(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they mean a lot. As usual, please don't hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)

Power stones people, Gimme it.

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The girls were clearly older.

Orion didn't need to see their faces to know that—they carried themselves with the confidence of students who'd survived at least one year of the academy. Slightly taller, more developed, mana signatures denser. Most first-years wouldn't dare pick a public fight in a crowded restaurant like this.

While Orion made that mental observation, many of the upperclassmen had already taken notice of the unexpected newcomers—five first-years walking into a restaurant in Magnum Two. Their small height, clear faces, and sharp uniforms stood out immediately. A few glanced over in curiosity, but the commotion at the center stole attention back quickly.

"Just because you don't like him doesn't give you the right to bad-mouth him!" the girl on the right shouted, her mana flaring along her arm.

"Oh shut up! You're not even close to him," the other snapped, leaning forward aggressively. "You're just like the rest of those idiots who fall for that thieving bastard. He's stealing from us—open your eyes!"

"Oh, great. Now he's a thief. You keep coming up with these useless conspiracies of yours." The first girl scoffed loudly. "If he's such a criminal, why hasn't he been penalized? It's people like you who make Magnus lash out at us—ungrateful wench."

The second girl's eyes widened. "What did you call me?!"

"Wench!"

The word landed like a spark in oil.

Mana flared wildly from both sides—too wild, too uncontrolled for a public space—but before either could escalate, the kitchen door slammed open.

A middle-aged woman stormed out, apron still tied around her waist, expression sharp enough to slice through steel.

Her steps were heavy. Furious.

"Enough!" she snapped, grabbing both girls by the ears with the precision of a veteran. "You two are too young to be fighting over a man! Do you want to destroy my restaurant?!"

The girls yelped, the mana around them sputtering out instantly as they bent over in pain.

"And if you keep this up," the woman continued, voice dangerously calm, "I will call the disciplinary committee. Don't test me."

The threat worked.

The girls nodded frantically.

When she released them, they scurried back to their seats, stuffing food into their mouths with a shame that suggested this wasn't the first time they'd been disciplined by her. The tension didn't disappear, but it quieted—contained by her glare alone.

A collective hum of relief swept through the restaurant.

Orion and the boys realized they had somehow already found themselves at an empty table, watching like patrons in a theater. None of them remembered sitting. They just… had.

Murmurs rippled.

"Magnus again…"

"He keeps getting people worked up, huh?"

"He really needs to calm down…"

Magnus.

The name repeated often enough that even Erevan tilted his head.

Whoever he was, he clearly left a trail behind him.

Before Orion could ponder further, the middle-aged woman turned her attention toward their table.

Her eyes softened immediately.

She didn't need magic to tell they were first-years. She didn't need intuition to tell they were Magnum One. Their posture, their decorum, their subtle control—these weren't qualities you saw in students from the outer dorms.

A warm smile tugged at her lips as she walked toward them.

"Five handsome boys like you shouldn't be so focused on such drama," she said with a chuckle.

All five coughed at once, caught red-handed.

Even Orion's ears warmed slightly.

Her smile widened at the reaction.

"So, what can I get you today?" she asked.

She listed the menu—spiced strips, spirit-seared chicken, mana-infused broth, roasted herb rice, crystal-crunch salads, and several other dishes Orion mentally bookmarked.

They ordered modestly, each dish costing around ten points.

Before leaving, she tilted her head curiously. "If you don't mind me asking… what class are you boys?"

They exchanged glances.

There was nothing harmful about the question. Just curiosity… and perhaps something else faint behind her eyes.

"A1," Orion answered.

A flicker of realization passed through her gaze.

Soft. Quick. Calculated—but not malicious.

'First year A1's in the outer magnums at this time. They'll be coming for them soon. I should use this chance to introduce them and get them acquianted with her.' She thought.

Orion could feel the gears turning in her head, he was curious what she was up to.

"Wonderful," she said warmly. "We rarely get A1s over here."

Arlen leaned forward mischievously. "You want us to become regulars?"

She laughed. "I'd love that."

"If the food's good, I'll gladly come back," Arlen said confidently.

Orion didn't have a problem with that, he could tell something was up with the woman, in fact they all did, they were the best after all, but the lady didn't radiate any malice, if the food was good, there was nothing wrong with visiting here often.

She inclined her head politely, pleased, and hurried back into the kitchen.

The boys relaxed into their seats.

Their meals didn't take long.

The food was good—very good. Rich flavor, well-seasoned, perfectly prepared. Even Orion, who didn't care much about taste, had to admit it was impressive.

They thanked her, paid, and stepped outside.

Dusk had deepened into evening. Soft lamps lit the walkways, casting warm yellow glows across the stone streets.

It was almost 7 p.m.

Caelum glanced at the sky. "Should we head back?"

Thaddeus stretched his arms behind his head lazily. "We don't have a curfew. Let's check the place out real quick."

Erevan was already nodding.

Arlen was practically vibrating.

Orion looked around at the lively paths, the pulsing energy of Magnum Two, the hints of what Magnum Three might be like beyond it.

Adventure tugged at him gently.

"…Fine," he said. "Let's go."

And with that, the group continued deeper into the night.

Into the outer magnums.

Where the academy's rules blurred…

…and where anything could happen.

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