The cafeteria is massive. Vaulted ceilings are enchanted to show the sky outside as natural sunlight filters into soft, warm illumination. Long tables fill the space in neat rows, leaving enough room that the place does not feel cramped despite the number of students. Murals depicting famous magical achievements line the walls, each one subtly animated so figures occasionally shift or gesture.
At the far end is the food service area. It is set up like a cafeteria line, but the scale and quality are on another level. Multiple stations offer different types of food, each manned by staff in crisp white uniforms. The smell alone is incredible. Herbs, roasted meat, fresh bread, something sweet and fruity.
[Lysara] "We spare no expense on the food here. The students need proper nutrition to support their magical development, and ensuring the meals are both tasty and balanced is essential. These students are the future of Selenith. We must keep their bodies as sharp as their minds."
As we head toward the serving area, a breeze sweeps through the cafeteria, carrying the scent of fresh greenery and wildflowers. Students look up, confused, as the wind coalesces near us.
Sylphaeris materializes from the air itself, her form solidifying with a cheerful expression.
[Sylphaeris] "I'm back for lunch!"
The Supreme Mage, usually the picture of stoic authority, actually stumbles back half a step. Her violet eyes widen, tracking the emerald glow radiating from the Spirit Queen. She recovers quickly, her composure sliding back into place.
[Lysara] "A Spirit Queen. It's an honor to have you grace us with your presence."
[Sylphaeris] "Oh, don't be so formal! I'm just here for the food."
We grab trays and fall into line with the students. Some of them glance over, whispering, but most are too focused on the food to stare for long.
Yuki grabs two trays.
[Takeshi] "Why two?"
[Yuki] "One for me, one for my familiars."
[Takeshi] "Right. Of course."
I move down the line, examining the options.
The first station offers grains and starches. I go for a scoop of Sun-grain. Firm golden grains that look like they've been toasted by the sun itself. The next station has proteins. I get a serving of Seared Hydra-tail sliced thin and drizzled with a reduction made from forest berries. Vegetables come next. I add a side of Cloud-leaf salad, the greens look crisp and airy. There's a soup station with three options. I go for a bowl of Crystal-core broth. The soup looks clear and refreshing.
I look to my left and see Yuki choosing Fire-aspected steaks for Ignatia. The meat is still sizzling, giving off a charred, smoky aroma that makes Ignatia's nostrils flare. Yuki also grabs a bowl of chilled Mana-nectar for Snow, which smells of sweet floral blossoms, and a dish of Shadow-marrow for Umbra, which looks like dark, rich cream.
Supreme Mage Lysara secures a large table and waves us over. We settle in and start eating.
---
[Wright] "This is incredible. Everything tastes exactly as good as it looks."
The Seared Hydra-tail yields easily under the knife and the glaze carries a sharp, building heat followed by a deep, savory sweetness. The Sun-grain pops with a burst of warm, nutty flavor. The Cloud-leaf salad dissolves on the tongue. The bowl of Crystal-core broth is refreshing, leaving a clean, cool sensation that seems to settle the energy in my chest.
[Takeshi] "Seriously. This beats the convenience store bread I used to live on back home."
[Yuki] "Snow, don't eat too fast! You'll get a brain freeze."
Snow is currently face-first in a bowl of chilled nectar, her wings buzzing happily. Umbra's gem glows brighter as portions of meat disappear into his shadows. Ignatia nibbles on a piece of charred meat with the grace of a queen, though she does let out a small puff of smoke in satisfaction.
[Aiko] "The vegetables are incredible. How did they get them this perfectly roasted?"
Sylphaeris is working through her plate with enthusiasm.
[Sylphaeris] "Oh, this soup! The flavors are so well balanced!"
Vesper, predictably, has loaded her tray with mostly meats from the proteins section and desserts. She's eating a slice of Fire-aspected steak with obvious satisfaction.
[Vesper] "Finally, someone who understands proper priorities."
As we eat, Supreme Mage Lysara begins explaining the class offerings.
[Lysara] "The academy offers a wide range of courses. For magical theory, we have Fundamental Arcane Principles, Advanced Spell Composition, Elemental Theory and Application. For practical application, there's Combat Casting, Defensive Barrier Formation, Enchantment Techniques, and Artifact Analysis."
She continues, listing more options.
[Lysara] "We also offer specialized courses. Illusion Mastery, Summoning and Contract Theory, Transmutation Studies, Divination and Scrying, and Healing Magic Fundamentals. For those interested in research, there's Experimental Magic, Magical Biology, Alchemy and Potion Crafting, and Runecraft and Sigil Design."
Yuki's eyes are practically sparkling.
[Yuki] "Can I try Elemental Theory and Application? And maybe Experimental Magic, Enchantment Techniques, and Summoning and Contract Theory?"
[Aiko] "I'm interested in Healing Magic Fundamentals, Defensive Barrier Formation, Artifact Analysis, and Alchemy."
[Takeshi] "Combat Casting sounds good. And Enchantment Techniques."
The three of them continue discussing options, eventually settling on several classes they all want to try together.
[Lysara] "There's actually a Fundamental Arcane Principles class starting right after lunch. You're welcome to join if you'd like."
[Yuki] "Really? That would be great!"
[Aiko] "I'd like to attend as well."
[Takeshi] "Same."
Supreme Mage Lysara turns her attention to Vesper, who's working on her third piece of steak.
