Am I the only one streaming Sword Art Online on the entire internet?

Of course, since the cafeteria rules state that meals must be finished by 7 p.m., being late isn't considered a violation, as long as you're willing to take responsibility for the consequences of not finishing your food and getting hungry. But others won't see it that way, especially the aristocratic students studying here.

Sorin first encountered the nobles of this world during the Zakaria Sword Tournament, where he faced his first opponent. At the time, he thought that such unscrupulous nobles were isolated cases, but after living at the Imperial Sword Academy for a year, he realized that most noble students were like that.

They huddled together in their small group, relentlessly mocking the commoner students, even those whose skills weren't the best. And like most medieval worlds, many of the rules here favored the noble students. For example, their dormitory was clearly much farther from the dining hall than those of the other noble students.

"This kind of 'corridor race' is almost over..."

Eugeo sighed to himself, as if he had already foreseen that he would become one of the twelve strongest in this generation, leaving only the advanced swordsmen. This was completely different from his past self; more accurately, after experiencing so much, he was more confident than ever before.

“Yes, you’ll have a swordsman attendant then too. I hope it’ll be a girl, so I won’t have to be stared at with those strange looks every day.” Sorin said this with a relieved look on his face, looking quite relaxed. “But it would feel weird if a nobleman were to be our attendant. I doubt the school would make such an arrangement.”

“That’s right. If it really turns out to be a noble student, I don’t know what to do.” Eugeo nodded in agreement, then sighed. The two finally walked down the long corridor, pushed open the door in front of them, and were instantly surrounded by a noisy and lively atmosphere.

This dining hall has two floors and is the only unisex facility in the entire dormitory. With over 120 students sitting in the hall, it looks quite crowded.

"Alright, let's have our last meal in the cafeteria this semester. Let me see what's on the menu today..."

Solin hurried down the stairs, grabbed a tray from the counter, and quickly found a two-seater table to sit down. Then the six o'clock bell rang, and the two of them were finally on time. The boy who was in charge of the dormitory stood up and began to pray to the Congregational Church. Solin had heard this prayer more than three hundred times in the past year, so he was naturally familiar with the process. After hearing it for a while, he and the person next to him stood up and chanted in unison the sacred words, the meaning of which they themselves did not understand.

After completing this series of procedures, it was time for dinner. Dinner consisted of fried fish with sauce and salad, a bowl of vegetable soup, and two round buns. This was similar to the dishes Solin remembered from previous meals, perhaps a bit more lavish, but still carrying a sense of poverty.

"I really miss the days when you cooked for me, Solin. It was so much better than the food here." Eugeo had sighed about this for the umpteenth time. But he wasn't that fussy. Even if the food in front of him wasn't great, at least it didn't stop him from eating.

But just then, a sudden voice rang out from behind. Sorin and Eugeo were both very familiar with this series of voices. The usually mild-mannered Eugeo would inevitably show a tired expression every time he heard such a voice, while Sorin would suddenly turn into an ice block, expressionlessly hiding his urge to point at the other person's face and say "NMSL".

"How enviable, Lord Leos! We work so hard cleaning the cafeteria, and yet someone leisurely comes to eat so late. How enviable!"

"Don't say that, Humbert. Those gentlemen and that young lady, as attendants and trainers, must have put in hardships we don't even know about!"

"Hehe, that's true. I've heard that... servants are supposed to be at the instructor's beck and call and cannot disobey in any way."

"If I were to follow some guy from a common background, I really don't know what would happen to me."

Responding to such deliberate mockery would play right into their hands. Eugeo always held this suspicion and never openly reacted to their conversations. However, at this moment, Sorin, who had been sitting peacefully eating next to him, suddenly stopped eating and calmly said in a slightly louder voice, "..."

"Where did these idiots come from, babbling on and on... Can't they just eat in peace?"

Imperial Sword Cultivation Academy, February 3, 380 of the Human Realm Calendar

Solin had always believed in the principle of "endurance reaches its limit," especially after encountering some of the people he disliked most, nearing the end of the semester. His words were utterly unvarnished, bordering on sarcastic and biting.

Of course, there was another reason for his mockery, which he hadn't mentioned before. The leader of this aristocratic clique, the "Lord Leos" that Humbert referred to, had tried to woo Sorin as soon as he entered the academy. Even after Sorin had repeatedly stated that "I am indeed a man, please stop messing with me," this man still believed that Sorin was just using that excuse to reject him, and continued his relentless pursuit.

