The cafeteria was one of the most popular place in the whole institute. Due to its size, it could house more than 400 people at maximum but since people are usually not comfortable at sharing seats, it would usually contain approximately 200 students when full.

There were electronic machines that are placed in the edges of the cafeteria where people could order and pay for their food. If the customers have installed the application for food service on their gadgets, the food would be delivered to their tables. Otherwise, the customers would need to go to the front counter and wait for their order.

Currently, there were only a few people in the cafeteria but the numbers are continuously increasing. The reason for this was that it was almost 15:00. There were almost no classes that are scheduled during that time, unless there was an ongoing exam or competition so it is the usual break time for everyone. Cyziel and Lucia was currently waiting in one of the long dining tables that could normally seat 8 people at once.

"I haven't asked you yet but I heard you also recently transferred in this school. Why did you enrolled late?" Cyziel asked. He was sitting on the chair opposite Lucia.

"My uncle was re-assigned to work here in Styrtan Village so I also moved with him." Lucia answered.

"Uncle? What about you parents?"

"Uhh."Lucia groaned. She lowered her head, closed her eyes and massaged her forehead. She remembered the images she saw in the labyrinth. It was causing her to feel dizzy.

"Are you alright?" Cyziel reached out his hand towards Lucia.

Lucia lightly shoved Cyziel's hand away. "I'm alright. I just remembered something." She then stared sadly at Cyziel. "My parents didn't return after an expedition."

"Ah! I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked that." Cyziel lowered his eyes and bit his lips. He wasn't really sure what to say but he could still sympathize. It was not because some close to him die. Their race reproduce slowly but they also live for a long time. He was only alive for more than a decade so he really never experienced a relative die. Instead, it was in Daraksta. There were only 5 of them who escaped there but it didn't mean that he only met 4 other people.

He did get acquainted with some other people. Just the virtue of them trying to survive together was enough to forge a bond. Sadly, most of them actually died before he really learned to know about them.

Lucia shook her head. "Its fine. Do you want to order some food? The others might be arriving soon." She changed the topic not wanting to let Cyziel feel guilty. Moreover, she also did not want to think about it.

"Yeah sure! What do you want to eat? Let me treat you for today! I'll order it for you!" Cyziel stood up.

"You don't really need--" Lucia saw Cyziel's forceful smile and stopped herself. "Alright. I'll have a salgree and rice plus a corana salad."

"Sounds great! I'll probably get one myself. I'll be back in a minute." Cyziel walked away and went to one of the electronic machines.

"Salgree... Salgree... It should be this one! Fish with fatty green meat."

"Rice? Based on my understanding, it is a type of grain. There are many grains growing here in Venturia but I guess it is the plain white one."

"Corana salad? They even make a salad of this one these days? Well looks great to me. Alright. Two orders for everything."

Cyziel then connected his watch to the machine to pay for the order. "I probably need to do some work for money. Well, I could try to convert pure aether into crystals since I regenerate aether and essences too fast though it might not be that easy."

Energy Crystals and Elemental Gems are naturally formed from pure energies and essences. It was not easy to purify them. It was even harder to condense them into a physical form. The requirement for it would be the ability to gather those energies and essences very quickly, an almost perfect control and a very high affinity to them. Luckily, Cyziel checks all those boxes. It should be remembered that he got the highest color in the affinity exam. Still, it would probably take a lot of work and focus to create one so it might be as a last resort.

Cyziel went back to their table and he saw that it was already filled. The people that he was waiting for was already there.

"Cy! What happened?" Ortix ran up to him. He then circled around him while observing him. "Who hurt you? Are you alright?"

"Okay! Stop exaggerating Ort!" Cyziel pushed Ortix away.

Volus who was still sitting on his chair, looked back at Cyziel, mentally sending a message. *You better tell us the truth*

*Alright. Alright. We will talk about it later.* Cyziel sent back.

Ru was standing at the back of Ortix, pouting. She didn't know how to react since Ortix got to Cyziel before her. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Its just a little headache nothing more." Cyziel replied. "Let's sit down first!"

There were currently 14 of them. There were five in Vera's group. Cyziel, Vera, Ru, Rika and Jorak. Another five from Draka's group. Draka, Lucia, Mary, Estelle and Lily. Finally, there were four from Ortix' group. Ortix, Volus, Talas and Ayri. Since the table has only a capacity for 8, they moved the other table on the side to join the two tables together. Cyziel was sitting somewhere in the middle with Ru on his left and Ortix on his right. Lucia still sat in front of him.

