Problem with Food

Too exhausted from the hours of constant practice, Veer dropped onto his bed and slipped into a deep sleep. His body and mind both needed the rest after the torture he went through.

Only when the loud knocking on the door grew too much for him to bear was he forced to wake up.

"Who the hell is banging on the door in the morning? It's not your girlfriend!"

Shouting in an irritated tone, Veer stood up from his bed and went to open the door. On the other side, he found a black-haired young man standing with a crestfallen look on his face.

The young man looked down and muttered, "You're right. I really am a disappointment to bang a door instead of a girl."

Veer was speechless looking at the depressed man and began rubbing his eyes. "First rule of getting girls: have some confidence in yourself. If even you don't believe in yourself, how will others?"

As he was about to say more, he noticed a small diary in Jarek's hand and was even more speechless.

Putting his hand on Jarek's shoulder, Veer asked, "Forget that and tell me why you disturbed my sleep so early in the morning?"

"Morning? It's evening, big bro," Jarek put away his diary and said, a little confused by the question.

'Oh yeah! I actually slept in the afternoon,' Veer patted his friend's shoulder and asked, "Just tell me why you came here."

"It's dinner time," Jarek said, pointing at his wristwatch, which showed 6 o'clock.

"Huh? Why is dinner so early?" Veer asked, surprised.

"Because the night is reserved for the First Dormitory," Jarek sighed. "Or rather, their food. Our food is made in the evening, and their luxurious dinner is served at night."

"I see," Veer nodded. "Give me a minute!"

Saying that, he quickly changed his clothes to a simple pair of trousers and a shirt. After that, the duo left the top floor and descended to the ground floor where the dormitory canteen was.

It was a big hall at the back of the dormitory, and rather than a canteen, it was just a large dining hall.

As they entered the hall, the duo found many young men like them eating at their respective tables. Some were in groups, some sat alone, and some were in line to get their dinner.

However, there was none of the chatter one would expect in such a place. The whole dining hall was filled with a deathly silence, only broken by the constant noise of utensils clattering.

Upon looking closer, Veer understood the reason. The dinner they had to eat was just a simple bowl of soup and nothing else.

He quickly identified the bowl's contents as Synth Soup, a product well-known to adventurers. It came in powdered packets with enough nutrients to keep a person alive, but it tasted very sour. Not a single person liked it, though it was useful for adventurers who couldn't carry packages of supplies.

However, to serve this soup in a canteen was simply wrong. Once again, Veer was reminded of Freya's ruthlessness, as this was nothing but forcing students to become stronger and seek a better lifestyle.

"She is good!"

Veer got in line and took his portion from the staff, who had brought a large container full of Synth Soup.

After taking a seat along with Jarek, Veer took a sip from the bowl and instantly spat it out.

"What the hell is this shit?" Veer cursed, drinking a mouthful of water to cleanse his mouth.

Looking at the bowl in horror, Veer wondered how anyone could even dare to eat this. His taste buds would be damned if he continued to eat this.

His reaction attracted some attention, and when they saw him, a mocking smile appeared on their faces, though they didn't say anything and continued to eat their portions.

"First time eating Synth Soup?" Jarek asked, not surprised by Veer's reaction, as he had felt the same way in the past.

"Yes, first and last time," Veer quickly took out a chocolate bar and ate it, feeling the sourness of the soup still attacking his taste buds.

Jarek shrugged as he slowly ate the thick soup. "It doesn't matter what you think. We're in the Second Dormitory, and this is what we'll get."

Hearing his words, Veer turned silent as he looked at others and their depressed faces. They had already given up and were eating even the garbage they were given.

"Heh! You want me to eat this? Dream on!"

Veer stood up and climbed onto the wooden dining table. Then, with a smile on his face, he threw the bowl aside and said, his voice reaching everyone, "Are you guys really fine with this shit?"

"What the hell are we supposed to do then!" one of the students sitting beside him scoffed.

"Yep! Either you eat this and survive or simply resign," another one commented.

Veer rolled his eyes and said, "Do you guys have eyes or not? Do you think I look similar to you all that I would share your cowardice?"

With a loud slam on his table, a muscular man stood up and yelled, "Impudent! You dare call us cowards, huh? Then, why don't you offer a solution to us?"

"Yes! Anyone can boast, but can you do anything? It's impossible to defeat Carlson, so how are we supposed to get anything better?"

Rubbing his chin, Veer said, "There are many ways, actually, and I will get you good food."

Then, he turned towards the staff member and said, "You can take that garbage back and throw it to some animal."

The staff member just shrugged his shoulders and, taking the container, left the dormitory. What the students did had nothing to do with him anyway.

After making sure the staff member had left, Veer jumped down from the table, much to everyone's confusion.

To add to their confusion, Veer began to look around every corner and wall of the dining hall. Only after a few minutes did he seem satisfied as he came back and sat at the table.

With a wide grin on his face, he declared, "Before we proceed with anything, I need to make sure we're all on the same page. So, I am the leader of this dormitory, and you all will follow my orders. If anyone dares to betray me, then... hehehe!"

His laughter along with his creepy smile sent chills down everyone's spine as they all wondered if Veer was even human. No human should have such a devilish face.

With a playful smile, Veer said, "I'm sitting here, and if anyone has a problem, they can come up and talk."

"I don't think you're strong enough to be our leader."