Chapter 115: Hearty Vitality Cafeteria

[Quest: Compliment Nadia Crane]

[Importance: Minor]

[Reward: 15 SC]

[Status: Completed]

...

[New Quest: Have Lunch with Nadia Crane]

[Importance: Minor]

[Reward: 50 SC

[Status: Incomplete]

Grumble...!

The moment the time struck 11:30 am, everyone’s stomach grumbled with hunger, creating a disturbing yet humorous symphony.

Grumble...

Herman’s stomach wasn’t exempt from the symphony, either.

"Cough... I believe it’s time for lunch." Herman coughed lightly and began packing his things. "Remember all that I taught you in this lesson. I’ll see you all in around half an hour, back in this class."

After saying that, he left.

The moment Herman slid the door closed on his way out, everyone collapsed onto their desks, evidently drained from that lesson.

"Ugh... it was just an hour, but I feel so tuckered out. It was just sooo~ boring..."

"I know, right? I didn’t think there’d be so much to talk about in the last 80 years."

"Oh, come on, guys, it wasn’t that bad. Let’s just hurry up and get ready for lunch."

Soon, people began to hastily pack their things to leave the classroom, their stomachs growling on the way out.

Nadia, still in the process of packing her things, quietly stuffed her notebook and pens into her bag, making no effort to interact with anyone.

But that immediately changed when she noticed a beady gaze on her.

She turned to her right and met Hilda’s relaxed gaze.

The Heroine raised an eyebrow and bluntly asked, "Yes?"

"Hm? Nothing..." Hilda blinked before smirking. "I was just appreciating how beautiful your eyes looked."

Nadia blinked several times, taken aback, and imbued her eyes with Vitality.

She then said in an unamused, deadpan tone:

"You’re lying."

"Pfft." Hilda snorted with a chuckle.

With her upper body turned to the Heroine, she rested her elbow on the desk and leaned her cheek into her palm.

Then she asked:

"Must you always use your Gift on me? Surely, it’s getting tedious now, isn’t it?"

She then gently poked Nadia’s shoulder repeatedly with a playful smile. "Plus~ you shouldn’t be using your Vitality so often when recovering~..."

Nadia shrugged off the woman’s finger and asked, "Just tell me what you want. If you’re just going to keep bothering me like this, then I’m just going to go—"

"Whoa, whoa~... no need to get all hostile~!" Hilda raised her hands passively, then snickered. "Look, although bothering you is an entertaining pastime, I actually just wanted to know if you wanted to have lunch with me?"

"... Lunch?" Nadia widened her eyes, slightly surprised.

She then narrowed her eyes. "Don’t you have something else more important to do? Given your background?"

"Haha, what’s more important than lunch?" Hilda laughed. "With how fast Vitalists burn calories, it’s crucial we eat a lot!"

"... That is true..." Nadia deliberated, then asked, "But why would I eat lunch with you, of all people?"

Hilda stuck her tongue out at Nadia childishly. "You’re going to cosy up to me eventually, so you might as well start getting used to me being around."

She then smirked cunningly. "But~ if you need a reason..."

Hilda abruptly stood up from the desk and turned to the rest of their group, who so happened to be waiting for them by the exit. "Meine Freunde! Would you all like to join me for lunch?"

The moment they all agreed, Hilda instantly turned back to Nadia with a mischievous look.

Nadia blinked at the face the woman was making, then rolled her eyes.

With a deadpan expression, she clicked her tongue. "Tch."

...

The cafeteria was located near the Heart of the campus and took up a large portion of the land.

The building was extremely modern with its glass walls and round foundation. And because it was several stories tall, it looked like a glass pillar from the outside.

Watching as both students and teachers streamed in and out of the building, the group neared the entrance and glanced at the sign placed above it.

"Hearty Vitality Cafeteria".

Upon entering through the automatic doors, they were immediately hit with the smell of food.

As the scent washed over them, a small yet audible rumble escaped their stomach.

The smell was absolutely tantalising.

They entered further into the cafeteria and, when they reached the Heart of it, they were met with a jaw-dropping and salivating sight.

At the Heart of the cafeteria was a large hole in the ceiling, revealing the other floors above them, guarded by glass railings. And the ceiling above them, for this particular area, was also made of glass, allowing for the sun’s gentle rays to enter.

But the scenery wasn’t what they came here for. They came for the food.

Looking around, they found countless students, and even teachers, sitting at tables, with trays and plates piled high with food, easily totalling more than a thousand calories. And where they got these meals from...

The many food counters along the walls, each displaying a different theme of dish.

’This place is really just one big, multi-floored food court!’ Seraphine’s eyes lit up with stars.

As everyone in their group scrambled to find a tray, Nadia looked around aimlessly, unable to keep her eyes off the amount of food piled on people’s trays.

She was in awe.

’There’s so much food here...’

Before she was brought into the LCEO 7 years ago, it would have been considered lucky to find a day’s worth of food. This was especially so for two people, when she was still taking care of her mother on her own, who was incredibly ill at the time — and still was.

Nadia pressed her lips into a thin line.

’Although it’s been only two and half days...’

She was beginning to feel a little homesick.

Nadia dwelled on the feeling for a few moments before feeling something wrap around her arm.

The instant she was pulled out of her thoughts, she looked to her right and found that...

"My dear Dame, what’re you standing around waiting for? Let’s go eat!"

... Hilda had hooked her arm around hers.