The number of revelations we had uncovered in such a short time was disorienting. Especially for Serenith and Karla's group. However, the best course of action would be to rest, clear our heads, and establish a strategy on how to act promptly afterward.
Karla: "Where are you going to sleep? You three?!"
Estris: "That's true, we hadn't really thought about that."
In his great benevolence, Ethilos had teleported us directly to the city where Karla and the others lived. The problem now was figuring out where Senerith, Raysley, and I would sleep.
Hiyro: "My place is out of the question! I'm in the knights' dormitory; they don't accept outsiders..."
Estris: "Same for me and Rayzo... The only one with a house is Karla... Unless she agrees."
Karla: "No! Wait, it's a very small house... And I'm embarrassed to have people over."
Estris: "Just say you don't want to!"
Immediately followed by a punch to his face.
"Ouch!!"
"Fine, I agree! But don't come complaining later!"
It was decided. We were going to sleep at Karla's house. We agreed to meet tomorrow afternoon at a café they knew particularly well to discuss things without raising suspicion. Apparently, they knew the owner well.
With these final arrangements, we separated, each going their own way.
Senerith: "So this is what human cities look like today?! It's changed a lot."
Nico: "It's true, the atmosphere is rather pleasant."
We passed through a rather lively quarter, even more so in the evening the district pulsed at night. Firefly lanterns blinked along cobblestone alleys that seemed to hum. The air was heavy with smells of grilled meat and alcohol; evening was the perfect time to make some money, legally and illegally.
What struck me most in this alley was the diversity of restaurants and dishes being served. Of course, there were street vendors offering many delicious treats; it was too much, I could no longer restrain myself. All these scents had awakened a voracious hunger in me. And it seemed I wasn't the only one.
Senerith and Raysley also seemed eager to get something to eat; I could see them practically drooling with desire to feast on the various flavors this alley offered.
Senerith: "Hey! Isn't there a way to get a little something? I'm starving!!"
Raysley: "I'm also a bit embarrassed to ask, but I think I'm going to die of hunger."
Nico: "I'm ready to devour everything at the stalls and even in the restaurants if possible."
We had a determined and serious look, unwavering, that demanded nothing but food.
Karla: "Hmm... Sorry, you'll have to abstain. I don't have any money on me! If you want, once we arrive, I'll make you something!"
Senerith: "But I'm hungry!! You could take a loan!"
Karla: "Oh, you're pushing it!"
A skewer vendor passing by came to make an offer.
"Are you hungry? These are excellent Refran skewers here! Well-seasoned."
Senerith was on the verge of taking all the skewers when Karla stopped her and asked the merchant to step aside.
He moved slowly to the side, his eyes wide with shock.
Senerith: "What makes you think you can cook well!"
Karla: "Now I won't allow that! No one cooks better than me in all of Meylir!"
As if to answer her claim, the entire crowd emitted only one clear, audible, and synchronized sound.
"Huuuum!!" It was clearly sarcasm.
"You see? Even the people in the crowd have doubts."
Amidst all this commotion, an old man appeared from a small restaurant nearby.
"My word, Karla, it's you! I was sure I heard your voice."
Karla turned calmly, shifting her gaze away from Serenith, who wanted to attack her—fortunately, Raysley and I were holding her back, or it could have turned into a carnage.
"Oh! Seinichi! You haven't closed at this hour?!"
"No! Today is a peak day; can't miss it."
"I see! It's true there are a lot of customers today."
"And who are the people with you?"
"Friends! If you can call it that."
He was a rock dressed in a white jacket. Time had eroded him without managing to shake him. His hands, broad and scarred, seemed to have known tools other than pots and pans. His gaze, a faded blue, held the calm vigilance of those who once watched for danger. He moved with a powerful slowness, each gesture economical and laden with an invisible weight. One could guess in him an old warrior who had traded his armor for an apron but still carried, in his silence and his build, the solid echo of past battles.
"Well then! They seem hungry! Come in!! I'll cook you something reviving."
That was all it took for Serenith to rush into the restaurant.
"She can't be serious?!"
"Shall we go in, Nico?"
"Yes! As long as we're here..."
The door opened onto a gentle warmth and the aroma of embers and homemade broth. The dining room was small, peaceful, lulled by the discreet murmur of conversations and the light clinking of dishes. The light was golden, softened by fabric lampshades and the reflections of patinated copper.
The walls, clad in dark wood paneling polished by time, bore here and there the discreet memory of vanished shelves. The checkered tablecloths, soft and slightly rough under the fingers, smelled of clean cotton and ironing.
