"Master Lia! Breakfast is ready! Come eat!" Astra called from outside Kalia's room.
"No... too early... come back later. Master Lia is out of the office right now..." Kalia replied groggily.
"Oh, Master Lia, it'll get cold! Get up already!"
"We're sorry, but the number you are trying to reach is out of service..."
"Um, what? Which number?"
Right... no phones. Of course she'd ask.
"It's an expression from my world, Astra... It means I'm currently unavailable. Come back later. It's a joke."
"I still don't really get it?"
Fiiine, I'm up, I'm up...
"I'll be there in a minute..." Kalia retorted, dragging herself out of bed.
"Okies!"
"Good morning, Master Lia!" Astra greeted Kalia as she entered the dining room. "Look! I made breakfast!"
Kalia glanced over at the table with a frown.
"Astra... what did you make?"
"I wanted to make breakfast for you since you gave me that staff!" Astra was clearly brimming with pride.
I am definitely going to die twice...
"So, what is it?"
"It's a recipe for a cake from an old tome I once read. It was missing the last page, though, so I just added a few extra things that I thought would work. It's got Carrow Root, Torga Fruit, Battu Eggs..."
Astra trailed off, listing countless ingredients, but Kalia had stopped listening at the word cake.
Cake... I am dead for sure...
"It said this cake was served only to royalty on special occasions. Now eat up!"
Astra held out a plate, glowing with self-satisfaction.
"Th-thanks, Astra. This looks..."
Kalia swallowed hard, holding the spoon at her lips.
"...great!"
You can do this, Kalia. Spoon. Mouth. Die. Easy.
"Bleh..."
Kalia's eyes watered.
"Well?! How is it?!"
"Astra... have you ever cooked anything before?"
"Umm, maybe a few times, but usually I just eat at inns and stuff. Why?"
"Here..."
Kalia answered flatly, shoving the spoon into Astra's mouth.
I'm not dying alone...
"Mmph..."
Astra swallowed hard.
"Forgive me, Master Lia. I will never be able to atone for this sin."
Astra dropped to her knees in despair.
"Pfft! It's fine, Astra. It's the thought that counts. But maybe I'll cook from now on."
"Sorry... I'm making you cook for us even though I'm your student," Astra replied sullenly.
"I could teach you, but I warn you..."
Kalia folded her arms.
"...in my kitchen, we work, and the head chef's orders are absolute!"
"Yes, Master Lia! Please teach me everything I need to know about cooking!"
Astra snapped to attention with a salute.
I'm going to break this poor kid...
Kalia tied her hair back with a wicked grin. She had run a kitchen in her first life, and cooking had been her second passion.
"Now clean up the table. After that, bring me everything on this list, wash your hands, and tie your hair back!"
"Understood!"
Astra rushed off, returning minutes later with not only everything done correctly, but she'd also noticed the intentionally missing item from Kalia's list.
She actually noticed... could've used a few like her back home...
"I'm impressed you noticed the missing flour."
"Well, I figured you'd need it with all these other ingredients. We are making a cake, aren't we?"
"Yup. Today's lesson is pancakes!"
"Pancakes? Never heard of them. Are they something from your world?"
"Yup. We're going to invent them right now."
"I can't wait! Food from a different reality!"
"Now back to work, Astra! Get out two bowls and measure out two cups of flour in each. Then stir in the eggs, milk, and sugar."
Kalia returned to kitchen mode, firing off instructions to Astra.
"Like this, Master Lia?"
Astra vigorously stirred the mixture.
"Stir it gently, Astra! Mixing it too fast will make the pancakes dense and chewy. Do it again!"
"Y-yes, Master Lia!"
Astra quickly remade the batter.
"Perfect! Now use a ladle to pour small puddles of batter onto the pan."
"Good. Make sure you keep some space between them, though," Kalia instructed, monitoring Astra's work.
"See the bubbles forming? That means these are ready to be flipped over. If you do it too early, the batter will spill and make your pancakes ugly. Flip it too late, and the bottom will burn."
