Harry Potter: The Legend of Nero Ravenclaw-Chapter 112: Lunch Break

Stepping out of the Fūinjutsu classroom,

Nero inhaled deeply, letting the fresh midday air fill his lungs.

The breeze carried the salty scent of the surrounding ocean, mingling with the faint traces of incense that seemed ever-present in Mahoutokoro.

His mind still buzzed with excitement from the lesson, the thrill of learning something entirely new.

Yet, another curiosity took hold of him now: how different was lunch at Mahoutokoro compared to Hogwarts?

Beside him, Mio walked with her usual composed grace, her expression unreadable as always.

Nero turned his gaze to her and asked, "So, how does food work here?"

Mio gave him a sidelong glance.

Nero added with a faint smile, "At Hogwarts, food simply appears at the tables, a bit of magic that adds to the school's warm, homey atmosphere that fosters friendship and unity through shared experiences.

The house-elves prepare everything with incredible care, and the result feels like a grand family meal every day."

Mio gave a small nod and continued.

"Here at Mahoutokoro, students must actively choose their meals, emphasizing individual responsibility and personal balance.

It's a self-service system where we select from different enchanted stalls based on our needs."

"Enchanted stalls?" Nero's interest piqued.

"Yes. Each stall offers meals tailored to different aspects of magical balance.

Some focus on replenishing magical energy, others promote physical stamina, and some are purely for indulgence.

The school ensures that even the most indulgent meals are nutritious, though if you eat nothing but sweets, you'll regret it during training."

"So, no endless piles of roast beef and treacle tart appearing out of nowhere?" Nero mused.

Mio shook her head. "And no house-elves preparing feasts in secret. Instead, the food is prepared by the best magical chefs in Japan.

We choose what suits us best, and the meal is freshly made the moment we pick it."

They descended a polished stone staircase leading to an open courtyard, where a vast hall stood before them.

Its ceiling arched high above, golden patterns shimmering like flowing ink on parchment.

Along the sides of the room stood several counters, each manned by an elegantly dressed chef whose movements carried a sense of precise artistry.

The scent of simmering broths, freshly grilled fish, and aromatic rice filled the air, making Nero's stomach growl in anticipation.

Unlike Hogwarts' lively and chaotic Great Hall, where the communal spirit and shared meals create a strong sense of camaraderie, Mahoutokoro's dining area had a refined sense of order.

Students walked with purpose, selecting their meals with careful consideration.

Some carried trays with rich, umami-laden broths, others had sushi assortments wrapped in shimmering seaweed infused with subtle magic, and a few held colorful bento boxes that radiated a faint golden glow.

"Interesting," Nero said as he observed. "So, what do you usually get?"

"It depends on the day. For today's lessons, something light but energizing."

Mio stepped up to a stall where a chef gracefully placed a lacquered tray before her.

A bowl of miso soup, a portion of grilled mackerel, rice sprinkled with black sesame, and a side of pickled vegetables appeared. "This should do."

Nero followed suit, selecting a similar meal, though he added an extra side dish of tamagoyaki, a rolled omelet that gleamed with a subtle golden hue.

As they walked to an open table near a window, he couldn't help but admire the balance in the presentation.

"There's a clear harmony in the way everything is arranged. It's not just about eating, is it?"

Mio picked up her chopsticks, a small approving nod barely noticeable.

"Everything here follows a principle. Just as Onmyōdō teaches us to balance our magic, our meals are structured to balance our bodies."

Nero lifted a piece of the grilled fish with his chopsticks and took a bite.

The delicate smokiness mixed with a hint of sweet soy glaze melted on his tongue.

He let out a quiet hum of appreciation. "This is... incredible."

Mio let out a quiet "hmph." "Of course it is. You're in Mahoutokoro. We take pride in all aspects of learning, including food."

As they ate, their conversation shifted from food to the cultural differences between Mahoutokoro and Hogwarts.

Nero found himself fascinated by the precision and thoughtfulness behind every aspect of the school. Here, everything had an intentional purpose.

Nothing was wasted, not in magic, not in meals, not even in words.

It was a stark contrast to Hogwarts' lively and dynamic atmosphere, yet he found himself intrigued rather than overwhelmed.

"You know," Nero said between bites, "Hogwarts might seem chaotic by comparison, but there's a charm to it.

The Great Hall's meals are unpredictable sometimes, like the time we had color-changing cupcakes that turned your hair neon green."

Mio blinked. "That sounds... disruptive."

"It was," Nero admitted, laughing. "But it also made everyone bond over the ridiculousness of it.

Plus, the house-elves put so much heart into those meals.

There's something special about food that feels like home, no matter where you sit."

A few nearby Mahoutokoro students, who had been quietly observing Nero, whispered to one another.

"Did he say cupcakes that change hair color?"

"Imagine if that happened here. Sensei would assign a three-page essay on magical food safety."

"I kind of want to try one."

Nero caught their murmurs and smirked, leaning slightly toward them.

"They also had jelly that made you quack like a duck if you ate too much."

The students' eyes widened in disbelief before bursting into giggles.

One of them, a boy with glasses, gasped, "That sounds insane!"

"Hogwarts in a nutshell," Nero said with a grin. "Unpredictable magic, a bit of mayhem, but never boring.

Like that time Peeves, the poltergeist, turned the entire Slytherin table into a marshmallow trampoline. Chaos, but community-building chaos."

As they finished their meals, Mio wiped her lips with a napkin and stood.

"I have another class after this. You?"

Nero leaned back slightly, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I'm done for the day. Going to the library."

Mio raised an eyebrow. "You look more excited about that than you did when you succeeded in the Fūinjutsu exercise."

"Of course. The grind of knowledge never stops." Nero tapped his temple. "I'm a Ravenclaw, after all. Built differently."

Mio rolled her eyes. "You're insufferable."

Nero chuckled. "You'll come to appreciate it, Mio. Want to bet?"

She let out a soft sigh, then turned away, walking toward her next class.

Nero, meanwhile, adjusted the strap of his bag, a small smile lingering on his lips.

His day was far from over, if anything, it was just beginning.

The library awaited, filled with tomes of yet unknown knowledge to him, and that was the greatest adventure of all.

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