Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Fragments of NormalcyThe cafeteria buzzed with low chatter, trays clinking, and the occasional laughter of students pretending everything was fine.

    Noel sat in silence, surrounded by Marcus, Roberto, Garron, and Laziel. A half-eaten plate of food lay in front of him, untouched for the past ten minutes. He stared past it, his thoughts somewhere far away.

    ’Two days have passed since the incident... and everything’s been kept quiet. The students who were affected don’t seem to remember anything. Makes sense, I guess. That bastard Kaelith said as much. Only Laziel kept his memories—he was directly involved, after all.’

    He glanced subtly toward Laziel, who was laughing at something Roberto had said. The boy looked fine now. Normal, even. But Noel knew better.

    ’He wasn’t acting on his own. Lereus—Kaelith—used him. Made him lure students in. Everyone thought Laziel was just delivering messages as the professor’s assistant. But it was a setup. Once they were inside... he’d offer them a drink. And that was it. Blood in the tea. Once that shit’s in your body, he had full control.’

    Noel shifted in his seat slightly, expression neutral, though his mind wasn’t.

    ’I only avoided it thanks to the antidote I bough. Cost me a fortune, but... it was worth it.’ sea??h thё N??eFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    His gaze drifted toward the window.

    ’Final exams are in a week. That, and... my sister’s wedding. Great. Just what I needed. I got a letter yesterday—she’s coming to visit before it. Can’t say I’m excited. I’m sure they all still hate "little Noel."’

    He folded his arms across his chest, jaw tensing.

    ’And then there’s Elyra. The situation up north... the illness is spreading sooner than expected. Of course it is. Nothing happens when it’s supposed to anymore. If I want to help, I’ll need to go to the northern region. But creating the cure... finding the ingredients... that won’t be easy.’

    He tapped his fingers on the table absently.

    ’Right. And the egg. Can’t forget about that thing. Still haven’t figured out how to incubate it. It just... sits there. Guess I’ll have to get creative.’

    "Noel?" Roberto’s voice cut through the fog.

    Noel blinked, slowly turning to look at him.

    "Noel?" Roberto repeated, frowning. "You alright?"

    "Eh?" Noel snapped back to the present. "Yeah. Yeah... I’m fine. What’s up?"

    Marcus leaned in, his brow furrowed. "We’ve been calling your name for like, a full minute. You sure you’re okay?"

    "I was just... thinking," Noel muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

    "That’s rarely a good sign," Roberto said, raising a brow. "Whenever you get all ’deep in thought’, it usually means something’s about to explode. Figuratively or literally."

    Noel let out a breath through his nose, half a smirk appearing. "You’re exaggerating."

    "I don’t think he is," Marcus said. "Anyway... any progress?"

    "Progress?" Noel echoed.

    Marcus grinned. "On the whole ’Elena situation’. She hasn’t been glued to your side lately, huh?"

    Noel’s expression remained unreadable. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. But actually—speaking of people being distant—Clara’s been avoiding you. Did you do something?"

    That hit the mark. Marcus’s face flushed instantly.

    "I—no. Nothing new," he mumbled.

    "After nearly a year," Roberto sighed dramatically, "he finally did something, and it backfired. But don’t worry, Marcus. I’ve been praying to the gods on your behalf. My faith will guide you."

    "Guide him to what?" Laziel said with a snort. "Last I checked, your last ’romantic endeavor’ ended with a very clear no thanks."

    "Oh please," Roberto huffed. "You guys could learn a thing or two from me."

    Garron, who had been quietly eating, looked up.

    "If you want advice, I can help."

    Everyone turned to him at once.

    All at once: "You?! Why?"

    Garron blinked. "What do you mean, why? I have a girlfriend."

    Noel nearly dropped his fork. "Since when?"

    "Like... two months ago?" Garron said, scratching his head.

    Marcus gaped. "And you didn’t tell us?"

    "She didn’t want me to. It was a secret," Garron said casually. "But she’s great. Really sweet. Tiny and adorable."

    Roberto raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess... she’s also a two-meter-tall bodybuilder who bench presses trolls for fun?"

    Garron chuckled. "Not even close."

    The bell above the cafeteria door jingled faintly.

    Garron looked up and casually raised a hand. "Oh, there she is."

    Everyone turned.

    A petite girl stepped into view, her steps light but confident. She looked like the polar opposite of Garron in every way—small frame, short chestnut hair tucked behind one ear, bright hazel eyes. She wore a soft winter coat lined with fur, and her hands were clasped neatly in front of her.

    Roberto blinked. "No way."

    "That’s... her?" Marcus whispered.

    "She looks like she’d get snapped in half by the wind," Laziel added.

    The girl approached with a smile that was polite but sharp at the edges.

    "Hi, sorry to interrupt," she said sweetly. "I’m Sophie, Garron’s girlfriend. It’s a pleasure to meet you all."

    Her voice was gentle, almost airy—until her gaze turned toward Garron. Her smile remained, but her eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

    "You had a date with me today, remember?"

    Garron paled slightly. "Ah... crap. I forgot."

    Sophie leaned in a bit, still smiling. "You did."

    "Guys, I—uh—sorry. Gotta go," Garron said, grabbing his tray and stumbling to his feet like a soldier caught napping during inspection.

    Sophie turned back to the table, all warm again. "Nice meeting you! Truly." She took Garron’s arm and walked off with him.

    Once they were out of earshot, the table was silent for a beat.

    Then:

    "Holy shit," Roberto muttered.

    "That was terrifying," Laziel added.

    "I did not see that coming," Marcus said.

    Noel chuckled under his breath. "You should take notes, Marcus."

    Marcus grumbled. "Yeah, yeah..."

    ’Now that I think about it... I didn’t see Elyra after that.’

    "Noel?"

    He blinked.

    Roberto waved a hand in front of his face. "You’re spacing out again."

    "Sorry," Noel muttered, lifting his spoon. "Just thinking."

    Roberto gave him a side-eye. "Thinking always leads to something ridiculous with you."

    Noel smirked faintly. ’You have no idea.’