various critics and food experts before being served..
'Pretty good...'
His mouth was filled with steamy rice and chicken, stuffing his cheeks and making it look like a rabbit.
"I did not expect your majesty to enjoy the cafeteria's food so much.."
Veritas swallowed his food, feeling the hot steam go down in his throat. Then, he replied:
"What do you mean..?"
"N-never mind.."
Leo was one of the people who saw the Prince as a perfect and benevolent being that was out of this world. Seeing him act... human, somehow made him feel a sense of connection to him.
Although his depiction of him as a divine being still lingered in his mind..
"Eat away.. your majesty. Do not listen to this sandy fiend." said Hana who was eating gracefully, carefully savoring every bite of his meal.
To which Leo replied with a glare at her direction.
'I guess flowers never really match with sand huh..'
Witnessing this scene, Veritas stuffed his mouth with the delectable taste of cafeteria food. He still retained his table manners though, and didn't look unclean or distasteful
After finishing their meals, the 4 of them stayed at the cafeteria table for a little while.
Suddenly, Leo suggested something that they could talk about.
"Your majesty, is it alright if we all shared our Paths and Attunement?"
Veritas nodded.
"I don't mind."
In fact, Veritas did mind. However, he already knew the two's Path when he read the files regarding all the students in the Academy.
More so, Veritas memorized everyone in the Wielder Curriculum and their respective Paths and attunements.
"You go first then.."
Veritas nudged Leo first even though Veritas already knew.
"Sure! Well- My Path is Sandstorm! Its rank is uhh... noble? Yeah, right.. Noble!"
He thought for a few seconds before continuing, it seemed that the auburn haired boy forgot his own Soul.
"As for my Attunement, its Servant of Sands. I don't really know much about it, but I'm here in the Knights Academy to learn more about the Soul."
Veritas recalled in his mind.
{Leo Sandde}
{Path: Sandstorm}
{Path Rank: Noble}
{Soul Rank: Impure}
{Attunement: Servant of Sands}
'He's not lying..'
Although the staggering and stuttering of Leo's voice could be deemed as suspicious, Veritas verified his claims and decided that he was stating the truth.
It was that.. he was just really forgetful.
Veritas stared at Hana's direction, signalling her to go.
"My Path is Servitude, its rank is Noble. Additionally, my attunement is Knight of Flowers. That would be it.."
Veritas verified her claims, reading upon the paper in his memory.
{Hana Hyosube}
{Path: Sun Paladin}
{Path Rank: Noble}
{Soul Rank: Impure}
{Attunement: Knight of Flowers.}
Veritas quietly grinned.
'Interesting..'
Something in Veritas' eyes harbored a deep longing for the truth.
'Why would she lie about her Path...'
Veritas did not know, the only thing that he knew is that the girl in front of her lied so flawlessly. It was as if she was already convinced herself and everyone of the false statements that she provided.
However, Veritas continued the situation and faced Alice.
"Would you mind telling us yours, Lady Alice?"
She was the only person that he did not know of the Path, so this would be the very first time that he would hear about it.
"I see, so it is my turn. My Path is-"
Veritas' heart pumped quickly in excitement.
With an expressionless face, and monotonous voice, Alice continued:
"Dragon of the Purgatory. Its rank is Sacred and my Attunement is Daughter of Flames."
Veritas eyes widened.
'Sacred... an actual Sacred Rank. What an astonishment.'
Leo and Hana looked towards her in surprise!
'There was actually a Sacred other than the Prince?!'
'This- This!'
With their amazement, they continued and their eyes gleamed at the direction of the Prince.
They urged him to tell his path and Attunement.
"You outshadowed my spotlight, Lady Alice.."
Veritas breathed deep.
"But very well. I shall tell the three of you of my Path."
They anticipated with impatience and their hearts beat hastily due to the suspense.
"My Path is Windseer, a Sacred Rank and my Attunement is..."
The air around them seemed to have vanished and Veritas' mouth seemed to be filled with air all of a sudden.
"Sylph of Winds."