"How did you... You made that look so effortless."
Astra blinked in wonder as Kalia poured pancakes of all shapes and sizes, flipping them with a flick of her wrist and sending them through the air before they landed perfectly back in the pan.
"I may have done this a few times, Astra. Haha! It's all in the wrist. Just hold it flat and..."
Kalia flipped another set of pancakes.
"...flip!"
"I can do that! Easy peasy!" Astra beamed, grabbing her skillet.
"This is gonna be hilarious. Go ahead, Miss Chef!"
"So, hold it flat and..."
Astra flicked the pan entirely too hard.
"...flip it."
"Bahaha! They're on the ceiling!"
Kalia nearly dropped to the floor.
"Master... don't make fun of me... I tried my best!"
Astra pouted, teary-eyed.
"Sorry, sorry. It's just that the same thing happened my first time too! My father was teaching me, and I was so excited that I put all my strength into it. They stuck to the ceiling, and we had to use a ladder to get them down!"
Kalia laughed.
"Don't worry about it. No one gets it right on their first try, and that applies double to cooking."
"Okay..."
Astra's gaze fell.
"Cooking takes practice, Astra. I wasn't born knowing any of this."
Kalia smiled faintly.
"Back home... cooking was my life. I spent years in kitchens. Burned myself more times than I could count. Cut my hands. Worked until I couldn't feel my feet. But whenever someone smiled because of something I'd made..."
Her voice softened.
"...it made every scar worth it."
Kalia paused, and her smile faltered.
Something warm rolled down her cheek.
"...Huh?"
She brushed it away with the back of her hand.
She hadn't realized she'd started crying.
"Master Lia, are you crying?"
"Yeah... I guess I just started thinking about my old crew... I mean, we were a mess with too many vices, but we got the job done. I hope they're managing without me..."
"I'm sorry, Master Lia. I didn't mean to drag up painful memories..."
"No, no. It's okay, really. I taught them knowing full well I would leave one day. I'm sure they're doing just fine. You learn pretty quickly that everyone is replaceable. No matter what happens, the position has to be filled or the kitchen can't operate. People need to eat, after all."
"I know that, and they know that. Honestly, I'm more worried about how they handled my funeral... and the celebration afterward... I hope they all made it home safe..."
"Besides..."
Kalia smiled.
"It looks like I have a cute new crewmember to teach. One who's doing better than any of my previous students, might I add."
"I am?!"
"You wouldn't have had to start in the dish pit," Kalia stated.
"Dish pit?"
"New crewmembers who haven't proved themselves in the kitchen wash dishes until they're ready. Skipping the dish pit is a big deal. If you can't keep the plates clean, I'd never let you near the food."
"You mean it?!"
"The unprepared would never be allowed in the kitchen."
Kalia's intensity returned.
"Hehe, I am a genius, after all! Um... Master Lia... your pan..."
"Oh, damn it!"
Kalia cried out, snatching the pan off the flames.
"That's what I get for getting distracted... At least we have a few to eat."
"Finally, I'm starving!" Astra announced, grabbing one of the pancakes and biting into it.
"Wait!"
"Maffer Lia... these are kinda bland..." Astra mumbled with her mouth full.
"They aren't done yet..."
Kalia slapped her forehead.
"...the single most important part is the syrup!"
Kalia poured the amber liquid across the stack.
"Observe."
"This. Is. Delicious! It's sweet! And fluffy!!"
Astra's speech was muffled by the mass of pancake in her mouth.
"Who knew something so simple could be so good?"
"I'm glad you like them."
Another satisfied customer.
Kalia took a bite.
Just one more cup of coffee... just one.
"Anyway, did you still want to see that spell?" Astra asked between mouthfuls.
"I do, but after yesterday, I'm making you promise it isn't dangerous."
"No. Like I said last night, it was originally used to ensure a bountiful harvest." Astra swallowed another bite of pancake. "According to the records, the spell converted the souls of the sacrifices into an enormous amount of earth mana. That mana accelerated the growth of crops and increased their yield."
