Chapter 147 - Making New Friends (1/2)

Imperial Prince, Long Tian. It was the identity of the newcomer. He had an athletic build, a height similar to that of Hei, short sandy-colored hair and eyes of the same color. He wore an embroidered gold robe depicting a dragon with open jaws, the same symbol carved on the jade tokens given to each student of the academy - the symbol of the Imperial Family.

When this individual made his appearance, the various murmurs of the people disappeared. Not even those on the upper floors dared to speak. After all, although he was a first-year student, he was still part of the family that governed the entire Sun Empire. Furthermore, Long Tian wasn't an ordinary member of the Imperial Family but was one of the direct sons of the Sun Emperor.

Feng Gengxin bowed his head in respect as he laid his hands forward, the palm of the left hand touching the right clenched fist of his right hand. Meanwhile, his henchmen had retreated behind him and bowed to the ground on their knees.

”Feng Gengxin greets Imperial Prince Long Tian.”

Long Tian, ​​who had so far looked forward all the time, slowly turned his gaze to the member of the Feng Family. ”Feng Gengxin? Aren't you one of Feng Chen's cousins?”

”I am honored that you remember me, Imperial Prince.”

”It is nothing special. Rather, hasn't Feng Chen arrived yet? I heard that he also enrolled in the Southern Royal War Academy. The same goes for Hu Jie. But I haven't seen either of them here.”

Calm and elegance. These were the characteristics that stood out in every movement of Long Tian. As if it were engraved in his own body, in the gestures and expressions he made, his belonging to the Sun Empire Imperial Family. As if there was an abysmal gap even with the Eight Big Families.

Upon hearing the name of his cousin, Feng Chen, Feng Gengxin's expression darkened. His hands began to tremble, but he did nothing else. Instead, he politely responded to the Imperial Prince.

”Not yet ... but he should arrive soon without a doubt.”

”Alright. Tell Feng Chen to come over and say hello when you see him. I salute you, Feng Gengxin.” Long Tian, along with his men, passed over both groups that were about to clash until a moment ago. However, he took a few steps before stopping, ”Ah, before I forget, I wish at least during meals I could eat in peace. Also, even if you don't like it, you shouldn't waste the resources given by the empire, be it precious treasures or a simple bowl of soup. Let it never happen again.”

Without giving Feng Gengxin time to reply, Long Tian started walking again. The four companions who were with him, naturally arranged themselves to cover his back and sides. More than companions, they were as if they were his bodyguards.

When Long Tian and his men left the cafeteria, the time that seemed to have stopped began to flow again. Various murmurs rang out even more. All of the spectators had, in fact, been able to hear the words exchanged between Long Tian and Feng Gengxin, including the names of the two people mentioned by the Imperial Prince.

”Let's leave. We're done here.” Feng Gengxin ordered his subordinates to remove the curtains and leave that place. He had already lost too much face today, and with the warning from the Imperial Prince, he certainly wouldn't have continued to mess around.

With Feng Gengxin out of the way, Hei, Lian, and Leon laid down their weapons and went back to sit down. Haruno and Mareo did the same. However, everyone's eyes were directed towards them.

”Why don't you come to our room? Haruno can prepare you to eat there. Also, I think someone else here is very hungry.” Mareo suddenly proposed a solution, and with his eyes, he glanced at Hei.

”How-?”

Hei was surprised. Indeed, during the previous confrontation, Ye and Xing had awakened from their deep sleep. Feeling the spirit power of their big brother activating, they were ready to enter combat mode at any time. However, the arrival of the Imperial Prince had interrupted this conflict, and the two little divine beasts who were awake had their bellies rumbling with hunger.

Mareo reached out his right hand and touched his right ear with his forefinger, ”The sound. From the beginning, I perceived the sound of the breath of the two of them. Either way, come. At least we will have privacy to discuss.”

With a wary attitude, Hei accepted the proposal. Lian and Leon, who was confused by that exchange of words, would also come with him. Haruno and Mareo, therefore, led the three out of the canteen. In the entrance hall, they took one of the spirit elevators and went down to a floor a few floors above the one where Hei and Lian lived.

The floor on which they arrived could be called similar to what you would find in a hotel. Rows and rows of rooms alternated next to each other. These rooms were huge, though, so much so that they looked like an apartment in size. But considering the actual size of the flat interior, it didn't appear so strange.

Haruno and Mareo's room was near the spirit elevator and was inhabited only by the two of them. The interior was neat and looked elegant. Mareo made Hei and the others sit on a comfortable sofa while he sat on another one in front of them. Separating them, there was a circular table of shiny wood. In the meantime, Haruno had gone to the small kitchen that was present next door to prepare something to eat.

”Normally, the rooms do not have a kitchen; the only exception is we, martial artist chefs. This way, we can cook whenever we want; after all, cooking is the only way we can improve our support skills. Every martial artist chef has a specialty. In my case, it is the flour and, specifically, the pasta. What you ate is one of my many dishes. You must know that there are countless ways to prepare it, and without practice, it is impossible to achieve the perfect flavor.”

Haruno launched into a brief explanation as he began to fiddle in the kitchen. He was mixing the flour with the water to create the dough that he would then cut to shape the desired type of pasta. Mareo watched him kneading with a smile in his eyes; you could notice a deep affection in that look.

Realizing that Hei, Lian, and Leon's eyes were on him, Mareo blushed and cleared his throat before turning to them. ”First of all, I have to thank you for what you have done before. You weren't required to do it, but you did it anyway. Thank you very much.”

”You don't have to thank me… I'm ashamed to admit it, but in reality, in the beginning, I didn't think to intervene. I didn't want to risk being caught in something above me. But seeing Hei's actions, I felt disgusted with myself, and so I intervened.”