28 Conflict

The students who were in the dining hall had spotted Izzy as soon as she walked in. She stood out like a sore thumb and some students were unhappy with her presence amongst them.

Once they saw a blue-uniformed student flanked by two girls in green uniforms walk up to Izzy. The dining hall grew silent as many eyes fell on Izzy.

" Not this again" Izzy sighed.

This would be the third time she was hounded by students in the academy. She was really not in the mood to deal with this as she was currently starving.

" I see it's you again" The girl named Maripa said.

She crossed her arms and raised her chin in an attempt to look superior. Izzy had no idea what was wrong with these people. Students and teachers alike all seemed to have some sort of superiority complex.

It was exasperating for Izzy who was on the receiving end.

All Izzy could do was look down and avoid the girl's eyes. She tried to think of ways to get out of this situation but thought it better to just let Maripa vent her frustrations.

" Are you mute?" It was the girl Izzy had referred to as Ashley before. She was small with a long nose and grey eyes.

" No" Izzy's curt answer annoyed Maripa. The girl was unlike all the other lower ranked students. She seemed to have some confidence and Maripa felt like she needed to be taught a lesson.

Maripa smirked, " Why don't we have a sparring match hmm?"

Izzy looked up at the girls face. The smile on her pretty face looked crude and Izzy could see that she was trying to cause trouble for her.

" Ah no thank you. I can't possibly spar with you".

" Oh not me" Maripa responded, " with Minka here".

Ashley whose name was Minka was pushed forward. Izzy looked at Maripa and then at Minka.

" I'm sorry I'll have to decline", Izzy put on a polite smile.

Maripa looked disgusted at Izzy's behaviour. She disliked the way Izzy spoke and even smiled.

Maripa raised her hand attempting to slap Izzy for smiling when her hand was held back.

" Maripa..." Izzy looked up, it was the blonde boy again. He was dressed in his blue uniform and had a hard expression on his face.

" Why are you doing this again?" His eyes bore into Maripa who shivered.

" Ah cousin I was just joking" she laughed. Izzy looked at Maripa and her cousin. He had stepped in to help her twice but couldn't believe he was related to Maripa.

He let go of Maripa's hand and then looked towards Izzy. His gaze was cold and Izzy looked away

" You." His voice was apathetic as he spoke.

" Low-ranked students are not allowed in the dining hall. You should know this"...

Obviously, Izzy did not, but she was grateful towards Maripa's cousin for telling her.

" A-ahh yes I'm sorry I got lost" and just like that Izzy once again took the opportunity to leave. She hurried out of the dining hall and heard the other students call her a coward and such...

When she got outside Izzy looked up into the sky that was now a brilliant purple colour. The sun was setting and all Izzy could think about was food.

" If I'm not allowed to enter the dining hall then where am I supposed to eat?" she said.

[ The canteen]

" Huh," The system had just told her to the canteen.

" Where's that?"

The system directed Izzy to another building that was small, it was near the dining hall and Izzy found it easily.

" Why didn't you just take me here sooner?" she said to the system.

[ ...]

Izzy walked in and looked around it was largely empty except for the skinny boy she had seen from class and Weigela. A smile spread across Izzy's face seeing them and she walked up.

The boy who saw her first shrunk and Weigela seeing his reaction looked behind her. She saw Izzy happily approach and got up.

" You're still alive?!"

Izzy was confused " Why wouldn't I be?"

" We heard news of an orange-uniformed student near the third and second-ranked halls. I knew it was you, so I thought..."

" Ahhh" Izzy understood, she sat down and Weigela sat next to her. " Well, it certainly wasn't a pleasant experience going there."

Weigela's worried look turned into a smile. She was happy to see that Izzy was okay and then offered her some food. Izzy ate the food without hesitation. As she put the food into her mouth her eyes watered the food was hard and had a pungent after smell once you bit into it.

Needless to say, the food was horrid but Izzy still ate it since her stomach was practically eating itself. The boy opposite her watched her in awe. He had never seen anyone eat the canteen food and not throw up.

When Izzy was done she looked at the boy and asked " What's your name?'

" L-leithi" he stuttered and looked away. Izzy thought he was cute.

He had large violet eye, fluffy silver hair and pale skin. Although he was skinny, Izzy felt that he could put some of the most beautiful girls to shame.

" Leithi, that's an awesome name".

Leithi looked up at Izzy and his cheeks went red. Weigela saw this and squealed.

" Awww Lei Lei is shy" she teased.

Weigela's cheerfulness rubbed off on Izzy and made her forget about her terrible day. She spent the remained of her day talking to Weigela and getting to know more about the very shy Leithi.

Weigela and Izzy then walked off together while Leithi went back to the boy's dorms.

" I'm glad I met you," Izzy said on the walk back.

Weigela smiled, " Me too, you know I am glad you came. I was feeling very lonely being the only girl in my class. Seeing you made me feel... not so alone... you know".

They walked in silence after that and Izzy felt a tinge in her heart. Weigela was a cheerful girl but in the silence, Izzy could feel the loneliness radiating off of her.