Chapter 393

Chapter Seventeen: The Little Sprite Has Returned!

The rain had stopped at some point during the night, and a rainbow could be faintly seen in the clear sky. Dewdrops slid off the leaves of the small trees on both sides, and the air was still damp, filled with the fresh scent of earth as I breathed it in.

After parting ways with Sarah and Daisy, I walked along another stone path toward the cafeteria. Along the way, I saw many hurried students all heading towards the academy gates. It seemed like I was the only one walking in the opposite direction. Occasionally, someone would stop to look at me, but because my sun hat was large and hid my hair, and because I was rather petite, most people probably couldn’t see my face clearly. Thus, I didn’t attract too much attention, and I was used to such brief glances. This made me feel relaxed and at ease.

It seemed I would have to start wearing hats more often…

When I arrived at the cafeteria, I found that it wasn’t yet open. So, I found a clean step to sit on and huddled up, hugging my knees while waiting quietly. I watched as more and more students hurried past me, heading toward the main gate from various directions.

I could vaguely hear a noisy commotion in the distance. It seemed like there were many people there, possibly crowding around the entrance, making it difficult for Angel to enter…

Does he live his life like this every day? Always under the public’s gaze, being watched wherever he goes… That must be quite annoying.

I hate being treated like a monkey…

Fortunately, I can hide my identity.

Boredom set in as I thought about these things. Soon after, a loud cheer erupted in the distance, and the cafeteria doors were unlocked. I eagerly stood up, brushed off my pants, and walked in, becoming the first student to enter that day.

As soon as I entered, I smelled the mixed aroma of various delicious foods.

Apart from the rows of food stalls, the vast cafeteria was empty, with only me present… just as I liked it.

Excitedly, I searched around. First, I went to the roast meat stall and asked for a rabbit leg, wrapped it in brown paper to give to Sarah. Then, I took some delicious fruit cake and placed it on a table. Next, I walked to the soup stall, blinked my eyes, bit my finger, and asked the smiling aunt, “Do you have pea soup?”

“Yes! Little girl, wait a moment, I’ll serve you a bowl right away.”

“Okay~”

I nodded obediently, full of anticipation.

In my memory, I never drank pea soup before. The climate in the Valen Empire was extremely cold, making farming conditions harsh. Therefore, vegetables were rarely seen on the tables in Santel Fortress, perhaps eaten only once every two or three days, with the main dishes being meat and sweets.

But Daisy grew up in Silgaya, and she loved this.

“I grew up eating peas. We had a large field of peas, and my mom made pea soup for me every day when I was little. It was light and had a special taste… Peylo, you should try it too; it’s good for your health.”

That busty girl told me this.

Although it’s said in my previous world that eating too many peas causes bloating, maybe in this world, eating too many peas causes something else to bloat.

I decided to drink more of it every day.

After taking the pea soup mixed with milk that the aunt handed me, I sat down at a table and started eating heartily. I ate countless desserts and drank three bowls of pea soup. The soup seemed to have added milk and animal fat; the taste was not too strong, just right. However, I felt embarrassed to ask for a fourth bowl, and the cafeteria gradually began to fill with other students. Continuing to eat would be embarrassing, so I got some honey pie and boiled peas to go, and left the cafeteria holding a bagful, heading toward the training grounds.

The noise near the school gate had subsided. It looked like Angel had already entered the academy. I wondered what he came here for today, but I wasn’t very interested, and I didn’t want to see that smug face of his. However, I still had to attend theology class.

I passed through the rusted iron net.

As I entered and arrived at the training ground, I realized that it was already packed with people. The space, almost as large as two football fields, was filled with heads, as if all the students, from level one to six, had gathered here today.

Where were Sarah and Daisy…

“Excuse me… Move aside…”

I weaved through the crowd while holding food, searching for familiar faces. Around me, many others were doing the same, each carrying something to eat, filling the air with fragrances. I asked a student who looked honest about the location of the first-year students and then headed towards the back of the field. Suddenly, I saw Mr. Melville’s figure.

“Ceylon Lake, right over here…”

“Mr. Melville!”

From afar, I greeted him. The white-haired old man turned his gaze toward me and smiled.

“Oh, Peyelo!”

“Over here!”

A girl waved from afar in the crowd, shouting my name loudly. I fixed my eyes and saw it was Sarah.

But as she called out, countless gazes turned towards me.

“…Peyelo?”

“What…”

“Our little sprite from Ceylon Lake has returned?”

“She is! Ah, I’m so excited… I want to pick her up and hold her high!”

Hey!

I heard everything!

I felt both embarrassed and angry. If not for the food in my arms, I would have immediately grabbed the guy who said he wanted to lift me up and punched his nose.

“Let me through!”

I roared unhappily, and the crowd immediately made way for me. A familiar face bowed with a smile, “Welcome our beautiful black sprite… Wow, what are you holding? Can I have some?”

“Dream on.”

Who is this overly familiar person?

I couldn’t remember, probably someone I’ve taken classes with before…

I ignored him and quickly walked towards Sarah under the gaze of many, with Daisy naturally standing beside her, giving a restrained smile.

“Hurry up, get your breakfast.”

“Where’s the rabbit leg? Where is it? I’m starving…” Sarah hastily opened the paper bag, rummaging inside, and then exclaimed, “Wow, there’s a honey pie… Huh? Why are there so many peas?”

“Take it, your rabbit leg! Stop looking… The honey pie is mine!”

“You’ve already eaten it, haven’t you?”

“No.”

“You’re lying…”

“There isn’t any.”

Sarah took the rabbit leg, and then Daisy slowly approached. I signaled her to take a piece of the honey pie, and I also took one, putting it in my mouth.

“Mmm, hmm…”

“What are you saying?” Sarah, holding the rabbit leg, looked puzzled.

“Mmm, mmm…”

I switched the paper bag to my left hand and pinched the honey pie in my mouth with my right hand, took a bite, chewed quickly, and swallowed before speaking, “Did you see the Pope?”

“No, we only saw the church’s rhinoceros cart…” Sarah sounded somewhat disappointed, “We were late again. Those crazy people were guarding the entrance before dawn, and we didn’t get a good spot… But I saw the shadow of the Pope in the carriage. It seemed like there were two people…”

“Two people?” I was puzzled.

“Yeah, someone was sitting with the Pope.”

Sarah took a bite of the rabbit leg and then leaned closer, whispering, “Peyelo, do you know who it is?”

“How should I know…” I rolled my eyes.

Margaret had long left. I didn’t know anyone else in the church. Who knows who it was…

“Peyelo, Miss, did you guys not eat anything?” A voice came from behind me.

I turned around and saw the male student who had bowed to me earlier walking over, shaking his paper bag with a full smile.

“I sneaked out during the chaos and bought donuts outside. Do you want to eat some?”

Hmm…

I raised an eyebrow, somewhat tempted.