Resilient Platoon

Chapter Five

Eden walked alongside with Kiel and Janie. There sounds of their footsteps echoing in the halls as they walk the hallway to the cafeteria. Eden wore his new uniform and shoes and they felt very comfortable. Though, he unbuttoned the top button since it was constricting around his neck and loosened the tie as well.

'So, what's for dinner?' Eden asked when his stomach grumbled.

'Scriff stew, bread, and water.' Kiel answered, with a hint of disappointment and frustration in his tone.

'That's what all the students are going to get?' Before the Treaty of Secrian, the populace was given ration cards good enough for two rationed meals-one pound of meat, two pounds of rice, three pounds of dried fruits and vegetables. Then, the truce was signed ten years ago and the food was sent back into the markets, thus leading the revival of restaurants, bakeries, and cafes.

It was perfect timing as well, the citizens were going hungry and sick of eating the same meals every day. Strikes and riots were the day of the norm after the first year of the Secrian Crisis. The king was pressured to end the conflict by civilians and nobles alike. The reason for the nobles pressuring the king so they didn't have to worry another revolution like the Bellot Revolution where they almost toppled the monarchy in 100 AVL. Once the Treaty of Secrian was signed, the populace was relieved and food flocked back into the markets in the countryside and grocery stores in the urban cities. The nobles could breathe once again, free from an incoming revolution from happening again. The populace could finally cook food with different ingredients for different recipes and enjoy their favorite meals once again at their favorite restaurants.

'No,' Janie depressingly replied, letting her shoulder slouch. 'Nobles are getting rusber steak, forles salad, and Pynion Red wine.'

Eden sighed, putting his hands in his pockets. 'And I had high hopes for this academy. So much for high expectations.'

'Well, you shouldn't. This academy pretty much pampers the noble students.'

'It's true.' Janie agreed. 'Not just cafeteria food. The nobility here has and gets the best of everything. This academy wants what is best for the spoiled brats. But for us, commoners we just get by from whatever's left from the funding.'

'Mme Volt tries to help,' Kiel supported. 'But noble families want their damn children being taken care of first. If not, then goodbye the light, water, and basic necessities we use every day.'

'She does try and made some good deals for the commoner students. She was able to give us more to a certain degree. Before we enrolled here, we were told that the nobles will get tablets and access to the gym, better than before.' Janie picked up her voice. 'The previous dean passed away and he was basically a dog for the nobles and did everything they asked him to.'

Eden shook his head. 'How typical he was.'

'But when Mme Volt became the new dean of this academy by the council during the summer. She convinced the king and influential board members to give us more funding and freedom for us during a board meeting.' Eden made a small smile, he knew he had a good feeling about Mme Volt.

'Come on!' Kiel pushed both Eden and Janie forward. 'Cafeteria's just around the corner.' They turned the corner and found a short hallway where it led to an open entrance to the cafeteria. From there, Eden saw students walking in and out of the cafeteria entrance.

As they were getting close to the entrance, Eden felt the students nearby glance at him and heard some murmurs of him. He heard the sentences he's the one who beat up the four students earlier, how's a savage here?, I have to study alongside with a savage, and ETC. Eden ignored them and remembered what his father told him before he left: Always be strong and never let others bring you down.'