Chapter 18: What Are You, Reynold Starweaver
Only after Reynold left the place that that the remaining students let out a breath they did not know they were even holding.
The corridor was suddenly loud as Reynold left. Everyone present was confused as they began murmuring.
Even Silas who was still on the ground has the same confused expression as the crowd. He clenched his teeth. His arm which was paining him was nothing compared to the crippling shame he had received just now.
And the worst?
He didn’t know why his power did not work on Reynold.
Dammit! He had been humiliated in front of this crowd today. No, he had been humiliated twice today all because of Gwyn.
But Silas hatred and anger was directed to Reynold right now. That bloody bastard must have done something that made his magic not to work on him.
Was it black magic? Silas gritted his teeth as he finally struggled to his feet, ignoring the sympathetic looks of the crowd.
He was not letting this matter go just like that.
At the same time, among the crowd was Reynold three roommates.
They exchanged stunned look. They had been ignoring Reynold because his appearance and dressing was screaming poor. They did not want anything to do with the poor boy.
Turns out the same poor boy was the Reynold Starweaver everyone was talking about and he had just sent a powerful Magic user flying, and the Fire spell had done absolutely nothing to him.
Dammit, they swallowed hard. If he could shatter a Mage’s spell bare-handed, then he could rip them apart.
Meanwhile, Reynold and Gwyn were already at the cafeteria for the first meal of the day.
Reynold took a plate from the stack and walked straight to the pasta section, his stomach was already growling.
He greeted the woman behind the counter. "Good afternoon. Chicken pasta with creamy sauce, please."
The woman was friendly and she had a kind smile. She responded to his greeting and dished a three big spoon into his plate. "Here you go, dear. And take this," she added, sliding a small bottle of water beside his tray.
Reynold thanked the woman and turned, searching for Gwyn. He had been so focused on food that he totally forgot about her.
Just then, Gwyn came out of the queue. Her tray was filled with two Chicken Pesto Panini and a small, pink bottle that has ’Spellbound Smoothie’. Written on it.
"Done?" Gwyn asked.
" Yeah. And i am starving," Reynold admitted. "Let’s grab that corner table."
As they walked, Gwyn took a sip of her smoothie. "So, are you always like this? Helping stranger. You’ve already gotten into two fights because of me.."
𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
Reynold shrugged easily, his eyes on the pasta. "It seems so. Maybe helping others is my super power or maybe I just like Keeping things interesting, I guess."
"super power is one word for it," Gwyn murmured as they reached an empty table. She slid into a seat, placing her tray down. "Irresponsible is probably another."
Reynold did not even bother to reply her last words as he started to eat his pasta like he hasn’t eaten for a month.
Gwyn, meanwhile, took a bite from one of her Paninis and let out a soft groan because of the sweetness. She then picked up the Spellbound Smoothie and drank from it before shifting her attention back to Reynold. She picked up the Panini again, her gaze fixed on him.
"What are you, Reynold Starweaver?" she finally asked, her voice dropping low so others won’t hear.
Reynold, mid-chew, raised an eyebrow.
"Huh? I’m Reynold Starweaver. Student. First year cadet. Soon-to-be Dragon Rider, hopefully." He looked genuinely confused.
Gwyn leaned forward slightly as she let out a chuckle. "Not that. You know what I mean. Back there, you basically took out Silas, a Fire Mage and his magic did nothing to you. He even hit you with a full-force spell, and you slid back a foot and then shattered his wrist with your bare hand. What really are you?"
Reynold finished the mouthful of pasta, murmuring, "Oh, that." He picked up his bottle of water and twisted the cap open. Before drinking, he did that unconscious thing people do, touching his tongue to his inner lip for any particles of food.
He then took a long drink. "I’m as surprised as everyone else, Gwyn. Honestly. I don’t know how it happened, and I definitely did not know I could do that."
Gwyn just stared at him. She did not want to push any further and cross a line, but whatever had happened back there was something a future Dragon Rider, a person without magic could not pull off.
It seemed there was more to this Reynold Starweaver than anyone knew, she thought, pushing the thoughts away.
Just then, a commotion erupted from a table nearby.
"Stay off my girlfriend, you Dyke!" a skinny boy yelled, pointing a shaking finger at a tall girl with blue streaks in her hair and a sleeve of dragon-scale tattoos on her arm.
The tattooed girl just chuckle. "Mate, she picked me. Not my fault you have the personality of wet bread."
Gwyn grinned. "See? I told you!" she said, nudging Reynold playfully. "I love the everyday fight at the cafeteria. Best entertainment in the Academy."
Reynold chuckled and shifted his eyes to the fighting scene. The boy was trying to grab the girl, but the girl was giving him a run for his money. She slammed the boy onto a nearby table, sending the tray on the table flying.
"And it’s not my fault she picked better!" the girl yelled.
Reynold shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. He shifted his eyes back to his plate, scooping another spoonful of creamy pasta into his mouth.
Soon, they were done with the meal. Reynold had finished his pasta, and Gwyn was done with her Paninis and smoothie. They stood up and left the cafeteria.
"My next class is from two to four," Reynold said, checking the schedule.
Gwyn waved. "Got my own class now. See you around, Reynold. And... be safe."
"You too, Gwyn," he replied.
Reynold had a genuine smile on his face as he headed toward his next class, which was for Riders only.
When he arrived, some students were already seated. Since it was just a class for first-year Riders, the classroom was not as large as the massive hall they had used earlier. It was a medium-sized room.
Soon, the professor walked in. He was a tall, and he had beard. He was wearing a black trouser and a white sleeve.
"Welcome," he said. "I am Professor Maras, and I will be your instructor for Draconic Physiology & Care (DPC 120)." He tapped a piece of chalk against the blackboard. "In this course, you will be learning a detailed biological study of the the different dragon breeds. This covers everything from dietary requirements and common ailments to the function of the fire-gland and the biological imperatives that govern their social structure."
He paused, and then continues "Theory will wait for today as we will be taking a walk to the dragon stable to take a look at the different breeds we have. You will see, for the first time, the breeds you are hoping to bond with."
Hearing that they were going to the dragon stable to see the different breeds of dragons made the class to erupt in excitement.
Even Reynold’s face lit up with joy but the joy immediately left his face as his thoughts shifted back to the dream about the three dragons coming after him.