As we walked toward the cafeteria, I glanced at North and asked.
"Want to call your friends?"
She hesitated, just for a fraction of a second, before shaking her head.
"No, it's fine."
Something about her response felt a little off, but I didn't push.
Instead, I nodded.
"Alright."
The cafeteria was bigger than I expected: clean, spacious, and a bit more advanced than the one at my academy. The ceiling had sleek lighting panels, and the food counters had screens displaying menu options.
As we stepped inside, a noticeable shift in the atmosphere occurred. Conversations dipped, eyes turned, and whispers followed in our wake. It wasn't subtle, people stared. Some looked curious, others wary, but the attention was undeniable.
I had no doubt about the reason.
At level 25, I was the highest-ranked and strongest probationary here, and my name had already made the rounds. Steve, walking beside me, let out a low chuckle.
"Damn, man. You're a celebrity now."
