CHAPTER 187: CHAPTER 187 - A GIANT ’FRIEND’

The canteen fell into silence.

The echo of Luca’s words—"Hey, That’s enough!"—still hung in the air like a blade drawn from its sheath. Forks paused midair, spoons clattered against bowls, and dozens of eyes turned to him. The laughter that had filled the hall moments ago was now replaced with tense murmurs.

Eric was already at Luca’s side, his steps quiet but steady, his sharp gaze scanning the scene. He crouched down beside the fallen giant, carefully checking his condition.

The boy who had been pushed aside by Luca’s interception scrambled to his feet, red-faced and furious. His voice cracked as he barked,

"Who the hell are you? Why are you interfering—"

Before he could finish, someone in the gathering crowd blurted out in a trembling whisper,

"H-hey... isn’t that Luca Valentine? The one from Class A? The famous one?"

The name rippled through the crowd like a stone tossed into still water.

"Valentine...?"

"The prodigy from the weapon selection ceremony?"

"The one who—"

Recognition spread, and the boy who had shouted froze mid-step. His breath hitched, and sweat began rolling down his temple. He swallowed hard, his bravado already slipping away as his voice shrank to a nervous tremor.

"W-why is... a student like you interfering with us?"

Luca exhaled softly, as though tired of the same routine. Why are there always people like this...? His eyes narrowed, calm yet cold, and he spoke with quiet finality,

"Fuck off. And don’t dare to harass anyone again."

The boy stiffened. The weight in Luca’s voice was enough to still his tongue. He opened his mouth, "Y-You?!!", but when his gaze met Luca’s unflinching eyes, the courage to retort withered away. His jaw trembled. No words came out. He stepped back.

Satisfied, Luca let out a quiet sigh and turned his attention back to the man on the floor.

"Hey... you okay?"

The giant didn’t look at him. His wide, scarred frame lay still, yet his gaze never wavered from the half-spilled food on the ground. His lips moved slowly, his voice deep but startlingly subdued.

"...Food. Hungry."

Eric’s eyes narrowed as he leaned closer, brushing dirt off the man’s shoulder. His pupils dilated slightly as if surprised, and he muttered lowly,

"Not a single scratch..."

Luca raised a brow, mildly impressed but not showing much on his face. "Huh. Surprising."

He straightened, then offered a hand.

"Come with me. I’ll get you something to eat."

The effect was immediate. The giant’s dull eyes lit up with almost childlike brightness. He sat up in a rush, looming over everyone else as he scrambled to his feet. His massive frame towered over Luca, but the expression on his face was nothing short of foolishly innocent. His lips curved into a goofy grin, his eyes wide and glistening like a puppy being promised a treat.

"R-really? Food? For me?"

Luca blinked. The sight was so mismatched with the man’s monstrous physique that he faltered for half a step, staring. That expression really doesn’t suit your body at all.

Beside him, Eric chuckled under his breath, shaking his head in amusement.

"Yeah. Lots of food. Let’s go."

The three left together, the giant trailing closely behind like a loyal dog. The eyes of the crowd followed them until they disappeared, the whispers growing louder but not daring to challenge them.

On the way, Luca leaned slightly toward Eric, lowering his voice.

"Hey, can you look into him more?"

Eric gave a short nod. "Of course. But... What about finding a member?"

"That can wait," Luca answered calmly, his gaze flicking back to the hulking figure shadowing them. "Someone getting bullied is more urgent."

Eric exhaled, half exasperated, half understanding. "Fine. I’ll leave it to you. I will meet you in the cafeteria."

"Mn."

Eric turned down another corridor, while Luca continued forward, guiding the giant by gestures alone.

After a moment of silence, Luca glanced up at him.

"What’s your name?"

The man slowed, as if the question puzzled him. He scratched the back of his head, eyes darting upward in thought. Finally, his lips pulled into a dopey grin.

"No name. Call me... Big Bull."

Luca stopped mid-step, his expression flat. No name? Just what the hell is he...?

Still, he resumed walking, his composure never slipping. Soon, they arrived at the cafeteria.

The moment Luca entered with the towering man beside him, conversations hushed again. Dozens of eyes immediately latched onto the spectacle. Whispers erupted. Chairs scraped as people leaned closer for a better look.

Luca ignored the stares and guided the giant toward a wide sofa tucked in the corner. Chairs would never hold him anyway. After settling in, Luca folded his arms and looked at him evenly.

"So. What do you want to eat?"

The giant tilted his head, a faint crease forming on his brow as if Luca’s question was too complicated.

"Hmm? Food." His deep voice rumbled like a drum.

Luca pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned a little closer, trying again with patience.

"Yeah, but which food? What do you want?"

The giant blinked once. "Food."

Luca let out a long sigh, dragging a hand down his face before raising a hand to flag down a waiter.

"Forget it. Just bring every item you have on the menu."

The waiter froze mid-step, staring between Luca and the massive man beside him, before giving a reluctant nod.

Turning back, Luca tried to at least squeeze some sense out of the man. He rested an elbow against the armrest and leaned slightly forward.

"So, which class are you in?"

The giant tapped his temple as if he needed to think very hard about the question. Then, in a tone almost proud of his answer, he said, "D."

Luca arched an eyebrow, leaning back. At least he got that much right.

"Okay... then do you have any friends?"

The giant tilted his head again, his wide shoulders shifting like a confused child’s. His lips moved around the word as though it were foreign.

"Friends?"

Luca exhaled sharply through his nose, rubbing his temple. How did he even get into the academy...?

Before he could ponder further, a parade of plates and bowls began to arrive—stacked high with steaming dishes, the aroma filling the space around them. The giant’s eyes lit up, pupils dilating like a starving beast finally spotting prey. His lips curled into a broad grin that looked almost boyish on his mountain-sized frame.

"So much food," he breathed, his tone trembling with glee.

Then, without hesitation, he dug in. His massive hands dwarfed the plates as he scooped up handfuls of bread, meat, and rice, shoving them into his mouth with shocking speed. The table shook each time his elbows came down for leverage. Grease smeared across his cheeks, but he didn’t pause, chewing noisily, eyes fixed only on the food in front of him.

Luca leaned back in his seat, watching with a mixture of disbelief and reluctant amusement. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest. This is... absurd.

Eric arrived moments later, sliding into the seat opposite Luca. His eyes immediately widened at the sight of the emptying table, his mouth parting in a low whistle.

"...What on earth..."

Before Luca could even greet him, the giant sat upright, his massive frame making the sofa creak under the shift. He pounded his chest once with a meaty fist and declared, "More."

Luca and Eric turned in unison, their gazes snapping to the table—every plate was licked clean, bones and crumbs the only survivors.

They exchanged glances, Luca’s brows lifting slightly while Eric let out a small, helpless chuckle.

"Bring everything again," Luca called out, raising two fingers toward the waiter, who visibly flinched before hurrying off.

As the giant bounced slightly in his seat, grinning ear to ear like a child promised candy, Eric leaned closer to Luca, lowering his voice. His expression was half-curious, half-concerned.

"Well... it’s more complicated than we thought."