This naturally infuriated and made Sorin extremely uncomfortable. Therefore, his tolerance for these people was far lower than that for Eugeo.

"What did you say?" the man named Humbert retorted loudly, then glared angrily at Solin. "Are you provoking me, a nobleman?"

"Why are you yelling so loudly? Go find the dorm manager!" Suolin still didn't look up, her tone remained calm, and her expression was as cold as ice, unmoved. "If you can't speak properly, then speak less. You're always being sarcastic and sarcastic here. Instead of practicing your swordsmanship, you old folks are supposed to be one with your swords. You're still lacking in skill."

"you!"

"What do you mean, 'you'? You're all grown up and you still can't speak properly. I don't know where you get the confidence to stand in this public place and keep shouting."

Sorin didn't even look up, continuing to enjoy his dinner with impeccable elegance. Meanwhile, Humbert, though wanting to say something, was tugged at by Leos, who gestured for him to stop. So he could only sit down resentfully, looking at Leos with a puzzled expression.

"I'm so sorry to have disturbed your meal, Mr. Sorin. I apologize on behalf of my friend." Leos suddenly changed his tune, adopting a kind and agreeable demeanor as he smiled at Sorin. "By the way, Mr. Sorin, I wonder if you'll be able to attend tomorrow..."

“I think it’s quite strange for two men of the same age to go out to dinner alone on vacation, don’t you think, Mr. Leos?” Sorin felt a surge of anger when he heard this voice, but he knew very well that neither he nor Eugeo could do anything about this hypocritical nobleman at the moment. “Besides, today is the first year’s end-of-year test. I think it would be better to take a good rest, so as not to continue to do something half-hearted in the test and lose the opportunity to become a high-level swordsman.”

"Thank you for the reminder. However, as the usual top scorer, I'll wait and see if he can perform as well as he usually does."

"Solin!" Eugeo tugged at the hem of Solin's clothes with his left hand and whispered.

"I don't care. Anyway, the other side stood up and shouted so loudly first, and we're not the ones in the wrong."

Sorin lowered his head, finished the last sip of vegetable soup, and then leaned back in his chair to wait for Eugeo. Leos's words clearly implied that they intended to tamper with the year-end tests. Although he didn't know what kind of "psychological manipulation" he could pull off, it was best to be cautious. After all, after living in this environment for so long, Sorin had come to understand one thing: even bound by the Taboo Index, human malice would always outweigh rigid rules, especially since these people before him weren't really bound by them due to their noble status.

Seeing that Eugeo had finished his food, he stood up and pulled him out of the cafeteria. Eugeo sensed that something was wrong with Sorin, but he didn't dare ask any questions and simply let Sorin pull him out. It wasn't until they returned to their dormitory that Sorin's emotions completely erupted.

"Is that damn dog of his going to stop? It's been a year and he still hasn't learned his lesson. He's really something else. He'll be dead and still have that stern, smirking face all the time..."

"Alright, alright, Sorin, calm down. That guy..." Eugeo wanted to comfort Sorin, but didn't know how, so he just sat down next to him, looking at him with concern. "Just bear with it for a little while. You'll be able to leave these disgusting guys soon."

"I'd like to tell myself that too, to get through tomorrow's Sabbath and the day after... but you can't stand these bastards jumping in your face to mock you." Solin's voice gradually calmed down. He put his weapon on a weapon rack in the corner of the central aisle, and then started working on the buttons on his shirt. "Right, let's just say this is an excuse for that guy not to bother me tomorrow. Come with me out for a stroll tomorrow. I haven't had any good opportunities to have fun in the capital this year."

"It's rare to see someone like you voluntarily suggest taking a break, even though you're usually the most diligent in practice." Eugeo turned his head naturally when he saw Sorin starting to unbutton his shirt to change into his pajamas. "Speaking of which, you're already so strong, why do you still practice so hard every day?"

“It’s simple. It allows me to forget many things. The moment I grasp the sword, I shed all my indecisiveness, something that no rest or entertainment can give me,” Sorin replied naturally. “This might be something you can’t quite understand.”

"Yes, I really don't understand. Maybe I haven't reached that level of power yet. The ability to grip a sword without hesitation the moment you grasp it..."

"Did you know that a famous swordsman once said, 'Hesitation leads to defeat'? It means that once you have your sword in your hand, you should not hesitate. This is perfectly normal. If you still don't understand this, it means you are still a long way from being a truly powerful swordsman."

