Chapter 145 - Academys Castle (2/2)

”Even if we have cleaned, I think it is still too extreme to live there. Are you sure of your choice?”

”Yes, we are also used to sleeping in worse conditions. Do not worry.”

Hei liked that place. As for the decorations, with Xing's silk, they could make beds, sheets, and pillows more comfortable than any other. As for the bathroom, there were shared bathrooms placed on each floor. Fortunately, one was also placed on that last floor, although it had been in disuse for some time and needed a good wash.

”Why don't we go to eat? It is now lunchtime. We will continue cleaning later.” Leon proposed to Hei and Lian as he stretched his body after that morning effort.

”Alright. Then lead the way.” Hei replied promptly. He was starting to feel hungry, and so was Lian. Fortunately, his little sisters had collapsed into a deep sleep now as they were deeply bored. He would take the opportunity to store some food in one of his space rings to give them later.

The three then got on the spirit elevator, and the circular platform brought them back up to the ground floor. As for the subdivision of the floors, the underground floors were for student housing, according to their social hierarchy. The lower you stayed, the more you came from an ordinary family.

The ground floor served mainly as a link between the underground and elevated floors, hosting the various spirit elevators. In addition to those, the ground floor was important because it housed the canteen where students would eat meals together at specific times.

Lastly, the upper floors were equipped with various classrooms that were used not only for lessons but also as a place to cultivate or as a simple meeting point. In addition to the classrooms, on the highest floor, there were also the rooms used by the teachers and various officials sent by the Empire. However, access to these plans was prohibited, or there would be severe consequences.

Hei, Lian, and Leon arrived at the castle canteen. It was a large hall with large tables that stretched for meters and meters. A Hei came to mind when they gathered the tables at the Leaf Village during the party in which his stay with Lei Lei and Lei Bai ended. A pinch of nostalgia crept into his heart but ended up not lasting long. However, the noise made by people sitting on the tables brought him back to reality.

The canteen of the castle was divided into three floors. Third-year students ate on the top floor. All of them were spirit soldiers of the highest stages at least; the most talented had even reached the rank of spirit master. It was obvious, therefore, that they had preferential treatment and could enjoy more luxuries. The third floor was smaller among the three but also the most comfortable given the presence of comfy sofas and the possibility to order the dishes of your choice.

The lower floor housed the second-year students. They were mostly spirit soldiers between the third-fourth-fifth stages and also enjoyed some luxuries, although not comparable to those of the third floor. On the second floor, large circular tables were set up where the various groups could sit and eat carefreely. They had no choice about what to eat, but they had the right to skip the line to be served on the ground floor.

The ground floor was connected directly to the kitchens. There, the various castle's attendants, who took care of the cleaning of that place, were serving the students of the first and second years. The students of the first year had to line up to fill their trays and had to sit in one of the free places on those large tables. Since the first year also represented the course with the highest number of students, it was difficult to find a place that accommodated large groups. Therefore, they were often forced to have lunch next to anyone, even people who they didn't know or had little sympathy for.

The number of members for the first year of this year was 5000 people. So it was natural not to know everyone, especially when the new academic year was yet to begin. However, it wasn't even necessary to make an effort to get to know everyone. After all, not all 5,000 would resist the pressure and fatigue that the Southern Royal War Academy imposed on them.

Hei, Lian, and Leon were lucky and found three vacant places, next to each other, and sat there. Leon had filled a tray with two bowls full of rice and a whole chicken. Hei and Lian had chosen to take a mix of the types of dishes that were served that day. So they filled their tray to the brim. Even if they were hungry, part of their lunch would still be destined for the two little divine beasts still in their deep sleep.

Hei took the wooden chopsticks that had been given to him and bit into a chicken leg. Soon, an explosion of flavors occurred in his mouth as he devoured the meat.

'Wow ... it's amazing. It is definitely a chicken spirit beast, I have cooked it too in the past, but it never tasted like this when I ate it. It is not just the cooking of the meat or the rich play of flavors of spices and marinades. No, it's something deeper. I feel the spirit power in turmoil as if it is enjoying what I am eating.'

While Hei reflected on that strange reaction, Lian was also experiencing the same emotions on his side. At the moment, she was drinking a bowl of soup with vegetables, pieces of meat, and spaghetti.

”Wow. Hei, you have to try it. The soup has a rich flavor and warms you up to the bone. The meat is also well cooked, but the spaghetti is the highlight. They are incredible.”

Contrary to her impassive and always refined image, Lian now had an expression more similar to a carefree young girl. In an innocent way, she offered the bowl to Hei and held out her chopsticks so he could taste the spaghetti. Hei was amazed by Lian's reaction; he certainly didn't expect such a gesture from her. However, he smiled at that sight as it was a good thing that she had been able to express herself in public in that way. He then tasted the spaghetti, taking Lian's hand so as to bring the chopsticks closer to his mouth.

Slurp!

Another even more intense explosion occurred within him. This time, the turmoil in its internal flow had become even more impetuous. It was genuinely sensational how something so ordinary could have such an effect despite Hei having also cooked meat from spirit beasts and spirit herbs.

”You are right. The soup is good, but the spaghetti is on a completely different level. It is delicious.”

Beside them, Leon laughed and commented, ”I was also like this when I tasted the canteen kitchen for the first time. I think I don't know how to do it once I get out of here. Talented martial artist chefs are hired by the army or open their restaurants, which are expensive even for us martial artists. I don't think I could afford such luxury every day.”

”Hehe!”

Suddenly, from the seat on the other side of the table, precisely in front of Hei, a young man laughed at the sincere comments of the three people in front of him.