Eve Before The Battle

Seeing as one of the two cadets was sprawled out on the ground and unable to move, the Academy's medics had no choice but to enter the arena themselves.

Alter was on her last legs as well, struggling to stand up. Wang Jin was placed on a stretcher and brought out with a smile on his face.

The two were swiftly escorted out and the arena was quickly cleaned up. The Academy announced a short break in preparation for the final phase of the second exam.

My battle would soon come afterward as well, so I had to make sure I was in full health.

"Are you hungry, Leader? I was thinking we could head outside the campus and pick up some food for our comrades."

"Yeah, that sounds great. You coming, Percivale?" I called out to the younger Eri sibling.

He had returned just a few minutes ago and was able to watch the latter half of Wang Jin and Alter's battle.

"N-no, thanks though. I will head over to the infirmary to make sure sister and Mister Wang Jin are alright."

"Mhm, sure."

Percivale left both of us and Rokas and I soon headed out.

I didn't forget to pick up Dainsleif. It would be one of my only few hopes of winning a potentially dangerous battle.

***

As we strolled through the Academy district, Rokas asked me a question.

"Leader, I'd like to ask you a question. It's nothing serious, but I hope you'll entertain it."

"Uh, sure."

"Would it be correct for me to assume that you have met Miss Seraph somewhere before?"

"...that again? Why's everyone asking me that question?"

"Wang Jin had talked to me about it. He said your attachment to her was clearly more than between acquaintances."

"I don't believe I have a different answer to that question other than the one I told Wang Jin. An author and a character."

"I see. It looks like I won't be able to obtain any more information no matter how much I ask you. Then let us switch the topic. What would you like to eat?"

"Maybe something that both us and a patient can eat? Something light, but filling?"

"I see. Then I have just the right one. How do you feel about porridge?"

Porridge? Isn't that for sick people? Sure, our teammates aren't that far from basically being crippled patients, but it's not like they can't eat by themselves.

I held no hatred for porridge though. I've consumed it many times. It was easy to make and oftentimes delicious. Perfect for an author like me who didn't bother wasting time on things that weren't writing.

"Sure, I guess."

After a brief, uneventful walk, we were able to reach an almost empty food stall that sold porridge.

The stall had three seats and a table lined up beside it, and there was only one person currently eating.

That straight hair, and that hurried way of eating. Yup, I was right. It's John Ailey.

Rokas approached the old man who was singlehandedly manning the stall. He wasn't doing anything and was just eating his lunch.

While Rokas went to order, I went over to the nearly empty seats and plopped myself down beside the protagonist.

"Hey. Never thought I'd see someone else here."

"Oh, good *ompf* afternoon. Yes, I'm a big fan of this stall. I love the way the old man cooks the porridge."

For many others, porridge was just a simple dish that was occasionally eaten when sick. It was just that, nothing more.

But for our John Ailey, it held a great deal of significance.

"You're gobbling that whole thing down. You must really love porridge."

"Yup! The taste is oddly similar to the one my teacher always cooked. I come here every time I want to feel the nostalgia."

John never really told this to anyone, but I knew he was an orphan. Besides being born without any parents, he also never felt any sort of familial love from anyone.

When he was much younger, he had a more… negative view of the world, let's say. It was his teacher who took him in and taught him about all the good things in life.

John took after his teacher and adopted her easygoing and righteous personality, which was how he turned into the person he was today.

"I don't think I recall seeing you before, good sir. Do you mind if I ask for your name?"

"Dignitas. Dignitas Qwerdan. I was the leader of the second team to complete the first exam. I figured I'd want to see the face of the person who blazed through it with ease. But now that I've talked to you, I can confidently say you are a capable man."

"Ah, yes. Thank you for your compliments. Dignitas Qwerdan, was it? Then is it fine if I call you Digni? Or Dignitas?"

Is that seriously what everyone decides to just pin as my nickname? There are other ways to nickname-inize the name Dignitas, you know…

"That's okay. Oh, you're here, Rokas. Let me introduce you to John Ailey. He was the first person to finish the exam."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mister Ailey." Rokas shook his hand.

"No, the pleasure is all mine! And I wouldn't have done it if not for the help of my friends."

"Your friends… who are they, if I may ask?"

"I have four of them in my party. The first is Lorelai Seraph, the daughter of the Seraph family. Then there's Makarov Zugnav, a good friend of mine. The next is Curie Mortem, Lorelai's childhood friend, and Uncle Wesker, who is a second father to all of us."

"That's a lot of you. You guys must be pretty close."

Close was an understatement, really.

"Oh, but we all work together really well! We complement each other's strengths and cover our weaknesses."

John's party is basically his family. So it's not strange to think that they're basically the bestest of friends.

One of the four peoples' names caught my attention when it was announced.

Curie Mortem, the sole daughter of the Mortem Group, which owns the guild known as Ad Mortem.

Her family was just as, if not more famous than the Seraphs.

Along with their vast military platoons that could rival armies, they were also known to be quite involved in the medicine and artifice industry.

Curie was basically a walking gold mine. If I could get close to her, then maybe she'd be able to procure us some good equipment.

For a price, of course. Everything has a price.

"Anyway, you look like you're still hungry. We still have time, don't we, Rokas?"

"Indeed, Leader. I have told the old man to delay the latter half of our orders. It is best to pick it up while it is still hot."

"Perfect. Then why don't you join us for a second serving of porridge, Ailey?"

"John's fine, Digni! I don't want to impose on you two, though."

"No, no. We came here to eat, nothing too major. I'd love it if you could join us."

"In that case… I shall take you up on your offer. One more serving of porridge, please!"