"I'm in here because of you, I am-- I am noticing a correlation, between me being here and you watching me--"

"I mean. You also have to take the blame at least partially, right, Tommy? --Oh, there's a mal." Mal is dead. Clay is so good at killing mals.

"No? Why would I take the blame? I'm me!"

"At least admit you're annoying. Just say, 'I am Tommy and I'm annoying'."

"ME? You think I'm annoying?"

"Yes."

"Clay. Clay. Most people when they first meet me find me annoying, and then they realize I am the BEST!"

"Uh-huh. Is that how it is. --Listen, I have breakfast soon, okay? But you can, I'm letting you eat with us."

"Great."

He can have the best seat in the whole cafeteria and he still won't be able to get enough food without any fucking mana.

Fuck Clay.

He doubles down on his homework. He'll have some mana at least. Not enough, but still.

(This is fucking stupid.)

Seniors leave for meals first.

On the one hand, this is not ideal, because walking alone in the Scholomance with no mana is a terrible idea.

On the other hand, fuck Clay, good fucking riddance, maybe he'll choke on a mal and die.

He keeps an eye out and ends up tagging along with a random group of other freshmen. He… Really really cannot be taking risks. The fruit looks safe? Probably? Fuck it. He grabs one of the less-brown bananas and heads over to Tampa’s table. 

"Here, I saved you some." Tommy can have half a pancake.

"Still not taking pity food." Clay can have it back.

"Alright, suit yourself."

"Why is this kid even here?"

"I'm keeping an eye on him."

"That's pretty cool of you."

This is stupid. This is stupid and it sucks.

"Can I have my notebook back today."

"I dunno, what do you want it for?"

"I'm writing a guide on how to sex."

...That startles a laughing fit out of Clay. "You're what?"

"Writing a guide. On how to sex. Really, I don't think this is such a tough concept."

"You know what, sure. You can--have your notebook for a bit. You've--you've already got a banana, that's a good start, you can, you can use it for demonstrations."

"I have no idea what you mean. Really, my friend, you have a dirty mind."

"Hey, you're the one writing a guide on how to sex."