"We heard that some chemicals caused your whole class to lose consciousness," Draka grinned. "but that was bullshit right? I doubt you would have actually fallen from that."

"Draka!" Lucia called out.

"Okay. Okay. But I am not the only one who wants to know." Draka rolled her eyes around.

Everyone was actually curious or just concerned on what happened. They were staring at Cyziel quietly, waiting for him to talk.

Cyziel sighed, feeling defeated. "Ha....Okay.... I lost control for a bit."

"Explain." Volus seriously uttered.

"Lost control of what?" Rika inquired. Her friends already explained to her what happened in the underground cave but seeing is different from hearing. She still do not really understand Cyziel's capabilities.

"Its the abyssal power I absorbed before. It kind of went berserk but believe me. It is okay now." Cyziel forced a smile, trying to get the others not to worry about him.

Volus was alerted as he heard about the abyss. He looked at him wanting to say something but he thought that it would be better to talk with him personally.

Ortix felt the same. He did not believe that Cyziel was telling the truth but he thought that Cyziel just doesn't trust everyone here. After all, Ortix himself has never trusted anyone here other than his two friends.

Vera shook her head and Ru silently stared down. They have only known him for a few weeks but they already somehow understand him. Looking at his expression, they knew that he was hiding something. From their experience with him, Cyziel would always first try to tackle everything by himself. Moreover, they could somehow understand that it was something dangerous because it was related to the abyss.

Draka was already reprimanded by Lucia so she kept her words to herself while Jorak, who almost died fighting creatures that were corrupted by the abyss, knew that it was nothing simple.

As for the other people in Draka's group, they don't really know Cyziel that well so they only kept quiet. Since Lucia might also knew what actually happened, they thought that they could maybe learn it from her instead.

"I don't really understand. What are you guys talking about?" Talas suddenly asked.

Ayri nudged Talas with her elbow. *Take a hint!*

Talas looked around and saw the people's serious expressions. Embarrassed, he looked down and kept quiet.

"Excuse me! Two orders of salgree with rice and corana salad." Two men suddenly arrived. Each one of them were pushing a cart containing plates with food. Their arrival was timely as it broke the serious atmosphere around the group.

"That's for us." Lucia raised her hand. "The other one is for him." She pointed at Cyziel.

The man used magic to levitate the food and place them in front of Lucia and Cyziel.

"Is this roasted gribbit also for this table?" The man asked.

"Ah! That's for me." Estelle shouted.

"You guys already ordered?" Cyziel asked.

"Yep. We actually did before looking where the two of you are." Jorak answered.

The two men continued serving the food for the rest before leaving and going back at the front counter. The group of 14 started to have their lunch.

"Mmmm.... Food here does really taste good. I probably should have ordered more." Ortix has almost finished his food.

Volus snorted. "You can order more if you can start paying for yourself."

"Ah! Does Ortix not have money? I could trea-" Ayri uttered.

"Do not spoil that guy." Volus interrupted.

Cyziel laughed. "Just let him eat but Ort, we really need to look for some work."

"Work? No! I am not working!" Ortix protested.

"Then are you going to start stealing again?" Volus jested.

"No! I could try gambling! Is there any gambling area here?" Ortix asked.

"Oh yes! I know a place." Jorak proudly straightened his chest.

"Are you talking about the Dusmun gambling complex?" Mary concerningly asked.

"You know about it? Yes. That's the one."

"That place is not good. You could be cheated there. People kill each other there for money!" Mary warned.

As there is a place for the rich and successful where the likes of Ru's and Vera's family lived, there is also a place for the poor and ungifted. They are the people who were not lucky to be born in a good family. It was even worse that they are not talented with magic or combat arts. This means that their affinity with the supernatural energies and essences are not high.

There last hope is to be able to scrap some aether crystals or hunt for creatures in the forest. Of course, it was easier said than done. As for the Dusmun gambling complex, it is an area that is partly located in the Styrtan slums. It is not known who actually owns the place but it was said that it was owned by an organization. It promised the chance for people to change their life. People could earn a lot with just a little bit of money. Needless to say, it was just a sort of a scam. It only kept the poor even poorer. The chances to win are so slim that the only true winner was whoever owned the gambling business.

"Sounds like a perfect place for me!" Ortix started to laugh. He was no foreigner to cheating. After all, he didn't really lived a clean life. Cheating was also a form of stealing which he actually excelled at.