Sorin was now lecturing Eugeo in a lecturing tone. Of course, his serious words were quite incongruous with his current soft and limp appearance after changing into his pajamas.

“It’s still a long way off…?” Eugeo murmured to himself with a hint of disappointment, but then his resolve hardened. “But as long as I keep working hard, I’ll reach that level someday, just like you, Sorin, are now.”

His confident words received no response. He looked to the side in confusion and saw that Suolin had wrapped himself up in the blanket like a caterpillar, with only his head showing and his long eyelashes closed.

"Whatever, I'm going to sleep now, goodnight," he said.

"OK, good night."

Imperial Sword Cultivation Academy, February 4, 380 of the Human Realm Calendar

Good morning~

"Good morning... Waaah!"

Eugeo was startled by the sight of Sorin before him the moment he opened his eyes. Sorin wore a rather long black knit sweater, slightly slit at the bottom, the hem barely reaching his upper thighs; his lower body was clad in matching slim-fitting trousers and low-heeled boots decorated with shimmering white patterns. The entire outfit was fitted and figure-hugging.

This is a garment that Suolin commissioned to be made at a tailor shop in the capital. At the time, the older sister at the tailor shop excitedly held a tape measure and measured Suolin for a long time, claiming that she had a surprise for him... But afterwards, Suolin was far more shocked than surprised when he saw the garment, probably because seeing it reminded him of the fact that the older sister at the tailor shop had touched him all over.

And, although it doesn't look like one, it's actually a very proper men's outfit. Even if it looks like a dress, it's still a white shirt, and the bottom, while looking almost indistinguishable from tights, is actually a pair of genuine trousers.

"Why... why are you dressed like this all of a sudden? I remember you rarely wore this outfit before." Eugeo looked at Sorin with a puzzled expression, then blushed and turned his head away. "It actually looks quite nice, though."

“Today’s trip was a last-minute plan. I washed both sets of school uniforms before I arranged this trip, so I don’t have a choice now.” Sorin calmly answered Eugeo’s question, then slightly raised his right fist, looking extremely fierce. “So Eugeo, stop thinking about those trivial details, understand?”

"I understand, I understand! Brother Sorin is so radiant..." Although Eugeo said something that sounded like he was admitting defeat, his tone was like he was coaxing a child. "So, where does the radiant Brother Sorin plan to visit today?"

"The way you're asking that question... it's like I'm telling you to come with me to a brothel tonight." Solin replied irritably, then straightened his collar in front of the mirror, took out his notebook from his pocket and flipped through it. "You have to understand, nobody goes shopping with the mindset of 'what am I going to shop for today'. Shopping is all about going with the flow."

"Whatever happens, happens?" Eugeo asked curiously. "And what does 'brothel' mean?"

"Forget it, if you don't know, then you don't need to know. I don't even know if there are such facilities here. As for 'go with the flow'... if I had to explain it, it's like going shopping with a casual attitude, which gives you the chance to try the best food, see the most beautiful clothes... and the cutest girls. Unfortunately, I don't have that need."

When Suolin said this, he spoke in a tone of admonishing a young man, but at the end, his tone suddenly became somewhat sorrowful.

However, Eugeo did not notice it at first.

"Do you need a handsome young man?" he asked jokingly.

“No, I have a fiancée in my hometown,” Sorin said wistfully, “...and my daughter, so that’s the real motivation that has kept me here and on my way home.”

"You two have a daughter before you're even officially married?" Eugeo looked at Sorin in surprise, making an exaggerated expression. "Okay, I should believe you are indeed a man."

"I feel like there's something odd about the things you care about... And why were you so skeptical even when I emphasized it before, but now you say you truly believe it? That's a bit strange..."

"Because Sorin's figure really doesn't look like she's ever been pregnant," Eugeo said seriously.

"Get the hell out of here!"

------

"So... is it really okay for us to walk down the street like this?"

Eugeo looked at Sorin nervously, but Sorin still seemed angry and didn't even turn to look at Eugeo. This made Eugeo feel a little guilty.

"Solin... I was wrong, I shouldn't have joked like that."

Solin ignored him, her face cold as she walked ahead. People kept stopping to watch, seemingly pointing and gossiping.

"I feel so sorry for that guy. He apologized to the girl like that, but she didn't seem to forgive him at all."

"Perhaps they really did something outrageous. Although I can't see clearly from a distance, I always feel like there's a green light curtain in front of me."

"Wow, this is too much..."

