Reinhardt's group finally enjoyed some peace, or at least… that was the plan.
Peace didn't last long when Callen accidentally set fire to half of the training field.
"CALLEN! The dummies are for practicing sword techniques, not roasting chickens!" Alden shouted, running with a bucket of water.
"It wasn't my fault!" Callen protested while frantically waving his flaming sword. "The mana flow was too strong, okay?!"
"Too strong my—" Alden slipped on the wet ground and landed flat on his back, shield clattering beside him.
Elira pinched the bridge of her nose, spear in hand. "Remind me again why I'm grouped with you idiots?"
Reinhardt leaned casually against a wall, watching everything unfold. "Because the world loves balance. One genius, one pyromaniac, one walking fortress, and one eternally suffering healer."
"I HEARD THAT," Elira snapped, throwing her spear straight at the ground in front of him. The blade buried deep into the soil, just inches from his foot.
"…Noted," Reinhardt said, stepping back.
---
Later that day, the group headed to the academy cafeteria.
"Today's menu: mystery stew," the lunch lady announced with a grin.
The four of them stared into their bowls. The stew was… glowing.
"Uh… is it supposed to shimmer like that?" Alden poked the stew with his spoon, which immediately melted.
Callen grinned. "Maybe it's infused with mana! This is top-tier nutrition!"
Elira gave him a flat look. "Or poison."
Reinhardt calmly took a bite. Everyone gasped.
"Well?" Elira asked, leaning forward.
"…Tastes like socks," Reinhardt said, deadpan.
Callen nearly choked laughing. Alden dramatically clutched his chest. Elira just sighed, muttering, "One day, I'm transferring teams…"
But despite the chaos, laughter filled the table. For the first time since the trials, they felt like students—just normal people enjoying life together.
And maybe, just maybe, this peace wouldn't last long… but for now, it was enough.