The morning rush in the Grand Cafeteria had barely begun, yet the hall already buzzed with energy.
Hundreds of students streamed through the tall arched doors, their voices overlapping in a lively cacophony. First-years fumbled with their new robes, still unused to the flowing fabric. Second-years complained loudly about upcoming exams and difficult professors. A few arrogant third-years lounged at the best tables, acting as if the entire academy belonged to them.
The air was thick with the rich scent of freshly baked mana-infused bread, glowing fruit tarts that sparkled with faint magical light, and colorful drinks that shimmered like liquid stars. But beneath all those elegant aromas, a subtler, warmer scent was beginning to spread — the faint, comforting smell of herbs and spices coming from Will's station.
Will Harlan stood behind the main serving counter, his Simple Apron already showing fresh oil stains and a few new spice marks. His hands moved with quiet efficiency. The Inherited Kitchen Knife flashed as he chopped vegetables into perfect, uniform pieces. The Mother's Worn Pot sat on a low shelf behind him, its rim carrying a faint but steady silver-gray glow that only he seemed to notice.
"Next!" he called out, keeping his voice steady.
A group of noble students approached, their luxurious robes embroidered with glowing family crests. They looked Will up and down with obvious amusement.
"Is this the soup boy everyone's talking about?" one of them said loudly, not even bothering to lower his voice. "I heard he defeated a Flamefang Beast by throwing chili at it. How adorable. Maybe we should ask him to make us some baby food next."
His friends burst into laughter.
Will didn't respond. He simply scooped a generous portion of porridge into a bowl and added a hidden handful of Focus Herb Salad he had prepared earlier that morning. The faint herbal aroma rose gently — enough to provide a subtle concentration buff for those who needed it during morning classes, but not enough for most to notice.
"Here you go," he said calmly, sliding the bowl across the counter.
The student took it with two fingers, as if afraid it might contaminate him.
"Make sure it's actually edible this time," he muttered to his friends as they walked away, still laughing.
Will let out a small, quiet sigh and continued working. He had been here since before dawn, and the pile of tasks never seemed to shrink. Chef Borin had quickly learned that Will was fast and reliable with a knife, so he kept assigning him more and more work.
Then, like a breath of fresh air, a familiar presence appeared at the counter.
"I'll have the usual, please."
Will looked up. Einsfel stood there, her deep blue and gold-trimmed academy uniform looking effortlessly elegant even in the busy cafeteria. Her long silver-gray hair was tied back in a neat ponytail for class, though a few loose strands still framed her face beautifully. Her clear blue eyes met his with a soft, private warmth that made the noisy hall feel a little quieter.
Will's expression softened instantly.
"Spicy Power Soup with Focus Herb Salad?" he asked, already reaching for the ingredients.
Einsfel nodded, a small, gentle smile tugging at her lips. "You know me too well."
He prepared her bowl with extra care, making sure the spice level was perfect — warm, comforting, and just strong enough to help stabilize her magic without overwhelming her. When he handed it over, their fingers brushed for a moment longer than necessary. A tiny spark of silver-gray light flickered along the rim of the Mother's Worn Pot behind him.
Einsfel took a spoonful right there at the counter. Her eyes fluttered slightly as the familiar taste spread through her. The restless magic she had been struggling with since waking up visibly calmed, the faint blue glow around her body becoming smoother and more controlled.
She let out a tiny, almost inaudible sigh of relief.
"…It's perfect," she murmured, voice low enough that only he could hear. "Every time I eat what you make, it feels like everything inside me settles down. Like I'm back home. Safe."
Will felt a warm bloom in his chest.
A few students nearby noticed the interaction and started whispering again.
"Isn't that Einsfel? The new genius from the border?"
"Why is she always so nice to the cook?"
Einsfel ignored them completely. She took another bite, savoring it slowly, then leaned slightly closer to the counter while pretending to adjust her grip on the bowl.
"After your shift today," she whispered, her breath warm against his ear, "meet me at the quiet spot behind the eastern greenhouse. I have… a small request."
Her cheeks gained a faint, beautiful pink tint.
