True Companions

After taking a sip of grape juice, Bellows noticed that the others were not looking at him with the rejection a clique might show toward an outsider.

Bellows felt a wave of relief and happiness.

That was only natural. Whether or not someone sought out Manus to learn additional knowledge was not what determined whether they were truly on the same path; that was merely superficial.

If anyone truly developed such thoughts because of that difference, it would instead prove that they were not on the same path as the others.

This scene showed that nearly all the students present were true companions. Their path was not defined by their relationship with Manus or any other superficial traits.

It was that they had all realized they should choose their own path for the future rather than passively drift with the tide, and they were already walking the paths they had chosen.

Thus, although they had barely interacted with most of the others before, they enjoyed the latter half of the meal immensely.

If they had to name the only two people who seemed out of place, they were actually McDonald and Hagrid.

Even though McDonald was puzzled by the group's inexplicable conversation, she knew this was not the time to ask. Besides, she had no attention to spare for so many questions; most of her focus was devoted to dealing with the food in front of her.

Compared to Hogwarts's meals, the roast meat here was far too delicious! The salad was delicious too! So were the pudding and cake!

Hagrid himself, meanwhile, had not noticed any of these matters at all.

"Ha—this Mead tastes absolutely wonderful."

Hagrid poured himself a cup of the sauce from the foie gras preserved in alcohol and drank it down. Mead mixed with butter