-184- ID and Cafeteria

"Orianna, where are you going?"

"I'm going home for lunch. It's already noon, isn't it?"

"Going home for lunch? Wait, you still haven't finished reading the campus manual?"

With a light pat on Orianna's head, an affectionate gesture that left her momentarily stunned, she looked up at a peer with red hair and a few freckles on her face. Orianna tilted her head and asked, "Lorana, don't we eat lunch at noon?"

Lorana, also a student, planned to take dance and music courses, quickly formed a friendship with Orianna.

"Are you silly? The school has a cafeteria."

"I, I didn't bring much money today," Orianna blinked.

"How much did you bring?" Lorona immediately asked.

Orianna reached into her skirt pocket, fumbled for a while, and after a moment, pulled out a dozen or so copper coins and one silver coin.

In the commercial district, this money could buy some good food, but Twin Cities University was situated in an affluent area. Here, a hot dog alone cost five silver coins, and a piece of good blueberry bread could go up to eleven silver coins – almost half of Orianna's monthly allowance.

Therefore, Orianna doubted if the money on her was enough for a meal at school.

However, Lorana smiled and casually put her arm around Orianna's shoulder, saying affectionately, "That's enough. The cafeteria food is very cheap. I had breakfast there this morning. A simple meal like an egg with bread and a bottle of milk only costs twenty copper."

"Really?" Orianna blinked, finding it hard to believe.

An egg, bread, and milk for just twenty copper?!

Is this the kind of pricing in an affluent area?

"Come with me."

Lorana embraced Orianna and unhesitatingly led her to a corner of the campus.

---

After walking for about fifteen minutes, around noon, Orianna and Lorana arrived at Twin Cities University's cafeteria.

During this time, Orianna's eyes were shining with anticipation.

It's huge. Extremely huge.

Observing from outside the school, it seemed like the campus just covered a large area. However, upon entering, Orianna realized what a hidden paradise it was.

Despite being recently constructed, the campus facilities were already exceptionally well-developed.

Especially the cafeteria.

Holding hands, Orianna and Lorana looked up at the building in front of them. It was a large structure made of beautiful blue bricks, extending several hundred meters in a semi-circular shape. It was so high that Orianna couldn't see the top.

Upon entering, Orianna initially thought the interior would be dimly lit, but it wasn't the case. The cafeteria had ample lighting, with glass windows on the semi-circular dome. Since it was a sunny day, the windows were open, providing excellent ventilation.

Yet, even with this, Orianna could smell the aroma of food.

The rich scent made Orianna involuntarily close her eyes and take a deep breath. When she opened her eyes, she was excited.

This was her first time seeing such a place.

The cafeteria.

"Follow me, Orianna. We need to go this way."

Lorana led Orianna to a corner of the cafeteria, where there was a small building with three windows. Pointing to it, Lorana said to Orianna, "You have to deposit money here first. Then you can queue up at the window to get your food. Oh, where's your student ID?"

"Here." Orianna lowered her head, quickly reaching into her jacket pocket and pulling out her student ID.

In the process, she accidentally pressed down on the neckline of her jacket, revealing a glimpse of whiteness.

Lorana: "."

Couldn't tell. Orianna looks so slender; who would have thought she had such a large chest? 

And it's so white...

Realizing the importance of the student ID, Orianna chose to place it in the small pocket under her chest. This way, it wouldn't get lost.

"Okay, go queue up. When it's your turn, just give the person one silver coin, and she'll recharge your student ID with the equivalent amount. You can recharge as much as you want."

Hearing Lorana's instructions, Orianna turned her head to look at the small building.

At this moment, several people of the same age were queuing up with their student IDs in hand.

Looking back at Lorana, Orianna's face showed confusion. She asked Lorana, "But, but Lorana, what's the principle behind this? Can we really store money in our student ID?"

"You silly." Lorona patted Orianna's head with the small manual again, humphed, and said, "It's written in the campus manual. This device was jointly developed by Principal Heimerdinger, Dean Talis, and Professor Ekko."

Lorana held up her own student ID, shook it at Orianna, and then said seriously, "It not only serves as proof of our identity but also acts as our pass for traveling around the school. For instance, to borrow books from the library or swim in the gym, you need your student ID."

"As for how it's done..." Lorana lowered her face, "If I knew, I wouldn't still be a student."

Saying that, she pushed Orianna to go and queue up.

Feeling a bit nervous, Orianna joined the queue. With only a few people in line, she quickly reached her turn.

"Your student ID please."

Under the glass window, a hand reached out.

Orianna promptly placed her student ID in the person's hand.

"Miss, you put it in the wrong place."

The voice said again, "It should be placed on the small instrument next to your right hand."

Orianna quickly followed the instructions.

She placed the card, which had her photo on it, on a small instrument about the size of a bowl.

"Di!"

"See the screen above? It will display your remaining balance, and you can also check if the money has been loaded."

The voice continued, "How much do you want to recharge?"

Orianna hesitated, reached into her pocket, took out all her money, and placed it in the person's hand, saying, "One silver coin, seventeen copper coins."

"Please wait, let me check."

In just a moment, the voice said, "One silver coin, seventeen copper coins, right?"

"Okay, it's already loaded. Pick up your student card and place it again to see."

Following the instructions, Orianna picked up her student ID and then placed it again.

"Di!"

On the screen, a number appeared.

Gold: 0

Silver: 1

Copper: 17

Orianna: "..."

This is truly amazing!

"Alright, next one."

Orianna quickly stepped aside, and unknowingly, several students had lined up behind her.

When she returned to Lorana's side, Orianna still had lingering trepidation.

It's amazing. Is this the power of science?

So, science isn't just about crossing the sea or flying in the air?

Science isn't just about providing light and convenience?

Orianna suddenly remembered what Corin had said.

Father once said—the way to make people live a good life is through science.

He said that prosthetics are also a form of science, and even the puppets Orianna creates are a kind of science.

"Lorana, this, this is too..."

Lorana, with a cheerful smile, interrupted Orianna's words, nodding and saying, "I know, it's too magical, right?"

"When I came to the cafeteria to deposit money according to the manual in the morning, I felt the same way, Orianna."

"Twin Cities University is truly a magical place!"

Orianna vigorously nodded.

Thinking about Noxha, who came to the store two days ago to deliver the acceptance letter, Orianna suddenly understood what she meant by saying that she would regret not attending Twin Cities University.

Yes, Dad, if I hadn't come to Twin Cities University.

Then, I would definitely regret it!

"Let's go, Orianna. Let's go have lunch now."

Lorona once again held Orianna's hand.

This made Orianna startled. She noticed that Lorana really liked holding her hand. But the 

next moment, Orianna smiled and nodded, 

"Okay."