KamiKowa: That Time I Got Transmigrated With A Broken Goddess-Chapter 29: [] Sugar Rush Ride

The cafeteria was like an upscale food court, bustling with students from all classes. Floor-to-ceiling windows lined one wall, offering views of the academy grounds and the distant skyline of Metro City across the water.

"Impressive setup for a school."

"It’s not just a school," Calypso reminded him, her eyes widening at the selection. "It’s Catalyst Academy. Only the best for humanity’s monster hunters."

Multiple different food stations lined the perimeter, each with its own theme: International Cuisine, Traditional Japanese, Protein-Focused, Vegetarian Options, Build-Your-Own, and—Calypso gasped audibly—an extensive Dessert Bar.

She grabbed Xavier’s arm, pulling him toward the sweet-laden counter. "Look at all this! They have chocolate lava cake! And is that crème brûlée?"

"We should probably get actual food first," Xavier said, though his eyes lingered on a display of freshly baked cookies.

Calypso pouted. "I’m technically 2,847 years old. I think I can decide what to eat."

"And yet you’re stuck in the body of an eighteen-year-old student who needs proper nutrition." Xavier steered her toward the Protein station. "Food first, then dessert Grandma."

Ten minutes later, they navigated through the crowded tables with their trays. Xavier had loaded his with chicken tenders, fries, and a bottle of water, plus a slice of chocolate cake he’d added after Calypso’s insistent badgering. Calypso’s tray, meanwhile, held an alarming assortment of sweets—two slices of cake, a crème brûlée, and a bowl of pudding topped with whipped cream.

"This is the best part of being mortal," Calypso declared as they found an empty round table near the center of the room. She dropped into a chair and immediately attacked her chocolate cake, closing her eyes in bliss. "Oh my gods, this is divine. No pun intended."

Xavier took the seat beside her. "You’re going to crash hard in about an hour."

"Worth it," she mumbled through a mouthful of cake. "I processed souls for centuries without ever tasting anything as good as this. Do you know how that feels?"

"Can’t say that I do." Xavier bit into a chicken tender, surprised by its quality. The food was several steps above standard cafeteria fare—crispy exterior giving way to perfectly cooked meat.

As he ate, Xavier observed their classmates dispersing throughout the cafeteria. Most gravitated toward established social groups, while others formed new clusters based on shared interests or abilities. The social hierarchy was already taking shape, invisible lines being drawn across the room.

His attention caught on Sayuri Tanaka, the green-haired girl who sat near him in class. She stood near the entrance, tray in hand, eyes darting around the crowded space. Her shoulders hunched slightly, making her already small frame appear even more diminutive. The traditional bento box on her tray steamed gently as she hesitated, clearly unsure where to sit.

"Hey, Sayuri," he called out, raising his hand to catch her attention. "Over here."

Sayuri startled, her wide green eyes finding him across the room. She hesitated, glancing at other tables as if expecting a better offer.

"Don’t make me come get you," Xavier added, gesturing to the empty chair across from him.

Sayuri made her way over. "Are you sure it’s okay?" she asked, still standing as she reached them.

"I wouldn’t have called you over if it wasn’t," Xavier said. "Sit down before your food gets cold."

Sayuri slid into the seat, arranging her tray. Her bento contained rice shaped into a small bear, tamagoyaki, pickled vegetables, and grilled salmon.

She glanced at Xavier’s plate of chicken tenders and fries, then at Calypso’s dessert extravaganza. Her brow furrowed. "How can you guys eat like that and look like you do?"

Before Xavier could answer, a tray slammed down next to him, rattling the silverware. Luka Mikhailov dropped into the seat, his massive frame making the chair seem child-sized.

"Hello, new friends!" he boomed. "Is good to join, yes?"

His tray was piled high with protein—three chicken breasts, a mountain of rice, and what appeared to be an entire serving tray of roasted vegetables.

"My essentia require much fuel," he explained, noticing Xavier’s glance at his food. "More food, more power!"

Another tray appeared across from Luka, and Beppo slid into the seat next to Calypso.

"Room for one more? This table has the best lighting in the whole cafeteria." He flashed a dazzling smile. "Perfect for my mid-lunch social media update."

Xavier hadn’t invited either of them, but he merely nodded.

"To answer your question," Xavier said to Sayuri, picking up their conversation, "I’ve always had a fast metabolism. And I work out."

"And I’m just naturally blessed," Calypso added, licking chocolate from her spoon.

