Not long after the cheer between Reyard and Luke, two figures made their way toward their table.
Geld and Tael.
"Can we join?" Geld asked, setting his tray down before getting a response.
Luke glanced at them before giving a slight nod. "Sure, you can join... but—" he hesitated, his gaze lingering on Tael. Something about the way he carried himself made Luke cautious. "Aren't you a noble? Shouldn't you be sitting with the others?"
Tael smirked, running a hand through his pristine white hair. "Ahh, I get it. Is my dazzling charm too overwhelming for common company?" he said with a mock sigh.
"No," Reyard interjected dryly, "we were just wondering why a noble like you is here instead of mingling with the other nobles."
Tael chuckled. "So it's the way I walk? The way I blink? You think it just screams 'noble'?"
Luke, Reyard, and Geld exchanged a glance. That's not it at all.
Tael waved a hand dismissively. "But yes, I'm a noble—a Baron to be exact."
We knew it. The three thought in unison.
Tael took a seat beside Geld, casually picking at his food. "However, I don't look down on commoners. In fact, my little sister is an adopted commoner." His expression softened as he recalled a small voice calling out to him.
Big Bwoder!
He shook his head and smiled to himself before turning back to the group. "She's the sweetest sister in the world."
Luke observed the fondness in Tael's expression but didn't comment on it. Instead, he leaned back slightly. "It's good to see you both made it past the second round. What about the others?"
Geld, who had been quietly eating, finally spoke up. "We're not entirely sure where they are. They could be in Cafeteria Four for all we know."
"Then how did you find us?" Reyard asked, raising an eyebrow.
Tael grinned. "Well, someone's been making quite the name for himself in the Arena lately."
Luke barely reacted, returning to his meal. "I see..."
Tael scoffed. "Sure, if you say so. Anyway, speaking of people making names for themselves, we saw you guys talking to Selget earlier. You know him?"
Reyard leaned back and scoffed. "Not exactly. He just came over to start trouble."
"Is he that famous?" Luke asked, always hungry for information.
Reyard shook his head. "Not famous. Just known."
Luke frowned slightly. "What's the difference?"
"He's got a reputation, but not one people respect. He's called the 'Bell Bull' in the Arena. He's the second son of a Viscount, which would normally make things difficult for commoners outside the Academy," Reyard explained.
Geld nodded, finishing his bite before adding, "They say you'll hear a bell jingle before he smashes the ground and leaves a crater."
Luke smirked slightly. "Interesting."
He had no interest in nobility, but strength was another matter entirely. If this Selget was as tough as they said, then eventually, their paths would cross again.
And when they did, Luke would make sure he was ready.