"Its not really that dangerous. Just don't go there at night, specially if you are by yourself." Jorak grinned. "We could go there together if you want!"

Mary snorted. "Don't say that I didn't warn you!"

"If you guys are really looking for work then maybe I could help." Ru interjected. "I think my parents might know some people."

"Hmph!" Vera looked at Cyziel. "With your skills, you won't really have a problem getting a job. Even my parents would find you impress--" Vera suddenly stopped then chuckled.

"Vera you are looking scary!" Rika said.

Vera noticed the people around her staring at her. She immediately returned to her composed image. "Its nothing. I just thought of my parents."

Jorak shivered. "Oh! Those scary parents of yours. I remember your mother's frowning eyes, scrutinizing me when you introduced us as your groupmates."

"You are exaggerating! Aunt Verna is not scary!" Ru shouted.

"That's because her parents already knew you." Rika chipped in.

"Ru! There is no need for you to defend my parents. I know them well. They have twisted view on how we should value people." Vera almost started to laugh again but controlled herself. "That's why I am teaching them a lesson next time."

"Greetings! Pardon me for disturbing your meals. I am Xyl of the Illustra."

Long white coat with complex golden patterns. Silver rings with gleaming elemental gems. Shiny blonde hair that was well combed. It was the appearance of the man that greeted the group. Behind him are two other men and two other women who are adorned with similar style of clothing.

"What do you want Xyl?" Vera responded with a hostile attitude. Her eyebrow creased as she firmly gripped the table.

"Oh! You are actually here Vera. Have you already changed your mind?" Xyl asked, ignoring the attitude of Vera.

"Do you actually think I will join your group? You can forget about it. Go leave!" Vera shouted.

"Hahaha! This girl actually thinks she is special! Being invited by us is a privilege. You think-" The man beside Xyl interjected. He has a bulky figure with golden knuckles on his fist.

Xyl raised his hand. "Be quiet Hal! We are not here to cause a scene."

Hal looked around seeing that quite a few people are staring at them. "Hmph!"

Xyl looked sadly at Vera. "How unfortunate! I wish you will change your mind. My parents knew your parents and your parents would definitely agree with you joining the association. But let's forget about that because I am here not for you." Xyl turned towards Cyziel. "You must be Cyziel. I heard of your talents. That is why I am extending you an invitation to join our Association."

"Thank you for the invitation but I hardly know what your group does." Cyziel politely replied, smiling at Xyl.

"Oh! That's not a problem. If you have any free time then we would gladly orient you on the great things that our group does." Xyl replied.

"Gah!" One of the woman behind Xyl shrieked.

"Lori! What's wrong?" Xyl and the the other woman supported her.

"Stupid!" Vera said with a faint but with a mocking tone.

"What did you do with her?" Hal furiously asked. He activated reinforce fist as he stared at Cyziel. "I would very much want to see how strong you really are."

Ortix stood up. "Blaming us? Shouldn't you ask her instead?"

"Stop it Hal." Xyl turned to Cyziel. Forgive me for my friend's mistake. She was just a bit curious." Xyl then looked at Ortix. "You must be Ortix. You are quite infamous. I would just want to warn you though not to make anymore enemies. Speaking of which, you seemed to have some visitors just waiting for use to leave." He again focused at Cyziel. "I will be waiting for your reply."

Xyl and his team finally left but looking at a few meters away, there was another group eyeing the people around the table. The new group has 5 people. 4 men and 1 woman. One of them was Jaza. It was the Mundus group. As soon as the members of Illustra left, with the exception of Jaza, the rest of the Mundus group started to walk towards their location.

"Seeing how you acted and the tattoos surrounding you, you are definitely Ortix."

Open leathered jacket, with pattern like the stripes of a tiger, showed his firm abs. Spiky red hair that begets attention. A long scar passing from his forehead into his left eye. Everything before paired with his vicious looking smile was enough to intimidate almost everyone. This was the appearance of Melos who just arrived replacing Xyl.

"Yes. I am. Any problems?" Ortix rudely replied.

"Hahaha! Melos! Did you see that? He is just as they described." A large man wearing a turban with a thick mustache started laughing.

"Heh! You are really arrogant aren't you. I heard that you even said to Jaza that he could bring anyone and you wouldn't care. Well, I guess you are pretty strong to be able to have that confidence." Melos chuckled.

"Your point?" Ortix smirked.

