As morning passed, lunchtime approached.
Countless footsteps hurried toward the cafeteria as if they had been waiting for this moment.
Hungry stomachs demanded relief, and workers paused their ongoing tasks to gather, quickly filling the cafeteria to capacity.
Sweat and grease-covered faces—these were the maintenance and facility staff of the academy.
“Ugh! They want us to overhaul all the plumbing from the dorms to the main building? I’m gonna die from overwork, I swear!”
“Hang in there. This is always the busiest season, you know?”
It was spring—a time of warm breezes and blooming flowers.
With spring came the entrance ceremony for new students, now just around the corner.
As the event that marked the beginning of the academic year, the academy staff worked tirelessly to prepare everything perfectly for the incoming freshmen.
With an overwhelming pile of tasks, noon was their only chance to catch their breath.
“The reason we’re preparing so much more grandly than last year must be because this year’s batch is the most exceptional in history, right?”
“Probably. Rumor has it the daughter of the Hero will recite the freshman oath.”
“Just the Hero? Didn’t we get notice a while back that a dragon would enroll its heir?”
“I can’t believe the Dragon Lord would send his precious daughter, raised like a jewel, to our academy.”
“Not to mention the Saintess from Lindain, the shrine maiden from the distant East, and the top disciple raised by the Witch of Annihilation. With all these prodigies gathering, it’s bound to be spectacular.”
They couldn’t afford to look inadequate in front of such globally renowned figures.
That’s why the staff were desperately pushing through their murderous workload.
Though they groaned in exhaustion, they were skilled enough to handle their duties.
“Wellton Academy really lives up to its name as the world’s top hero-training institution, attracting talent from everywhere.”
“No kidding. There’s even a rumor that lowly workers like us are secretly powerful.”
“Pfft! If we had that kind of strength, we’d be working for the knight order or a guild. Right, Tao?”
“Uh… yeah, I guess.”
The conversation reached me, sitting alone in a corner.
Though sudden, I nodded vaguely to show agreement.
They probably included me out of pity for my lonely meal.
I appreciated their kindness, but I had no energy for friendly chatter—not with them lingering around me.
“Disciple, quit the small talk and eat! We’ve got sparring after this, and we can’t be late!”
“Hey! Why won’t you disappear? Last time you ‘sparred,’ you beat the kid half to death and ruined my lesson plan!”
“His stamina is lacking. Soon, I’ll forge him into a body that won’t falter from fatigue.”
“The lively atmosphere is wonderful! Though I’m even more excited for the viper-handling session this afternoon!”
‘I wish they’d all just disappear.’