Chapter 43: Uniform and Style
Fighter stepped into the bathroom for a quick shower.
Fighter: "I wonder if the UCA has a cleaning service for these rooms? There wasn't any mention of it in the novel. But for SSA-class students, shouldn't there be something like that?"
His stomach let out a loud rumble, starving for food. After drying off, he walked over to the wardrobe to get dressed.
Fighter: "I'm so damn hungry. I hope the canteen actually has something good."
He pulled out the UCA uniform and looked at it with a trace of discomfort, but put it on anyway.
'Without a System, this thing feels itchy, like something is trying to crawl into my body right through my belly button. Plus, it definitely has passive tracking and surveillance functions built into it. Knowing that and still wearing it feels pretty weird.'
The uniform was a crisp white with a green tint, tailored in a grid design. The UCA insignia was printed on the left side, while three sharp stripes ran down the right. The only compliment Fighter could give it was that it looked futuristic.
Now clean, Fighter slicked back his black hair. His ocean-blue eyes stood out against his pale skin, and because he struggled to show much emotion, his face settled into a deadpan look. Suddenly, a knock sounded at his door.
Fighter opened it to find a familiar face standing outside.
Kaizer: "Fighter, how are you? Feeling any better than yesterday?"
Fighter offered a faint smile.
Fighter: "No... I'm starving. What about you?"
Kaizer looked concerned for a second, then smiled.
Kaizer: "I'm heading down to the canteen. Want to come along?"
Fighter: "Yeah, sure. Do you know who took the other rooms yet?"
Fighter cast a knowing glance toward the empty doors down the hall.
Kaizer: "No idea." He paused, squinting at Fighter's face. "You know, you actually look pretty handsome when you aren't caked in filth."
Fighter: "You know, sometimes you sound gay as hell. What is wrong with you?"
They fell into step and walked over to the canteen together.
The canteen was located in the Middle District, right near the main UCA building. It was a big two-story building, with the first floor serving as the main hall for all first-years and common students to eat their food.
Kaizer: "A student told me the second floor serves high-end food. Apparently, you can find delicacies from all over the world up there. But the free stuff down here isn't bad either. Man, my days of worrying about where my next meal comes from are over."
Fighter let out a weak, shaky breath.
Fighter: "What can I say? Three meals a day is better than nothing. The only thing I don't get is why the fuck our dorms are so far from the canteen. Aren't we supposed to be the privileged ones?"
He looked like a newborn calf trying to walk, resting one hand heavily on Kaizer's shoulder just to keep himself steady.
Kaizer: "Are you sure you're okay? Maybe you should check into the infirmary."
Fighter: "I'll be fine once I get some food in me."
Kaizer helped Fighter navigate into the bustling hall. The space was huge, lined with small counter windows beneath a large flickering screen displaying today's breakfast options.
The menu was basic. There was a dish resembling a rice ball with dark specks sticking out of it, a bowl of thin soup with a few toppings, and a protein bar.
'The food quality here is so low,' Fighter thought. 'I've never seen items this cheap back in my world. I haven't been to the second floor yet, but it has to be better than the first floor. Even if it's not that good compared to Blood family standards or my own standard, in the perspective of this world, it's better. This canteen is a clear sign of what type of place the UCA is: if you want something better, you have to show your worth.'