The aftermath of victory was exhausting.
Not physically.
Well... not only physically.
My arms felt like they had been used to punch a mountain into submission.
Several times.
My shoulders ached.
My knuckles ached.
My back ached.
At this point, I was discovering entirely new muscles whose sole purpose seemed to be causing me suffering.
The only thing that didn't hurt was my pride.
That remained perfectly healthy.
Unfortunately.
The academy grounds were no different.
Not because people wouldn't stop staring.
Most people actually didn't care.
Galia Military Academy was filled with monsters.
People far more concerned with their own goals than whatever some freshman had accomplished.
That didn't stop the occasional glance.
A few freshmen recognized me.
Some pointed me out to friends.
A handful whispered about the ranking matches.
Then most of them moved on with their lives.
Exactly how it should be.
I approved.
Present Benjamin wanted food.
And perhaps something cold.
Mostly something cold.
After wandering aimlessly for several minutes, I eventually found myself approaching one of the academy's social hubs.
The place was surprisingly lively.
Music drifted through the air.
Laughter echoed from every corner.
Students occupied dozens of tables spread across an enormous open hall.
Some played cards.
Some argued.
Some celebrated.
Others mourned defeats.
Several fourth years appeared to be competing in a drinking contest that would almost certainly end with medical intervention.
Normal academy life.
Refreshing.
I stepped inside.
Nobody stopped what they were doing.
A few people glanced over.
One freshman immediately looked away.
Two others whispered something.
A third-year looked directly at me.
Then returned to his drink.
I made my way toward the counter.
The bartender looked up.
A large guy with gray wolf ears and an expression that suggested he had seen everything.
"What can I get you?"
I glanced at the menu.
The moment I saw it, I froze.
Cocktails.
Mocktails.
Fruit blends.
Specialty drinks.
Several of them looked suspiciously familiar.
Then I remembered.
Right.
I had added those to the world.
Years ago.
Because I had once wondered why fantasy worlds never had decent drinks.
The realization filled me with equal amounts of pride and embarrassment.
Past Benjamin truly had too much free time.
"What can I get you?" the bartender repeated.
I scanned the list.
Then found exactly what I wanted.
"Apple Spritzer."
The bartender blinked.
"Alcoholic?"
"No."
"Extra sweet?"
"Yes."
He stared at me.
Then nodded.
Several minutes later, a tall glass arrived.
Golden apple juice.
Sparkling water.
Ice.
Thin apple slices.
Fresh mint.
Simple.
Elegant.
Cold.
Perfect.
I took a sip.
Then immediately relaxed.
A pleasant chill spread through my body.
For the first time all day, I felt peace.
No duels.
No classes.
No challenges.
Life was good.
Then I noticed something.
The hub was fascinating.
A beast tamer sat near the window with a fox larger than most horses.
An artificer was currently dismantling what appeared to be a drink dispenser.
A wind mage cooled beverages for money.
A fourth year was loudly explaining relationship advice despite appearing catastrophically single.
The academy truly gathered every type of lunatic imaginable.
I approved.
Another sip.
Another moment of peace.
Then I overheard a nearby conversation.
"That's him."
"The guy from the duels?"
"Yeah."
"The freshman?"
"The one who climbed the rankings."
I pretended not to hear.
A skill I had mastered long ago.
Unfortunately they continued.
"I heard he challenged everyone."
"I heard he beat them all."
"I heard he punched someone through a wall."
That one was technically true.
Though context was important.
Nobody ever appreciated context.
Another student leaned closer.
"Do you think he's really as strong as they say?"
I took another sip.
The answer was simple.
No.
I was stronger.
The thought almost made me choke.
Lucien's arrogance was spreading.
This was a problem.
A serious problem.
I would need to monitor it.
Carefully.
Very carefully.
My attention drifted toward the large windows overlooking the academy grounds.
The evening sun painted everything gold.
Students walked between buildings.
Training fields remained active.
The distant towers of the academy rose proudly against the horizon.
For the first time since arriving at Galia Military Academy, I wasn't rushing somewhere.
I wasn't fighting.
I wasn't training.
I wasn't planning.
I was simply existing.
And strangely enough...
I enjoyed it.
The bartender placed another slice of apple beside my drink.
"On the house."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"You looked like you needed it."
Fair.
I probably did.
The apple was good.
The drink was good.
The atmosphere was good.
But as I sat there enjoying my well-earned break, another thought surfaced.
A dangerous one.
A terrifying one.
One that immediately eclipsed every concern in my life.
I glanced toward the academy library.
Specifically toward the garden.
More specifically—
Toward a certain purple berry bush.
I stared at it through the window.
The berry bush stared back.
At least I assumed it did.
Then I took another sip of my Apple Spritzer.
And reached a conclusion.
The drink was excellent.
The atmosphere was pleasant.
The academy hub was nice.
But none of them could compete with the berry bush.
Not even close.
I would visit it again tomorrow.
Naturally.
Priorities were important.