"Are you sure it'll work the way you think?"
"It's actually taught in mage academies. Not so students can cast it, but as an example of what high-order magic can cost. With the Spire, the sacrifices should be unnecessary. If it doesn't work the way you designed it, the spell simply won't activate."
"So... we shouldn't do it here. Can't have turnips in the training fields."
"We won't have to worry about that either. The spell doesn't create new plants and trees; it only makes already-present ones grow bigger. I was thinking we could go to the nearby farming villages and see if anyone will let us try it on their crops."
Astra really does have a good heart.
"I'm in. If it works, we could help a lot of people. Let's finish eating and clean up, then. We can head out in a bit."
"Okies, Master Lia! I know a few villages nearby. They let me conduct research there sometimes."
"I'll get the cart, then. Just meet me out front when you're ready."
"Let's walk today, Master Lia. It's so nice out, and you don't get to enjoy the scenery sitting in a cart. Besides, the villages aren't that far away."
"Sure. I guess I could go for a nice walk."
Astra let out a long sigh.
"People really don't like taking risks, do they?"
"We've been to almost every village around Tuugo. I told them it wouldn't hurt their crops, but nobody would even consider it."
"Can you blame them?" Kalia shrugged. "Two strangers show up asking to cast an ancient spell on your livelihood. I'd probably say no too. We sound like crazy people."
"Just one more village, Master Lia! Please?"
Astra turned her sad eyes on Kalia.
"Okay... one more."
Kalia relented. It was no use trying to resist that face.
"Yay! Look, we're coming up on a house now!" Astra called, already several yards ahead. "Let's ask them!"
"Yeah, yeah..." Kalia sighed, hurrying after her. "I'm coming."
You go ahead and run. I'm walking, thanks.
"Hello? Is anyone home?" Astra called, knocking on the door.
"Ugh, Astra. It's rude to shout like that..."
"Yes! Just one moment, please!" a voice called back.
"Okie!"
"Sorry to keep you waiting. How may I help you two?"
A young Assam girl answered the door.
She can't be much older than twenty... and somehow she's the responsible one between the two of us.
"I'm Astra, Researcher of Lost Magic, and this is my master, Kalia Waywrenn."
"Nice to meet you," Kalia added with a bow.
"I'm Fior—"
The girl was interrupted by two small children who came running to the door.
"Big sis! I'm hungry!"
"Me too! Is dinner ready yet?"
"Kito, Kita. We have guests. It's rude to interrupt. Go wash your hands, all right? I'll be there in a few minutes."
"Okay, sis!"
The pair disappeared as quickly as they had arrived.
"I'm sorry about that. My younger sisters are quite a handful. My name is Fioria Oswald, and those were Kito and Kita. A pleasure to meet you both, but if you've come asking for charity... I'm sorry. We barely have enough for ourselves."
"No, no. We've been traveling to the farming villages to see if anyone needs our help. I know an ancient spell that can make crops grow bigger! Will you let me try it on your fields?" Astra explained.
"I'm sorry... but I can't gamble with what's left of our fields. If we lose any more, we won't make it through the winter."
"But I swear it'll be safe! If it doesn't work, nothing will happen!"
"Again, no thank you. I won't risk my sisters' lives so a mage can practice... Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get dinner ready," Fioria replied curtly.
"But..."
Astra was cut off by a stern look from Kalia.
"Astra, she asked us to leave. It would be rude to press her. We can try another village tomorrow, all right?"
"Okay, Master Lia. Sorry, Miss Oswald," Astra replied sheepishly.
"I'm sorry for bothering you, Miss Oswald. If you don't mind me asking, though, just how bad is your loss this year?"
"The floods a few months ago washed away most of our fields. What's left should get us through the summer... but winter..."
She glanced toward the house.
"Winter will be close."
"What if you let Astra try her spell on the damaged fields instead?"