"Shh—it's their private matter, let's not bother them."

Some of these comments reached Eugeo's ears, but he didn't have time to correct the passersby's thoughts. He just wanted Sorin to stop and listen to his apology, even though Sorin had no intention of stopping.

He walked straight in one direction, which was completely different from his previous strategy of "strolling around as he pleased," as if he had a pre-planned it all along. However, Eugeo followed him all the way to the end only to find that his destination was just a restaurant that served breakfast.

Sorin pushed open the door, walked to the counter, ordered breakfast for one person, and then found a place to sit, staring blankly out the window. Eugeo, on the other hand, hurriedly sat down in front of Sorin, skipping the breakfast ordering process, just trying his best to attract the attention of the sulking Sorin.

Sorin saw Eugeo sitting in front of him, so he calmly picked up his plate, moved to another table, and sat down. Eugeo followed him and sat opposite Sorin again, so Sorin had to change his seat once more.

This process was repeated about four or five times. Finally, when Sorin started to eat the bread in front of him, he saw Eugeo sitting in front of him again and couldn't help but say this.

"Are you endless?"

“I…” Eugeo lowered his head in shame, but he knew in his heart that since Sorin was still willing to say those words to him, no matter how terrible the things he had said were, it at least proved that he still had room to apologize. “I was wrong, Sorin… I really didn’t know…”

"Oh." Solin picked up the milk on the table and took a sip, which helped him swallow the bread in his mouth. "Tell me, what do you think I'm angry about?"

"I……"

Eugeo was speechless for a moment, and only then did he realize a problem: he knew absolutely nothing about Sorin's past and his heart. The only things he knew were what Sorin had revealed to him—that he had lived in a dangerous place where life-or-death battles were frequent; that he had connections with the fairy race, which was only mentioned in ancient books and legends; that he had inexplicably appeared in the woods outside the village and still longed for his hometown, desperately wanting to go back… and what he had just mentioned this morning, his fiancée and his daughter.

“Okay, I should apologize first. I shouldn’t have argued with you like this. After all, you’re my only friend here, and you really don’t know anything.” Solin sighed, his expression softening. “I’m just feeling a bit disappointed about some things.”

"A sense of gap?"

“It’s nothing really, I just thought you’d comfort me, but you just kept telling lame jokes.” Sorin shook his head, then crossed his arms and rested his chin on his forearm, looking at Eugeo through the gap in his bangs. “But thinking about it, it’s just that I’ve never really talked about myself in much detail. Maybe in your eyes, I’m just a lost wanderer, a powerful samurai who can single-handedly defeat an entire vanguard of demons, or perhaps a young man who often wanders aimlessly alone at night.”

Eugeo wanted to refute, but he knew perfectly well that his impression of Sorin was indeed limited to that. So he fell silent, simply sitting there quietly, listening to Sorin's story.

“Actually, I’m still very scared, because I have no one like me in this world. I’m like the most misfit Black sheep – I only listen to the rules in the academy, the laws made by the Congregational Church have no real binding effect on me, and even the highest-level taboo list… you might not believe it, but to me it’s just a piece of writing that exists in the world.”

Eugeo wasn't initially particularly shocked, after all, ever since he met Sorin, he had gradually realized that this person was incompatible with the rules of the world. But when these words came from his own mouth, especially when he said "even the Taboo Index cannot bind him," the shock in his eyes never faded.

“Although I do want to tell you my whole story, if I were to reveal the truth, you would probably have a sanity check that would drive you crazy. After thinking about it, I decided against it.” Sorin said, handing a round bread from his plate to Eugeo. “Eat some. I’m not very hungry yet. I’ve already eaten one.”

Eugeo nervously took the bread from Sorin's hand, almost saying "Thank you, Your Majesty." Sorin, seeing Eugeo's cautious manner, couldn't help but laugh and then gave him a hard tap on the head.

"Looking at you like this, do you think I'd eat you? I'm not Solindrich." He shook his head, then used his free right hand to brush aside the silver bangs that were obscuring his vision, his captivating purple eyes still fixed on Eugeo. "If I were to explain it in a way you can understand, I might only be able to return to my homeland by trying to communicate with the 'gods' of this world or beings of roughly the same scale, and that's almost impossible. At least based on our current progress, I estimate that we'll have to wait at least another five or six years before we have a chance to reach the Central Cathedral."

"Is...is that so?" Eugeo asked nervously. "Gods...beings like that are really far removed from us."