Chapter 50: Seventh Day Of The Week

Noah stepped into the bath, letting the water run over his shoulders and back, the steam wrapping around him like a warm fog. Unlike what he’d expected, his mind wasn’t calm. It raced with thoughts about the monolith. About the monsters inside, about Galahad and Leo, and the potential dangers waiting for them. But for now, he let the water distract him and wash away some of the thoughts from his mind. After bathing, he returned to his room and toweled off, then moved to his wardrobe. Inside, neatly folded, was the same outfit he’d worn when he first arrived at the academy. The dark trousers and black boots polished to a faint shine, the dark tunic with its sharp collar and silver trimming. Rounding it all up was the lightweight black cloak bearing no insignia. He’d received it at the palace too, but just like his classmates, had elected to not wear them. Especially since they tend to choke the throat when they sit down. Maybe it was time for him to get used to it. Once dressed, he checked his pouch, confirming that the remaining gold coins he’d taken from Damien were still intact, and tucked it into a pocket hidden by the cloak. Today, he planned to stop by the capital with Arlo before they met the others. He’d finally get himself some new clothes to wear after classes, maybe some gear to help with the monolith. They had time. If everything went smoothly. He stepped to the door and opened it, only to freeze. "Good morning!" Juniper’s bright voice rang out before he could even blink. She stood right in front of his door, her hands behind her back, her dark hair falling past her shoulders like waves of midnight. Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement, and before he could say anything, she seized his hand. "I’ve been waiting! You take so long to get ready!" she said, already dragging him down the hall. "Wait! Juniper, I have plans today, I can’t—" "I know! Our date!" She said with a sunny smile. "First, breakfast. Then a little shopping in the capital, don’t worry, I won’t make you carry all the bags." "And then there’s a few matches in the arena later. I want us to watch it together! You’ll love it! They’re like your duel with Ben Stanley!" Noah opened his mouth to try again, but they were already at the stairwell. He didn’t have the heart, or the energy, to pull away. Juniper was practically skipping. That was when Arlo came down the stairs, his usual lopsided grin in place. "Ah," he said, spotting them. "She’s got you. I was wondering why you didn’t run." "I didn’t get the chance," Noah muttered. Juniper stopped to glare at Arlo. "You’re not invited. This is a date." Arlo raised both hands innocently. "I’m just here to witness greatness. I wouldn’t dream of intruding on your special day. But really, I wouldn’t miss this show for the world." Juniper huffed, clutching Noah’s hand tighter. "You’re going to ruin the mood." "I’m only here for the first act." Arlo said, falling into step beside them as they left the building. "Noah and I will witness the second act together." Noah sighed, giving up on arguing. At this point, the best he could do was improvise. He’d find a way to slip out when the time came. For now, he was being dragged by a girl who refused to be ignored and followed by a best friend who lived to make things worse. And the seventh day of the week had only just begun. ’Things better get better from here on out.’ They all walked out of the dorm, Juniper and Arlo sniping at each other. As they strolled down the campus path with the morning breeze brushing against their cloaks, Arlo shoved his hands into his pockets and asked, "So, where are we eating? Surely the royal couple has plans?" Noah didn’t even pause. "Cafeteria. Obviously." Arlo nodded like that was the only right answer in the world. "See? Man of reason. It’s free, warm, and doesn’t drain my pouch." But Juniper made a face, crinkling her nose like someone had offered her moldy bread. "Ugh, no. We’re going into the capital." They both turned to her. "There’s a lovely little breakfast place called Crust & Cream that does these divine buttered croissants and peach tea." Arlo blinked. "Croissants? Peach tea?" She turned to him. "Yes, Arlo. Actual food. Not whatever recycled sludge the Stone-tier section calls ’eggs’." "Blasphemy," Arlo said, mock offended. "The cafeteria’s scrambled eggs are the best thing I’ve tasted since I got here. You just have bad taste." Juniper narrowed her eyes. "You’re not even supposed to be here. You’re third-wheeling." "I am the wheel that keeps this cart moving," Arlo shot back. "If I’m going down with Noah into a literal death pit later, I deserve at least one good, cost-efficient breakfast." Juniper waved him off. "No one invited you." "You tried to forbid me, and that only made it worse." Noah let out a long breath as the two bickered on either side of him. Juniper’s voice had an edge now, her smile strained. Arlo just kept poking, likely for the fun of it. Finally, they both turned to Noah. "Well?" Juniper asked sweetly. "What do you think, love? A nice breakfast outside the school?" "Or," Arlo added, "the cafeteria, where the food won’t make our wallets cry." Noah glanced between them. "Cafeteria," he said. "I’m not spending half the money in my coin pouch just for toast and tea." Juniper blinked at him, then gave a dazzling smile as if he’d said exactly what she wanted. "You’re right! The cafeteria it is. I just didn’t want to pressure you, but I love it there." Arlo coughed. "That’s a new pivot speed record." They turned toward the cafeteria, Juniper looping her arm through Noah’s like she’d been the one to suggest it all along. As they walked, Arlo muttered, "And they say I’m the manipulative one."