“—GAH!”
Cries of battle vibrated through the castle’s white stone walls. The sounds of forceful impacts rattling the very glass that stood between the training courtyard and the royal halls.
“Again!” a stern but fair voice called out, urging the actions to continue.
Striking with all her might, Saya unleashed blow after blow against the mannequin that the knights often used for their training. No matter how hard she hit, her target remained immovable and undefeated.
Sweat splashed free with every whip of her hair. With every burst of movement, her mouth gasped for more air as she pushed herself past her limits.
Physical training was one field she had always disliked at the academy, but her days of peaceful endurance had come to an end. Though she didn’t enjoy it, the thought of finally being able to become someone useful filled her with a quiet joy.
Using the influx of emotions within her, she struck another blow at the brown mannequin, sending it tumbling to the floor before the elastic rod it was attached to snapped it back upright.
A faint blue glow surrounded Saya’s fist as she channeled magic, practicing the strengthening technique she had read about the night before. Left alone for most of the previous day, she had taken it upon herself to study the spellbook’s instructions and practice.
Viera had forbidden her from exerting any physical force, leaving her with only the option of training her mental projection and imagery.
For the first few minutes, her practice felt useless, but within a matter of hours, she finally managed to channel magical energy within herself.
“Mind your balance!” Hana’s voice roared like a command. It was almost as if she were a completely different person, shedding all traces of practiced elegance to teach the budding student.
However, the warning came too late, as Saya swung her right hook too hard, sending her entire body spinning. By adding magical strengthening to her limbs, she added a certain amount of weight and propulsion, even if it wasn’t intentional.
Unable to regain her balance, she tripped onto the first layer of grass beneath her feet before her skin made contact with the dirt below. She lay face-first on the ground, using the moment to gather her breath.
Her heavy breaths drew in the scent of the greenery around her, but the smell and taste of freshly cut grass were the least of her concerns. A stabbing sensation tugged at her sides and lungs as she twisted onto her back.
The bright blue sky, scattered with soft clouds, met her gaze.
Puffing out her chest, Saya pushed herself back up, assuming a fighting stance against the training dummy once more.
My fall was because I hadn’t accounted for the shift in weight.
The book didn’t mention that, but if I try to keep myself weighed down, something like that shouldn’t happen again.
Her arms emitted a stronger glow, her legs quickly following suit.
Arrogant and impatient as she was, the fear that lived within her heart and soul always took priority. Throughout the instructions the book described, there were countless warnings about controlling the amount of output required.
To overflow with arcane energy was akin to filling a balloon beyond its limits, and Saya was in no mood to blow up her arms, much less her entire body.
In order to prevent any unfortunate situations, she had only been channeling the bare minimum amount, the equivalent of not even having it active. It was something Hana overlooked, having determined before their practice that Saya’s fundamentals were what needed the most work.
But the young mage had no intention of mastering physical combat before taking advantage of the skills she already possessed. Hana’s unique perspective stemmed from training without magic first, then implementing spellcasting into her combat style.
But such a style didn’t suit someone as easily annoyed as Saya.
Water going down the pipe. Like I’m pouring a hot cup of tea.
The instructions from the text repeated in her mind on a constant loop.
Her breathing steadied and her eyes closed.
With only her hearing and the sensation of her skin to guide her, she tried to visualize the magical energy flowing freely through her body. There was no need to conjure magic from scratch, as it already existed within her; all she needed to do was guide it to the correct destination.
She placed her left leg forward, then the right, repeating until she had taken three steps. Upon reaching her desired distance, she twisted her body as her right arm wound up behind her.
Jolts that felt like electrical currents tickled her very bloodstream, but she didn’t let the sensation distract her from the true goal in front of her; the training dummy that seemed unstoppable, something even tougher than Sulva.
It almost felt as if the inanimate object were laughing at her with every blow she had given it, and Saya had had enough of its games. Her fist made contact with the mannequin’s chest as it bounced back. Before it could stand upright again, Saya wound up her left arm, cocking it like a spring toy ready to snap forward.
Magic now flowed throughout her entire body, and she had only a limited window to land her strike. As soon as the mannequin regained its balance, she unleashed a fierce blow with her left, striking its heart.
