Ethan, Max, and Ming left the dormitory building. Max and Ming were still buzzing from the fight, recounting the knockout punches, while Ethan simply enjoyed the sudden and universal respect they encountered. Students parted to let them pass, heads bowed, and conversations ceased as they approached.
[Enjoying the celebrity status, Champion? Yesterday, you were just a rich kid. Today, you are the ’One-Punch-Man’ of the MIT dorms. Nothing earns respect like a good, old-fashioned, traumatic beating.] The System comnted gleefully.
Ethan smiled inwardly: "I admit it. It’s great to be respected, even if it’s done through punches. It saves a lot of ti on introductions."
The three arrived at the bustling campus cafeteria. They walked through the long lines, eyeing the overpriced, diocre food offerings.
"Man, look at these prices," Max sighed, adjusting his glasses. "I wish I could get the steak, but I’ve already blown my weekly budget on energy drinks."
Ming, ever practical, pointed to a cheap pasta dish. "I’ll stick to the economy bowl. I’m saving up for a new graphics card."
When they reached the register, Max reluctantly placed his tray with the cheapest option. Ming followed suit. Ethan simply grabbed the largest, most expensive steak and salmon platter, along with a fancy imported soda.
"What are you guys getting?" Ethan asked, pulling out his wallet.
"Just this, thanks," Max said quickly, already trying to pull out his own worn credit card.
"Oh, no, no, no," Ethan cut him off, taking Max’s tray. "If we’re eating, we’re eating well. Get whatever you want. This one’s on ."
Max imdiately protested. "Dude, you don’t have to do that! Seriously, my parents would kill if I let a stranger pay."
"I’m not a stranger, I’m your roommate," Ethan countered, already tapping his card. "And you deserve a decent al after almost getting extorted and witnessing two major assaults in one day. Get the steak, Max."
Max hesitated, but Ethan’s tone left no room for argunt. Ming, seeing the quick resolution, simply smiled and put the pasta back, choosing the salmon instead. Ethan paid for all three with a black card that made the cashier’s eyes widen slightly.
They sat down at a large table. Ethan imdiately pulled out his phone.
"I need to call a friend," he told them. Ethan then sent a ssage to Hailey: "I’m in the main cafeteria with my new roommates. You and your friends want to join for so steak?"
Almost instantly, his phone buzzed. [Hailey: Seriously? We just got here! We’re already in the cafeteria!].
Ethan looked up, saw Hailey’s familiar bright blonde hair a few tables over, and waved them over with a casual hand gesture.
Hailey, accompanied by Quinn (her friend who had witnessed the auditorium fight), and two other girls who were pleasant-looking but otherwise unremarkable, approached the table.
"Well, look who made friends," Hailey teased, her eyes sparkling.
"Turns out people are friendly when you stop them from getting robbed," Ethan replied, grinning. "Hailey, Quinn, this is Max and Ming. Guys, these are so... acquaintances."
As the girls sat down, Quinn spoke up, looking at Ethan with an expression that mixed fear, admiration, and curiosity. "Acquaintances? Ethan, the entire university knows what you did. You took down Tyrone. The Olympic Trial guy. The rumors are already flying about the ’New Iron Man’ of MIT."
Max and Ming exchanged awestruck glances. "Wait, that was Tyrone?" Max whispered.
"See, I told you I just fight thugs," Ethan quipped, picking up his fork. "Sit down, eat, and let’s talk about the true important things in life. Like, why Ming thinks Dota 2 is still relevant."
The table dissolved into a lively mix of conversation. Hailey and Max connected over obscure ani. Ming tried to explain the complexities of Dota’s ta to the other girls, who looked politely confused.
[Look at them, Champion. Your little entourage. A loyal, geeky friend group secured by violence and free food. It’s beautiful. Just wait until they find out your actual worth; the loyalty score will quadruple!]
Ethan enjoyed the simplicity of the mont. He ate the perfect steak, surrounded by people who were genuinely engaging and no longer treated him like a target. It was the college life he always wanted, only this ti, he had the power to protect it.
As the plates were cleared, Ethan looked at Hailey. "Want anything else? Dessert, coffee?"
Hailey shook her head. "No, I’m stuffed. That was amazing, Ethan."
Ruby, one of Hailey’s other friends—a girl with a sharp wit and average looks, like her friend Quinn—perked up. "I know what we should do. There’s a famous place in Cambridge that does a Pub Quiz on Tuesdays. Tonight! It’s super competitive. Six people, three guys, three girls. Perfect."
The plan was set: six of them would head out for a trivia night. Ethan was paired with Hailey, Ming with Quinn, and Max with Ruby.
Hailey leaned in, lowering her voice so only Ethan could hear. "Just so you know, Ruby and Quinn are okay, but don’t expect the usual sorority types. We’re all in engineering; we trade looks for logic." Hailey then sighed subtly, adjusting her posture. She was self-conscious about her figure, specifically her flat chest—a common complex of hers, knowing she only gained male attention due to her gender in a male-dominated field.
Ethan didn’t miss the subtle movent, but kept his expression neutral. "Good. I hate shallow conversation."
"Alright, team," Ethan announced loudly, gathering the finished trays. "Let’s go conquer this trivia night."
They left the bustling cafeteria, the noise of their departure drawing curious looks from the few students brave enough to acknowledge the ’New Iron Man of MIT.’
As they walked out to the main parking lot, Max and Ming stuck close to Ethan, while the girls walked slightly ahead.
"So, where’s the chariot, Captain?" Quinn asked playfully, turning back to look at Ethan.
Ethan simply pointed toward a sleek, tallic black BMW M30 that looked factory-new, idling near the entrance. "That’s my ride. Not a lot of room, I’m afraid."
Max’s glasses nearly slipped down his nose. "A BMW M30? Dude, that’s... beautiful. Seriously fast."
Ming, who usually maintained a stoic reserve, whistled quietly. "Nice optics. That’s a serious machine, Ethan."
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