Cedric became even more irritated by Asherâs reply and looked at him before asking, "What exactly is your relationship with Aria?"
Asher looked at Cedric with a confused expression. Then he turned toward Aria and said, "This is your fault. So thatâs why this idiot has been acting like such a pain."
Aria looked at him and replied calmly, "How is it my fault that some idiot is causing trouble?"
The moment Aria said that, Cedricâs expression darkened instantly.
The two girls beside him froze in shock.
They could hardly believe Aria had openly called Cedric an idiot to his face.
Even Noah looked stunned.
"...Okay," Noah whispered slowly, "now even Aria has joined in."
Adam sighed deeply. "At this point, we should just prepare for the restaurant to explode."
Cedric let out a cold laugh, though the irritation in his eyes was obvious now.
"I didnât expect Lady Aria to defend him this much," he said.
Aria calmly replied, "I am not defending him. I am simply pointing out that you are the one causing problems."
Cedric clicked his tongue and looked back at Asher.
Then Cedric stood up from his seat and said coldly, "I asked you what your relationship with her is."
Asher looked at him and replied, "We are on same team"
Cedricâs eyes narrowed as he looked between Asher and Aria again.
"That still doesnât answer my question," he said coldly.
His gaze sharpened.
"You two seem too close to just be on the same team."
Aria exhaled softly, clearly getting tired of the conversation. "What exactly are you implying?"
Cedric didnât look away from Asher.
"Iâm not implying anything," he said. "Iâm asking what your real relationship is."
Asher looked at him and said, "Think what you want, I donât care. Just stop annoying me and eat your own food. Iâve had enough of your nonsense."
Cedric froze for a split second.
Then his expression slowly hardened.
"...Nonsense?" he repeated quietly.
The word didnât sound loud.
But it carried enough weight to make the surrounding silence feel even heavier.
The two girls beside him instinctively stepped back.
Noah swallowed. "Yeah that definitely wasnât the right word."
Adam didnât respond. He was watching Cedric carefully now.
Cedricâs eyes narrowed as he stared at Asher.
For the first time, his irritation wasnât just visible,it was controlled anger.
"You really think Iâm just talking nonsense," Cedric said slowly.
Asher didnât even look concerned. "Yes."
That one-word answer made Cedric stop completely.
Not because it hurt him.
But because it confirmed something else.
Asher genuinely wasnât taking him seriously at all.
Cedric let out a short breath through his nose.
Then he stepped forward.
One step.
Then another.
Each step made the atmosphere feel tighter, heavier.
Even nearby customers started quietly moving away from their table.
Cedric then walked up to their table and said, "You think you are above everyone here just because you are a dukeâs son and a little talented?"
Asher didnât even look at him, completely ignoring his presence.
Cedric became even more annoyed at Asherâs behavior.
Then he finally lost his temper and kicked the table, which was full of various desserts.
The entire table was overturned, and every dish fell to the floor.
Asher looked at the fallen dishes on floor and then he looked at Cedric.
Noah and Adam looked at Asher, knowing how much he loved food. They didnât know what he would do to Cedric now.
Cedric then extended his arm to grab Asherâs collar.
But before he could, a loud voice said, "Cedric Silvermere, stop causing trouble on the premises of the Academy."
A while earlierâ
When Cedric had just entered the restaurant, three people were sitting at some distance from Asherâs table.
Those three were fourth-year students who had been sent by Aron to make sure Asher did not cause any more trouble in the Academyâor that trouble did not find him, which always seemed to happen anyway.
Just then, Cedric loudly shouted his order after entering the restaurant.
One of the students looked at Cedric and said, "Cedric Silvermere is here. That guy is famous for causing trouble. I hope he doesnât make our task any harder."
But their hope was destroyed as soon as Cedric started mocking Asher.
One of them said in an annoyed tone, "Shit, that guy always loses his cool when it comes to girls. Should we intervene now?"
The other one looked at him and said, "And what reason do you have to stop him? We canât just arrest him for talking."
Then he sighed. "Just hope the situation doesnât escalate any further. And that Aronâs little brotherâcan he just stay quiet for Godâs sake? Every time he says something, the situation escalates."
Another student said, "But heâs not really saying anything wrong, is he?"
The other two replied, "Thatâs even worse."
Just then, Asher stopped replying to Cedric, which only made Cedric more angry. He started heading toward their table.
One of the students said, "Itâs like trouble finds this guy everywhere he goes. If he says anything, people get offended, and when he stays silent, people still get offended. Is he cursed by the Goddess of Luck or Peace or something?"
The other two nodded at his words.
Meanwhile, Cedric reached Asherâs table, flipped it over completely, and reached for Asherâs collar to grab him.
Before Cedricâs hand could fully grab Asherâs collar, a firm voice cut through the tension.
"Cedric Silvermere, thatâs enough."
In an instant, the three fourth-year students stepped forward from their seats.
One of them moved first, grabbing Cedricâs wrist mid-motion before he could reach Asher. Another positioned himself between Cedric and the table, while the third quickly assessed the situation, eyes sharp and focused.
Cedric recognizing them as part of discipline committee clicked his tongue in irritation. "Move. This has nothing to do with you."
"It does when you start causing trouble in the Academyâs premises," the student holding his wrist replied firmly.
Meanwhile Asher just looked at the wasted food.