Chapter 960: Faction’s Canteen Chapter 960: Faction’s Canteen From MC’s Perspective: The following day, I woke up earlier than usual, my body still carrying a slight buzz from the energy cultivated the night before.
After completing my morning routine-washing up, stretching, and gathering my thoughts for the day-I decided to focus on cultivation.
As I was settling in, something caught my attention: the faint glow of a notification on my communicator.
An unread message in the inbox.
Curious, I opened it.
My eyes widened with surprise.
The sender was none other than Master Ann herself.
Her message was direct, almost casual: she wanted me to visit her at the manor.
“Someone will come to pick you up,” she said, and asked me to be ready.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
“Interesting,” I muttered under my breath.
There was no immediate rush, so I decided to take my time.
A long bath felt like the right way to start the day.
I let the hot water soothe my muscles, washing away the tension that had been building from constant training and meditation.
Fifteen minutes passed in a blur, but by the end of it, I felt refreshed and more than prepared.
Once dried off, I slipped into the black uniform, adorned with the silver thunderbolt crest of the Thunderflame Faction.
The material clung to my body, sleek and fitted like a second skin, but it wasn’t heavy like battle armor-more of a flexible suit meant for quick movement.
Its subtle weight reminded me of my allegiance and the power we wielded in the faction.
Just as I was about to leave, my stomach growled unexpectedly, the deep rumble cutting through the stillness of my quarters.
I hadn’t realized how hungry I was.
Warriors of our caliber could go days without food if needed, but nourishment was still important, especially when that nourishment came from monster meat-rich in energy and strength.
The faction’s canteen came to mind, and I remembered the online news.
Thunderflame was generous to its own; meals were provided freely to its members, a rare privilege among the top factions.
But for outsiders?
They’d have to pay in points, something I’d seen mentioned, though I had yet to confirm it for myself.
Despite knowing the canteen could be a place where trouble often brewed, I decided food would be my first priority.
Trouble could wait; hunger couldn’t.
With a deep breath, I left my room and started walking.
The canteen wasn’t far, just past the residential area, and I had a feeling this would be the calm before the storm.
A few minutes later, I arrived at the canteen, following the route on my map precisely.
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The open space was bustling with activity, filled with warriors in their black uniforms, the Thunderflame crest visible on each one.
Men and women, some fresh-faced and others bearing the hardened expressions of seasoned fighters, moved about with purpose.
A few headed inside, likely as hungry as I was, while others walked out, their meals finished, laughing and talking in low, relaxed tones.
I took a moment to survey the scene.
The canteen itself was a grand hall, designed to accommodate the sheer number of warriors.
Long tables stretched out across the space, and the air was thick with the scent of cooked meats and savory spices.
The low hum of conversations, clinking utensils, and footsteps filled the atmosphere.
After sweeping my gaze across the area, I spotted the food counter on the far side.
My stomach rumbled again, urging me to move.
I made my way through the crowd, stepping in line behind one other warrior.
He didn’t seem to pay any attention to me as he collected his food and moved aside.
When it was my turn, I stepped forward confidently.
“Monster meat,” I said, my voice firm but polite.
The staff member behind the counter nodded without a word, moving quickly to prepare a plate.
Within moments, he handed me a tray piled with thick steaks of wild boar monster, their surfaces glistening with juices.
The rich aroma hit me immediately, making my mouth water.
I took the tray and scanned the room for a seat.
Most of the tables were occupied, but in the far corner, I spotted an empty spot.
Perfect.
I made my way over and settled into the seat, the clatter of my tray blending into the background noise of the bustling hall.
To my relief, no one seemed to pay me much attention.
Warriors around me were engrossed in their own conversations, eating, chatting, and occasionally bursting into laughter.
The atmosphere was light, almost casual, a rare moment of peace amid the constant training and competition.
It was strange yet comforting.
I couldn’t help but smile to myself, feeling a small sense of contentment as I cut into the meat.
Each slice of the boar was tender, and as I bit into it, I could feel the surge of energy coursing through me.
The flavor was rich, the meat almost melting in my mouth.
I ate slowly, savoring each bite, my body absorbing the energy it provided.
Just as I was enjoying my meal, something nearby caught my attention.
A group of warriors at the next table seemed to be engaged in a heated conversation.
Their voices, though low, carried enough tension to pull me in.
They were discussing something serious, something that piqued my interest: the Dark Variant Faction.
I slowed my chewing, listening in while keeping my eyes on my plate.
“Hey, should we let those dark b@stards off so easily?” one of them said, his voice laced with frustration.
“They’re always picking fights with us,” another added.
His tone was sharp, and I could sense the anger simmering beneath the surface.
“It’s because our elements counter theirs,” a third warrior chimed in.
“Thunder and fire against their dark element.
They want to weaken us, keep us on edge.” There was a collective murmur of agreement, but it was the next statement that struck me the most.
“The Main Elders aren’t taking this seriously enough,” the first one said bitterly.
“If this keeps up, it’s going to damage our reputation.
We need to act.” I glanced around discreetly, realizing this conversation wasn’t limited to just one table.
Warriors all over the canteen were talking in hushed tones, their expressions serious, their eyes darkened with concern.
The Dark Variant Faction wasn’t just a minor nuisance, it was a looming threat, one that seemed to weigh heavily on everyone’s mind.
It was clear now that tensions were high.
The constant skirmishes with the Dark Variant Faction weren’t just about personal grudges.
It was becoming a larger issue, one that could affect the entire faction’s standing within the university.
And from the sound of it, many warriors were already planning how to deal with the situation, taking matters into their own hands if the elders wouldn’t.
I leaned back in my chair slightly, the weight of the situation sinking in.
“Looks like it’s not going to be easy to walk around the university without running into trouble,” I thought, my gaze shifting to the entrance of the canteen.
Originally, I had been thinking about stepping out of the faction to explore the university grounds.
After all, the university had common training facilities available for members of all Halls, and as a member of the Outer Hall, I had access to the Outer Hall facilities.
But judging from the conversations around me, it seemed even the Outer Hall might not be as peaceful as I had hoped.
Still, I had made up my mind.
Despite the unease, I wanted to take a look around the Outer Hall later, see for myself what the atmosphere was like.
But before that, I had to visit the Healing Palace as instructed.
Master Ann was expecting me, and from the sound of things, I might need her healing teachings now.
I continued to eat, cutting into another slice of the monster meat as I quietly absorbed the conversations around me.
The tension in the canteen was palpable, but it wasn’t just about the Dark Variant Faction.
Snatches of other discussions reached my ears-complaints, strategies, and rumors floating through the air like static.
Then, in the midst of all the noise, I caught something unexpected.
My name.
It was subtle, but unmistakable.
I glanced toward a table nearby, where a group of warriors had their heads close together, speaking in low tones.
Their expressions were less animated than the others, more calculating.
“…he’s the newcomer, right?” one of them said, not bothering to lower his voice much.
I kept my gaze forward, pretending to focus on my food, but my ears were keenly tuned to their words.
“Yeah, that’s him,” another voice confirmed.
“Shows up and gets attention right away.
Not surprising, but still…” “It’s always the same,” someone else muttered, his tone dripping with irritation.
“The faction’s got plenty of warriors who’ve been here longer.
Just because he’s got a bit of talent doesn’t mean he should be the focus.” I smirked inwardly, keeping my expression neutral.
It wasn’t surprising.
In a place like this, filled with ambitious warriors striving for status and power, competition was inevitable.
But their dissatisfaction was more revealing than they likely realized.
If anything, it only confirmed that I was on the right path-if they were talking about me, it meant I was already making waves.
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