The first day at the academy was fairly short, it started with a mandatory opening ceremony since the king attended to give a small speech for the next generation. But from what I heard after, it was much the same as last year. The next part of the day was splitting up the students for what their parents wanted them to go to school for. The classes splitting into surprisingly 2 main classes, Warriors and Mages. Every other class like priest, shaman, thief, ranger, etc. was basically a build deviating from the norm, there were even hybrid classes like monks, and paladins that required both to work correctly. Damian and I decided since we had already started training as a Warrior that's what we would continue as, it was unfortunate that we wouldn't get chances to hang out in class but at least there was the mixed academics class that was required for noble children to take in order to qualify to graduate, so I tried to coordinate my schedule so that we would at least meet each other at least every other day. The classes that my parents required were math, language, equestrian, war, and etiquette, there was also the required class training into being a warrior. The optional classes I choose were alchemy and, bestiary. The classes ended early afternoon, they gave everyone a personal ring that had your house's name engraved on it and the syllabus for the books we needed. I caught Damian at the gate after class since that's what we agreed on, plus we had to wait for his sister as well since she would finish after and unlike us, she would be there for some time more.

"Hey Damian, you choose any extra classes?"

"No, we have so many, why would I want more."

"You know there are classes for jousting and equestrian."

"Ac-quest- train?"

"Horse riding."

"Is that what it is!? Oh, I'm glad my Papa and Mama choose that one then, wait what jaws-ting?"

"It might be what your Dad did at the competition."

"Yes! Oh, that's awesome."

"So are excited."

"I don't know, what if I don't like it."

"Hey, before we continue let's grab some food."

"Shouldn't we wait for Vanessa?"

"Is Vanessa, your sister?"

"Yeah."

"Mmm, ok you wait here I'll go grab us some food since we don't know when Vanessa will get here."

"Ok then."

"What did you want to eat?"

"Something sweet."

"Ok."

I took off jogging waving at Damian While I headed towards the mess hall, once there I was surprised at the number of people eating or waiting to order in line already. I decided to wait in line as well since the line moved at an acceptable pace. While I was waiting, some of the staff started handing out menus to those of us waiting in line. A brief look at the menu and I found many items I'd never eaten before or wasn't aware that I had eaten before. As the line keep moving forward, I was still stuck on my decision on what to order.

"Young sir, are you ready to order?"

"Huh!"

Belatedly realizing I was standing at the front of the line already and truthfully, I wasn't aware how long I had been standing there before the staff called out to me.

"Uh, I guess I'll get 3 orders of chocolate fudge pudding."

Ok, that will be 1 silver. Please stamp your ring so we can start the tab?"

I looked and saw the inkpad, along with the denomination for pricing. So, I inked and stamped my ring on 1 silver.

"Perfect now, please just wait until we call your number."

She hands me a small carved wooden token with a 15 on it. So, I stood with everyone else while I waited for my order, and when it came time for my turn, I grabbed it with the tray. I asked a staff member if it was possible to take out the tray to which I got the obvious no, so I asked if there was a messenger so that I could send a message to my friend to meet up with me. He referred a messenger at the cost of 1 Iron for him and another to the messenger that would take my message to Damian. The messenger came back and informed me Damian was still waiting for his sister Vanessa, and to just eat first. I gave the messenger another Iron to send him the chocolate pudding before I started to eat my own.

"Are you saving that?"

As I looked up, I saw a little girl with bluish eyes and her red hair split into pigtails that dangled down on her shoulders.

"No, you can have it if you want."

"Yipee, I mean thank you." She gave me a small curtsey.

"No problem, I was waiting for a friend but he still waiting for his sister so I had a messenger to send him one. My names Adam Drinker."

"My name is Sarah Cousteau." She said before she took her first bite before she squealed.

"Are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm great, daddy usually never lets me eat things like this, says it'll rot my teeth. Thanks again, Adam."

"Don't worry I hope you enjoy the treat."

I called a messenger over to get me a menu so I could place an order.

"I'm sorry sir, I can't order for you, not only would I need your ring but it would go against the king's policy."

"And that it?"

"Humility, young sir, it means being humble."

"If that's the rules then, I apologize for wasting your time."

"It's no problem, sir."

I look back at Sarah.

"Did you want anything I'm about to go order again."

"You know that's very nice of you, I'll stand in line with you while I make my decision."

So, as I looked over the menu again, I could hear Sarah's indecisive muttering over which type of dessert she should eat. I decided to get the pasta cheese pie, while Sarah got the a no-bake cheesecake, to match my order. I also ordered some venison soup for Damian and another chocolate pudding for Vanessa should they ever reach the mess hall. The price this time ended up being 2 silvers and 7 iron coins. When we got our food, I had the staff bring the food to my table for 1 iron as I waited for the Stein siblings. I decided to talk to Sarah some more while I waited. I learned that her father was a Marquis that doted on her constantly which she was happy about but no matter what he was adamant about her eating habits, and from the context it seemed the reason she was alone was because others distanced themselves from her naturally because of status and those that wanted to use her were stealthily threatened by her father to stay away from her not that she understood why her "friends" suddenly stopped talking to her.

"Hey, that's Adam over there."

I could see Damian pointing and waving in my direction with his sister in tow. So, I waved back and once they reached our table, I introduced everyone, after they politely greeted each other I told them what I had gotten for everyone to eat.

"Thank you, Adam, I was craving something sweet, but I'll be right back I want something more filling before I get my dessert." I could see Sarah make the face of "Wow she's so mature" which I thought was funny.

"Right, thanks Adam I wanted something meaty. Mmm, this taste like White-horn Deer."

When I started to eat my pasta cheese pie, I realized it was basically Mac and cheese after I stirred it around a bit, it was a stretchy yellow cheese that clung onto the little noodles' small crevices. I could also see Sarah relish her slice of cheesecake with a big smile on it. It didn't take long before Vanessa was back with some type of fried legs, they were gangly and white in color so it could've been a type of chicken or maybe it was a frog leg or their equivalent.

"Uh, Vanessa what type of meat is that?"

"It's Swirl Cheek Frog, they aren't appealing to look at but what's important is how they taste. Want to try some?"

"I'll give it a try. Mmmh it doesn't taste bad, it's kind of fluffy, could use some sauce though."

After we finished eating everyone thanked me for the food but seems like the Stein siblings had things that they needed to do so they said goodbye after eating. So, I was left alone with Sarah once more.

"Did you want me to walk you to your dorm?"

"No thanks, I appreciate the offer though. I still need to go to the library to buy the books that aren't normally loaned out."

"Yeah me too, want to go together then?"

"Hehe, yes would you so kindly escort me, sir."

"Why are you talking like that suddenly?"

"No reason, I just thought it was funny."

The library or in this case the bookstore inside the library our next destination.