Single Mother of a Werewolf Baby novel Chapter 219

Chapter 219: General Maximilian Veers

On the high table, the middle-aged man in a black uniform looked down at the cadets seated below. Four golden stars gleamed on each epaulette, while a flaming red heart was displayed on the collar tabs. He was clean-shaven, with a sharp jawline, pale skin flushed with a faint redness, and long, reddish-white hair flowing behind his neck. A powerful aura seemed to radiate from him, pressing upon all around.

"Fire Dragon," Eleanor whispered under her breath.

Two protectors stood to his right and three officials to his left. His piercing gaze swept across the entire dining hall, and for a moment it seemed as though everyone forgot how to breathe.

Then the man spoke. His voice boomed and echoed through the hall. "I am General Maximilian Veers, commanding officer of the Academy’s security force. I will be overseeing your discipline this term. I am also the officer in charge of this dining hall. We shall be seeing one another a lot."

He paused before continuing. "On my right stand Colonel Richard Sharpe and Colonel Rudolph George. They will be in direct contact with you. Their temporary office will be located on the ground floor of your dormitory, and you may reach them at any time."

Turning his head slightly, he gestured to the three officials in white robes. "On my left are Dr. Simin Meydani, Dr. Manuel Villacorta, and Dr. Alan Aragon. They are responsible for providing your meals throughout the term. Their offices are adjacent to the kitchen here, accessible from outside. Any requests or complaints regarding food are to be directed to them."

The hundred or so cadets studied the newly introduced officials in silence, trying to imprint their faces in memory. After a measured pause, General Veers resumed, his voice carrying effortlessly to the farthest corners of the hall... resonant, controlled, the voice of a man forged in command.

"Cadets," he said, "this hall is more than a place to eat. It is a place of order, of dignity, of representation. Here you do not dine as individuals, but as cadets... as representatives of your race, and as members of this Academy."

He let the words settle before pressing on. "You will sit as instructed, in your assigned seat at your assigned table. Numbers are given to eliminate chaos... learn them, respect them. You will not lift so much as a fork until the highest-ranking officer has begun their meal. When the meal begins, you will not rush. You need not fear missing any dish; in this Academy, food is provided in exact proportion to the number of cadets at each table. Should you encounter any shortage, raise your hand and a server will attend to you at once. You will have thirty minutes for each of the three main meals, and ten minutes for each of the two snack times. Conduct yourselves with restraint, with precision, and with decorum."

At a signal from his gloved hand, a projection shimmered into being above his head. A pair of stewards stepped forward to demonstrate, laying down plates and cutlery with perfect precision. The General moved aside, indicating the display behind him.

"Observe," he commanded. "The utensils are placed for reason, not ornament. You will use them in sequence, beginning from the outside and working inward as courses are served. A fork is not a weapon, a knife or a toy. Misconduct will be punished immediately."

His words were clipped but never harsh; it was the voice of a man for whom discipline was a language, and etiquette its dialect.

When the projection faded, the General returned to his former place, hands clasped, eyes fixed upon the cadets. "You will speak only in low tones at the table... never shouting across the hall. If you wish to address someone at a distance, you will wait until after the meal. You will not leave your seat without permission. When addressed by a superior, you will rise and answer clearly. Respect in this hall reflects respect beyond it. If you cannot govern your tongue and manner here, you will not govern your will in life."

He allowed the silence to settle like a weight before concluding, with a curt nod, "I will be observing you from here. So, cadets... behave. Whether you are rewarded or punished depends entirely on you. Dr. Simin Meydani, the floor is yours."

General Maximilian Veers lowered himself onto the central chair at the high table. Dr. Simin Meydani remained standing while the others took their seats.

As if on cue, servers entered in silence, bearing bowls and trays heaped with food. They placed the dishes at the centre of each table and withdrew, only to return moments later with more. Within minutes the tables were laden with a vast array of dishes, the servers departing as quietly as they had come.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify