The cafeteria of Ravenwood Academy was a sight to behold, a luxurious expanse with high-arched ceilings and grand chandeliers that illuminated the space with a soft golden glow.
The walls were lined with intricate tapestries depicting the history of Ravenwood, each thread telling tales of great battles and legendary feats of magic.
The floor was polished marble, reflecting the light from the grand windows that looked out onto the academy's lush gardens.
Long tables, each carved from rich mahogany wood, filled the room, providing space for the academy's elite students to gather for meals.
At one particular table near the center of the hall, a small crowd of students gathered around Noah.
He had draped his red Vanguard blazer over the back of his chair, leaving his crisp white shirt and yellow tie perfectly displayed.
The tie hung flawlessly, as if tailored to perfection, and his dark hair was a little more disheveled than usual, a sign that he was at ease despite the attention on him.
He held a cup of tea in one hand, glancing at the lively group around him.
Noah had decided to invite some of his classmates for a treat, using the five of the ten S-class meal tickets he had won during the vitality extraction challenge.
"There's no way I'm eating all these meals myself," he had said earlier with a smile, much to the disbelief of his classmates.
And now, they were all there, ready to indulge in the rare luxury of the S-class meals.
Maids and cooks bustled around them, carrying trays laden with delicacies.
One of the maids, dressed in the academy's signature dark uniform with white frills, brought in a tray piled with golden-baked pastries.
Another, a tall cook with broad shoulders, set down a platter filled with roasted meats, steam still rising from the perfectly cooked cuts.
The dishes were as extravagant as the setting:
Elven Starfruit Salad - A refreshing dish made from a mixture of rare, star-shaped fruits that were said to grow only in enchanted forests. The fruits sparkled under the light, their sweetness balanced with a slight tang, accompanied by edible flowers.
Stormcrest Lobster - A massive, armored lobster served on a bed of glowing blue seaweed. The lobster's shell had been cracked open, revealing juicy white meat drizzled with a creamy sauce infused with lightning essence, giving it a slight electric kick.
Volcanic Steak - A sizzling slab of meat cooked over enchanted flames from the academy's fire elementals. The meat had a charred exterior, but inside, it was juicy and bursting with flavor, seasoned with molten salt from the volcanic ranges.
They'd heard of Noah, the former Blessed Sage of the first years, and now one of the newest members of the Vanguard.
There were murmurs of admiration, but also a few envious glares.
Back at the table, one of Noah's friends, a blonde boy with a mischievous grin, leaned in.
"You know, Noah, you might have just become the most popular guy in the academy with this little stunt."
Noah laughed lightly, shaking his head.
"I'm not doing it for popularity," he said, his voice calm but warm.
"I just didn't want to waste the meal tickets. Plus, you all deserved a treat after that last round of exams."
One of the boys, still chewing, added between bites, "Man, if you keep this up, I'm going to start expecting daily S-class meals."
"I wouldn't get too used to it," Noah chuckled.
The lively chatter continued, filling the cafeteria with an infectious energy.
Some students couldn't help but gravitate closer to see what was going on, though most didn't dare interrupt the exclusive gathering at the S-class table.
The clinking of silverware, the laughter, and the smell of the exquisite dishes combined to make it an unforgettable meal.
As the maids continued bringing in more trays of food, one of the cooks passed by Noah, giving him a respectful nod.
"You've got good taste, young master. Enjoy the feast."
Noah nodded in return, still smiling, as he glanced at his classmates, grateful for the company and the brief moment of relaxation.
'I honestly had so much tickets I didn't know what to do with them...'
Noah thought smiling nervously.
In another section of the cafeteria, Amy sat completely lost in her thoughts and at the same time feeling like the walls were closing in on her.