The next words out of Kalli’s mouth surprised me. Can I try some?

From the blank expression on Wendy’s face, I think it surprised her too. Um, okay.

Wendy caught my eye and made it very clear that she would be tasting my mana before we left. She slid the water glass containing her special tea over to our side of the table.

Kalliphae sniffed the green liquid that used to be water before it was infused with Wendy’s mana. She then tentatively picked it up and slowly took a sip. She wiped her face and smiled. It actually tastes like tea. It’s not like our mana. Wendy can brew tea with hers.

I could taste everything that Kalliphae was through our connection. It was true that the complex flavors in the tea could not be defined as a single flavor or texture. Whatever Wendy was putting into her mana, she could market it and sell it by the gallon. All she needed was water.

She looked at me expectantly. Are you going to try some, Melvin?

Glancing at the glass as Kalli offered it to me, I couldn’t just explain to the girl that I had already tried it through my mate’s connection.

You don’t mind if I try some?

I wasn’t sure if I was asking permission from Kalli or Wendy. Wendy was the one to answer while Kalliphae placed the glass in my hand. Sure. You have to let me try yours though.

Of course, that was what she wanted. With both girls watching me closely, I tilted the green liquid into my mouth. I wasn’t much of a tea drinker but the richness of the tea excited my tastebuds. It was hot enough not to burn my mouth but not so cool as to lose any flavor. The second thing I noticed was that the tea had a pleasant aftertaste.

Wendy had a lopsided grin on her face as she gauged my reaction. I grinned back.

Does this have caffeine in it?

She relaxed and sat back. It better have some. I mainline the stuff to survive school.

Looking at the glass, I realized that I had a unique opportunity to inspect Wendy’s tea because the only other ingredient was water.

Item:

Windy Green Tea

Components

Glass, Water, Mana

Item Rank:

B

Item Level:

1

Item Owner:

Mayuko

Wendy leaned over the table and waved her hand between me and the tea. What are you doing? Are you trying to melt the cup with your eyes?

The menu vanished from my vision when the girl waved her hand through it.

Hey. I was inspecting that. Did you mean to call your tea Windy Green?

Her eyes widened momentarily making me think that my question surprised her. How did you know that? I just made it up when I tasted it.

Well, you named it. I just looked at the item name in the menu.

Wendy’s gaze dropped to the cup. What else can you tell from the menu? I can’t see them but I’ve heard about them.

Looking at the tea made me want to inspect the glowing noodles that Kalli and I made earlier.

Well, I don’t see any caffeine in the ingredients. Just water and mana. I’d like to test something. We should order some more ramen.

The aeromancer called for a waitress to order some more food and smiled at me. Great. Now I can see what your mana tastes like. Oh, and Kalliphae’s too.

I wondered if Kalli noticed that Wendy had added her name as an afterthought. It didn’t take long for fresh ramen to be placed in front of us. Kalli grabbed my attention by placing her hand on top of mine. It was a gesture that did not go unnoticed by Wendy.

Do you want to do it separately or together like last time?

Kalliphae squeezed my hand and smiled warmly at me. I think my mana tastes better when I mix it with yours. Let’s do it together.

Sounds good to me.

She pushed her bowl of ramen away and slid mine between the two of us. Wendy watched in anticipation as we moved our hands just over the surface of the steaming dish.

As we did previously, I pushed my mana out from my hand and allowed it to run over the surface of Kalli’s. She took the cue to ignite the flames from her own hand. Our combined mana took on its blueish hue and I willed it to seep into the ramen broth.

I was unsurprised when the broth took on the color of our mana and began to swirl. This time I didn’t stop letting our mana flow into the bowl even after the noodles began to glow. I was curious about just how much mana the dish could hold.

It didn’t take long to get the answer. The swirling of the broth became intense, forming a whirlpool in the middle of the bowl. At the bottom of the bowl, the glowing noodles liquified, unable to contain the mana any longer. Just when I thought it could get no worse, the contents of the bowl exploded.

As we were hunched over the bowl, Kalli and I took the brunt of the explosion. The heat of the broth burned my face while the expended mana made my nose tingle. I could tell through our connection that Kalli didn’t take any lasting damage.

She gave me a confused look. Did you do something different this time?

Wiping my face with a napkin, I nodded.

I wanted to see how much mana we can safely infuse into food.

Kalli giggled and moved her hand up to my face.

“Pvruzth”

Her flame made me gasp when it flared to life inches from my face. I closed my eyes and tried to relax so that she could wash away the evidence of my failed experiment.

I could hear Wendy and the proprietor talking heatedly about the mess. The owner sounded stern, “Please stop making my food explode. People might think it’s not safe to eat here.”

Wendy apologized profusely while Kalli washed her own face. When she left, Wendy folded her arms. Are you two going to be able to do it without making a mess? I think Miss Himiko is getting frustrated with us.

Looking around at the other patrons of the restaurant, I noticed that they all seemed to be watching us now. Nothing was left in the bowl except for a blue flame which continued to burn in the otherwise empty bowl.

Is it okay for us to use magic out in the open like this?