[Lysara] "Vesper, while you are here... would you consider giving a guest lecture on artifact theory? The students would benefit immensely."
Vesper doesn't even look up.
[Vesper] "Pass. Too much work. Explaining things is a hassle."
[Yuki] "Wait, is it true what the students were whispering? That you're a genius arcane artificer?"
Supreme Mage Lysara answers before Vesper can.
[Lysara] "It's absolutely true. Most of the daily life artifacts used throughout Arcanis were created from her blueprints. The floating platforms we used earlier? Her design. She's done more to enrich the quality of life in this city than perhaps anyone else."
I stare at Vesper. So does everyone else at the table.
Then I recall that she did recreate the stove, refrigerator and toilet into magic artifacts in the village. It makes sense but I'm still having a hard time accepting this fact. It's like something is fundamentally wrong with the universe.
Liora sees my confusion.
[Liora] "Vesper's work is well known throughout the magical community. She's brilliant. But she tends to be reclusive and has a... difficult personality."
[Eldrin] "Troublesome is the word I'd use."
As Vesper starts to retort, the sound of rhythmic, sharp clicking heels draws our attention. An elf approaches our table, and I have to stop chewing to make sure I'm seeing this correctly. She's probably around the same age as the kids. Blonde hair styled into two massive, perfect spiral drills that look like they required high-level engineering to stay upright. Her dress is covered in intricate lace and glowing silver sigils, and she carries herself with a kind of over-the-top confidence.
[Elowen] "You! You're Vesper, aren't you? The Vesper who revolutionized modern convenience artifacts?"
Beside me, I hear Yuki gasp. I know exactly what she is thinking. Those drills. That haughty-but-earnest tone. The sheer presence. She's a villainess. A real-life, "Ohohoho" type villainess!
[Elowen] "I am Elowen Virelle, daughter of House Virelle. My family has served as arch mages to Selenith for seven generations, a lineage steeped in magical tradition and scholarly pursuit. It is an honor to meet you."
She straightens, her expression shifting to something between awe and admiration.
[Elowen] "Are you going to teach a class? How grand! Only an institution as prestigious as this academy could secure a lecturer of your caliber. Truly, this speaks to the excellence of our educational tradition!"
Supreme Mage Lysara looks slightly embarrassed by the misunderstanding.
Vesper doesn't even look up from her tray, she's moved on from the steaks to desserts.
[Vesper] "You're being loud. I'm not here to teach. Stop bothering me while I'm eating."
The words are delivered flatly, without ceremony.
Elowen's expression crumbles. Her composure breaks completely, embarrassment flooding her features. She stammers something unintelligible, bows hastily, and flees the cafeteria at a speed that doesn't match her earlier elegance. The clicking of her heels fades.
There's an awkward silence.
[Wright] "That was mean."
[Liora] "Vesper, really."
[Eldrin] "You could have been gentler."
[Seraphina] "The poor girl was just excited."
[Lucien] "Unnecessarily harsh."
Even Sylphaeris nods in agreement.
[Sylphaeris] "You hurt her feelings."
Vesper actually looks bothered by this. She sets down her pastry, frowning.
[Vesper] "I didn't... I mean..."
Supreme Mage Lysara seizes the opportunity.
[Lysara] "Perhaps you could make up for it by giving a lecture? It would mean a great deal to the students. And to Miss Virelle."
Vesper groans, dropping her head onto the table with a dull thud.
[Vesper] "Fine. Fine! One lecture. But nothing in the morning. I'm not doing it if I have to wake up early."
[Lysara] "Afternoon works perfectly."
Sylphaeris, who's been watching this exchange with amusement, suddenly perks up.
[Sylphaeris] "Oh! If you're looking for lecturers, Wright would be an excellent candidate as well."
I blink.
[Wright] "What?"
[Sylphaeris] "You have a deep understanding of how magic works. There's no one who understands magic more fundamentally than you do."
Supreme Mage Lysara's head snaps toward me. Her violet eyes focus with an intensity that's actually kind of unsettling. Her fingers stop their rhythmic tapping entirely.
[Lysara] "Would you be willing to teach a class?"
[Yuki] "I want to attend!"
[Aiko] "Me too!"
[Takeshi] "That would be interesting."
[Vesper] "Yeah, you have to teach too. I can't be the only one who has to suffer."
I'm not sure about this.
[Wright] "I don't really teach. I just use magic based on my own instinct and observation. I'm not sure how helpful that would be."
[Sylphaeris] "That's exactly why it would be helpful. You have a completely different perspective on magic than anyone else. You approach it from first principles, from understanding the underlying mechanisms rather than just following established techniques."
[Lysara] "It would be invaluable. A fresh perspective, especially from someone spoken about in the Goddess's oracle and endorsed by the Spirit Queen, would be extraordinary."
[Wright] "I mean... if you think it would actually be useful for the students..."
We spend the rest of the meal hammering out the details. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. I'll be handling a special morning lecture on magic theory, and Vesper—under heavy protest—will handle the afternoon session on artifacts.
As we finish, the kids head off toward the main hall for their classes, their excitement palpable. Supreme Mage Lysara excuses herself to inform the faculty about the special lectures and make arrangements, leaving the rest of us to head back to the mansion.
I look at the floating towers above us, feeling a bit of nervousness. I came here to be a spectator, and now I have a lesson plan to think about.