Chapter 14 The War Of Argumentation
"Hey, eat quietly, you're like a pig!" said the blond-haired young man sitting directly across from Nami. He was annoyed by how greedy Nami was eating.
Hearing a reprimand from someone in front of her, Nami immediately stopped and swallowed the food filling her mouth. The young man gave her a cynical look, not understanding why he had to share the dining table with a greedy woman who didn't understand proper table manners.
Nami stared at the young man indifferently. She had heard that from others many times, but they wouldn't understand the hardships she faced in her life.
"Pigs on farms have a better life because they can eat their fill without having to struggle. I don't mind being a pig," she replied casually, as if her insults no longer bothered her.
Hearing his words, Lea Sydney and the three young men fell silent for a moment until they finally burst out laughing.
"Hahaha..." They burst out laughing, not believing that anyone would choose to become a pig to eat to their heart's content.
Seeing them laugh, the people around them immediately focused their attention on them. Just a moment ago, Nami had been the center of attention after being strangled by the elastic girl.
"Nami, you're so funny! This is the first time I've ever seen someone want to be a pig." Sydney perked up again, happy that the atmosphere had returned to peace.
"You have no idea how hard my life is. I work so hard just to be able to eat properly." Nami was clearly exaggerating here. Although she worked hard, she was often unemployed and jobless. However, she was still able to eat and have warm clothes in the winter because she had a regular benefactor supporting her.
"Is your life that hard?"
"Of course it's very hard! I'm poor and have nothing. I joined this academy because I heard the food here is delicious and I get three free meals a day." She became even more enthusiastic. Those who heard it became even more sympathetic.
How could anyone be willing to risk their life as a monster hunter who could take their own life at any moment just for three delicious meals a day? Lea, Sydney, and the three boys felt even more sympathy for her.
"Nami?" Sydney looked at her with pity, as did Lea and the three boys whose names she didn't even know.
"This is bad, it seems they feel sorry for me. Am I overreacting?" she thought. If Levi knew she was making up a story like this just to gain sympathy, he would never want to speak to her again.
"I don't know anyone crazier than you. But I advise you not to be so reckless. Underestimating the power of monsters and thinking that you're satisfied with just being paid for food like this is incredibly reckless," the blond boy said. He repeated his sarcastic remark.
"I don't underestimate monsters!"
"So what really made you so determined to become a Yeager? Are you confident in your abilities? You couldn't even break free from Mariah's grip, you couldn't kill even the weakest monster," he said irritably. Nami was stunned. Thinking about it, she had never encountered a monster before. Although those who knew her said she was very strong, she wasn't so sure her strength would allow her to defeat them.
"That's right, what if I'm not strong enough and die on my first mission? That means I won't be able to see Levi again." She was starting to feel anxious. She only thought about it now that she was here and eating the food they served.
"Ethan, stop bothering Nami! We'll be fighting with sophisticated weapons, not bare hands. That's why we've been training for two years, so we'll be ready to fight on the battlefield," Lea said, trying to calm Nami down.
"That's right, Nami, you don't need to worry. Not all Yeager soldiers have superpowers, most of them were born without any. But they trained and managed to become reliable soldiers," said Sydney, who also calmed her down.
Nami was touched that Sydney and Lea were trying to make her feel better. She hadn't expected that on her first day here, she'd already made such good friends.
"Well, whatever! Since it looks like we'll be in the same group, I hope you three don't make me a nuisance, especially you, pig girl!"
"Hey, I have a name!"
"Who cares? If you cause me trouble, you'll suffer the consequences!"
"Hey, Ethan, come on, don't be so sarcastic with the girls! By the way, haven't we introduced ourselves? I'm Jensen Hacles, and you're Nami Ziegler, right?" said the black-haired young man sitting next to Ethan.
"I'm Nami. Nice to meet you, Jensen!"
"I'm Robin Van Kleiz, you can call me Rob!" Robin said, extending his hand for a shake. But Ethan didn't seem to care; he didn't want to introduce himself to anyone and left immediately after finishing his meal.
"He's so arrogant!" Nami said. She didn't know why she encountered so many arrogant people here.
"Nami, don't be mad at him, okay?" Sydney pleaded.
"But he—"
"Ethan may be cold and cynical, but he's actually a good person. It's just that his kindness is overshadowed by his ambition."