Viktor smiled at each face as they passed by, noting certain features. Until an unusually bright young man approached him, and as Viktor filled his bowl, the young man thrust his hand forward, "Hi! Isra Aceline, nice to meet you! Thank you for the food, it looks delicious!". Viktor blinked for a moment, without losing his smile he merely returned the tray in the boy's outstretched hand, "Thank you mister Aceline, I'm glad that you think so." Viktor smile grew softerat the boy's kind worlds. He bowed his head allowing the boy to move on.
Viktor couldn't help but smile to himself. It was such a minor thing, but it was nice to be complimented directly.
He continued to serve the trainees for a while until another officer came up to him. It was the inspector again, his face was a little red and his hair was a tad rustled. "Vice chief, sir..." The inspector took a moment to catch his breath, Viktor merely kept filling bowls without looking, "May I help you inspector?" Viktor was a bit curious why the young officer had come to him at this moment. Catching his breath, the officer finally spoke, " Vice chief, I wanted to formally apologize for today, and-" Viktor handed the officer a bowl, cutting him off, "Oh there's no need inspector, it was not your fault and you shouldn't feel guilty in the slightest." Viktor smiled warmly at the officer, who stared dumbfounded, jaw hanging slightly open. Viktor went back to serving trainees for a moment before the young man started again, "B-but I do feel responsible in some aspect, at least let me do something for you so we can call it even." Viktor shook his head, feeling a little annoyed. "I'm saying that we were never uneven. You don't need to do anything to make up for nothing." Viktor was getting a tad irritated at the boy's persistence but remained composed. "But I don't feel even! Please sir, at least... at least let me serve so you may take a break!" The young officer shoved the bowl Viktor had gave him back into his hands and drove Viktor out from behind the serving station. Viktor blinked for a moment, and sighed, "You're lucky I'm a pushover, inspector." Viktor smiled and walked away, while the young officer took over where he had left off.
Viktor wouldn't rest of course, instead he would keep watch over the mess hall, he needed to do something to keep from going mad from boredom. He took a sip from the bowl, carefully tilting it so not to get any stew on his mustache. Viktor's eyes lazily scanned the room, watching over the new cadets peacefully chatting or eating to their heart's content. It was enough to make Viktor reminisce of his trainee days, of his friends that he studied with, his rivals that he challenged... These three years were to be memorable. Memorable in a good way; not what Zachary Smith had in mind. Viktor would have to make sure there were some who left this place with a good memory.