After wandering around the Academy for over ten minutes, Alicia finally found the Academy Cafeteria using the map provided.
At this moment, all seven hundred or so students of the Academy were gathered in the same dining hall. The sight, however, appeared somewhat sparse.
After all, anyone who saw that the strongest Duelist Academy on the continent had fewer than seven hundred students would probably think, 'Isn't that number a bit too small?' Each grade had barely three hundred students on average.
Seeing this, Yuui wondered… was the Academy's educational philosophy focused on quality over quantity?
No one could answer that question for now. Perhaps he would find out through future classes.
The vast cafeteria was divided into three sections, one for each grade. Each section had two long iron dining tables stretching from end to end, covered in all sorts of mouthwatering dishes.
Looking at the scene, Yuui felt a strange sense of familiarity, as if he had seen something like it in a movie once. Albeit it had been so long that he couldn't recall the title anymore.
As the students of each grade settled into their respective areas, the instructors entered the room to help first-year students find their seats. Some were even allowed to sit together if they got along.
However, when Alicia chose a seat where many delicious-looking dishes were placed, the nearby students immediately shuffled away from her as if avoiding a plague.
Alicia was used to this by now, so her attention remained fixed on the food.
Ignoring the stares, she eagerly grabbed a chicken leg and a piece of lobster tempura, nibbling happily.
"What a savage way to eat! Truly uncultured!"
"Hmph, a 'Nameless One' is still a 'Nameless One.' No matter how strong she is, she's still someone with no manners!"
"She eats like a beggar… it's disgusting!"
"And she's eating the cheapest food too! It seems this 'Nameless One' really has no taste at all!"
"To think someone like that actually beat a second-year student. Maybe that guy was just weak!"
"Shhh, keep your voice down! That guy was the fourth son of Marquis Arce. If you insult him, he might challenge you next!"
The chatter around her didn't affect Alicia's appetite in the slightest.
To her, life's greatest pleasures boiled down to two things: shopping and eating.
And both required money, which meant that aside from Duel Cards, her next favorite thing in the world was a shiny gold coin.
Now that she could enjoy a hearty dinner for free, Alicia was in pure bliss. As she ate, she mentally calculated the value of every item she consumed.
"Chicken leg, seven copper coins!"
"Lobster tempura, eight copper coins!"
"Cheesecake, eight copper coins!"
"Fried pork cutlet, one silver coin!"
"Cheese steak, three silver coins!"
"Grilled lamb chops, four silver coins!"
"Tuna sashimi, five silver coins!!"
One after another, dishes that noble students would consider cheap disappeared into Alicia's bottomless stomach, as she kept eating while calculating how much she'd need to eat to make back her tuition.
Eventually, Yuui couldn't bear to watch any longer and stopped her.
After all, while everyone else was eating peacefully, Alicia's enthusiasm was drawing way too much attention.
She gave Yuui a pitiful glance while still picking up another piece of lobster tempura with her fork, ready to take a bite.
Just then, at the front of the dining hall, where the instructors and faculty heads were seated, the handsome white-bearded Headmaster appeared once more through a teleportation circle.
Seeing him, Alicia reluctantly set down her food, wiped her greasy lips with a napkin, and stood up with the others to face the Headmaster.
When she lifted her head, she immediately noticed that the Headmaster's gaze seemed to fall directly on her. She shrank her neck, looking like a child caught misbehaving.
The moment the Headmaster appeared, Yuui—who had been hovering at her side—returned into Alicia's Deck.
Noticing his sudden retreat, Alicia asked telepathically, "Yuui-san, what's wrong?"
"I'm not sure, but I think the Headmaster can see me."
"Eh? The Headmaster can see you? But Yuui-san, you told me before that no one could see you unless you allowed it—except for certain special beings!"
"Do you not consider a former member of the Three Sages, once the strongest Archmagus on the continent, a 'special being'?"
"Uh... that's true! Then, what should we do? If he finds out who you really are..."
"Nothing. We just act normal. I'm not that person. Besides, that imposter never showed his face publicly. Even if the Headmaster can see me, he shouldn't mistake me for him."
"Oh... right!"
With Yuui's reasoning, Alicia's tension faded, and she straightened her back again, looking toward the Headmaster with renewed confidence.
Headmaster Crowley smiled faintly at her reaction, then began his speech.
Though called a speech, it was mostly a repeat of his earlier welcome for the first-year students. He spoke about studying hard, mastering the knowledge taught at the Academy, and one day summoning a Duel Monster Spirit suited to oneself during the Summoning Test—to become a stronger Duelist.
After saying his piece, Headmaster Crowley finally raised his glass and laughed heartily. "Everyone, let us once again welcome our new students! Cheers!!"
"Cheers!!"
All present raised their glasses, and laughter and chatter filled the hall once more.
...
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