"Hmmm... I guess I could allow that. It's not like we can use them anyway."
"You mean it? Really? I can do it?"
Astra's mood shifted immediately.
"Maybe, but what are you going to do if something goes wrong? We will starve if we lose any more of the harvest."
Kalia slipped a heavy satchel from her pack.
"Would this cover your loss? It's yours if anything goes wrong."
"...This would take me years to earn..."
Fioria hefted the bag of gold coins in disbelief.
"So... is that a yes?"
"With this... even if the spell failed, we'd still survive the winter." She looked up at the two of them. "...No, we'd survive for years."
A relieved smile spread across her face.
"Please... come with me."
...Because the alternative was another full day of Astra dragging me from village to village.
"Thank you! Thank you!" Astra beamed, practically skipping after Fioria.
"Here we are."
Fioria gestured toward a narrow strip of farmland.
Kalia's smile faded.
The field was tiny—no larger than the training grounds behind Astra's house. Thin rows of struggling crops stretched across the soil, their leaves pale and stunted.
"Excellent!" Astra called, already hurrying toward the center of the field. "I'll start preparing the spell! You two should stay back. If the plants get too big, don't worry! I can fix it!"
She waved enthusiastically before disappearing into the field.
"You weren't exaggerating..." Kalia murmured, looking over the meager harvest.
...There's no way this is enough.
Her eyes wandered toward the small farmhouse.
Come to think of it...
"Fioria... you don't have to answer if it's too personal, but..."
She hesitated.
"Is it just the three of you living here?"
Fioria was silent for a long moment.
"...Yes."
She folded her hands together, her gaze fixed on the ground.
"Our parents died in the flood a few months ago."
The words came quietly, almost mechanically.
"They were working the fields when the mudslide came."
Her voice caught.
"By the time anyone found them..."
She couldn't finish.
Tears welled in her eyes, and she quickly turned away, wiping at them with the back of her sleeve.
"I'm sorry."
"I look after the little ones now." Fioria smiled faintly. "I managed to save enough from the last harvest to keep food on the table. And with the money you gave me..."
She looked down at the pouch.
"...I'll be able to repair the fields and keep us fed for quite a while. We'll be all right, really."
"I shouldn't have pried. I'm really good at putting my foot in my mouth sometimes."
Kalia nervously grabbed her tail.
"If I can't handle this much, then what good am I as a big sister?" Fioria replied with a soft laugh.
"Fioria, there isn't enough food for three of you here. I can tell that you're skipping meals to make sure they have enough."
"...I'm fine."
Fioria forced a smile.
"I eat enough. Besides..."
She pinched lightly at her waist.
"...I could stand to lose a little weight."
She is clearly lying...
Kalia had heard this line before. Parents, siblings—they would always insist they were "fine" while giving their meals away so someone else could eat.
"I'm ready, Master Lia!" Astra called from the middle of the field, waving both arms overhead. "You might want to back up a little!"
"Okay! We're good! Go ahead, Astra!"
Kalia turned toward Astra.
This conversation isn't over...
"Here it goes!"
Astra knelt in the center of a large circle of runes from a long-forgotten language, holding The Spire of Exchange in front of her.
"God of the Sun, Ul'ua, I come before you as a humble servant to ask that you receive this sacrifice so that you may bless us with fruits of the soil. Goddess of the Rain, Se'ua, I come before you as a humble servant to ask that you receive this sacrifice so that you may bless us with your divine water. Hear me, rulers of all. Hear my humble prayer! Grant us your blessing and provide us with sustenance."
As Astra recited the incantation, the circle of runes began to glow, leaving only a single darkened rune in the center.
"Se'ua Entra! Ul'ua Jiges!"
Astra whispered the words, tapping her staff against the center rune.
For a brief second, the entire world went quiet.
Not even the chirping of a cricket could be heard.
Then a flash of green light washed over the rows of sickly vegetables.
"Astra? What is going on? Is this supposed to happen?!"