The girl laughed. Don’t worry about them. These are all regulars who know all about The Academy. This plaza is closed to the public at the moment.

Kalli pulled the remaining bowl of ramen toward us. Do it right this time.

My ears burned after being chastised in front of Wendy. I shrugged it off and decided not to push it. We infused the second bowl with our mana.

Wendy gaped at the results. The blue broth concealed the true treasure beneath its murky surface. Miss Himiko stomped back up to the table and examined our creation, “This is interesting. What do you call it?”

I inspected it, just to be sure.

Item:

Ambrosia - Food of the Gods

Components

Mana, Broth, Noodles,

Item Rank:

A

Item Level:

10

Item Owner:

Murphy & Hellquist

It turned out that items could show dual ownership. Kalli was not going to like that last bit. She hated her last name. I announced, “It’s called Ambrosia.”

Miss Himiko sat next to Wendy, “Do you mind if I try some?”

Wendy picked up her chopsticks and sampled a noodle, “Sorry. Me first.”

The two of us watched as they tasted our combined creation. I could tell that Wendy was impressed by the satisfied smile on her face. Then her eyes widened in shock as the mana hit her. What is this feeling?

We infused the noodles with extra mana. It seems to have the added effect of mana regen. I’m not sure though. I’ll have to test it.

Wendy turned to Kalli and grinned. You two taste good together.

Kalli’s face turned red and she looked away. The only part of my mana in that dish is the spiciness. The rest is all Mel.

Shaking her head, Wendy explained. Melvin told me that his mana tastes sweet. I can taste that here, but your mana gives it a bite. You two are good together.

I agreed. Miss Himiko chewed her ramen slowly. When she swallowed, a smile appeared on her face. She said, “You completely changed the taste of the ramen but it wasn’t bad. I could also feel it rejuvenating my soul. Would you kids like a job? We could add this to the menu.”

Kalli and I looked at one another. She answered for me, “We’ll think about it. We’re pretty busy with school.”

Miss Himiko nodded and added, “I can work around your schedule if you choose to accept. Please just keep me in mind.”

We flew back to the hotel on the phoenix. It was getting late when I walked Kalli to her room. She lingered outside of her door before going inside. I fidgeted, knowing fully well that it was a good time to tell her how I felt.

Um. Kalli.

Her eyes gleamed while she waited for me to continue. When I didn’t say anything, she asked, What is it, Mel?

I sucked in a deep breath, trying to get my heart to beat at a reasonable pace.

I, um, you know. I had a fun time with you tonight.

Kalli smiled at me. Her thoughts had a dreamy feeling to them. So did I.

Why was this so hard? Three simple words. I just had to tell her three simple words.

I’m glad you aren’t sore anymore.

Those weren’t the right words. I had to try again. She yawned and leaned against the wall. Yeah. I feel great. Thank you for that. I hope you know you’re going to have to do me again after my next workout.

A part of me got stuck on the fact that she just told me to do her. The other part was still on a mission.

Kalli, you know I like you, right?

There. I said it. Finally. The only question was, how would she respond? She smiled. That was a good sign. Then she replied. I know. I like you too, Mel.

She said the right words but it still didn’t feel right. Did she understand what I meant? Perhaps she would understand if I kissed her. I took a step forward just in time to watch her open the door. Good night Mel.

And she was gone.

I walked back to my dorm slowly, evaluating my confession. Kalli, for her part, didn’t seem too concerned with it. She didn’t continue the conversation when she got to her room. She changed clothes, peed, and was asleep the instant her head hit the pillow.

I sighed.

I should have said love or at least that I like her a lot.

I slammed my hand over my mouth when I realized I had just thought that out loud. Through mate chat, I could only feel Kalli’s rhythmic breathing. I heaved a sigh of relief but then Wendy replied, startling me. Did you decide to confess to her after all?

I told her that I like her. She said she likes me back.

The mixed emotions that I felt from Wendy made me sad. She liked me but she was still trying to help me make it work with Kalliphae. That’s a good thing, isn’t it?

You know. If you don’t want to talk about this, I understand.

She reigned in her emotions and replied. It’s okay. You helped me a lot today. I can’t believe how much control I have over my mana now.

I don’t think she understands how I like her. She made it sound like I’m a good friend.

Wendy made a show of thinking. Hmm, you might have to tell her again. It probably would have been better to confess during the date rather than at the end. Do you plan on seeing her tomorrow?

I think so.

She sent warm feelings that I recognized as affection. I have faith in you, Melvin. Tell her again. Let her know how much she means to you.

It hurt knowing that Wendy was helping me even though she seemed to like me. I vowed to do what I could to make her happy.

Thanks, Wendy. Good night.

I could see her smile at me in my mind. Sweet dreams, Melvin.

Unfortunately for me, sleep wasn’t in the cards. The moment I opened the door to my room, three guilty faces popped up and turned to look at me. They were concealing what appeared to be a glowing statue.

One of them heaved a sigh of relief, “Oh, it’s only him.”

Meanwhile in Kalli's bedroom...

Kalliphae lay in bed staring at the ceiling trying her best not to share her feelings through mate chat. The tears streaming down her cheeks betrayed her though.