After we reached the grand assembly hall, we didn’t have to stand there for long. Instructor Avala stepped onto the stage once more, and she didn't waste time announcing the next thing in our schedule.
"From here on out, you will all partake in the practical exam. However, to ensure top performance in the exams, we shall take a small break. Please follow the instructors before you to our proud cafeteria."
We were once again led outside, walking in an orderly line following the instructors.
After a minute of walking, we reached our destination. It was a large building standing wide and tall, the structure seemed to consist mostly of bricks and marble, with intricate designs on every corner and pillar, even to the edges of the roofs. It was like a high-class restaurant and then some.
Inside, that impression only deepened.
The place was enormous, more like a banquet hall than a school cafeteria. The interior was as impressive as the exterior, with clean floors, walls, and even the corners of the ceilings were relatively clean. Not as clean as my family's estate, though... But no one could possibly compete against our cleaning staff; they were monsters raised by Leila herself.
There were numerous tables of varying sizes, each seemingly crafted with meticulous care from high-quality wood and metal. There was even a grand staircase in the middle of the room, leading to a second floor which housed even more tables. The decoration consisted of chandeliers, stained glass windows on the upper parts of the walls, paintings by various artists, and a variety of plants that both blended into and complemented the calm and clean atmosphere of the room.
If there was a place to relax after a stressful class or exam, this was it... Assuming it would be quiet and not crowded, of course. But this is a cafeteria, there is no chance of that scenario happening.
The proof of that statement was laid bare before me.
"Whoa! Is that a painting from the famous— Oh my, it is!"
"This is even better than the restaurant my family used to visit."
"I wonder what the food tastes like here..."
Examinees from both tracks were equal in their amazement and wonder.
I had expected something more subdued for a cafeteria, or something simplistic that would fit this military school. I would chalk up the luxurious dining hall experience to be limited to the Royal Governance Academy instead. But of course, this slapped the words "you're wrong" right into my face with the force of a rail gun.
The instructors who led us turned to face us, their faces still as stern as usual. One of them stepped forward, his gait strict.
"You all have thirty minutes to eat your fill. You cannot fight on an empty stomach, so please avoid doing so at all costs."
He paused, letting the room quiet down.
“You are free to eat whatever you wish. The cafeteria offers everything from hearty meals to desserts. I assure you that we have no one but the most wonderful chefs with competent Talents cooking for all of our students.”
A wave of whispers spread instantly. Eyes lit up, and some examinees practically bounced on their heels at the mention of desserts. We all made our way to the buffet table, and it was glittered with options. The selection ranged from various forms of meat, be it from chicken, beef, or mysterious meat, to salads and fruits, complemented with a wide selection of desserts ready for pickings at the end of the table.
The drink selection wasn't holding back either, as there was a special drink bar a few steps away from the buffet table, a female barista with a cold, silent face manning it alone. The tea, from what I could see behind the barista at least, ranged from various tea leaves and coffee to juices and non-alcoholic cocktails.
For a moment, everyone looked like kids in a candy store.
Everyone was practically drooling and ready to dig in. But just as I was about to do so...
"Ehem," the instructor cleared his throat behind us. We all turned our heads, our droolings stopped for a moment.
He stood far before us, but even in this wide and open room, his voice carried clearly. "The buffet is reserved only for examinees of the Gilded Track. For those in the Standardized Track, please head upstairs for your predetermined meals."
I froze, a tick of annoyance brewing inside me.
This place is messing with me.
I—Feyt—and the others from the Standardized Track were led upstairs, our faces were a mix of disappointment, annoyance, and tiredness. Like the first floor, there were numerous tables scattered evenly along with appropriate decorations and lighting. We were ordered to sit down as the cafeteria staff would bring out our dishes soon. I quietly took a seat between two other examinees, keeping things to myself. Thankfully, they seemed to be thinking of the same thing.
Just moments after we all sat down. Doors to the back of the room opened, and a line of what I assumed to be the staff the instructors were referring to waltzed in with several tall tray trolleys, their small wheels squeaking on the polished marble floor. They soon began pulling out tray after tray, placing them neatly in front of us at the tables.
