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Chapter 10
Kate.
A freshman at Revia Academy.
She had just experienced something completely ridiculous.
She was so stunned she couldn’t even speak properly.
While she stepped away briefly to order more food—
Someone had started eating her meal.
‘…That’s some nerve.’
She cracked her knuckles and walked over.
She had dealt with pickpockets before—
But this was the first time someone had stolen her food.
If she wanted to stop this from happening again—
She needed to teach him a proper lesson.
“Who do you think you are, eating my—…huh?”
She froze.
Silver hair.
Small frame.
Those vague yet mysterious eyes.
“…You’re… that kid from before…”
There couldn’t be two people matching all those traits.
The boy from the train.
The one being bullied.
“…Sorry. I thought it was leftover food…”
The boy spoke hesitantly.
Very different from before.
“I didn’t realize you were still eating.”
‘…I see.’
She understood immediately.
He hadn’t just been bullied—
His money had probably been taken too.
Eating someone else’s leftovers—
Was something a mage would never normally do.
Those bastards had pushed him this far.
‘…That must be hard.’
Her anger faded.
Instead—
She felt pity.
So first—
She taught him proper table manners.
“If the knife and fork are crossed, it means you’re still eating. If they’re placed straight like this, it means you’re done.”
Clink—
She adjusted them neatly.
“I wasn’t going to finish it anyway… and it wasn’t that good… so you can eat the rest.”
Then—
She moved a few seats away and started crunching her garlic bread.
‘…Is she serious?’
Bell couldn’t believe it.
‘This steak… not good?’
Even from a single bite—
He could tell it was top-quality.
‘The flavor is simple… but still.’
Cooking methods could improve it significantly.
‘She said I can eat it freely.’
He had permission.
No need to hesitate.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Food—
Along with reading—
Was one of the few joys he still had.
To those who say food is just fuel—
He would ask:
Could you endure a million years without enjoying meals?
‘Let’s start with fire.’
Flame—
A small controlled fire appeared in the air.
Not dangerous.
Just enough heat.
‘It needs a bit more cooking.’
How should he re-cook it?
Since no one would notice—
He used future techniques.
The steak floated—
Slowly rotating.
Not just for even heat—
But to seal juices.
Break down fat.
Enhance flavor.
‘…Better than expected.’
The steak turned golden.
He let it rest—
So juices could spread evenly.
Then—
Cut into it.
Juices flowed.
A rich aroma filled the air.
This steak—
Contained the history of magic cooking.
‘Now… let’s eat.’
He picked up his fork—
And then—
Felt a gaze.
Across from him—
Kate had moved closer.
Staring.
Almost drooling.
Then—
Startled.
“Ahem…!”
She coughed awkwardly.
‘…It smells amazing, okay?!’
She hesitated.
Should she ask for a bite?
But—
That would be embarrassing.
“…!”
Grrr—
Her stomach growled.
Three garlic breads—
Weren’t enough.
“Would you like to eat together?”
Bell offered.
But—
Her pride was already gone.
“What are you talking about? I’m not a beggar!”
Clink—
She put down her empty glass—
And left.
Bell tilted his head.
Then—
She returned.
Holding—
Another steak set.
This time—
She sat next to him.
“…How long are you just going to stare?”
She nudged the plate toward him.
‘…She wants it.’
It was obvious.
“Ah… ah…”
Flame—
The steak floated again.
As she watched—
Mesmerized.
Bell thought:
‘She must be from a powerful family…’
Spending 10 gold in one meal—
Was rare.
Should he check with the Eye?
No—
That would invade her mind.
Not something to do to someone who fed him.
“…This is amazing…”
“Is it good?”
“…It melts in my mouth…”
Her identity didn’t matter.
Her expression—
Wasn’t noble.
Just a normal girl enjoying food.
Soon—
They introduced themselves.
“I’m Kate Noxstella. Just call me Kate.”
“Bell Tempus.”
“Bell… easy to remember.”
‘…Noxstella?’
A rare family name.
He felt like he had heard it before—
But couldn’t recall.
So he let it go.
They continued eating.
Soon—
Everything was gone.
“Whew… I ate a bit too much.”
Kate stood up.
But—
That was an understatement.
She had eaten far more than expected.
‘Right… body enhancement mage.’
That explained it.
Such mages needed more energy.
More food.
High-quality nutrition.
“That’s your fault for making it so good.”
“….”
“If I can’t eat dorm food anymore, how will you take responsibility?”
“It’s hard to replicate exactly… but I can cook again.”
“…Really?”
“If you provide the ingredients.”
“Deal.”
She swallowed.
Excited.
“Thanks for the meal.”
Bell nodded.
He had eaten.
Talked.
A normal experience.
That was enough.
Then—
“Hey, what are you doing next?”
“I’ll wash up and sleep.”
“…Sleep?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
She smiled.
“There’s something you should do first.”
“…?”
“Exercise.”
“…Exercise?”
Before he could react—
She grabbed his sleeve.
Her grip was strong.
He couldn’t resist.
“You’re not just letting them bully you, right?”
She glanced back.
From the train—
She had been thinking about it.
“Don’t give up just because you’re weak.”
“….”
“Sometimes it feels impossible. Like you want to die.”
She paused.
“But you probably haven’t tried everything.”
Bell remained silent.
His eyes unfocused.
She misunderstood.
‘…Typical bullied kid.’
So—
Instead of asking—
She decided to show him.
“Just trust me.”
She pulled him along.
“Let me help you a little.”
Her grip tightened.
From sleeve—
To wrist—
To skin.
Like an invisible force pulling them together.
Bell didn’t resist.
‘…So this continues.’
Their ordinary day—
Was not over yet.
That night—
They began training together.
