After some wandering, Mortis finally found his way to the canteen.
The cafeteria was simple, filled with long wooden tables and rows of basic, somewhat crude chairs. It reminded him of an old school dining hall from his previous life, though a bit rougher and less modern. Still, it suited this medieval-like world.
A quick glance around confirmed what he suspected: most of the other students were already here. It seemed he was one of the last few to arrive.
Without wasting time, he made his way to the counter and ordered a plate of cooked beef with mushrooms and rice. While the meal was being prepared, he poured himself a cup of black tea from one of the kettles placed on the counter and carried it to an empty table nearby.
He had barely sat down when two familiar figures approached, trays in hand.
"Hey, Mortis. Mind if we join you?" one of them asked.
He looked up and it was Valthor and Jareth, the two senior students he'd met before.
"Why not" Mortis gave them a small, respectful smile. "You're my seniors, after all."
They didn't wait for a second invitation and quickly took their seats, placing their trays down with a clatter.
For a few moments, silence settled between them, broken only by the quiet sips Mortis took from his black tea. Eventually, Valthor spoke.
"When I saw you survive and escape that monster with me in the Wither Peaks, I knew that you had a potential," he said, his tone calm but sincere. "After all, the way you made decisions on the spot… it wasn't something just anyone could do."
He paused for a beat, then added, "But honestly, I didn't expect you to have an A-rank aptitude. That caught me quite off guard to be honest."
Mortis raised an eyebrow. "So, what's your point?"
This time, it was Jareth who answered. "We want to propose a kind of mutual cooperation. Once you become a Magus Apprentice, we'd like to team up with you on missions and any other academy's events."
"We're both Rank 5 Magus Apprentices," Valthor added quickly. "It's not a bad deal for you."
Mortis took a sip of tea, studying them carefully. "You're right, it's a good deal. But why offer it to me? There's nothing I can give you right now, I'm still just a basic mortal."
"That's true," Valthor said, nodding seriously. "But in a few days, you'll become a Rank 1 Magus Apprentice. And after that… with your potential, it won't take long for you to catch up."
Mortis narrowed his eyes, still skeptical. "Even if that's the case, you could've made this offer to someone else. What makes you so sure I'll reach your level anytime soon?"
Valthor looked him right in the eye.
"Because you have an A-rank aptitude, Mortis. That alone is more than enough."
Mortis leaned back slightly, thinking it over. The more he considered it, the more he found it strangely amusing. Just a short time ago, he had been nothing more than another nameless candidate in their eyes. Back then, they'd looked down on him like he was small and insignificant, simply beneath their notice.
And now, everything had changed... all because of his aptitude. One rank.
'So this is how it works here... This world is far more dangerous than I thought. Sure, I was the one who got lucky this time. But if someone else had awakened with an even better opportunity, everything could've flipped. My position, their respect—it's all built on something that can change in a moment.'
He exhaled quietly. 'Looks like, I won't be able to Relax, not even for a second. If I want to keep this edge… I'll need to work, train, and grow stronger. That's the only way to stabilize these constantly shifting variables. Strength is the only anchor here.'
With that resolve solidifying in his heart, Mortis looked up at Valthor and Jareth again. "Alright, I'll agree. But in return, you both need to help me with some of my missions, even when I'm still far below your level. Deal?"
Valthor and Jareth exchanged a brief glance, then turned back to him almost in unison, faces serious.
"We agree," they said without hesitation.
Mortis nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Good. Then I'll be counting on you."
'My own personal meat shields… haha,' he thought, a quiet chuckle echoing in his mind.
Just as they sealed the agreement, a waiter arrived and placed a steaming plate of food in front of Mortis.
Still in a good mood, he picked up his spoon and gave the meal a quick stir, mixing the tender beef, rice, and mushrooms together.
He took a bite.
And to his surprise, the flavor was better than he had expected. He had only hoped it would be eatable. But this? It was actually delicious.
Even the unknown black tea he'd poured earlier from one of the kettles on the counter wasn't bad at all. If he had to compare it to something from his previous world, it tasted oddly similar to the Prince of Wales black tea he used to drink. It hadn't been his favorite, but he'd always enjoyed its uniquely sour aroma, something he hadn't found in any other black tea.
This small discovery made him unexpectedly happy. Back in his old life, he had loved trying new foods, sure, but what really brought him joy was exploring different teas. Green, black, herbal, he appreciated them all.
And now, realizing he might still be able to indulge in one of his favorite pastimes, even in this strange new world filled with danger and magic, brought him a quiet sense of comfort.
'Even if I have to spend every waking moment getting stronger,' he thought, 'at least I won't have to give up everything I used to enjoy. I can still chase strength and sip tea along the way.'
After finishing the last bite of his meal and drinking the rest of his tea, he glanced over at Jareth and Valthor, who were now happily digging into their own plates.
"By the way," he asked casually, "do you know how long it will take us to get to the academy?"