Tilisha frowned slightly at the pile of fruits and vegetables on her plate.

This... this wasn’t right.

She’d clearly ordered meat dishes—hot, cooked meals—but why was there only raw produce?

She wasn’t an animal; why eat so many plants?

She stood to fetch more meat but sat back down.

Wasting food was a bad habit. She’d finish this plate first.

Tilisha picked up her fork, speared a piece of Victory Fruit, and gently placed it into her slightly parted lips. She chewed slowly, savoring the burst of juice as the thin skin broke.

The fruits and vegetables tasted fresh, free of alchemical preservatives or pesticides.

Logically, otherworldly fruits were expensive due to short shelf lives. Fortunately, this world had alchemical preservation drugs and pesticide-like compounds.

Still, they resembled harmful chemicals from her original world—nowhere near pure, natural freshness.

Only Divine Maidens at Coleman Academy could enjoy such free, fresh fruits.

Was an Elf’s sense of taste different? Tilisha used to hate fruits and vegetables, preferring free dry bread with cold water. Now, she ate with quiet relish.

Her dining manners were elegant, perhaps unnoticed by herself. Movements unhurried like a leisurely stroll, yet efficient. Her petal-like lips parted slightly as she placed vegetable slices in her mouth. She methodically cut fruits into small pieces, arranging them on the plate’s edge. After finishing the central vegetables, she savored the fruit chunks.

Watching her eat felt like appreciating refined performance art, drawing bystanders’ eyes.

Sadly, the world never lacked self-important fools with poor judgment.

“Little sister, first time in this academy’s dining hall? Why only vegetarian dishes?”

Tilisha’s brow furrowed. She hated disturbances while savoring food and disliked strangers’ overfamiliar greetings. Out of politeness, she gave a soft “Hmm” and a distant smile, hoping he’d leave her alone.

She’d overlooked one thing: a well-mannered person wouldn’t interrupt like this or miss facial cues.

Seeing no rejection, the young man shamelessly pulled a chair beside her.

Tilisha continued chewing vegetables gently, a faint crunch like a hamster nibbling leaves.

She disliked clueless people, but strangers were tolerable. This wasn’t just a stranger...

The moment he spoke, she recognized him—a familiar face she’d rather avoid.

Kor. A Knight Rank Divine Princess in her initial team at Coleman Academy, he’d left after the Astrid incident.

Honestly, Tilisha didn’t blame old teammates who abandoned her.

Like wise birds choosing trees, they shared no life-or-death bonds. Kor and Lenny, two Divine Maidens, had ditched her—a blind Divine Child—for a promising new team. She understood.

She knew their families craved social recognition. Young people rushed for success; it was human nature.

They’d parted amicably. She wouldn’t hold them back. But it chilled her that they quit the team without a goodbye, avoiding her face as if she carried bad luck.

What did that mean? Fear she’d refuse to let them go?

She’d hoped they could still greet like friends later. Now, future academy encounters would bring only awkward silence—pretending not to know each other, heads down.

To Kor’s chatter, Tilisha barely nodded, offering only noncommittal sounds.

“Little sister, you’re not a Divine Maiden here, right?” After tiresome pleasantries she ignored, Kor finally revealed his intent.

“Sir, that’s inaccurate. Over a month ago, none of us were Divine Maidens here, right?”

“Haha, true. You haven’t completed your Divine Maiden Transformation yet? Need guidance from an experienced person like me?” Kor’s cheerful grin screamed desperation to please.

Tilisha rolled her eyes inwardly.

Experienced? Guidance? He’d already adopted a superior tone. Was this really friendliness?

Right—he likely didn’t see her as an equal.

“I’d hate to waste your precious time, sir. No need.”

“No problem! Caring for juniors is my duty.” Oblivious to her refusal, he prattled on like a seasoned master.

This blonde girl’s scarred face wasn’t pretty, but her figure was impressive for her age...

While monologuing to Tilisha, Kor observed her. The scar detracted, but her naturally gifted curves and snow-pale skin made him swallow hard.

Tilisha’s eyebrows lifted almost imperceptibly. She brushed her bangs, sighing inwardly: not everyone was a gentleman, nor could all read between polite lines.