The smell of herbs and roasted meat filled the inn as Jan set down a steaming pot on the table.
Sophia's eyes sparkled. "It smells so good!"
Aeris clasped her hands together as she watched Jan finally sit down at the table. "To Books' first step as a mage… and to many more!"
Jan rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "A toast?! It's not that big of a deal..."
"It is a big deal!" Sophia slammed her cup onto the table and lifted it high. "To Jan!"
Maria raised hers too, softer but steady. "To Jan."
Jan looked between them, warmth spreading in his chest. He lifted his own. "…Cheers."
"CHEERS!!" they shouted together.
Cups clashed; the sound echoing through the small inn. Laughing, they downed their drinks in one go.
Sophia slammed her cup on the table like she'd just won a contest. "Ahhh, nothing beats this! I can't wait to dig in!"
Jan lowered his cup, shaking his head. "…It's just apple juice."
Sophia was already tearing into a chicken leg. Aeris sipped more delicately, hiding a smile.
Jan couldn't help but picture Rolo watching her with disapproval.
Maria sighed. "I can't believe I missed your first time. I wish I was there! Sophia told me you can control lightning too!"
"I do!" Jan raised his index finger, and a sharp zap crackled from the tip.
"Ohhh!!" The three girls cheered in unison, eyes sparkling.
Jan couldn't hide his grin. "Guys, stop teasing me. It's not much."
"It is!" Maria and Aeris shot back at the same time. Their eyes met—Aeris immediately huffed and looked away.
She was still angry. She couldn't meet Maria's gaze.
Trying to clear the tension, Maria leaned forward. "Learning to control your element this early isn't common, Jan."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. And the fact you learned both mana control and elemental magic in the same day? That's unheard of!"
"Really now?" Jan turned toward Aeris for confirmation.
Aeris groaned, rolling her eyes. "She might be wrong about a lot of things, but this time… she's right."
Maria exhaled, her tone softening. "Alright, I get it, Aeris. I'm sorry. I was wrong. I should've handled this better. But you were sick and you hid it!"
"I wasn't hiding it!" Aeris snapped. "I just needed time to confirm it."
"You should have told us," Maria retorted.
"Why would I tell you?! What are you, my mom?!" Aeris shot back. "You even accused me of trying to kill Books!"
"I didn't! I just said you'd kill him if you tried again!" Maria snapped, folding her arms.
"Guys—mmph!!"
Jan was about to speak but he was surprised by the chicken leg shoved into his mouth.
He looked at Sophia next to him. She covered her mouth and whispered, "Let them fight it out."
Jan nodded.
It went on for a while. Shouting, screams, sighs and even tears at some point.
Meanwhile, Sophia finished eating and even asked for her special dish.
It was the treat Jan had promised her—a simple pancake drizzled with syrup he'd stumbled upon in Erza's kitchen.
Sophia was about to dig in when Aeris suddenly said, "Hey, not fair, Crispy, why are you the only one eating that?!"
"Because it's mine! A special dish from Earth—Jan made it just for me! What was it called again, Jan? Canpa…"
"Pancake!"
"Yes, Pancake!" Sophia took a bite. "And it's so delicious!"
Aeris and Maria both started drooling as they watched her melting in delight.
Jan sighed. "I can make you something else… but only if you two make up."
The two locked eyes, neither willing to back down.
Aeris spoke first, her voice quieter now. "…I should've told you. I just… didn't want you looking at me differently before I even knew for sure."
Maria's jaw tightened. She exhaled slowly. "And I should've trusted you instead of jumping to the worst conclusion. But I was scared—for your sake, not ours."
Silence hung between them.
Then Aeris muttered, "You were too harsh."
Maria sighed and nodded. "And for that, I'm sorry."
Aeris let out a small breath, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "…Fine. Apology accepted."
Sophia smiled and glanced at Jan.
"Alright, I'll go bring your treat."
"Aren't you supposed to make it first?" Aeris asked.
"I already did," Jan replied, disappearing into the kitchen. Moments later, he returned carrying three plates. "I thought it wasn't fair that only Sophia got dessert at the end, so I made something special for all of us."
He set the plates down gently. "They're not pancakes, but they're just as good. These are called crêpes."
"Crêpe."
The three girls echoed like cavemen, eyes locked on the steaming plates. The thin, golden crêpes gave off a sweet, buttery aroma that filled the air.
Their eyes sparkled—Sophia already drooling, Aeris trying to hide her eagerness. Maria skipped the theatrics and dug right in. She covered her mouth mid-bite, muffling, "This is delicious!"
Aeris shot her a sharp glance, then quickly took a bite of her own. Her brows shot up in surprise. "So sweet!"
Jan smiled warmly, only to notice Sophia beside him, practically puddling drool. He sighed helplessly. "You can take half of mine."
"Really?!" Sophia's eyes welled up, shining like a puppy begging for scraps.
"Yes."
"Thanks!" She snatched the plate with both hands, grinning ear to ear.
"Hey, only half!" Jan protested.
"Alright, alright!" she mumbled around a mouthful, cheeks already bulging.
"Aah!" Jan sucked in a sharp breath and yanked the plate back. "That's more than half in one bite!"
"Hehehe." Sophia giggled, pressing her palms to her puffed cheeks.
"I can't believe you!"
"Oh, come on, I only went over by a little bit!"
"You call that a little bit?!"
The two started quarreling—there were shouts, sparks, even flashes of fire and lightning at one point.
Maria and Aeris sat back, watching as Sophia suddenly stuffed the last quarter of the crêpe straight into Jan's mouth.
Maria arched a brow. "His control over lightning is surprisingly impressive."
"I know, right?!" Aeris nodded.
"But this is only the beginning," Maria added. "He needs a lot more work. Think you can train him?"
"Of course!" Aeris said with a proud little huff. "Who do you think I am? Even if I can't use my mana, I can still teach a beginner."