The corridors of the academy bustled with activity as Levi made his way towards the freshmen cafeteria.
He had learned that the academy boasted multiple dining halls, each designated for different year groups. It was just another reminder of the vast scale of this institution.
After about five minutes of walking and going through the Elevator to reach the 4th floor, Levi finally arrived at the cafeteria that was designated for the Freshmen.
As he approached the entrance, the aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, causing Levi's stomach to growl in anticipation. He pushed open the doors and found himself in a massive, well-lit space filled with mutiple long tables and bustling with students.
The cafeteria was a far cry from anything Levi had experienced in the slums. Clean, orderly, and most importantly, filled with an abundance of food.
He learned that everything in the academy - food, training, equipments, etc... was covered by the academy fees, allowing students to eat whatever they wanted. There were even dedicated kitchens for those who preferred to prepare their own meals, though few seemed to take advantage of this option given the variety on offer.
And since he had a scholarship, he had nothing to worry about!
Levi's eyes widened as he took in the self-service counters, each laden with different types of cuisine.
For someone who had grown up scrounging for meals, often going to bed hungry, this was nothing short of a miracle.
And on the walls of the Cafeteria, there were some quotes written, like:
"Today's meal is tomorrow's power. Eat like the defender you aspire to be."
"Your plate is your first line of defense. Choose wisely."
...and many more like that.
'Motivation even in cafeteria...'
Levi chuckled as he grabbed a tray and began his culinary adventure.
Shafts of pale sunlight filtered through narrow windows, illuminating motes of dust that danced in the air. The room was sparse, containing only a simple altar adorned with a single candle and a small bronze statue of a seated Buddha...no, it looked like the statue of Buddha...but it wasn't!
The silence was absolute, broken only by the occasional distant toll of a temple bell.
A screech pierced the silence.
The monk's eyes opened, revealing irises as dark as night. Above, circling the monastery's highest tower, flew a creature that defied easy description.
It had the shape of an eagle, but its size dwarfed any natural bird. Feathers of midnight blue shimmered with an otherworldly light. Its beak, curved and sharp, looked capable of rending flesh from bone with ease.
The creature descended, landing before the monk with surprising grace for its bulk. From its talons, it dropped a small scroll.
The monk's hand reached out, gently stroking the creature's midnight feathers as he unrolled the scroll. On the paper, two words writhed in an otherworldly script.
"Infiltration Successful."
The monk's expression remained unchanged as he read the message. With a deliberate motion, he closed the scroll.
In an instant, the paper ignited. Deep red flames consumed it, leaving not even ash behind.
The eagle-like monster took flight, its massive wings stirring up dust in the courtyard. It soared away, quickly becoming a speck against the distant peaks.
The monk's eyes closed once more. His hands returned to their resting position on his lap. To an observer, it would seem as if nothing had happened, as if the messenger and its portentous message had been merely a dream.
The silence of the monastery returned, broken only by the whisper of wind and the distant, mournful cry of the departing messenger.
In the mountains, silence reigned once more. The monastery stood as it always had, its secrets held close within its ancient walls.
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