"I-I don't know! No one's cast this spell in over a thousand years! This wasn't in the records!" Astra replied.
In the same instant, the glow began to die down, almost as if the plants themselves were absorbing it.
"Look, Master Lia! The plants are getting bigger! Your staff is amazing, Master Lia! I have so many spells I want to try now!"
Astra screamed in triumph, jumping up and down.
"Would you look at that..."
Kalia was speechless.
The once shriveled and bruised vegetables in front of her had grown to the size of a small dog, and they weren't showing any signs of slowing down.
"Oh my God..." Fioria whispered in awe.
"Master Lia, it worked! It worked! Look at how big everything got! You could feed an entire village with just this one field!"
Astra came bounding through the now-forest of fruits and vegetables, brimming with satisfaction.
"Look, Fio! It worked! Just look at this thing!"
Astra squealed, holding a massive potato above her head.
"Miss Astra..."
Fioria trembled, holding the bag of coins.
"I couldn't possibly accept this gold..."
"Huh? This was for you, Fioria."
"Keep it, Fioria. I know you need it, and I have it to spare. They say money doesn't buy happiness, but I say those people have never known what it means to be hungry."
"Th-thank you... I will find a way to repay you, even if it takes my entire life..."
"I want to refuse, but I doubt you would accept it..."
Kalia smiled, resting her hand on Fioria's shoulder.
"...so, deal."
"Master Lia, I'm hungry! Let's go home!" Astra interjected, ruining the moment.
Kalia couldn't be mad, though.
Astra wouldn't understand.
"It has gotten pretty late. We have a long walk ahead of us, and it's already getting dark."
"Um, you two can stay here tonight. We have plenty of room, even though it's nothing fancy... and I was about to make dinner. It's the least I can do, Miss Waywrenn."
"Please, you can just call me Kalia."
"Sorry... Kalia," Fioria responded, embarrassed.
"Ha, it's fine. We would be happy to stay. Thank you."
"Big Sis... food."
Kito and Kita appeared behind them, holding forks and knives.
"Kito, Kita, look what our new friends did for us!"
Fioria held out a giant Carrow Root.
"Ohhhh! It's so big! Look! Look, Kita! This Carrow is bigger than you!"
Kito struggled to lift the root and fell over.
"Haha! Kito fell!"
"Stop laughing at me, Kita... Sis, tell Kita to be nice!"
"Kita, you know not to make fun of your sister like that. Say you're sorry and help her up. We have to stick together now. Mom and Dad are gonna be gone for a long time on their special mission, and they asked me to make sure we were nice to each other while they were away."
Stop, Fioria... I can't... This poor girl would've been in college, hanging out with friends and having fun back on Earth.
"Sorry, Kito. Here..."
Kita held out her hand apologetically.
"Good. Now help us gather some vegetables so I can make dinner, all right? How about I make Kauge tonight since we have guests?"
"Big Sis's Kauge!!! Yay! Our favorite!"
Kito and Kita cried out in unison.
"Kalia, you and Astra can clean up in the stream over there and wait in the house. We'll be there shortly."
"Sure, no problem. Let's go wash up, Astra."
"Okie, Master Lia. I've never had Kauge before. I wonder what it is. Do you know, Master Lia?"
"Nope, not in the slightest."
Kalia smiled.
I might get a new recipe!
"Ha-ha-ha... sorry for the... wait..."
Fioria panted, dropping a bundle of oversized vegetables onto the floor.
"...those were heavier than I thought."
"No trouble. We could've helped if you'd asked, you know."
"No, guests shouldn't work, and that especially applies to you two..."
"Oh no..."
Fioria hurried around her kitchen, searching frantically for something.
"Not there... maybe in the pantry... no... I thought we had one big enough."
"What's wrong, Fioria?" Astra asked, having come to investigate the commotion.
"I don't have a big enough pot to make dinner for everyone..."
"Hmmm, I know! Master Lia! Come here, we need something!"
"What is it, Astra?"