Sayuri looked down at her carefully prepared bento. "My mom always says proper nutrition is the foundation of hunter training."

"Your mother is wise woman," Luka nodded approvingly. "My babushka say same thing. But she also say, ’Luka, boy must enjoy life!’ So I eat chicken for muscles and cake for soul."

Beppo was arranging his food—a colorful salad and grilled fish—for optimal visual appeal. He snapped a quick photo with his phone before eating.

"Diet is super important for maintaining peak performance," he said, scrolling through filter options. "I follow a strict nutrition plan designed by top hunter nutritionists. Gotta keep this body camera-ready, you know?"

"Is that why you’re in Class 1-D?" Xavier asked. "For your camera-ready body?"

Beppo’s smile faltered momentarily before returning at full wattage. "Class assignment is just the starting point! By graduation, I’ll be top of the entire academy. My followers are counting on an inspirational glow-up story!"

"How many followers do you have?" Calypso asked.

"Just crossed 847K last night," Beppo said proudly. "My ’Hunter Academy Journey’ series is blowing up. People love seeing the behind-the-scenes of hunter training."

Xavier’s eyes narrowed slightly. "You’re broadcasting from inside Catalyst?"

"Nothing classified," Beppo assured him quickly. "Just general campus life, food reviews, training tips. The academy actually encourages it—good PR."

Luka stabbed a piece of chicken with his fork. "In Russia, such things would be forbidden. Information security is no joke."

"This isn’t Russia," Sayuri said quietly, then blushed when everyone looked at her. "I mean, Catalyst has different priorities. They want to attract the best students."

"Speaking of best," Calypso interjected, "what did everyone think of our classes so far? That Professor Fox is something else."

"She’s hot as fuck," Beppo said immediately, then caught himself. "I mean, she’s a very engaging educational professional with excellent presentation skills."

Luka laughed loudly. "No need for fancy words! She is beautiful woman who knows it. Nothing wrong with appreciating."

Sayuri focused intently on her rice bear, breaking it apart with her chopsticks. "I thought her lesson was interesting. I didn’t know about The Incident."

"That’s because they don’t want us to know," Xavier said, taking a sip of water. "Knowledge is controlled. Especially about gates."

"You sound like conspiracy theorist," Luka noted.

"Not conspiracy, just reality." Xavier shrugged. "Information is power. The GGA and the corporations decide what becomes public knowledge and what stays classified."

"And you know this how?" Beppo asked, suddenly interested enough to set his phone down.

"I read."

The conversation lulled as they all focused on their food. Xavier observed the dynamics forming around the table—Beppo’s carefully cultivated persona, Luka’s boisterous friendliness, Sayuri’s quiet attentiveness, and Calypso’s fascination with everything.

"So what made you all choose Catalyst?" Sayuri asked after a moment, breaking the silence.

"Best academy, best future," Luka said simply. "In my town, I was big fish in small pond. Here, I become true hunter."

"The exposure," Beppo admitted. "Catalyst graduates are celebrities. Plus, their training facilities are unmatched."

All eyes turned to Xavier and Calypso.

"Family tradition," Calypso said smoothly, the lie coming easily. "Though Xavier’s the first on his moms side to attend."

Xavier nodded, maintaining the cover story. "Fresh start," he said. "New opportunities."

"What about you?" Calypso asked Sayuri.

Sayuri’s fingers tightened around her chopsticks. "My family needs the money," she said honestly. "Even D-rank hunters make more than most regular jobs. And..." she hesitated, "I want to help people."

"Noble goal," Luka nodded approvingly.

"We all help people in different ways," Beppo said. "Some through direct action, others through inspiration!"

Xavier finished his chicken tenders, contemplating the strange assortment of people around him. In his previous life, he would have categorized them all as marks or obstacles. Now, they were... classmates? Potential allies?

"We should exchange contact information," Sayuri suggested tentatively. "For study groups and things."

"Excellent idea!" Beppo brightened. "I’ll create a group chat for us. The Fantastic Five of 1-D!"

"Please don’t call us that," Xavier said.

"Too late!" Beppo grinned, typing rapidly on his phone.

Xavier caught Calypso’s eye across the table. She was smiling, genuinely enjoying herself. For someone who’d spent centuries processing souls in isolation, this simple lunch with classmates must feel revolutionary.

Alright, I guess I can deal with this a little while longer. For her sake.