CHAPTER 188: CHAPTER 188 - THE MYSTERY SURROUNDING THE GIANT

The cafeteria buzzed with its usual midday chatter—clinking cutlery, bursts of laughter, the shuffle of boots on polished stone floors—but today, all that sound seemed to bend toward a single point. Every pair of eyes stole glances, some wide with curiosity, others scrunched with irritation or disbelief. At the center of it all sat the towering giant of a boy, hunched over the table that barely seemed strong enough to hold the mountain of plates before him.

He gobbled food down with a single-minded focus, each bite vanishing as though swallowed by a bottomless pit. His massive hands moved quickly, shoveling meat and bread in with startling speed. Grease smeared across his chin, and when he looked up, his eyes glowed with childlike wonder—innocent, almost naïve.

Luca leaned an elbow on the table, pinching the bridge of his nose, and asked, "What do you mean by complicated?" His voice was low, wary.

Eric, who had just settled in, adjusted his coat, brushing crumbs from the seat before sitting. He parted his lips to answer—but before a single word escaped, the giant interrupted, his voice booming across the cafeteria like a drumbeat.

"More food."

His eyes shone, bright as stars, filled with unshakable excitement.

Luca blinked, his expression freezing. Eric’s hand paused midair as though suspended. Slowly, both turned their heads toward the giant, whose lips glistened with oil as he stared expectantly at the emptying plates. For a moment, silence reigned before the cafeteria erupted again with hushed whispers.

Suppressing a sigh, Luca waved over the trembling waiter. "Keep serving him until he’s satisfied," he instructed, rubbing the back of his neck as though the decision itself weighed on him.

The waiter’s eyes darted nervously to the giant, who sat licking his lips with the innocence of a child about to be rewarded with candy. The waiter swallowed hard, gave a stiff nod, and scurried off.

Eric chuckled, folding his arms. "It looks like you’re going home with empty pockets today."

Luca shot him a flat, dry look before forcing out a half-hearted laugh. "Ha. Very funny. Now tell me what you found."

Eric’s humor faded, and he leaned in, lowering his voice. "Well... nobody knows his origin. No one’s ever heard of his family, or where he came from. Nothing. He’s just... there. Placed into Class D, but no one knows how he was even admitted into the academy."

Luca arched a brow. "And?"

Eric’s lips thinned. "He’s a little bit innocent. No, not just a little. A lot. He’s constantly bullied. Some treat him like a human punching bag, and he just takes it. He doesn’t fight back. No complaints, no retaliation—he just sits there, like today."

Luca’s gaze drifted back to the giant, who at that very moment let out a delighted hum while devouring another roasted leg. There was no malice in his features, only raw happiness at the food filling his belly. Luca exhaled slowly, his fingers drumming on the table.

"And his food?" Luca asked. "Surely the lower canteen can’t keep up with him."

Eric gave a small, grim nod. "You’re right. And even when he does get something to eat..." He hesitated, his hand tightening on the edge of the table.

Luca nudged him. "Well?"

"Bullies snatch it from him," Eric said finally, his tone flat with disapproval. "So... he just goes hungry most days."

Luca didn’t need to hear more. His jaw tightened. He leaned back in his chair just as a thunderous burp echoed across the cafeteria. Heads swiveled again.

The giant leaned back with a foolish grin stretching across his broad face. His cheeks glowed red with satisfaction as he patted his round stomach, sighing happily. "Full."

Luca exchanged a long look with Eric, his brow furrowed. "We’ll talk to Professor Seraphina. We can’t leave it like this. If we ignore it, he’ll just keep getting bullied."

Eric gave a solemn nod, then rose to his feet. He turned to the giant with a smile that came off warmer than usual. "Let’s go out now."

The giant’s eyes lit up, and he pushed himself up from the sofa, towering over the room. His sofa screeched back across the floor. Every gaze followed as the three of them left together, whispers trailing like shadows.

Only when the cafeteria doors closed behind them did the exhausted waiter slump to the ground, wiping sweat from his brow and muttering a prayer of relief as he looked at the towering dishes on the table.

The three of them walked slowly through the academy grounds—Luca, Eric, and the hulking giant who lumbered just a step behind, his heavy strides thudding against the stone paths like distant drums. A few curious first-years scattered out of the way, whispering at the sight of the towering figure trailing after them.

Eric shoved his hands into his pockets, giving the giant a side glance before muttering, "Well... how much did he eat?"

Luca didn’t look at him, his expression calm, eyes fixed ahead. "Enough for you and me together to last two months."