"Fioria needs a big cooking pot. Can you help her and Manifest one?"
"Manifest? What are you talking about?" Fioria inquired, confused.
"It's a type of magic I use. I can make objects. Like this."
Kalia raised her hand.
"Manifest."
A large stockpot shimmered into existence in front of her, along with an assortment of other utensils.
"...How..." Fioria stammered. "That was incredible!"
"Isn't it! You should see all the other stuff she can make! Like a giant golem and my staff that let me cast that spell earlier!"
"Astra..."
Kalia jammed her tail into Astra's mouth.
"Didn't I tell you to keep my Armory a secret...?"
"That sounds incredible. Thanks yet again, Kalia. Dinner should be ready in an hour or so. Go make yourselves comfortable."
"No worries. Always glad to help, especially when dinner is at stake."
Kalia chuckled.
"Hey, go tell Harl that there are some mages at the kids' house! We need to call it off for now. One of them looks really strong," a cloaked man whispered to another at the far end of Fioria's farmland.
"Boss! Jarl said some mages showed up at the kids' place, and one of them used some pretty powerful magic. He wants to call it off tonight."
"Ugh, just when we had it all planned out too... No matter. I will get those three. I can't pass up all that money sitting out in the open like that."
"I guess it doesn't matter, though. Those mages will be gone before too long. I'll head back to let Boss know we're going to be delayed another day or so. Remember, there will be hell to pay if you damage the goods. If you have to get rough with them, make sure you don't leave any marks!"
"Hey, look, Kita! This lady has a tail too, but hers is all smooth and long!"
Kito held Kalia's tail in both hands above her head.
"Look, Kito! She has horns! I've never seen people with these before. Where are you from, Miss Lady?"
Kita crawled onto Kalia's head to touch her horns.
"I'm from Tuugo..." Kalia replied nervously.
"Hey, Kita! Look! This silver-haired girl has really pretty eyes!"
Kito pointed up at Astra's face.
"Wow! Miss Astra is pretty!"
"Sorry for the wait, everyone! Dinner is ready! Come and eat!"
Fioria called, setting the massive pot on the table.
I know this smell... Of all the foods from my home world I could've encountered...
"It's curry!"
Kalia was overjoyed to finally have a real taste of home.
Pancakes were one thing, but finding out something like this existed was fantastic news.
If curry exists, then maybe I might finally get my cup of coffee!!
"Curry? It's pronounced Kauge," Fioria corrected with a slight smile.
"Oh, where I came from, it's called curry. One of my favorites!"
"Oh, good! I hope mine can live up to your tastes, then! My mom taught me this recipe, and her mom taught her, going back thirty generations!"
Fioria was clearly proud of it.
"I can't wait!"
Kalia eagerly grabbed the spoon and took a bite.
"Fioria. This is the best curry I've ever eaten. Can I have the recipe?"
"No way! It's a family secret! It took me years to get my mom to teach me how to make it."
"Worth a shot. I'll just have to figure it out on my own, then."
Kalia grinned mischievously.
"Like, I can tell you toasted the spices. The hint of smoke is undeniable."
"You're good... but there's a lot more than that."
"Mmm... and there's a bit of sweetness, but it wasn't sugar, was it? It was honey."
"How...?"
"Sorry, I might be a bad opponent for you. I have more skills than just Manifest."
Kalia laughed.
"I'll stop, though. I won't let your family recipe get out. I'll teach you a secret recipe of mine sometime, so you have some collateral."
"O-okay, then..."
Fioria mumbled, dumbfounded at how this woman could figure out the ingredients from just a single bite.
"Teach me too, Master Lia! Don't leave me out!"
Astra pouted, shoving another bite into her mouth.
"Of course, Astra. You are my student, aren't you?"
"Fanks, Master Lia!"
Astra mumbled with the spoon still in her mouth.
"Kita, Kito, say goodnight to Kalia and Astra. It's time for bed."
Fioria ushered the kids toward their room.
