Keiko and Idatte walked with an enthusiasm, full of energy that, although foreign to Shou, managed to transmit a slight sense of distraction to him.
The conversation flowed at such a rapid pace that, for a moment, his thoughts faded, allowing him to enjoy the moment.
The trio advanced through the academy hallways, and at the end of the corridor stood a large open door, guarded by a robust knight.
His beard grew thick and his face bore several scars, but his eyes didn't reflect as much harshness.
Upon seeing them, he raised a hand in an informal greeting and spoke to them with a deep voice.
"If you don't hurry up, the others will finish all the food!"
Idatte, upon hearing the warning, showed a feline expression and, without wasting a second, hurried towards the entrance, waving his hand at the knight while shouting in a tone of complicity.
"Thanks!"
Keiko, surprised by her friend's speed, ran after him, perhaps hoping to save some food before Idatte hoarded everything.
Shou also quickened his pace to join the others.
As he entered the dining hall, he noticed the atmosphere wasn't as heavy as he had imagined. The noise of plates clashing and voices filled the cafeteria.
The place was full of young people, most of them students from his own high school. Youthful energy floated in the air, with boys and girls between adolescence and early adulthood, many of them still with lives that lacked true excitement or purpose. They were the first to adapt to the new situation, ready to turn the situation into something positive.
'Without a doubt, it must be a fantastic feeling to enter the world of your favorite game.' Shou thought with slight mockery, adopting a distant look.
He observed his surroundings and noticed there weren't only students from his high school, but also some faces he recognized from the area near his school.
'Could it be that the transport criterion is based on our location on Earth?'
Yesterday, while analyzing the students around him, he had already noticed the coincidence. Most of his classmates were there, but he had decided not to get too involved, knowing he didn't maintain a close relationship with any of them.
'No doubt, that's definitely it.'
Suddenly, a shrill scream snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Come on, Idatte, leave some for me!" Keiko struggled with all her might to pull a roasted chicken leg away from her friend's food tray, who seemed to have hoarded it mercilessly.
The boy, unable to help it, snorted at the scene, thinking about his future meals. On impulse, he walked towards the table, determined to get some food before everything disappeared.
Shou looked at the tray in front of him, noting the grilled meat that seemed to have been carefully cooked. Next to it, a steaming bowl of rice emanated a familiar aroma.
However, the texture of the meat was somewhat strange, as if it were prepared with unknown ingredients.
Buuurp!
Idatte let out a satisfied burp.
His stomach seemed about to burst, but his expression denoted absolute pleasure as he observed his now completely empty tray.
"That was quite delicious!" He exclaimed, with a wide smile on his face, as if he had tasted something much more than simple food.
For a moment, he let out an internal sigh, observing the speed with which Idatte devoured everything around him.
'I wish I could eat like that.' He thought, remembering that his taste buds were too powerful to feel and distinguish.
'If I really ate that way, I'd end up vomiting from the amount of flavors.'
"It was a good idea to fight over the food." Keiko smiled, looking at Shou who, calmly, continued eating. "You eat quite slowly, don't you?"
"I like to enjoy my food." Shou replied without looking up, his eyes fixed on his plate as he took his time.
"How did you find the meat?" She asked.
"Not bad... It has a flavor... A bit peculiar." Shou responded, slightly frowning.
"It's meat from a local creature. I was surprised too when I first tried it." Idatte explained, his voice full of confidence.
Shou raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, making Idatte realize he had exposed himself.
"D-Damn it..." He sighed reluctantly. "You caught me, yesterday, I stole some meat, I couldn't sleep on an empty stomach! Keep it secret, okay?"
'What nonsense...' He snorted.
"And by the way, Sugawa..." Idatte looked at Shou with curiosity. "What were you doing when you were transported?"
Shou paused for a moment, wiped his mouth with the napkin, and upon remembering, reflected for an instant.
"I was simply in my classroom, listening to everyone talk about Primera Online. You?"
Idatte shrugged, smiling mischievously.
"I...! I think I was leaving my merchandise in the bathroom!" He said in such a loud way that it almost became a shout, which made several people in the dining hall turn to look at them and join in the laughter.
Shou observed the scene with a slight frown.
'How uncomfortable... He really is the class clown.' He thought, seeing his companion's attitudes.
When both of their eyes turned to Keiko, Shou noticed that she, visibly uncomfortable, avoided his gaze.
A few drops of sweat ran down her cheek.
"I... I don't remember." Keiko made an innocent gesture, trying to divert the conversation's attention, but Idatte, with a mocking smile, looked directly at her.
"Don't believe her. Before going to the bathroom, I saw her handing a love letter to a boy a year older." Idatte didn't shout this time, respecting her space, but still teased her, imitating a kiss in the air.
Shou smiled slightly seeing the boy's gestures.
Idatte earned a hit on the head and Keiko left him sore for a while.
Finally, after the food was completely consumed, the three prepared to get up and take the trays to the shelf, when they heard the sound of metallic footsteps resonating on the floor.
Instinctively, the three turned towards the source of the sound.
It was Lady Elisandora, accompanied by Jarou and Egredi.
They approached with an imposing presence, and upon stopping in front of the crowd, Elisandora observed how the atmosphere seemed more relaxed than the previous day. Although there was still some uncertainty in the students' eyes, there was no longer the same palpable tension as before.
Her eyes briefly rested on Shou, and her smile widened upon noticing that he seemed calmer, less withdrawn.
'Even the most problematic ones are susceptible to people with simple auras.' She thought, as if remembering something.
"It's good to see you enjoying your stay here." She clapped with a kind smile. "Taking advantage of the fact that we're all gathered, I want to announce that, after breakfast, I want you to gather in the courtyard to talk about what you hope to do in the future."
Shou frowned, his eyes narrowing as he remembered the almost-exams from his high school, those that focused on future plans.
"We've been gathering information about your world by talking to the people who arrived, and it seems many of you were about to finish your education, ready to enter a more specialized training period."
Elisandora adopted a thoughtful expression and continued.
"Here we also have universities, but not all the knowledge you have in your world is taught here, so I want to offer you similar options that might exist in this world. From what I know, it's a somewhat common practice in your world. Vocational guidance is its name, isn't it?"
The students around Shou's age nodded upon hearing these words.
"As for the younger ones, those who haven't yet reached the maturity your society considers adequate, we still have a school period. However, the education provided in the kingdom might not be as advanced as what you receive in your world. Still, we hope to be able to teach you what you're missing. Perhaps, in a few months, you'll be ready to graduate by our standards."
The murmur grew among the high school students.
'Did I really strive for years to get good grades only for these kids to graduate this way?'
It was a collective thought, and Shou couldn't help but frown.
'She has to be joking.'
"Bah, everyone gets angry over nonsense. I didn't come here to worry about things like that." Idatte shrugged, with his usual carefree attitude.
'Eugh, this guy was probably the worst in his class...' He thought, but said nothing. He simply followed the flow of the conversation.
Elisandora noticed the chain reaction and a somewhat forced smile formed on her face as she closed her eyes.
"C-Come on, don't get angry about this decision. Just remember that older people are always more prepared. No need to get worked up."
An amused laugh escaped Jarou, and Elisandora shot him a warning look, but seeing that people had been amused by Jarou's gesture, she decided not to intervene.
"Well, that's all. See you outside!" Elisandora announced, and without further ado, left the room along with her assistant.
Jarou, for his part, approached to beg for some food from the students, joining the dining hall with his relaxed attitude.
Shou stood up with his tray, followed by his two companions, as he immersed himself in his thoughts once again.