Becoming the Wind
Chapter 22 - 21 Canteen

Chapter 22: Chapter 21 Canteen

Reyhan walked down the corridor in Sylphia’s petite body.

"I was amazing back there," he said enthusiastically, and—without a hint of shame—he began moonwalking in a zigzag across the marble floor, complete with Earth-style pop star hand gestures.

[Host, can you stop? That’s extremely inappropriate to do with her body.]

Reyhan stopped and looked at the window beside him. Sunlight reflected off Sylphia’s small figure—her uniform neat, her serious face now beaming with a wide smile as she bent backward like she was performing a solo concert.

"...Yep. That’s embarrassing."

He immediately covered his mouth with his right hand and cleared his throat. "Ahem. Sorry, you’re right, System. I got a little too excited about being able to walk again."

His steps slowed. He glanced around, making sure the corridor was still empty. In his hand was a small folded map taken from the inner pocket of Sylphia’s uniform. It was a full map of the academy—main paths, classrooms, restrooms, and the dining hall.

"The other groups are still finishing their exams," he murmured as his eyes scanned the corridor. "Hmm... Looks safe here. No one’s around. Rather than walk all the way to the restroom... I’ll just do it here."

He leaned briefly against the wall and took a deep breath.

"System, how long will it take for Sylphia to wake up after I exit her body?"

[Three seconds.]

"All right. I’m leaving now."

Reyhan closed his eyes. His mind focused. He released control of Sylphia’s body gently—not like dropping a weight, but like lifting his hand from still water. Slowly, his spirit left her like a soft, invisible mist, drifting free without disturbing her balance.

Once he had returned to his form as wind, Sylphia’s body remained still, eyes closed—as if taking a peaceful nap.

One second...

Two...

Three...

"Huh!?"

Sylphia suddenly gasped for air, like someone surfacing from underwater. Her eyes darted around in panic, left hand groping for the wall, while her right clutched the map she didn’t remember pulling out.

"I... I’m outside...? Why am I here!? Did they kick me out!? Or was I expelled!? Or—"

"Sweetheart."

Reyhan’s gentle voice echoed in her mind, calm and steady.

"Relax, it’s all done. The exam is finished."

Sylphia blinked. "It’s... over?"

"Yes. You took a short nap. And now, you’re in the lead."

"Really!? You’re amazing, Father!" Her eyes sparkled with admiration.

Reyhan rubbed his nose with his finger, chuckling proudly. "Of course."

"Now, let’s head to the dining hall. You need to eat." Reyhan floated lower and gently held Sylphia’s hand. "The next exam involves combat."

"Yes, Father." Sylphia followed the direction he led, slipping the map back into her pocket.

’System, show me the way to the cafeteria.’

[I thought host already knew the way.]

’Just show it, I forgot.’

[Huuuh. Request accepted...]

Sylphia walked following Reyhan’s lead, and Reyhan followed the System’s. Together, they moved forward.

Upon arriving at the dining hall, they were greeted by the delicious aroma of countless dishes. The Lumenvale cafeteria resembled a royal banquet hall—silver pillars supported the arched ceiling, and tall windows on the right let in warm sunlight, making the entire space feel majestic and inviting.

Long wooden tables carved with leaf motifs were neatly arranged, each surrounded by pale white chairs. The cafeteria staff—all slim young elves with pale blond hair—moved with graceful silence, serving and tidying without fuss.

As Sylphia entered, a soft breeze followed her footsteps. The hair of those she passed fluttered lightly—not from a fan, but from Reyhan’s presence.

"Eh, isn’t that..."

"She’s the first one here. That means she finished the written test first."

"Maybe she’s from a great noble family? I felt a wind pass by as she walked."

"That’s impossible. Just look at her eye color."

"Oh yeah, you’re right."

Sylphia and Reyhan heard it—but ignored it. Sylphia walked calmly to the food racks.

"Excuse me, ma’am." Sylphia looked up at one of the female staff members arranging spirit fruit trays.

"What can I take?"

The staff smiled. "You may take whatever you like, dear."

"Alright!"

And so she did. Sylphia started loading up—warm buns filled with petal cream, blue mushroom soup, snow crystal cakes, spirit leaf salad, golden roasted eggs, wild elf goose meat, mint-scented ice cubes, and glowing fruit juice.

One tray turned into two... then three... then four. Enough to make professional caterers break a sweat.

The staff simply stared, dumbfounded.

Reyhan sighed.

’If this keeps up, she’ll be labeled the buffet raider.’

Eventually, they chose a seat near the window overlooking the elf garden and fountain.

Sylphia sat quietly and began to eat—not with the greed of a glutton, but with delicate, composed bites, savoring each taste like it was a once-in-a-lifetime meal.

Reyhan watched her, smiling.

’She probably didn’t eat breakfast. We didn’t have the map then, and I didn’t even think to ask the System.’

[Host = incompetent parent.]

’You didn’t remind me either.’

[I don’t know elven eating habits.]

’Fair enough.’

Ten minutes later...

Heavy footsteps echoed across the cafeteria. Five noble children entered: Daniel, Eliera, Caelan, Velissa, and Drevan. Behind them, their servants trailed in silence.

Reyhan hovered by Sylphia’s shoulder, still sipping soup.

’Ah... The Royal Blood Brat Squad arrives.’

The five looked around—then stopped when they saw the table by the window.

"Eh?" Eliera squinted. "That’s..."

