A fateful meeting? Really?

The large dining hall of the Schwaltzfer Academy was buzzing like a beehive. Participants were eating, discussing duels and sharing stories: someone bragging, someone rubbing bruises, someone lying face down in a plate.

Marcus was sitting alone, propping up his cheek, picking at a plate with something suspiciously similar to stewed slime. He was wincing.

Marcus (grumbles):

— Why is this moving?.. System, can I ask if it's edible?

📢 System:

— According to academy protocol, the dish "Homemade Slime" is not fatal. In most cases.

Marcus:

— Convincing, thank you.

He reached for the bread - and at that moment his hand simultaneously collided with someone else's.

Girl:

— ...You stole my bread.

Marcus looked up.

There she stood, Illia von Meridian. Still calm, with an icy gaze and a lollipop in her hand.

Marcus (frozen):

— Uh... I... that is... you... bread?

Illia (calmly):

— Amazing eloquence.

Marcus (panicked):

— I can talk. It's just rare when I don't have a fork in my hand.

She raised an eyebrow slightly. It seemed she hadn't expected this answer. Or maybe she was just used to more polite aristocrats. Marcus guiltily handed her the bread.

Marcus:

— Sorry. Here, take it. I didn't know bread was a sacred artifact of your kind.

Illia (unemotional, but with a slight smile):

— It's not sacred. But I've been hunting for it. Since nine in the morning.

She took a piece and unexpectedly sat down opposite. Marcus almost dropped his spoon.

Marcus:

— You… decided to eat here?

Illia:

— You're the only one who hasn't tried to hit on me in the last half hour. That's respectable.

📢 System (whispering):

— Entry logged: "Inconvenient compliment level S."

Marcus (mentally):

— AAAAAAAH WHAT WAS THAT???

At that moment, a loud beep rang through the dining room.

📢 Herald:

— All participants, go to the central arena! The third stage begins right now!

Marcus jumped up with relief.

Marcus:

— Well… good luck to us, huh?

Illia (standing up):

— You too. Try not to die - it will be boring.

📢 Stage Three — Beginning!

The crowd has gathered at the arena again. This time — something bigger. A giant round platform surrounded by barriers. A crystal, sparkling with purple light, hangs above it.

📢 System:

— Stage Three: Illusory Labyrinth.

Each participant will be transported to a magical space full of traps, trials, and… your own fears.

📢 Herald:

— Only those who manage to get out of the labyrinth before sunset will pass. Otherwise — disqualification. And psychological trauma. Possibly.

📢 System (enthusiastically):

— Enjoy your journey through nightmares, everyone!

Marcus:

— Well done. Can I just fight with bread again?