In one corner, an old oak counter shone from long use. The air seemed to circulate slowly, laden with familiar scents and that particular quietude of places where one takes their time. Nothing shone too much, nothing was new, but everything breathed a peaceful order and unadorned honesty.
"Sit down! I'll be right back. Karla, would you mind helping me prepare?"
"Why not."
So we sat on varnished wooden chairs; the table was large enough to seat six and had a flower pot in its center. Overall, the restaurant was quite simple but seemed to welcome many customers.
"I'm huuungry!" Senerith expressed with exasperation, placing her head on the table disdainfully.
"Be patient," Raysley replied, ever calm.
I wasn't doing well either; desire and hunger made my fingers fidget and tremble. It was unbearable.
Meanwhile, Seinichi and Karla were cooking us something most delicious. I could feel the aromas of spices and meat sizzling relentlessly in the oil all the way to my soul. It was so powerful I could almost see the smells.
After about ten minutes, on the verge of collapse, they finally arrived.
The dishes steamed with an almost golden vapor that caressed our nostrils and instantly awakened our neurons.
At first glance, the dish resembled a culinary treasure chest with vibrant colors and magnificent contrasts. The meat, of incomparable tenderness, fell apart under the simple pressure of a spoon. Glazed with a deep brown sauce, it released a whirlwind of rich, complex flavors, indescribably delicious. Each bite was revitalizing, a perfect balance where the ingredients, both in taste and visual harmony, conversed in perfect synergy.
I couldn't stop; it was far too addictive. Before I even realized it, I had already finished my plate. And so had Raysley and Senerith.
"It's too good! Can I have another?"
"I'm sorry, but I'm out of ingredients. You came at closing time, sorry," he said with great kindness.
"Aww! I see! In that case, Karla, give me your plate!"
Senerith's abrupt order almost made Karla choke with laughter and disbelief.
"What?! Are you crazy? I'm never giving you my plate! You shouldn't have stuffed yourself!"
While they were fighting, I asked Seinichi quite a few questions.
"I don't mean to be indiscreet, but how do you know Karla?"
"Hmm, you're curious!"
"I admit, I'm rather curious too!"
He scratched his beard for a moment before telling us something like,
"I am her master."
"Her master?!"
"Yes, as you heard. I'm the one who taught her swordsmanship when she was still a squire back in the day."
"Why did you stop?!" Raysley asked.
"Time caught up with me, you know! That's all! When you feel it's not working anymore, it's better to stop! Not like that old stick Rayzo! Haha!"
Amidst all this tumult—Karla restraining Senerith, the old man laughing—an idea came to my mind.
"Tell me! Would you be willing to take on another student?"
My words resonated throughout the room, leaving a heavy silence hanging in the air. Even the two who were fighting stopped.
"You want me to take you as a disciple?!"
The tone of his voice became serious; I was afraid I had said something wrong.
He remained silent for a moment before smiling while scratching his beard again—it was a tic of his.
"Very well, I accept. But you will suffer. I've needed to loosen up my joints for a while now. Tomorrow at dawn."
"Hmm, can we wait?!"
"Why?! Do you have school? It's true, you seem very young to me."
Karla shoved Senerith away with a kick and approached her former master to explain a bit of our situation.
"I see! So you come from another world... In that case, I refuse!"
His statement shocked me.
"Why are you refusing..."
"Don't misunderstand; you're not my first student from another world. The problem is you don't know the characteristics of your own mana."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"Simply that tomorrow you'll have to go to the civil registry center to get registered and discover your mana characteristics. That will allow me to see what training would be most suitable for you."
"That's a bit of a silly logic!"
He closed his eyes for a second and approached me with a menacing presence. I thought I had said something inappropriate. But he simply placed his hand on my shoulder.
The next instant, I felt an immense weight on my back, slowly crushing me.
"You see this?! This is what could happen to you during training if I don't know your characteristics. My spell could kill you in a second if it's poorly calibrated! What do you want to do now?"
"Alright... I'll do it..."
The pressure eased, and I could feel my body moving normally again, and I breathed better.
"Very well, if you understand, all the better. Now, if you don't mind, I'll have to close for today. We'll postpone the training to the day after tomorrow so you'll have plenty of time to complete the formalities."
"Alright."
The evening at Seinichi's restaurant was over, and the training hadn't even begun, yet I was already learning a great deal.
"Let's go!"
"Yeah!"
With that, we finally headed towards Karla's house. I was finally going to get some rest.