Upon seeing this, everyone hurriedly shook their heads repeatedly.
Laxana sneered, “In that case, why aren’t you eating? Why are you looking at us?”
Everyone became as well-behaved as kindergarten children, hurriedly lowering their heads.
Not a single person dared to look up again, burying their faces in their trays as they attacked the chicken legs and bread — which were hard enough to be used as bricks — as if they were the most delicious delicacies in the world.
Laxana snorted before turning to the dumbfounded Venti.
“The flies have been dealt with. Let’s go.”
Having said that, she took the lead and walked out.
Venti didn’t dare to delay either, hurriedly stepping out to follow closely behind.
The Prince’s head was buzzing.
He never expected that the chirping little sparrow usually seen beside Astreia would act like a “Lightning Overlord” at the Academy.
Such powerful dominance and confidence were truly shocking.
But for Venti, this was clearly not good news.
One Astreia was already enough of a headache, and now there was Laxana, who would electrocute someone at the drop of a hat.
He began to worry about his destiny tonight.
It wasn’t until the three figures completely disappeared from the dining hall entrance that everyone in the hall let out a synchronized sigh of relief, and the noisy chatter broke out once again.
Athena looked toward the door and then at her classmates, shaking her head with a helpless sigh.
“That… should be the Eldest Princess of the Valoran Kingdom, Princess Astreia, right? I heard she repelled over 100,000 Orcs at Sunset Fortress… Sigh, we finally managed to trick a smart and handsome boy into being our boss. It’s a pity; we haven’t even caught a whiff of the meat before someone took the whole pot away…”
The other girls from her class beside her recalled how high-spirited Venti had been in the classroom, acting as if he ruled the world, and compared it to his current submissive state before the two big shots.
They all nodded in agreement.
In everyone’s hearts, a wave of infinite sympathy surged for Venti’s plight.
‘The boss already belongs to someone else, and there are two of them! Each one is more troublesome than the last!’
No wonder he had no interest in grand ambitions like forming a gang or dominating the Academy; his spirit had clearly been drained long ago, and he just wanted to lie down and be a salted fish.
Poor Venti had no idea that in the hearts of his newly recruited subordinates, he had already become a boy-toy kept by rich women, a man who had lost his dreams.
At this moment, the Prince followed Laxana step by step, feeling his skin crawl under Astreia’s scrutinizing gaze.
The three of them passed through the rugged buildings of the Military Branch, turning through several quiet alleys.
Finally, Laxana stopped before an unremarkable side door.
She skillfully pushed it open and slipped inside, gesturing for Venti to follow.
Venti followed with an uneasy heart, only to be stunned by the sight before him.
He found himself standing in a magnificent hall that rivaled a royal palace’s banquet hall.
Above him was a finely crafted silver-plated ceiling, and a massive crystal chandelier reflected a brilliant yet soft light.
Detailed landscape oil paintings hung on the walls, and beneath his feet was a polished marble floor.
Every detail here silently spoke of ultimate luxury and extravagance.
Venti was stunned for a long time before he finally found his voice.
“W — What is this place?”
Laxana raised an eyebrow in surprise, looking at him as if he were a country bumpkin.
“This is our Mage Academy’s dining hall.”
“D — Dining hall?”
Venti choked.
Only then did he notice that exquisite mahogany tables and chairs were indeed arranged around the hall.
Many students and teachers, dressed in magnificent magic robes and armor engraved with complex Magic Patterns, were sitting there eating.
Along the wall at the far end of the hall, a long buffet table covered with a snow-white tablecloth was lined with an array of food and drinks.
From sizzling grilled meats to colorful desserts, everything was available for people to take as they pleased.
The air was filled with the enticing aroma of food.
One didn’t even need to taste it; just smelling it revealed that these dishes were made from the freshest, high-quality ingredients, meticulously prepared by master chefs.
Venti couldn’t help but sigh deeply, feeling a wave of powerlessness wash over him.
‘Comparing people only leads to frustration; comparing goods only leads to throwing them away.’
The Mage Academy’s gilded dining hall was a world apart from the Military Branch’s canteen, which looked like a literal battlefield.
A strong sense of indignation welled up within him.
‘These guys from the Mage Academy are definitely misappropriating public funds! Corruption! This is blatant corruption!’
‘I wonder how much of a reward I’d get if I reported this to the Academy’s Disciplinary Committee right now?’
Laxana was incredibly sharp.
One look at the Prince’s shifting eyes, and she knew he was up to no good again.
“Enough, stop plotting trouble,” she said, flicking Venti’s forehead irritably.
“Use that clever head of yours to think. Anyone can pick up a cleaver and become a soldier, or grab a donkey and become a knight. But a true Mage — what level of talent and effort is required to train one?”
“Our numbers are few, and our abilities are outstanding. In any country, we are honored guests that kings, princes, and nobles must treat with respect. So, it’s only natural that our treatment is a bit more generous.”
Venti gestured exaggeratedly at his surroundings, sounding indignant.
“I don’t think this is just ‘a bit more generous’! Who knows how much of the people’s blood and sweat went into this!”
Laxana was amused by his display.
She simply rolled her eyes, too lazy to argue.
“Well, are you going to eat or not?”
At the mention of “eating,” Venti immediately rolled up his sleeves, his face instantly switching to an expression of deep-seated resentment.
“I’ll eat! Of course, I’m going to eat! Not only am I eating, but I’m going to eat until I burst!”
His vivid look of frustration made even Astreia, who had been maintaining a somewhat cold and aloof posture due to the unfamiliar environment, burst into a giggle.
She pulled a circular badge carved with patterns of flames and ice crystals from her robe and handed it to Venti.
“This is a Passage Badge from the Magic Association. With this, you can come here to eat whenever you want. Don’t lose it.”
Venti looked at the badge shimmering with magical radiance under the lights, and tears of gratitude welled up in his eyes.
‘Empty pleasantries are nothing compared to a massive windfall! This is true concern!’
He solemnly tucked the badge into his robe, keeping it close to his chest.
Then, he slapped his chest hard, radiating an aura of heroic spirit.
“Speak! What do you want me to do? Whether it’s climbing a mountain of blades, plunging into a sea of fire, committing murder, or arson, I, Venti Black, will not bat an eye!”
Astreia and Laxana exchanged a glance.
Seeing him ready to sell his soul for a single meal left them both caught between laughter and tears.
Then, Miss Klein seized the opportunity, giving Astreia a playful wink.
After receiving a look of silent permission from the Princess Royal, she quietly leaned toward Venti’s ear.
Her warm breath, accompanied by her unique fragrance, brushed softly against the Prince’s ear, making him shiver involuntarily.
Laxana spoke in a low voice, almost a whisper, filled with ambiguity and temptation.
“Then… tonight, make sure to ‘feed’ us well, okay?”
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