Since the dummy had not fully recovered, it was still in the process of rising back up, which gave Saya the opportunity to act, using its own momentum as its downfall.
As the second strike landed, the mannequin took another heavy blow, its body bending over the elastic leg that propped it up. Even during that brief window, Saya swore she could hear the mockery coming from the object.
Which was why her next course of action was something she had been considering throughout the entire session. Before the elasticity could snap the mannequin back upright, her legs jolted with excitement as she spun her body, whirling around her target.
It was a technique that wasn’t thoroughly explained in the text, but Saya felt it was a good time to try it out nonetheless.
Her mind raced, shifting the focus from her right forearm and knuckles to her elbow. Of course, with her energy spread across a decent distance, there would be plenty of magical power to spare.
But her elbow had more bone than muscle, and by using that solid surface as her weapon, she could crush her opponent in a single blow.
The mannequin’s momentum carried it forward before snapping it back again.
It didn’t learn its lesson the first time.
Saya thought, forgetting that mannequins were not, in fact, alive.
Her right elbow drove through the back of the dummy like a spear. The sheer fortification of her bones was enough to send it forward at great speed.
Unable to defend itself or use its structure to its advantage, the dummy struck the ground, a small crater of dirt and grass forming around its fallen body.
Dust sprang up, escaping from the earth and scattering across the once-beautiful scenery. Specks of green blades flew toward Saya, some landing in her hair, on her clothes, and even sticking to her face.
On top of the defeated mannequin lay Saya, huffing as the glow around her body subsided faster than it had appeared.
Her gaze remained fixed, her body unmoving, ready to retaliate against whatever counterattack her seemingly defeated opponent might throw at her.
“Can you stop looking at the dummy so menacingly?” Hana asked, her voice shattering the tense air.
“Shoot!”
The reality of the situation settled in as her adrenaline drained away with every breath.
The maids behind her at the far end of the courtyard, and even those working indoors, peeked their heads out at the sudden commotion.
While the others watched in curiosity, Hana stared directly into her soul, a scowl looming over her face.
Saya forced her mouth into a wide, awkward smile as she gave a thumbs-up, hoping to earn some praise from the Sword Saint.
From Hana’s perspective, it was indeed impressive. The student before her had only been training the basics for a mere four hours, yet she had already found a way to integrate arcane magic into her fighting style.
And from what she saw, her speed was nothing to dismiss either. She knew the newbie’s technique was nowhere near as fast as hers, but it far exceeded the skills of even some higher-ranking knights she knew.
In terms of pure combat style, technique, and learning speed, Hana was genuinely proud of what she had witnessed.
But what really made her veins pop was the fact that her beautiful white coat and boots, along with her striking red hair, were now covered in a splatter of brown.
Hana knew it was partly her own fault, but she never assumed she would need to wear training gear on someone’s first day, as typically, it was the student that often met the wrath of the earth.
“Um, you’re not going to make me pay for that… are you?” Saya asked sheepishly.
“I’m actually not very money-heavy right now, but you can add it to my tab.”
Hana sighed. “You can pay me back by buying me lunch today.”
“You have that much, don’t you?”
Smiling, Hana turned toward the courtyard exit and slowly walked out, shaking her head to dust off the dirt that had been thrown onto her.
Saya gulped as she took a second look at the defeated dummy in the crater she had created.
“Sorry about that, Mr. Mannequin.”
…
“How many orders would you like?!”
“Two skewers, comin’ right up!”
Voices roared from the gauntlet of food stalls, a chaotic tune competing with the clang of metal spatulas against iron griddles. Lines of people snaked through the market, drawn by the hypnotic call of lunches both hearty and glistening with gold-beaded grease.
With the sheer variety of vendors, one could eat their way through the month without stopping by the same store twice.
The air was a thick, intoxicating fog of competing aromas. The sharp, nose-tingling tang of dried chilies collided with the heavy scent of bubbling hot oil, while the deep, primal smell of smoke emanated from meat searing over open flames.
As Saya drifted toward a seafood stall, the stifling heat of the grills vanished, replaced by a sudden, crisp hum of magic. She could feel the faint vibration of ice and water spells being cast, as a way to keep the fish fresh.
