"Alright, Zephyra. Stop hiding. I can see you."
Hel turned around—and sure enough, the little head behind her shrank back like a thief caught in the act.
Only after hearing Hel call her name did she cautiously peek out again.
She glanced left and right, scanning the surroundings. When she confirmed no one else was nearby, she finally let out a breath of relief, then hurried over to Hel's side.
"Lord Brother…"
Like a swallow returning to its nest, she threw herself into Hel's arms.
Beside Hel, the catgirl Niv couldn't help curling her lips, teasing through the soul network:
"Master really is a heart-stealer, huh."
"Nonsense!"
Hel stroked Zephyra's head to calm her while frantically defending herself through the soul link.
"This child is terribly shy. A few days ago, Knight Irina received orders from the Church and left for the Garden Nation to handle York's case, so I'm basically the only person she can cling to now."
"Mm-hm."
Niv gave Zephyra a quiet glance, something complicated flashing deep in her eyes.
A divine offspring…
From ancient times to now, that identity has never brought anyone good fortune.
Still, she understood.
Even after learning Zephyra's identity, Hel had kept her close.
That meant Hel must have her own plans.
And whatever those plans were…
Hel hadn't said.
So Niv didn't ask.
It was her way of leaving Hel some space.
Seeing Niv stop teasing, Hel finally withdrew her hand from Zephyra's hair and said with indulgent warmth:
"It's getting late. Let's go eat at the cafeteria."
"T-To the cafeteria?"
Zephyra instinctively took a step back.
Yet her small hand still clung tightly to the corner of Hel's clothing.
It was as though she were caught between two fears—
Going into a crowded dining hall…
Or being separated from Hel.
"B-But… there are too many people there…"
Zephyra lowered her head, speaking in a tiny voice like a child who'd done something wrong, terrified Hel might grow unhappy and leave her behind.
Hel sighed helplessly and explained gently,
"Anna isn't around these days. And there isn't really any food in my dorm either."
Before, Hel had brought Zephyra and Irina back to her room for lunch—
But back then, Anna had been the one cooking.
Of course, Hel could ask Niv to play the role of little chef…
But exposing Niv just for a single meal was far from wise.
So she softened her voice and coaxed Zephyra.
"Be good. After lunch, I'll take you back to my dorm and treat you to little cakes."
"Really?"
Zephyra's head snapped up, her eyes sparkling like tiny stars.
But the moment they actually arrived at the school cafeteria…
Hel deeply regretted her decision.
"Right… I forgot. We're in the Ymir Empire."
Hel pressed a hand to her forehead in resignation.
In the Ymir Empire—this barren wasteland of cuisine—
People lived off roasted potatoes, fried fries, and all manner of culinary darkness.
Back then, the sandwiches Hiness had packed for them had practically counted as gourmet food.
But Skoll Academy's cafeteria…
Was something else entirely.
Raw vegetables eaten straight.
Ham and bread slapped together.
Or a horrifying paste made from cheese and random snacks mixed into one.
Hel understood that in an efficiency-obsessed academy like Skoll, eating wasn't meant to be enjoyment—
But surely it should at least be edible.
Hel shook her head, took Zephyra's hand—still tugging at her sleeve—and sighed.
"Come on. Let's just go back to my dorm and make do."
But just as she was about to leave…
A voice called out from not far away.
"Junior Hel, what a coincidence."
The newcomer was a young woman with two flax-colored braids and faint freckles across her cheeks—
Mortia, the upper-division senior who had tried to recruit Hel into the Spark Society when Hel first arrived at Skoll Academy.
Ever since Hel rejected her, somehow Mortia had learned her schedule.
Every few days, she would appear again, inviting Hel to join the society—
No, join the "cause."
Each time, Hel refused without hesitation.
Eventually, Mortia gave up on recruiting her.
But as an officer of the Spark Society, she still carried the responsibility of bringing in new students.
So Hel occasionally still ran into her around the lower division.
"Not used to Ymir food, are you?" Mortia leaned in warmly, smiling as she spoke.
Perhaps it was Hel's imagination…
But Mortia carried a strangely gentle aura.
More precisely—
The kind of comforting presence that made you want to cling to her leg and call her "mom."
Even though she didn't look much older than Hel, she somehow radiated an unsettling sense of calm.
Hel shook his head hard, dispelling the bizarre thought, then replied politely:
"Sorry. I'm not joining."
"Oh come on, junior, don't be so distant. We're all Skoll Academy students—being gathered here is fate."
As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward Hel's back.
There, a fluffy little head cautiously peeked out.
Mortia smiled at Zephyra, then spoke gently.
"And hello to this adorable little sister as well."
"Zephyra isn't joining either."
Hel immediately shifted, placing Zephyra behind him, and instinctively widened the distance between himself and Mortia.
Something about this girl felt… off.
Yet he couldn't pinpoint why.
Even the trait-inspection feedback showed nothing abnormal.
In the end, Hel could only blame it on herself—
Maybe she was simply too introverted by nature to handle someone this overly enthusiastic.
Seeing Hel's guarded posture, Mortia didn't take offense.
She only chuckled softly.
"Relax. It's break time—I'm not talking about work."
"I'm just giving a bit of advice, as a senior who arrived at this academy before you."
She rose, glancing around the cafeteria, then pretended to be surprised.
"Hard to believe it's been two years and the lower division cafeteria is still serving the same dishes."
"To be honest, I'm not from the Ymir Empire either. I couldn't get used to the food at first, either."
"But luckily, an older senior once pointed me toward a better path…"
She leaned in slightly, smiling.
"There's a small restaurant over by the staff dormitories."
"The food there is guaranteed to satisfy you."
"And as the price for me guiding you there…"
"All I ask is that you treat me to a meal."
"Well?"
"Junior… want to go?"