Will's heart skipped a beat. He nodded, trying to keep his face neutral. "I'll be there."
Einsfel gave him one last soft, lingering look before walking away with her bowl, her posture graceful and composed as always.
The morning continued in a blur of serving, chopping, and enduring the occasional mocking glance. Will kept working steadily, but his mind kept drifting to the promised meeting later.
Then, without warning, chaos erupted in the kitchen area.
A small group of low-level Shadow Lurker pups — attracted by the strong aromas wafting from the counters — had somehow slipped through a weak point in the academy's barrier. They burst into the kitchen, shadowy claws tearing open bags of flour and spices, knocking over pots and creating a mess.
Chef Borin shouted in alarm. "What the—?! Someone get these things out of here before they ruin the entire morning service!"
Students nearest the kitchen backed away in panic.
Will didn't hesitate.
He grabbed the Mother's Worn Pot, the Inherited Kitchen Knife, and moved quickly. Using the Simple Apron as a makeshift shield with his left hand, he began cooking on the spot with his right. The knife flashed as he chopped emergency ingredients at blinding speed. Within moments, a batch of Aroma Bait Dumplings was simmering in the pot, releasing a powerful savory aroma mixed with carefully chosen spices.
The Shadow Lurker pups froze.
Then, like moths to a flame, they abandoned the shelves and swarmed straight toward Will and the bubbling pot instead.
Will scooped several steaming dumplings and flung them forward like throwing weapons. The pups pounced on them greedily.
The effect was immediate and ridiculous.
The creatures began to writhe and puff up, their shadowy bodies swelling like overfilled balloons from the overwhelming savory flavor. One by one, they floated upward, bloated and helpless, making comical popping sounds as they dissolved into harmless black mist.
One particularly greedy pup ate too many dumplings and inflated like a balloon, drifting upward while squeaking pathetically until it popped with a loud poof, raining tiny sparks of dark energy.
Students and staff stared in stunned silence.
Chef Borin blinked several times. "Did… did he just feed them until they exploded?"
A few students started laughing nervously.
Will wiped sweat from his brow, the Simple Apron still held like a shield. The Mother's Worn Pot in his hands now had an even brighter silver-gray glow along its rim.
Cyrus Vaughn happened to be passing by the cafeteria entrance at that exact moment. He stopped, watching the entire scene with cold, narrowed eyes.
"Look at that," he said loudly, his voice carrying across the room. "The kitchen boy is playing hero again. How charming. Using food to fight magical beasts… truly the pinnacle of academy standards."
His followers laughed.
Before Will could respond, Einsfel, who had just returned from her morning class, stepped forward from the crowd.
"Cyrus," she said clearly, her voice calm but carrying undeniable authority. "If you spent less time mocking others and more time training, perhaps you wouldn't need to feel so threatened by someone who actually gets results."
Cyrus's smile froze.
Einsfel turned to Will, her expression softening noticeably.
"Are you alright?" she asked gently, her blue eyes full of concern.
Will nodded. "I'm fine."
The tension slowly eased as the remaining pups were cleared out. Chef Borin even gave Will a grudging pat on the shoulder.
"Not bad, kid. Not bad at all."
As the cafeteria returned to its normal rhythm, Einsfel leaned close while pretending to return her empty bowl.
"Behind the eastern greenhouse," she whispered, her voice warm and full of promise. "After your shift. Don't be late."
Will's ears turned red again.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. When his shift finally ended in the late afternoon, Will quickly cleaned up and headed toward the eastern greenhouse as promised.
Einsfel was already waiting in their secluded spot, surrounded by blooming mana flowers that glowed softly in the fading light. The moment she saw him, her face lit up with a warm, gentle smile.
"You came," she said softly.
"I always will," Will replied.
She took his hand and pulled him deeper into the hidden corner, where the vines created a natural screen from the outside world.
The quiet greenhouse became their private sanctuary once again.
And as the sun continued to set over the academy spires, the faint silver-gray light on the Mother's Worn Pot continued to glow — a silent promise of the bond growing stronger between them with every shared moment.