“What are you in the mood for?” Hana asked quietly, her eyes darting around the various stores.
“How come I can hear you? It’s so loud here.”
Pointing at her neck, Hana brought Saya’s attention to her Birthmark, which was glowing faintly.
“I’m using my wind magic to enhance my volume for you.”
Seeming disinterested in the conversation, Hana leapt from stall to stall, checking their menu boards before hurrying off to the next.
“I think I’ll eat at Ol’ Yuzu’s today,” Hana declared, her eyes practically beaming with joy and excitement.
Her love for food might just rival Albo’s.
“What’s Ol’ Yuzu’s?” Saya asked, as she turned her gaze around the busy crowd in search of the stall.
“Wait, Kala doesn’t have an Ol’ Yuzu’s? It’s quite literally the best barbecue place ever invented.”
In the blink of an eye, Hana gently gripped Saya’s wrist, pulling her gracefully through the crowd. Even though Saya was completely off balance, Hana’s deliberate movements kept her from bumping into anyone.
It was almost as if they were formless ghosts, phasing through the masses without the world giving them a second thought.
Arriving at the stall, Hana wasted no time greeting the owner. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with thick hair spilling from both his head and beard, giving him a rugged, imposing look.
A simple shirt clung to his frame, and a white towel hung loosely around the back of his neck to catch the constant sweat from the grill. His skin was a deep brown, matched by equally dark eyes and hair.
“I’ll have a double lizard meat skewer with just one onion, two chilies, and I guess a block of cheese. A spicy cheese chicken sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes, and some of your signature chicken sauce. Fried meatballs with extra seasoning, fried chicken legs, hamburg steak, ribeye steak medium-rare with cheese fries and…”
There was no rest in her relentless advance. Her speed at ordering food rivaled even her swordsmanship. Even more impressively, the owner taking notes kept pace with her perfectly, pen flying across the paper without missing a beat.
“And for you, miss?” the owner asked, turning to Saya.
In front of him sat a stack of three papers that definitely hadn’t been there when she arrived.
“Um… surely Miss Hana can’t eat all that, right? I’ll just share with her.”
In unison, they both replied, “No, I/she can eat all of it.”
Are you serious?!
“O-Ohhh, is that so. I see. I’ll have theeee…”
“I’ll have the lizard skewers as well.”
Writing down her order, the owner nearly turned his back when a loud slam snapped his attention toward her again.
“Saya,” Hana stated in a low voice, staring at the young mage with clear displeasure.
“You’re forgetting the cheese.”
“Cheese? I don’t want cheese,” Saya shot back.
She stared daggers at the shopkeeper. Not wanting to deal with an angered Sword Saint, the chef quietly pulled out a tub dedicated solely to dairy delights.
For all he cared, the new girl could just pick the cheese off and deal with Hana herself, he wanted no part in that conflict.
“How can you not want cheese?!”
“You’re doing your palette a disservice by not adding cheese into everything you eat! ESPECIALLY MEAT!”
Her words sounded like an exaggerated joke, but the fire in her voice said otherwise. This was not a bit, this was true, passionate, conviction.
“That’ll be one gold coin.”
An extended palm made its way toward Saya.
“One gold?! Wait, you expect me to pay all that?!”
Hana remained unflinching at Saya’s question. “Of course. You owe me for the dry cleaning.”
“Surely you get free dry cleaning at the castle. And besides, dry cleaning usually only costs like ten silver coins.”
“Miss Hana, I’m starting to understand why you’re so broke now.”
Her previous remarks about food portions and preferences made zero dents in Hana’s pride or dignity. After all, eating a lot simply meant expending magical energy worthy of such caloric intake. It wasn’t uncommon for those who regularly cast magic to eat far more than those who didn’t.
In some nations, and even cities within Fridan, being able to indulge in large amounts of food was a sign of status and power.
However, money was a different story. One could be as powerful as the sun, but without a job, that status and strength ultimately meant nothing. Of course, Hana wasn’t one to care much about her social standing in the first place.
She just hated being flat broke.
“Fine! I’ll pay!” Hana exclaimed.