Eric stopped mid-step, his brows shooting up. "What?" His voice cracked in disbelief.

Luca’s lips curved in a faint, humorless smile, but his gaze was elsewhere. This person... he isn’t normal. With no information on him, no records, and yet surviving this long in the academy? That’s already abnormal. Who exactly are you?

His thoughts were cut short by a shrill, all-too-familiar voice.

"He is the one, Brother! That’s him—Luca Valentine! He beat me up today!"

Luca’s head tilted up, his eyes narrowing slightly as recognition sparked. It was the same boy who had been tormenting the giant just moments ago. But now, the brat wasn’t alone—he had dragged along his elder brother, a tall third-year with a sharp jaw and an arrogant sneer, flanked by three or four lackeys. Their uniforms bore the colored trim of higher-ranked students, and the way they carried themselves screamed entitlement.

Eric let out a low whistle at Luca’s side. "Looks like trouble just found us."

Luca smirked faintly, sliding one hand into his pocket. "Who’s afraid of it?"

The third-year strode forward with long, purposeful strides, his lackeys trailing behind like a pack of wolves. The air grew heavy with hostility.

But before Luca could even shift his weight forward, a massive shadow stretched across him.

The giant had moved.

He planted himself firmly between Luca and the approaching group, his massive frame blocking out the sunlight. His broad shoulders squared, his jaw clenched, and for once his usually vacant eyes were fierce. He raised one thick finger, pointing back at Luca, and in a low rumble declared,

"Big bull. Big brother. Don’t touch."

Luca blinked, caught off guard, then glanced sidelong at Eric.

"...Didn’t you say he doesn’t retaliate?"

Eric’s own eyes were wide, his mouth half-open. "I swear! That’s what everyone said!"

The brat who had fetched his elder brother scoffed, barking, "Hey, Big Bull! Since when do you fight back? Go hide in your hole!"

The giant’s jaw tightened. His lips pressed into a stubborn line, and in the same deep, simple tone, he repeated, "Don’t touch."

Luca exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. This fool’s going to get hurt at this rate. He shifted as if to step forward.

But then, a sudden flare of mana.

The third-year, face twisted in irritation, raised his hand. Fire bloomed in his palm, swirling into a compact sphere. Without hesitation, he launched the spell.

Luca’s eyes widened. "You—!!" He shot forward—

—but then froze.

Because the giant hadn’t moved. He stood rooted like a mountain, letting the fireball crash directly into his chest. The explosion burst against him, smoke and sparks flying. Gasps rang out from the onlookers.

And when the haze cleared—

The giant was still standing. Unscathed. He brushed the singed spot on his uniform with one massive hand, looked up, and growled,

"...Don’t touch."

The crowd erupted in murmurs.

"That was a Fifth Circle spell, right?"

"No way—he took that head on?"

"He didn’t even stagger..."

Even Luca’s own expression sharpened, his mind racing. That wasn’t ordinary. That spell... easily Fifth Circle, strong enough to push average second year to their limit. Even I’d have to dodge it. And he just—

The third-year’s smirk faltered. He muttered, almost to himself, "Just a fluke." Then, gritting his teeth, he began weaving another spell.

This time Luca moved instantly, but Eric’s hand shot out, catching his wrist.

"Wait. Let’s observe."

The second spell flew, crashing against the giant. This time he grunted—low and guttural, his face twitching in pain—but he did not budge an inch. His feet stayed rooted, his massive body unmoving.

The third-year faltered. His lackeys exchanged nervous glances. And the brat’s face had drained of color.

All around, voices rose.

"Who is that giant?"

"Unbelievable..."

"That was no weakling spell. How is he still standing?"

The third-year’s composure cracked. Scowling, he turned and slapped his younger brother across the face. "Idiot! Let’s go."

Without another word, he and his entourage retreated quickly, faces stiff with embarrassment.

As the crowd slowly dispersed, the giant turned back to Luca. His fierce, protective scowl melted away, replaced with that familiar, foolishly bright smile.

He pointed a thick finger at Luca, eyes shining like a child’s.

"Big... brother."

Eric chuckled under his breath, folding his arms as he tilted his head toward Luca. His smirk was sharp, teasing. "Well? What do you think?"

Luca met the giant’s earnest gaze, then exhaled slowly, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

"...Seems like we’ve unearthed a hidden gem."

Eric’s smirk widened. "How about him as our fourth member?"

Luca, despite himself, couldn’t shake the feeling that fate had just dropped something—or someone—extraordinary right in his path.