"Did you actually think that because you are strong, everyone would be afraid of you? You think you could fight a whole organization?" Melos then swept his eyes towards the people around the table. "Or do you think these friends of yours would save you?"

The woman beside Melos then whispered something to him.

"Oh! This ones Vera and that one is Cyziel." Melos stopped, starting to ponder. "I see. I see three strong people I guess. Still, our influence extend outside this institute. We might not be able to touch Vera but it is a bit different for you two."

"Is that a threat?" Cyziel calmly asked.

"No.. No.. We actually came here to make peace. Since our current president was feeling great, he is giving a chance for Ortix to apologize. We are here to escort him safely to our president Helar." Melos sarcastically replied.

"You shouldn't come with the-" Ayri shouted but his mouth was covered by Talas.

*Be quiet! Let them talk!* Talas murmured.

"Bwahaha! Why should I come with you? Whoever that guy Helar is. If he wants to talk then he should come see me instead." Ortix started laughing.

The guy beside Melos punched. He activated a force punch towards Ortix but it was blocked by Melos.

"Grinos! Not here! We will have our time later." Melos then turned to Ortix. "I assume that is your answer isn't it? If you ever change your mind then you have until the end of this week."

"No need to wait. I won't change my mind and if ever that guy Helar came to meet me, be sure that you guys are also there." Ortix maliciously smiled.

Melos suddenly frowned. He finally got irritated. "You better think twice. You are not the only one who would be targeted. You might be strong but the others around you might not be that lucky. Next time, there might be less of-"

"Enough!" Cyziel shouted. This time it was Cyziel who is now furious. Ortix might not be affected much by the threat but it was different for Cyziel. The early threat already annoyed him but threatening to kill was different. "Leave!"

Volus closed his eyes and Ortix sat back down. They understood that Cyziel was finally not in a good mood.

"Are you actually angry?" Grinos laughed, then looked at Ortix. "Why have you suddenly gone quiet? You are actually afraid of him? Oh! I heard that you are brothers. Is he the older one."

Melos grinned. "Unexpected. I didn't think that you would know how to be scared."

Ortix smiled at them but suddenly frowned. He noticed that Cyziel got angrier. "Stop with your mocking. You guys better leave now."

"Bahaha! And here I thought that you are the same as us. You actually care a lot about your friends don't you?" Grinos laughed again. "Don't worry, we would be careful with your female friends."

Cyziel suddenly stood up. "I said leave!"

Grinos glowered. He felt the killing intent of Cyziel. His temper has always been not good. He was only following Melos because Melos was a bit stronger than him. But when some newly enrolled student that is younger than him was threatening him, he finally could not control his temper. He wanted to teach Cyziel a lesson. The muscles on his two arms started to bulge. His fists doubled in size.

Grinos was preparing to attack. He doesn't care anymore of the consequences. He raised his right fist then looked forward at his target but what he saw was an eye of a demon. He could see small tendrils trying to creep out from Cyziel's pupils. Cyziel raised his right arm and pointed two fingers at Grinos. One fingered release a black colored wisp while the other finger release a red colored wisp. It entered Grinos' fist then Grinos started to convulse.

"Cyziel! Calm down! We just talked about this earlier." Lucia shouted.

Volus and Ortix stood up simultaneously.

Ortix placed his hand on Cyziel's shoulder. "Cy! Just ignore them. Don't worry. They are all just talk. I will handle them."

"Cy! Sit down. We can handle this ourselves." Volus uttered.

"Do not worry. I am okay." Cyziel emotionlessly said before looking at Lucia. "I only used dark and fire essences."

"That's not the point! The emotions remember?" Lucia argued, standing up looking at the convulsing Grinos.

"Cy... Don't get angry... " Ru quivered.

"We can protect ourselves. Just calm down." Vera shouted.

Grinos continued to convulse. His arms that previously bulged was limply wiggling on the ground. Blood started to come out of his mouth. Steam were being release in his pores. His body's temperature became too hot.

"Grinos! What's happening to you?" Melos shouted.

The woman with them started to use a water based healing magic. She was trying to cure him and cool him down at the same time. Lucia started to help healing him with her magic and Grinos finally stopped shaking but he was still unconscious. Cyziel was still standing and looking down at Grinos with mirthless eyes.

"What are you all still doing here? Go bring him away." Draka shouted.

The remaining guy in the Mundus group carried Grinos as they ran towards Jaza who was watching from a distance.