“You can put it on the Queen’s tab, Yuzu.”
Smirking at her request, the vendor flipped a large piece of meat before leaning toward his two guests.
“Didn’t you get in trouble the last time you did that?”
Hana’s eyes wandered, avoiding guilt. Her voice wavered slightly. “Yeah. I’m hoping I’m away on a mission by the time she finds out.”
“Also, make sure to put it on her personal tab, she’ll actually kill me if I put it on the castle.”
Next to the stall were rows of hastily arranged chairs and tables. Most were taken by people eating during their break or by merchants who had traveled far and wide, but one table remained available right next to the stall’s exit.
A small piece of paper sat atop it, with the word “reserved” written in neat letters. Hana walked over, removed the note, and took her seat.
“I can’t believe it,” Saya mumbled to herself in sheer disbelief. She wasn’t sure whether it was Hana’s status as a Sword Saint that granted her the privilege of a reserved seat in an otherwise crowded market, or if she was simply such a regular customer that the owner had made space out of care.
But from Saya’s perspective, she had ordered a veritable bundle of food, so her assumption that she was simply such a regular customer seemed the most likely explanation.
With a single sigh, she took a seat, her stomach grumbling as the scent of freshly cooked dishes traced its way from the cart to their table.
Perhaps there was a reason Hana had reserved this specific spot. It wasn’t isolated or quiet; rather, it was the perfect vantage point to watch the kitchen in action, to observe how each dish was prepared.
Certainly, it was a show tailor-made for someone like Hana, who enjoyed watching food being made as much as she enjoyed eating it. After a few minutes of silence, a loud voice roared as the owner emerged with two plates in his hands.
He placed Saya’s order first. It was neatly plated, arranged to allow for a seamless flow while eating. The dips and extra seasonings came on the side, positioned so that she would only need one hand to enjoy the meal.
At the edges, the meat had been kissed by the flames until it reached a jagged, lace-like crispness, a promise of a satisfying crunch that would give way to tender, succulent juice.
The farm-raised lizard meat now lay before Saya in a state of culinary perfection. Its surface was a landscape of deep, mahogany browns, glistening with rendered fat that caught the midday light.
She had harbored doubts about Hana’s insistence on the cheese, but as she watched the molten ribbons ooze over the charred meat, her skepticism had all but vanished. The cheese was a stringy addition that carried a surprising floral sweetness, only to be immediately countered by the aggressive kick of infused red chilies.
Even before the first bite, the rising steam carried the scent of salt, smoke, and spice directly to her senses, making her mouth water with an almost painful delight.
“Oh, what came out first for you?” Saya asked, breaking free from the trance her meal had put her in.
But…
Some food of an indescribable color and combination was piled on the large, cream-colored plate, before being plucked down onto their wooden table.
“Um…”
It wasn’t a foolish assumption to think that each dish would come out on a separate plate.
Sure, the table was small, and with the sheer quantity of their order, Saya expected Hana to finish one plate before another was brought out.
Logically, it made perfect sense. But if that were the case, Saya had no words for the illogical spectacle now before her.
On top of the plate, was every single dish that Hana had ordered, crammed and piled on top of one another.
Every sauce, condiment, seasoning, and bit of cheese mingled together, forming what looked like a towering mound of meaty goo.
There was so much cheese that it practically dripped over the edges of the plate. From certain angles, the rest of the food was completely hidden. Even if the meat had been swapped for something else entirely, it would have gone unnoticed beneath that massive pillow of cheese.
Saya stared blankly as Hana dug in, her utensils carving through the snowy expanse of cheese. With every pull of her fork, she had to bite down on the stringy delight just to separate it completely.
In comparison to her own modest plate, what Hana had before her was nothing short of monstrous, like comparing an ant to a human, judging by sheer size alone.
“Miss Hana,” Saya said flatly, all the images and assumptions she had about Hana’s dignified demeanor at the castle dissolving before her very eyes.
“Hm?” Hana curiously hummed with a smile, her cheeks full of piping-hot meat as she leaned back slightly, tugging at a strand of cheese with her upper body to cut it free.
“I kinda…”
“I kinda understand the Queen not giving you so much money now.”