The cafeteria of Nocteim is the only place where magicians, regardless of their rank, can meet each other.
After taking over Nocteim, Edwin realized just how many talents wither away simply because they never get the chance to showcase their abilities to someone who might help them flourish.
It's also no secret how obsessed mages can become with their research. For years, some don't even step outside their labs, eventually turning into eccentric individuals who lose touch with the world.
The cafeteria is located on the 32nd floor. Its wooden walls and floors are enchanted with protective spells to guard against attacks or explosions caused by the experiments of mad scientists. Tiny bulbs with small white wings float around, lighting up the cafeteria all day.
Long wooden benches are systematically placed around the large hall. The stained glass covering the large windows gives off a different glow every time light reflects through it.
There is no human staff working in the ever-busy cafeteria of Nocteim. Instead, it's run by **Magebuns**.
Magebuns, or Magic Bunnies, are a special kind of bunny capable of using magic and communicating like humans. They have always existed, but centuries ago, they were treated as outsiders by other bunnies and as monsters by humans.
However, Edwin, who had a different vision, managed to recruit the Magebuns into Nocteim, where they are treated as normal beings by the not-so-normal mages.
Magebuns mainly work in the cafeteria and in administrative roles alongside **Mystifoxes**—red and white foxes who can converse like humans and are extremely intelligent in various fields.
Unlike Magebuns, Mystifoxes can't use magic, but their intelligence has made them invaluable as administrators in Nocteim for over a century.
Xavier couldn't believe what he was seeing. Bunnies dressed like waiters were walking around, taking orders, and conversing with humans. The floating magic bulbs, foxes dressed in suits eating with mages, and the lively chatter made the space feel magical and exciting.
For the first time in his life, Xavier saw a different side of magic—a magic that was beautiful, colorful, and full of wonder.
"Too shocked to speak?" Edwin grinned playfully. Xavier gulped as the delicious aroma of food filled the room.
"How did you manage to create something like this?" Xavier asked, looking at Edwin with a mix of shock and admiration. Edwin shrugged proudly. "I'm not called the Greatest Mage of this age for no reason."
Hearing Edwin boast, Xavier narrowed his eyes. But he was too hungry to argue.
"Tower Master, greetings!" Two bunnies greeted Edwin. They weren't any taller than three feet.
"Oho~ Seems like things are going well for you guys," Edwin said with delight, and they nodded happily.
"Today's menu is special. Please come and try!" They excitedly jumped and showed Edwin and Xavier to their seats.
Xavier still couldn't believe he was seeing bunnies talking and walking like humans. He blinked in shock as he glanced around the room.
He thought, *No wonder the Emperor sees him as a threat. Who would have thought such harmony among some of the greatest minds and powerful mages was even possible? It's like I've stepped into a whole new world—so different and exciting.*
"Is this a new mage?" one of the bunnies asked.
Edwin looked at Xavier, who seemed like an excited, lost kid, and shook his head.
"Not yet. But... why are there so many different dishes today, Mak?" Edwin asked, looking at the food counter where more than 50 different kinds of dishes were displayed.
Mak, the Head Chef of Nocteim, proudly boasted about how she had finally mastered Eastern cuisine using the books she bought years ago.
Xavier was already drooling at the array of food. "Are all these part of Eastern cuisine?"
Mak grinned proudly. "Of course. Eat as much as you want, lad."
Edwin narrowed his eyes. "Aren't you going to offer the same to your boss?"
Mak smirked playfully. "Tower Master, you're so petty. Who fights with a kid?"
Edwin realized how enchanted the Magebuns were by Xavier. They looked as if they couldn't wait to feed him. He scoffed in disbelief.
"What a bunch of ungrateful bunnies!" he muttered, though he couldn't deny how Xavier looked like a cute, lost kid in the vast cafeteria.
After serving the dishes at a two-seater table in the furthest corner of the room, the Magebuns left. Xavier kept eating, and with every bite, he could feel the magical flavors unfolding in his mouth.
"How can food taste this good?" he exclaimed, looking at Edwin, who laughed it off as if it were no big deal.
"If you're this satisfied with Nocteim's food, how will you manage at the Academy?" Edwin asked, resting his left elbow on the table and his cheek on his palm.
"We'll see about that later," Xavier replied.
After finishing more than 18 plates of food, Xavier finally felt his hunger subside. Edwin knew dragons had big appetites, but he hadn't expected it to be this enormous.
"Tower Master, there's something I'm curious about," Xavier began. Edwin, who was busy eating a chocolate ball, looked up.
"What?" he asked.
"As far as I know, the Imperial Family isn't the type to go easy on Nocteim or Sian. After all, mages are a threat to them, especially when their goal is to usher in the era of demons," Xavier paused and glanced around the crowded cafeteria.
He could see with his own eyes just how powerful the mages in the room were. If Edwin wanted to lead a war against the Empire with these mages, the Imperial Family would face a devastating blow—and might even be defeated if the demons didn't intervene.
Edwin put down his spoon. "Nocteim wasn't always like this. The previous Tower Masters were the Imperial Family's dogs. Sian was under the Emperor's thumb in the past."
Edwin's gaze remained fixed on his half-eaten cake, his tone shifting slightly. Xavier found the sudden change in his demeanor surprising.
"What changed during your time?" Xavier asked.
"I struck a deal with your father," Edwin said, his lips curving into a small, sinister grin. "I promised to show him mercy if he gave me full power to operate Sian and Nocteim."
Xavier frowned and tried to ask more questions, but Edwin cut him off.
"Your main focus should be gaining control over your demonic power and growing strong enough for me to unseal your mana and aura channels."
Xavier opened his mouth to ask more but stopped. He knew getting information out of Edwin wouldn't be possible unless Edwin wanted to share it.
"I'll go and catch some sleep," Xavier said, standing up and walking out of the cafeteria. He was curious about what Edwin had said, but he also knew, as Edwin had pointed out, that he needed to focus on other things.
Edwin kept his eyes on Xavier as he left, blinking slowly.
"Are you seeing yourself in that kid, Tower Master?" Mak asked as she cleared the plates. Edwin's expression was tinged with sadness and a hint of regret.
"Do you regret it?" Mak pressed. Edwin hesitated before answering. Mak didn't pry further and nodded.
"Regret won't change anything," Edwin mumbled. "And honestly, I don't regret it."
Edwin looked at Mak, who was surprised by his words, before letting out a soft laugh.
"That's more like you," she said, making Edwin smile.
There are so many decisions one has to make. Some may regret them in the future. However, a decision once made won't change, no matter how much one regrets it.
This is one of Edwin's ideals—to never regret anything in life, no matter how dire the consequences.
"I have a favor to ask you, Mak," Edwin said, stopping her mid-task. She tilted her head. "A favor? Really?"
Edwin rubbed his neck uneasily. "I'll be sending this kid to the Academy, but I don't feel right letting him go alone."
Mak was silent for a moment before nodding. "I'll find someone reliable to accompany him."
Edwin gave her a grateful nod, and Mak laughed lightly before disappearing behind the food counter.
Edwin continued eating his cake and mumbled, "I miss my pumpkin pie."