"Alone in the cafeteria?" Caelan crossed his arms, eyes sharp.

"Look at that food portion," Velissa sneered. "Disgusting glutton."

"Quiet, all of you," Daniel cut in, voice calm but heavy. "I’m hungry."

They moved to the large center table. The servants quickly set to gathering food—including a half-elf child bringing a full tray to Velissa.

But then—

Splat.

A drop of hot soup spilled onto Velissa’s uniform. Just a single drop.

But it was enough.

Velissa’s face hardened. Her lips trembled—not from shock, but from fury that boiled like oil touched by fire.

Without warning, she slapped the servant.

Smack!

"You filthy thing! You dare stain my clothes!?"

Her hand raised again—once, twice—and she began kicking his stomach. The tray fell. The servant collapsed, blood trickling from his mouth, gasping for air.

The staff froze. No one moved. Tension filled their faces. No one dared interfere with a noble.

Reyhan narrowed his eyes.

’...This is going too far.’

But before he could tell Sylphia to act—

WHAM!

A solid kick smashed into Velissa’s side, sending her flying off the bench.

Velissa coughed, eyes wide.

Standing before her was Sylphia—small, unyielding, sharp-eyed.

"Just because your uniform is stained doesn’t mean you can hurt others." Her voice was calm, but piercing.

"Stains can be washed. Pain... doesn’t disappear so easily."

Reyhan froze.

’...Okay. This isn’t the same Sylphia from this morning.’

Velissa screamed and stood up, red with rage. "YOU DARE TOUCH ME—!"

With fury, she summoned her spirit.

A massive toad appeared on her shoulder, skin dark purple like old ink, eyes glowing black with swirling illusionary patterns. Its tongue stretched like a whip of toxic smoke.

Spirit: Ghalmur the Delusion Toad

Type: Illusion

Abilities: Distortion of Perception and Phantom Cloning

"Feel this!" Velissa pointed at Sylphia.

But—

"Enough," Daniel’s voice came soft—but locked the air like iron bars.

"I want to eat. Sit down."

Velissa gasped. "But she attacked first! I—"

"You beat a servant until they bled. In public. I’m not blind."

"But—!"

"Sit. Or I’ll make you forget what food tastes like."

Velissa bit her lip, growled—but finally sat. Her spirit vanished in purple haze. Her chair creaked as she slammed into it.

Reyhan whistled softly.

’Tsk... This prince knows how to maintain face in public. Smart move.’

Sylphia turned and knelt beside the half-elf servant. She gently offered her hand.

"Come. Sit with me. You haven’t eaten, right?"

The servant’s eyes widened. "I-I... I can’t..."

"Of course you can." Sylphia smiled warmly, her eyes kind.

"As long as I’m here... no one can hurt you."

Reyhan went still.

’Whoa... her personality just flipped like lightning.’

The servant nodded slowly. Sylphia helped him up and led him to her table.

They began eating together. Sylphia shared her food, ensuring he felt welcome.

Then, hurried footsteps sounded at the entrance.

"WHAT HAPPENED HERE!?"

Yurelia stood at the doorway, clutching her head. Her eyes scanned the room—chaos, strange tension, Velissa sulking. Then she saw Sylphia at the window, calmly eating with a servant.

"...Huh?"

She rushed to get food and sat next to Sylphia. Whispering, "Who’s that? What happened?"

Sylphia answered flatly, not turning. "Velissa’s servant. Got slapped over soup. I kicked her. Daniel stopped it."

Yurelia opened her mouth—then closed it. She stared at Sylphia for a few seconds.

"...Okay."

A few minutes later, other students began arriving. One by one, they filled the seats. In no time, the cafeteria buzzed with noise.

But the table by the window remained the center of attention.

Some stole glances. Some whispered. But no one dared approach. The atmosphere had changed. Even the air felt... different.

Meanwhile, back in the now-empty exam hall—

Proctor Bernath stood amidst stacks of test papers. He handed them all to his assistant with one instruction:

"Take them all. Except this one."

He pulled out one paper—Verin’s.

He sat down slowly. Stared at it.

Then pulled out a pen. His fingers trembled slightly.

"Just a few changes... and he fails. Done."

But before the pen could touch the paper—

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Footsteps.

Then a voice that froze his blood.

"What are you doing, Bernath?"

Bernath flinched. His chair screeched under him. He turned, pale.

Standing in the doorway was a man in a deep blue professor’s cloak—Professor Sirton, Head of the Spirit Research Department.

Bernath fell from his chair. The test slipped from his hands.

Sirton stepped forward silently. He picked up the paper.

His eyes scanned the answers—and his brow arched slightly.

"Hm..."

His voice was low but heavy.

"I suspected you’d try something with Verin." "But a mid-level test...?"

He held the paper between two fingers. "And yet... this child answered everything perfectly. Not a single mistake."

He folded it neatly and slipped it into his robe pocket. Then he looked down at Bernath still trembling on the floor.

"I’ll show this to the Headmaster." "And since I’m a nice man... I won’t punish you."

Sirton turned and walked away—but paused at the door.

"Though... if the punishment ends up being a spot in my lab as a test subject... well, that’s out of my hands."

He gave a slight smile.

Then left without another word.

The door closed gently.

Bernath remained on the floor, breathing hard. Sweat poured from his face.

He covered his eyes with one hand and collapsed completely.

"...I’m done for. I’m dead..."