21 Read? (1/2)

His meditation was going smoothly as he continued sitting for the entire day. He only stopped because Lyle walked in and told him that it was dinner time. Dinner? Greyson was not informed of how meals work at the Academy so he just followed Lyle out.

”How long have you been meditating?”

”Pretty much since you started your lessons today. A problem occurred during my first lesson so my teacher told me to just head home and meditate today and that he would tell what's going on later tomorrow.”

”Really? That's too bad, you were probably looking forward to it.” Lyle looked over with a rare expression of sympathy. Greyson hadn't seen his expression change much at all in the time he had known him. In that way, he was very similar to Head Teacher Elendil.

”So how do meals work at the academy? I was never told. I didn't really get a good introduction to the school yet.”

”I can let you know what I was told. There are three meals a day served at the dorms. Every basement floor has a large dining hall where the meals are served. There are different options and normally the food at the other department dorms has some way of helping their students absorb more of their element. They would serve specific element magic beast meat at the dorms and magic herbs of the different corresponding elements are served as well. It's not too exaggerated as that would cost too much. The magic food is added in among the normal food. It's surprisingly effective, though, at helping meditation work smoothly. Our meals are similar, except the cooks know each of our elements and prepare our meals using that as a benchmark. There are a lot less members of our dorm, so it's not too much for the cooks to care for us each individually.”

”Wow, really? I only had the magic beast meat which I hunted for myself every now and then, but now I could have it everyday and it would according to my elements.”

”Well, with your capabilities, who knows if you'll get too much food. They have to use all seven elements, right? Even if they try to lessen the amount for each element, your food will still be a lot. You look so small and dainty like you don't eat much.”

”Hmph! Who's small and dainty? You are just older than me, most kids my age look like this! And I'll have you know that I eat the most at my orphanage, even more than adults. I just don't gain any weight, probably because I need a lot of energy to use all the elements I have.” Greyson was not exaggerating about his appetite. Back at the orphanage, he sincerely amazed everyone with his appetite. He would regularly eat more than a grown man and yet he would still stay as small and skinny as he was.

Lyle gave Greyson a quick up and down glance with the doubt clearly showing in his eyes. Greyson felt his competitive streak ignite and was determined to make that icy face crack in disbelief. He would make his jaw drop to the floor. He wasn't lying anyways so he just would have to eat per his normal appetite.

They both walked down to the dining hall and were amazed by the clean and orderly sight of it. The wood tables were round with around 6 chairs for each. It was not too big and looked to fit 36 since there were only six tables. The largest portion of the hall was the kitchen which was hidden behind a wall. There was a large service window where the students would pick up their personal meals. Lyle and Greyson walked up and grabbed their meals before picking an empty table. No one was present at the hall which surprised Greyson as he asked Lyle if there were not set eating times.

”There are, but the times are flexible. You are supposed to be here in a two hour time period for any of the meals. We are here rather late since I got back late, so probably everyone has come and eaten.”

”Ahh... I see.”

Right after they finished speaking, the doors to the hall swung open once again. They quickly glanced over, curious to see who it was. However, to the disappointment of Greyson, it was his favorite noble, Arwen. Greyson accidentally made eye contact with him and Arwen ended up glaring back. Greyson inwardly sighed feeling a headache coming on. Why must he always meet with idiots like this? Was 'target' just spelled out on his face? Why couldn't they leave him alone? Arwen was followed in by another boy who was probably an older student. He looked to be around 15-16 years old and had similarities to Arwen. They had similar eyes and nose and the same hair color. Seeing their similarities, Greyson had a sinking feeling they were definitely related somehow if not brothers. He was surprised that another member of Arwen's family was a multi-element magician, as well, since it seemed to be random and rare. The older boy looked confused by Arwen's sudden hostility so Arwen gestured and whispered to him while angrily glancing at Greyson. However, to Greyson's surprise, the older boy then slapped the back of Arwen's head and looked at him angrily. Then he looked over to Greyson, who still had a shocked look on his face, and he smiled apologetically. He then picked up the food and forced his brother over to their table.

”Hello, I believe you have had the displeasure of meeting my younger brother, Arwen. I am his second older brother, Roland Godfey. I am really sorry about my brother, he is the fifth child and the youngest in our family so he is spoiled greatly. I always tell him to be more accepting and friendly, but my siblings and parents always treat him like their little prince and he thinks everyone should attend to him.” The older boy looked sincerely stressed out and annoyed by his younger brother's lack of EQ. Greyson could feel that Roland was much better than Arwen. He smiled and gestured for them to sit.

”Haha, it's actually not a big deal. I was mostly just angry that your brother thought I was a girl. Normally, I would reign my temper in more.” Although it was a lie, Greyson felt there was no reason to hold a grudge, it would be better if Arwen just never bothered him again. They didn't have to be friends, but having enemies was too exhausting.

”Oh...oh, so you're not a girl. I am sorry I couldn't tell, either. However, regardless of gender, he shouldn't have been picking on you. Right, Arwen?”

”Wait! You're a boy?! You must be lying!” Arwen reacted differently then expected so Roland slapped the back of his head again.

”Ow! Brother, what are you doing?! Why do you keep hitting me? I'll tell mother and father!” Arwen held his head pouting and shouted indignantly. Greyson saw this and held in his laughter. He had to admit that watching Arwen continuously getting slapped in the back of the head like that felt good.

”Yes, I am a boy. I could go to the fourth floor bathroom and prove it to you. We are all boys, so I'm not embarrassed. It's a public bathroom for the entire floor anyways.” Greyson smiled looking amused.

”Who would want to bathe with you?!” Arwen angrily snapped. Greyson just shrugged nonchalantly.