My portion landed before me, and I took a look at it with low expectations. The silver tray offered us a healthy portion of salmon with bread, a small bowl of salad, a few slices of apples, and a large glass of water. Everyone on the second floor had the exact same tray given to them, and of course, none of them were too pleased by the offerings.
Compared to the luxuries teased to us down below, this selection seemed a bit... basic. They looked well cooked, and I had no doubt they would taste well, but being separated by track really made me feel a bit left out. But, to be honest, I had no reason to be. After all, I was allowed to enjoy the aforementioned luxuries down below.
The voices of those in the Gilded Track echoed loudly on the ground floor; it was a mix of amazement, hunger, and indulgence. Each examinee's trays held a different combination of dishes, a contrast to the uniform selection from those on the upper floors. Some carried a few slices of apple pie along with a personalized cocktail. Some had mountains of meat drowned in gravy with a cup of coffee. A few only had salads and fruits on theirs with a varied selection of sauces.
Some of these guys are really indulging themselves, huh?
Mine? Well, I didn't want to overkill with the food. I picked a small portion of the grilled chicken partnered with mashed potatoes; a few orange slices for something sweet, since the cupcakes and cookies seemed a bit heavy; a colorful mixed salad; and a cup of warm tea.
I was sitting alone on a small table as I enjoyed my food, as well as the standardized food. When I took a bite of the chicken and salmon at the same time, the combined taste was divine. I melted into each bite as the clock ticked on.
"Lady Carine," a voice popped up behind me.
I tilted my head slightly to spot who it was, and it was none other than...
Yeah... I still haven't recalled his name at this point.
It was Phil—something, something, or whatever.
He held a tray of his own as he approached my table. He made his way to my side as he put on a gentle smile.
"May I have the honor to sit with you, Lady Carine?"
I blinked at him slowly, stealthily chewing my food and swallowing without much motion.
He bowed his head in response. "Thank you."
I didn't want to eat all alone. I was sure the image of me sitting near the corner , all alone, was a bit pathetic.
As Phil—something, something sat down across from me, I didn't stop eating my food. The break was limited to half an hour, and I wanted to have some downtime from eating before standing up and going for another walk. He, too, began eating in practiced motion. I got a clear look at his tray. It was a healthy selection of food, with nearly the same portion and categories as mine.
"Strange, isn’t it? Most of the other looks ready to roll into the practical exam with stomachaches,” he said with a smile while glancing at them.
"Hmph," I scoffed, cutting another piece of my chicken. "It's their own fault if that happens."
Like what he said, most of the others in the Gilded Track had free rein in choosing their food, and with that, they were kind of sabotaging themselves with their selections. You know, the ones who had mountains of meat, or picking just desserts? They were either too slow to catch on or just plainly don't care.
At first, I chose my selection based on variety and familiarity, as this was how my food back at the estate was usually laid out. Predictably, it was healthy, balanced, and also filling. And that applied to the standardized food as well. I was expecting the absolute minimum for those, but it surprised me with how well-balanced it was.
From filling meat, natural sugar, and some carbs for energy...
Clearly, it was tailored to prepare us for the exams.
Hell, I wondered why the academy even bothered with the buffet.
If everyone were to be given balanced meals, then it would've been—
I bit into my forks as that thought crossed my mind. Frozen as I realized something.
I narrowed my eyes, and my chewing slowed down to a crawl.
A balanced selection for the predetermined meals...
Free rein at the buffet table...
As I pieced things together inside my head, I couldn't help but scoff. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⟡𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚⟡𝘯𝘦𝘵
"Oh, I see... So this is what he meant..."
Phil—something... Phil-man? raised an eyebrow, dabbing his lips with a napkin. “What is it, Lady Carine?”
I didn’t answer him. Instead, I stabbed another piece of chicken, my eyes drifting over the crowded hall as I continued to eat. If I was right, this cafeteria visit wasn't for a break...
It was a trap for the upcoming practical exam.