Lunch break. One of the most important moments of the day for a student. It was the moment for them to share a meal with others in order to learn more about them and deepen your bonds. Talia’s school had a cafeteria, where one could eat. It was big enough to accommodate every student. The food was also balanced and quite tasty. Because a lot of nationalities lived in Pacifica, The food was generally also very varied. If a student still didn't want to eat there, there was also the possibility of bringing a lunchbox. Generally, Talia and the others were eating at the cafétaria.

“Let’s go eat.” Talia stood up while smiling toward Sanya. Normally, the two girls were also eating with William and Arthur. Talia’s goal was to keep them at bay, but she could not do it too forcefully. Her plan was to have them tell themselves the reason behind their friendliness. She was pretty sure that they had other motives. However, there was also the probabilities that they really wanted to only be friends. If their feelings were rejected and they still wanted to remain, then Talia would not say no. If she could preserve a possible relation she would at least try.

“Yes.” Sanya answered back and turned her head in the direction of the two boys. Arthur and William were already going toward them. Arthur was still simple in his expression while William had an aloof expression. With Talia at the front, Sanya on her side and the two boys behind them, they went to the cafétaria. Of course, Talia didn’t remember the localisation, so she relied on something important: her instinct!

She already went there in the past. She just had to follow her instinct to take her there. In the past 50 years, she learned to trust a lot her instinct.

In the end, following her instinct was the right choice. Even Talia was quite amazed. The place was quite crowded, but they still managed to take a plate with their lunch on it and find a table for four. Arthur and William chose the same thing. Fried vegetable with pork. As for Sanya and Talia, they each chose pasta with sauce. Then, Talia opened her bag for some reasons, Seeing this, William sighed and Arthur and Sanya had a wry smile. Talia with a big smile took out a chocolate bar, an apple-flavored candy stick and a few fruits candies. The other three knew of her unique taste. Talia liked sweet things a bit too much. She basically ate sweets every day. Once, she had a blood analysis and her sugar level was thrice the average. The thing was that she did not get fat.

‘Looking at this, it looks like she is really Talia. Wait...Isn’t it too much?!’ William watched with amazement when Talia kept taking out sweets. Another chocolate bar, a bread filled with pieces of strawberries, a donut, and so on…

Even Sanya was looking agape. It was at least twice the usual amount! Soon, the plate was covered with sweets of all kinds. William was sick just by looking at the amount, while Arthur was too amazed to think. Sanya was looking with a bit of envy. Sure, she was surprised by the quantity, but she knew that if it was Talia it was not so strange. She was envious because she also liked sweets a lot, but she put on weight too easily. So, she could not eat as much as Talia. Even so, a little bit would not hurt…

Noticing her, Talia handed her the bread filled with strawberries. “Here. I know you love the Breadberries with strawberries. I also have with blueberries if you want.”

“A-Ah, no...thanks.” Sanya wanted to refuse but she really liked this brand. It was a bread filled with pieces of a fruit like strawberries, blueberries and so on. It was quite popular and tasty. Sanya liked fruits and sweets, so this easily became one of her favorites sweets.

The four of them ate silently afterward. After a moment, Talia was the only one that was still eating. She finished sweets one after another. At this moment…

“Talia!” A shouting akin to a roar resounded through the cafétaria. The other students looked in the direction of the roar.

“Isn’t that Sarah and her two friends?”

“Yes, Sarah, Lucy and Tiang. She came to make fun of Talia once again. But why is she so angry?”

“I heard that Talia replied back and scared the three of them. It happened in Talia’s classroom.”

Rumors circulated quickly in a school. Talia didn't know a lot of people, but a lot of people heard about her. Unfortunately, as a bullied student. A lot were too afraid to stop Sarah. Somes tried telling the teachers, but their actions were only to the extent of telling her that it was not really nice to bully. So the majority gave up and they could only act as if they saw nothing.

Sarah was walking at large strides toward Talia. Talia still had a chocolate bar in her mouth and her right hand, and caramel candies in her other hand. She only turned her head in Sarah’s direction while munching. When she arrived at her table she glared furiously. “I hope you will not run away after school, I want to have a nice ‘chat’ with you”

Talia with an expressionless face and with candies in her mouth replied. “Nom nom (sure)” She nodded to be sure her message went through. Her action enraged Sarah again. She still held back because she will be able to vent after school. She smiled coldly. “Perfect, come to the Ability Test Chamber after school.”

Nearly every school had a room where they could test their abilities. The room was created by the Ability Regulation Union. Its purpose was to let students train without risk. Normally this place was off limits if not during school time, so the fact she appointed the meeting there signified that she obtained the key. This shocked everyone. Talia was very in danger now. Sarah will be able to use her ability to the fullest there.

‘Ability Test Chamber? ...Where is it?’ Talia never went there because she had not an ability. Of course, she didn’t know where it was. ‘I will ask a teacher when I will justify my absence.’ Talia needed to justify why she was absent for a week. However, she would not tell the first lie that she created for her family. In her story, she basically ditched school in order to explore. She will just tell that she was sick.

Sanya’s face was filled with worries. She gathered her courage and spoke up. “S-Sarah! You can’t!”

Sarah turned her head to look at her. She simply kept her arrogant smile. “Why? I just want a friend of mine to help me with my training. It’s not like she will die or something.” Sarah was not stupid enough as to go so far as to kill someone. But, injuries could be explained as ‘accidents’. This was her aim since the start.

Talia finished her last candy and drank the remaining of the water in her glass. She rubbed her stomach in happiness and whispered in joy. “This taste, it’s been a while…” She finally could speak!

“Er...Sirih, right? I will be at the Chamber 10 minutes after the last period. I need to justify my leave.”

“My name is Sarah! hmmph!” She snorted and turned around to leave. She was not afraid of Talia asking help from a teacher. Even if a teacher came she would only be lectured. But, She would still continue to torment Talia. Her eyes flashed with viciousness as she walked away. “Don’t run away.”

Sanya turned to look at Talia. Her eyebrows were arched in worry and her small fist was clenched. Talia also looked at her with a peaceful face. She rubbed the back of her head to ease her “Its ok. I will settle everything later.”

Her voice was warm and the look in her eyes calmed Sanya. Then, Talia’s gaze, like the rest of the students, landed on the leaving Sarah’s back. Her face turned devoid of emotions. ‘Nevertheless, She still made Sanya worries and badmouthed her this morning. I attended to end this by only shattering her pity pride, but it seems necessary to teach her the consequences of her actions.’

Sanya caught a glimpse of the change on Talia’s face. She recalled William’s question in the morning. ‘I’m sure it’s Talia….but, is it really the Talia that I remember?’ Her question will be answered in a near future.