"I let you guys stay up late enough as it is, and we have a big day of harvesting tomorrow."
"Aww, okay, sis! Goodnight, Miss Lady and Astra! Thanks for making our garden so big!"
The pair called out as they trotted off to their room.
"Goodnight, Kito. Goodnight, Kita," Astra replied with a wave.
"Those two are adorable. You know that, Fioria?"
Kalia said as she helped Fioria carry the dishes into the kitchen.
"Yeah, they're a handful, though. Always causing trouble."
Fioria's voice wavered.
"But I'm worried about them too. I can't keep them in the dark about Mom and Dad forever. Eventually, they're going to figure it out. Will they hate me for lying to them?"
"You will need to tell them eventually, but I understand why you haven't. You want to bear the pain for them, right? I can't say whether or not they'll hold any resentment toward you for keeping it a secret, but the longer you wait, the higher the chance that they will."
Kalia's words hit the mark, and Fioria broke down in tears.
"I-I miss Mom and Dad... I want my family... my old life back..."
Fioria barely got the words out.
"Fioria..."
Astra tried to offer some words of comfort but wasn't sure what to say, falling silent.
"I can't cry, for their sake."
Fioria tried to pull herself together but failed.
"It's okay to cry. If you don't, all that pent-up anguish will destroy you."
Kalia bent down and wrapped her arms around the young girl in a firm hug.
"Kalia..."
Fioria finally let everything go.
"...I'm scared. What's going to happen to us?"
"Nothing is going to happen. I promise."
Kalia looked toward Astra.
"Astra, we're going to have some new people living with us. Are you okay with that?"
"Of course, Master Lia! I wanna play with Kito and Kita more! Fioria is nice too, and she makes yummy food!"
"What do you say, Fioria? You three can come live with us from now on. We have plenty of room for you, and everything you could need is taken care of."
"I couldn't. You've given me too much already."
"Please, Fio! We have big comfy beds, a hot bath, tons of snacks!"
"I can't... It's wrong to place that kind of burden on a stranger. I am the oldest, and I need to prove to my parents that I can take care of the farm in their stead."
"I won't force you, Fioria, but know that neither of us will ever consider you three a burden. Life isn't always easy, trust me, and the best thing to do when that happens is find others to stick it out with."
Kalia smiled gently.
"I'll leave it be for now, though. Our door is always open should you ever decide to come. It's getting really late. I guess we should get some sleep. We have a long walk tomorrow, Astra."
"Okies!"
"Sorry I don't have anything more comfortable to sleep on than these blankets."
"No worries, Fioria. You were kind enough to let Astra practice her magic and have us for dinner. Besides, this is still better than the nights I spent sleeping on the ground in the woods."
"Bye, Miss Lady and Astra!" the twins called from the doorway, waving frantically. "Come back and play with us!"
"Okie, Kito, Kita! I will! Bye-bye!" Astra shouted in return.
"Thank you again for the hospitality, Fioria. My offer is still on the table. Just ask someone in Tuugo, and they can show you where to go if you ever change your mind."
"Thank you, Kalia. I'll remember that. Bye. Have a safe trip."
"Thanks! Until next time, then."
Kalia waved a final farewell before heading off after Astra.
"Perfect! We didn't even have to wait that long. Those mages are leaving. We can grab them tonight!"
"Gotcha. Boss won't mind if we have some fun, right?"
"He won't if no one says anything, right? Just don't leave any bruises. Boss will kill us if you do."
"Hehe, I like the way you think, Jarl."
"Should we really have left them alone, Master Lia?"
"I won't force people to do things, Astra. She's trying to be brave and raise her sisters on her own, and I can respect that. I'm not about to let it go, mind you. All we can do is make sure they're okay."
"I guess... still, though..."
"You did promise to come play with Kito and Kita again, so we can check up on them then, okay?"
"Okay, Master Lia! I'll race you home!"
Astra returned to her usual mood and took off at a full sprint.
"Really, Astra?"
Kalia sighed before chasing after her.