Unexpected Approach

He navigated through the bustling cafeteria, the clatter of trays and the racket of voices in the background.

As Atrixus moved calmly, his demeanor, once shadowed by the weight of his trials, now carried a quiet confidence, a hopeful resilience that seemed to light up his features.

However, this change, this newfound brightness in Atrixus, irked Liora. From her table surrounded by a clique of giggling girls, she watched him with a mix of envy and resentment.

Reaching the counter, he exchanged the few crumpled bills he had for a simple meal, all the while feeling the piercing gaze of curious students.

"Can you believe him? Acting all high and mighty just because he's a System Bearer now," Liora whispered venomously to her friends, her eyes never straying from Atrixus as he moved to get his lunch.

Across the room, Julian and his group observed the scene unfold. Julian, sensing an opportunity to stir up some trouble and unsettle Atrixus, nudged one of his friends, a lanky boy named Marcus. "Why don't you go shake things up a bit?" Julian suggested with a mischievous grin.

Marcus, known for his eagerness to impress and a penchant for mischief, nodded eagerly. "Watch this," he boasted, striding confidently towards Atrixus.

As Atrixus carefully balanced his tray, filled with the last of his runis-bought lunch, Marcus approached him from behind.

With a swift, careless motion, he slapped the tray out of Atrixus's hands, sending it clattering across the floor, its contents spilling in a mess of wasted food.

The cafeteria's noise dimmed slightly as heads turned to watch the unfolding drama.

Atrixus's face went from shock to a controlled calm as he clenched his fists while maintaining composure. He turned to walk away, intent on not escalating the situation.

"Hey, System Bearer, can't you even hold a tray?" Marcus taunted loudly, drawing chuckles from some nearby students.

Unsatisfied with Atrixus's lack of response, Marcus escalated further. He grabbed a nearby student's tray and flung it towards Atrixus's retreating figure.

With reflexes honed by his recent encounters in the wilds of Shunri Paradise, Atrixus smoothly stepped to the side, caught the flying tray, and, in one fluid motion, spun around and launched it back. "I believe this belongs to you," Atrixus called out with a steady voice.

The tray spun through the air with surprising speed, its unexpected return catching Marcus off-guard.

He reached out to catch it at the last second but wasn't quick enough. The tray hit him square in the face with such force that he was sent stumbling backward, eventually landing in a heap on the floor of the cafeteria.

The impact sent a collective gasp around the room, followed by a burst of laughter from several tables.

Marcus, his face red and stinging from the blow, struggled to his feet feeling his pride hurt more than his body. The cafeteria, now fully engaged, watched as Atrixus, without a backward glance, moved to help the student whose tray had been commandeered in the scuffle.

"Sorry about that," Atrixus said to the younger student, helping him gather his food.

The lad who had curly green hair nodded with a look of admiration.

Around them, the chatter resumed, now peppered with whispers and speculations about Atrixus's actions and the quiet strength he had displayed.

The environment in the cafeteria had transformed from a typical lunch setting into a theater of high school dynamics, with Atrixus inadvertently at the center.

Students discussed the incident in hushed tones, impressed by his restraint and quick reflexes, while Liora and Julian reassessed their perceptions of Atrixus, wondering about the depth of the abilities he had gained in Shunri Paradise.

Everyone was still curious as to how he gained a System and even managed to survive in Shunri Paradise for so long. They had no doubts that he must have obtained numerous benefits.

As Atrixus exited the chaotic scene of the cafeteria, his stomach rumbled with a discontent that matched his mood.

The encounter with Marcus had left him without lunch, his last few runis wasted on food he never got to eat.

He had rushed to school straight from one of the access points in the city so he hadn't gotten any real food nor had he sold the Tunril frogs yet to get some cash so he was currently penniless.

It was under these grim circumstances that Grace, the class captain known for her frosty demeanor and command over class three, approached him. This unexpected gesture halted Atrixus in his tracks, her presence commanding yet mysterious.

"What do you want?" Atrixus questioned with a tone of wariness

.

"I can help you get an SBO card," Grace stated crisply, her eyes searching Atrixus's for a reaction.

Her offer, so bluntly put, took Atrixus aback. They had never spoken much before, and her sudden interest in his affairs sparked a mixture of confusion and suspicion.

"Why are you offering this?" Atrixus asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.

His experience in life had taught him to be wary of seemingly generous offers; there was often more at play than met the eye.

Grace paused, sensing Atrixus's hesitation. "You know you need it to enter Shunri Paradise without the usual hassles. Without it, you're just another outsider trying to get in," she explained, her tone pragmatic.

Yet, as Atrixus repeated his question, insisting on understanding her motives, Grace realized that honesty might serve her better in this negotiation.

Taking a deep breath, she decided to lay her cards on the table. "Look, it's not just about giving you access. I need a partner for the upcoming Newbie System Bearer's Tournament. You've proven yourself capable, and frankly, I could use someone with your... talents."

The revelation shifted the dynamic between them. Atrixus weighed her words, the offer of the SBO card now framed within the context of this partnership.

"Why me, though? You have your pick of candidates," Atrixus pointed out, his tone softening slightly as he considered the potential benefits of the arrangement.

Grace nodded, acknowledging his point. "Yes, I could partner with others, but you've been inside Shunri Paradise recently and longer than any of our peers. You've faced real danger, not just simulations. That kind of experience is invaluable, especially in a tournament setting where anything can happen."

Atrixus listened, his initial suspicion giving way to a cautious interest. The tournament could be a significant opportunity for him to gain unfathomable rewards.

Moreover, Grace's offer to facilitate his entry into Shunri Paradise was a practical advantage he couldn't easily dismiss.

"If I agree to be your partner for the tournament, you'll help me get an SBO card? Just like that?" Atrixus asked, seeking confirmation, his strategic mind mapping out the potential outcomes of their alliance.

"Exactly. I help you with the card, you team up with me for the tournament. We both get what we need," Grace confirmed, her expression earnest. She extended her hand, a gesture of formal agreement, waiting for Atrixus to decide.

Atrixus considered her outstretched hand, the deal she offered, and the future that it could unlock.

With a final nod, he shook her hand, sealing their unexpected alliance.

"Alright, I'm in. Let's make sure we both come out on top at the tournament," Atrixus agreed, his voice firm with newfound resolve.