The second-year Class S students gathered around a single table for lunch. Only Lysa and Vania were absent. Valeon and Xerath had been invited to join by Miki.

"Gara always brings condiments that make this bland soup supplement taste good," Jett commented. "No wonder people enjoy eating with Gara."

He had eaten with Gara several times before, but he’d never paid much attention to the condiment jars on their table.

Andine shot Jett a smug look, which he responded to with a snort before reaching for the jar of mustard.

"You really know a lot about herbs and plants, Gara," Xerath said pleasantly. "I’m quite interested in crops and herbal cultivation. Maybe I could ask you more about it sometime?"

His gentle voice, free of pressure or insistence, made the request sound perfectly natural. Still, Gara only responded with a vague hum, neither clearly agreeing nor refusing.

Gara didn’t look at Xerath at all, and the others understood why. They knew Xerath could read thoughts through eye contact.

That didn’t mean Xerath was evil. Gara’s cold attitude merely made them curious, but none of them asked directly, choosing to stay silent instead.

Meanwhile, Valeon, who lacked any talent for friendly conversation, looked awkward and hesitant, unsure whether he was even allowed to try the condiments.

Unexpectedly, Gara slid the bottle toward him.

"Just try it."

Everyone stared in surprise.

Gara was blatantly playing favorites. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Unnoticed by the others, the corner of Xerath’s lips twitched.

Gara continued eating as if he hadn’t just created an awkward atmosphere at the table.

Valeon, who’s clearly awkward around me, has an affinity of ten percent. Xerath, who’s friendly and trying to get close, has zero percent. If that devil didn’t have hidden intentions, there’s no way he’d act this friendly toward me.

Gara still remembered what had happened with Mona. Back then, he’d hoped he could change Mona’s way of thinking. Instead, he’d learned that the affinity shown by the system reflected a person’s deepest feelings.

He should have distanced himself from Mona from the start, not allowed her to get deeper into his life.

Suddenly, Gara lost his appetite.

He lifted his head, his gaze colliding with a familiar face walking toward him.

Seeing the same thing, Miki muttered, "That’s a first-year student, right? Why are they coming here?"

Only then did Gara notice several other students following behind that familiar face.

"That’s Johan Eshaan," Gara said.

At the mention of the name Eshaan, Miki and everyone at the table immediately understood. He was Gara’s family. They all turned toward Johan with friendly expressions.

Gara, however, knew his relationship with Johan wasn’t that good. He looked at the fifteen-year-old boy with a flat expression.

Johan stopped in front of Gara and greeted Gara’s tablemates politely.

Jett nodded approvingly, liking the young man’s attitude. The others felt the same.

Gara remained silent, though his brows furrowed slightly. Watching him, Revan sensed that Johan hadn’t come for anything good.

Before Revan could ask Johan the reason for his visit, Johan suddenly spoke loudly.

"My Lord Cousin, I apologize for my ignorance, for my foolishness. I was arrogant before, thinking I was amazing just because I managed to enter this academy. But now I realize that my cousin is far greater than I am."

Everyone who heard Johan’s words was dumbfounded.

Even Gara was taken aback. He studied Johan more closely.

Even if he’s apologizing because his parents told him to, it doesn’t matter. As long as he doesn’t cause trouble, there’s no need to drag this out.

Gara finally spoke.

"We’re cousins, from the same generation. Wanting to be the strongest isn’t wrong. From now on, study harder and train harder at this academy. Make House Eshaan proud of its descendants."

Hearing Gara’s words, Johan looked at him as if he were gazing upon a saint.

The group of first-year students Johan had brought along did the same. Apparently, they were all human nobles.

Unable to bear those reverent stares, Gara quickly urged Johan to return to his seat and continue eating. He even handed over several condiment jars for Johan and his friends.

Once Johan’s group settled at an empty table, Miki stared at Gara in awe.

"Isn’t this the second time someone’s come to publicly apologize to you in the cafeteria?"

Sensing that Miki’s words could be misinterpreted, Andine quickly added, "But that’s not Gara’s fault. It’s because Gara is impressive that they came and realized their mistakes."

Miki nodded.

"That’s true."

The others chose not to comment and continued eating. They thought they could finally enjoy their meal in peace.

Only a few minutes passed before another visitor arrived.

"Are you Fian?"

Standing beside Fian was a female elf with long, wavy brunette hair. Her pointed ears peeked through thick locks, supporting a circular hair ornament made of wild plants that enhanced her beauty.

Her eyes were a vivid blue, framed by long lashes and delicately shaped brows. Her nose was high, her lips thin, and her jaw sharp. Yet those features didn’t make her look masculine. Instead, she resembled a warrior woman who could leave enemies spellbound with beauty alone.

The men at the table couldn’t help but turn their faces toward her—except for Revan and, of course, Fian.

Fian glanced at her briefly, then nodded, his expression indifferent.

Revan, recognizing the woman, spoke up to prevent the situation from becoming awkward.

"She’s Miss Elowen Elfutih, our senior," he explained to his friends, then turned to her. "Miss Elowen, do you have business with Fian?"

Some of them knew Elowen Elfutih as the top student of the third year. Those who didn’t could still guess from her surname. Elfutih was the same family name as their late headmaster. She was clearly no ordinary person.

Elowen spoke smoothly.

"I’m here to see Fian. He is the last disciple of Master Asta Elfutih. There’s something important I need to convey."

At the mention of his late mentor, Fian turned to look at the elf woman again.

"Come with me," Elowen ordered.

She turned and left immediately, not bothering to say goodbye to anyone. Her cold demeanor and lack of a smile from the moment she arrived made the others hesitate to speak.

Fian looked at Gara, who responded with a nod.

Only then did Fian stand and follow Elowen.

...