The next day in the Syllox Academy. The sunlight pierced into the building, through the mildly damp air creating a descent morning atmosphere for all to share in.
Xavier woke up as the sunlight pierced into his room and bounced on his face.
He looked around for a minute analysing the positions his roommates took in their slumber.
He glanced for a while before finally harbouring enough energy to lift himself and freshen up.
The moment he was about to leave the room, Leo was awake as well and asked him "And where do you think you're going to?"
The mild voice of his friend gave him a quake at first before he gave an answer "Just want to explore this place. I have been cooped up since I came here and I really need to ruloose for a while."
"Okay, give me a minute. I'll be with you in a minute."
Leo, got up from bed as well and got himself ready in no distant time.
"So where are you heading?"
"Just wanna explore the place. Probably we will start with the cafeteria and go get some breakfast. I really want to have a taste of that tier 3 meat Lyra was talking about."
"You're gonna love it. Come on, let's go."
"Aren't we gonna wake Avon up?"
"That guy, he sleeps like a sloth. He wouldn't be getting up till about noon."
"Okay, let's hurry before someone beats us there."
The two ran towards the cafeteria even though there wasn't anyone throughout the hallway that offered some competition against the meal.
As they opened the cafeteria door, they were amazed at their finding.
It was packed with people.
"People are kidding about this meat. It's that good. Just hope I get to have a bit."
From what he could see the line was pretty long. He estimated their position in the queue was about the 78th and 79th.
"This queue is a bit long. I don't think we will be getting some today," Leo speculated.
"What do you mean?"
"Well you see, meat can be found everywhere but the taste, softness and energy giving characteristics improve as the tiers go up."
"Ya, so."
"Higher tier beasts are pretty hard to kill. Hence, the rarity as well improves up the tier."
"So you're saying that there's not enough to go round because it's not readily available."
Leo gave a little nod as his response.
"Damn it. Again."
"We should probably go join the queue for the soup now. That one is always in abundance."
"No."
"No! What do you mean no. You're hungry right, let's go for the soup."
"No. I've got a plan. Let's go."
"Go. Go where?"
"Just follow me."
They both walked out the cafeteria door.
"Where are we going?"
Xavier ignored his question and asked, "Do you know where we can get some art supplies?"
"Ya, in the studio, upstairs but what does that have to do with our meal."
"Get some paint, boards and a table and set them all here beside the door. Be quick, I'll explain afterwards," Xavier said as he ran back into the cafeteria.
'What could this boy be thinking right now?'
Leo could obey and see what comes next.
He did as Xavier told him.
Xavier soon came running out in a haste with some loaves of bread in his arms scanning the hallway for Leo.
"What are you doing?"
"We are gonna fake some tier 4 meat. Make a sign board while I paint the bread with some food colour."
"What!"
Just then, Avon passed the hallway and spotted his friends.
"Good, you're here. We are gonna need some help. Paint these pastries while I help Leo with the sign board," he explained to Avon his task and later the objective of the whole thing.
"Excellent. You get me. I've been craving to prank someone ever since I got here and you just provided the perfect opportunity."
In about 10 minutes, they were through and Leo just went along with their little scheme in unholy obedience – he too really craved the dish.
They sighted the table far from the cafeteria door to give themselves enough time to take their order before the raging crowd came back.
By now half the meat was gone and the queue was still unyieldingly long.
Xavier took a peek into the cafeteria and said "Excellent, still packed."
"Let's get behind the door."
Avoiding any eye meeting with his face, Xavier shouted "Tier 4 meat down the hall near the janitors closet. It's limited so get your one-time offer now."
As the queue heard him, the immediately took off as a raging stampede and the cafeteria was empty.
"Now," Xavier signalled them in.
"We will like four packs of your delicious tier 3 meat with some bread please and quickly," Xavier said to the lunch lady.
When the stampede made their way back from being taken in, they rushed back in peak fury as a storm, realizing that they had been tricked.
When their noise could be heard from the hallway and their order was ready, Xavier quickly took their order and pounced below a nearby table.
The queue quickly reformed and Xavier was in the clear.
Him, Avon and Leo quickly slipped away below and came out of the cafeteria.
"It worked. It actually worked. Those fools," Xavier congratulated his efforts.
He started to distribute the portions of meat and bread to them. "One for you and another for you."
"I have got to say, I was sure that that wasn't gonna work but it did, though a bit foolhardy but it worked," Leo said.
"You can't get anything in life unless you take some risks."
"Who is the extra portion for?"
"Lyra, she really wanted some the other day. I will give it to her when I see her."
"Speaking of which, here she comes now."
"Hey, Lyra. This is for you. We got up early and decided to get you some."
"Aww! Thank you guys. Did you hear the announcement?"
"What announcement?"
They had been so occupied that they missed the announcement made.
"The orientation is commencing soon. All have been instructed to make their way to the staging hall."