Chapter 43: Master Von

Chapter 43: Master VonEverything was new to Karl. The mana bulbs, the fans, the sleek desk and chair. His jaw dropped, and he spun in a slow circle, like a kid seeing a festival for the first time. "What in the hell is this? Glowing orbs? Moving air? A fancy desk?" Adrian kept walking, ignoring him. ~DING—DONG!~ The bell rang again, its chime echoing through the dorm corridor, urging them to hurry. Karl wasn’t done though. He jogged to catch up to Adrian. "No, seriously, how’d you do this? Those lights — There’s no flame nor oil! And the air’s all... breezy! Where’d you even get this stuff? You had nothing on you when we entered here?" His voice was a mix of awe and disbelief, his usual grin replaced by a wide-eyed stare. Adrian didn’t break stride and kept his expression flat. "It’s just gear. I made it myself. Drop it." He kept his tone curt, hoping to shut Karl down. The last thing he needed was his roommate prying into his secrets. Karl, predictably, didn’t drop it. "Made it yourself? Come on, that’s not just gear — that’s, like, magic gear! You’re telling me you whipped up glowing orbs and wind machines in your spare time? What’s next, a bed that sings you to sleep?" He laughed, but his eyes were sharp, scanning Adrian for answers. Adrian pushed through the dorm’s outer door, the cool evening air hitting his face. The cafeteria was a short walk across a courtyard, its windows glowing with warm light and the hum of student chatter spilling out. He kept his pace brisk, forcing Karl to keep up. "You’re wasting your breath," Adrian said, not looking at him. "Go eat." Karl groaned, but his grin crept back, undeterred. "You’re no fun, roomie, but I’ll crack you eventually. Bet you’ve got a whole workshop hidden somewhere." He twirled his spear which almost got Adrian wondering why he carried it, before falling into step beside Adrian, his energy relentless. "Gotta say, though, that room’s amazing now. I’m almost glad you slapped me awake — almost." Adrian ignored him, his focus on the cafeteria ahead. The courtyard was alive with students as they headed to dinner. Some laughed, others walked in quiet groups, their bonds already forming. Sёarch* The Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Adrian kept his distance, his mind set on the System Factory. ’I need to check it tonight,’ he thought. Karl’s chatter soon faded to background noise, like the buzz of the courtyard. They reached the cafeteria, its double doors propped open, the smell of roasted meat and fresh bread wafting out. Karl bounded ahead, his spear slung over his shoulder. "Hope they’ve got something hearty!" he called, already walking to the food line. Adrian followed at a slower pace, his eyes scanning the room. The other seventeen knights were there, some at tables, others grabbing plates. Adrian grabbed a tray from the cafeteria line, piling it with roasted meat, fresh bread, and a few fruits that glowed faintly. The smell was rich, almost enough to distract him from Karl’s endless chatter. He scanned the bustling hall, spotting an empty table near the edge, away from the loudest knots of knights. Settling into a chair, he dug into his meal, the fruits tingling on his tongue, its subtle stamina boost confirmed by a quick [Analyze]. Karl, predictably, grabbed a tray and plopped down across from him, his spear propped against the table’s edge, his grin as relentless as ever. Adrian glanced up, meeting Karl’s eager stare, then looked back at his plate, ignoring him. The meat was tender, the bread crusty — good fuel for tomorrow’s drills. Karl, undeterred, leaned forward, his fork stabbing a chunk of meat as he spoke. "So, where you from, Adrian? Which dukedom? Borin? Varyn?" Adrian kept chewing, his focus on the food. Karl’s voice droned on. "Come on, man, give me something. You’re all mystery with that weapon and those gadgets. What’s your story? Got a family? A village full of tinkerers?" He paused, waiting, then huffed when Adrian stayed silent. "What, you ignoring me now? Roomies are supposed to talk, you know. I’m from Thalren of Varyn, by the way — small place, big fields, best spears around. Your turn." Adrian finished a bite, still silent. Karl’s fork clinked against his plate, his tone growing mock-offended. "Seriously? You’re just gonna sit there like I’m not here? Rude, man. I’m trying to bond!" He leaned closer, his grin teasing. "Bet you’re from some secret lab, cooking up magic toys. Am I close?" Adrian swallowed, raising a hand to pause Karl’s barrage. He took a slow sip of water, wiped his mouth with a cloth, and fixed Karl with a level stare. "Haven’t you heard of manners?" he said, his voice calm but pointed. "Some people eat in peace." Karl’s grin faltered, and he slumped back, adopting an exaggerated pout. "Ouch, shot down," he said, twirling his fork. "You’re no fun, Adrian. Just trying to make friends, and you’re all... stone wall." He poked at his food, his posture deflated, but his eyes still glinted with mischief, like he was already plotting his next jab. Before Adrian could respond, a hush fell over the cafeteria. A short man, no taller than Adrian’s 138 cm, strode through the double doors. His bald head gleamed under the torchlight, and his dark robe, plain but immaculate, gave him an air of authority. His face was set in a scowl, his eyes sweeping the room with a mean intensity that silenced the knights mid-bite. Karl, despite being a palm taller than the man froze with his fork halfway to his mouth, and even the rowdiest tables went quiet. The man’s presence wasn’t just commanding — it was oppressive, like a weight pressing on the air. He stopped at the room’s center, hands clasped behind his back. "You’re lucky to be here," he said, his voice low but cutting, each word sharp as a blade. "All nineteen of you, in attendance, alive, unbroken. Don’t squander it." The silence deepened. "Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, you meet at the training fields, east of the dorms, at first light. Be on time, or you’ll regret it." His tone left no room for doubt — lateness wasn’t an option. He turned toward the door, his robe swishing, but paused mid-step, his head tilting slightly. "Don’t you have anything to say?" he asked, his voice dangerously soft. The knights hesitated, then a shaky chorus rose, voices trembling under his gaze. "Thank you, sir!" they said, some stumbling over the words. The man’s scowl deepened. "That’s Master Von to you," he snapped, resuming his exit. The knights, already scrambling to recover, echoed, "Thank you, Master Von!" as the doors swung shut behind him. The moment he was gone, the cafeteria’s tension snapped like a taut string. Chatter erupted, louder than before, as if everyone exhaled at once. Karl slumped in his chair, clutching his chest. "What was that?" he said, his voice half-laugh, half-gasp. "I swear I was suffocating! Like the air got heavy, you know? That guy’s aura was insane!" Adrian, mid-bite, paused, his brow furrowing. "What aura?" he asked, genuinely confused. Karl’s head whipped around, his eyes wide, staring at Adrian like he was a monster. "You’re kidding, right? You didn’t feel that?!"