After our bout I had become hungry.

I had hoped for the real cafeteria and wasn't disappointed.

The food was amazing.

Colorful.

And the effects were quite good.

"I need to learn to make such food!"

I said while wolfing down yet another new treat.

"That can be arranged." A voice behind me said.

The looks of shame for my manners still fresh changed.

The man behind me seemed portly and …

"Master Prentigon?!

You made this?

It's really really fabulous.

Words can't describe how much I want to taste and eat this stuff."

He wore a slightly bemused expression, his kindly eyes glimmering with just a hint of pride.

"Not all of it.

But the best of it."

There was no false humility in his tone nor any arrogance, just earnest contentedness.

"If I may, I will gladly teach you the Art of Food.

I am a busy man however so we have to make an appointment.

I'd say I'm free Thursday evening, around 7.

What do you say young Warlock?"

"Culinaries such as this.

I'll be there, you can count on it.

Thank you Sir for your kindness!"

"Well, I'll be leaving you to your well deserved break young ones."

…

"I wish the earth swallowed me.

He saw us together, and you act like a hillbilly!

Do you have any decency at all?"

"Ah Jess, he is just overwhelmed. A battle can do that to you.

I am sure he was out of it for what you made me do to him."

"He did YOU in, or do you think those stains were there in the first place."

"Sure he did, a cornered animal will do anything to survive."

"I am no animal.(munch)"

"Says the man eating more than I've ever seen eaten.

This food is supposed to fill you up quickly, nourishing you for days and here you are.

This is your tenth helping already, do you plan to eat the whole Menu?

I am told the paper does not taste that well, but if it saves me the expense of you eating everything listed on it, you can go ahead and eat it now!"

"I am (munch), mhm, just taking (mnya) as much in as I can take (swallow)."

"Disgusting.

…

Brother, I'll trust you to pay, here is all I have with me right now.

I'll excuse myself.

I cannot be seen with such a barbarian."

"Whait! (gulp) Jess, please, I am just hungry is all."

I was hearing laughter from some tables.

Ah well, she'll get around.

"You are eating a Kings Meal you know?"

"Yeah, but I never expected her to pay in the first place.

Don't I get this 1st Class Apprentice treatment anyway?

I can also pay myself, haven't done so since getting that Card."

"I doubt you can afford that. By the looks of it, your Armor is worth less than your tally."

"What!? Let me see the damn Menu again.

…

That can't be right, the stuff is fairly cheap.

Did you just want me to stop eating?

I tell you, I won't, that stuff is fabulous.

Do you know how bad the food we first years get is?"

"I am not trying to lie to you.

The prices are a thousand times what you read.

Easier to write I guess.

But be my guest, I remember how truly awful that gunk was."

Thus I ate everything but the Menu itself. Drank everything, too.

If any of it was alcoholic, I now had a tolerance akin to Superman.

"You did eat quite a bit, but come on, you could stuff yourself just like I did.

Why don't you?"

"My Path does not center on the physical plane.

I mustn't anchor myself too heavily for my duties to come."

"Sounds heavy, want to tell me in clear words what you allude to?"

He smiled, his gaze turned inwards.

"Sorry, I spoiled the mood.

Will you do good by my Sister?"

"Whoa, that came suddenly.

I like her, I won't deny it.

But not unless she wants to, too.

There is not much I can do about it.

I've seen her stats, and she can pummel you like a Goblin.

And I am afraid of You even touching me.

Believe me, I will not make her angry, well not too much so."

"That has to suffice for now.

If you can shake my hands, I'd be honored."

"Sure, you just give it back hale and I shake your hand all day long."

He did, and we didn't shake hands for long, but damn, the difference in strength and muscle texture was showing, without him even trying to hurt me.

Yep, never make Jess Sad, Check.

It was around 14:40 when I found my way back to Jess again.

She still seemed taken aback, she must've gotten reports of my exploits.

"You really ate all of it, didn't you?

I knew I shouldn't have eaten that Herb, as precious as it was.

Give me another one and I'll forgive you."

I handed her a handful of them and she started protesting when I shoved them at her.

"Now take them, I got many more of those and know where to get more.

So don't be shy."

"I will, but don't believe I will excuse the absence of manners again.

We're a laughingstock, the both of us.

Me by association, but why did you have to be so brazen about it?"

"Not much to it.

Just good Food.

Very good.

It felt like I hadn't eaten for years.

Looking at your brother must have reminded me how important food is.

Can you tell me what is up with him?"

"If he didn't, then no, I cannot."

"I missed yet another Class, and Aura training is out.

How about we go crafting again?"

"I'd like that."

"Then let's go, I still have a bunch of fingers left to fill, and as I see it, I owe you a Ring."

"This could be misinterpreted, no?"

"Aw come on, you gave me one first.

Only proper I reciprocate."

"You really know how to treat a woman, don't you?"

"We won't know until we try."

"Incorrigible."

The peck on my cheek was a surprise.

"What was that for?"

She didn't answer, but kept holding hands, normally, while we went our way to the studies.

I did progress in making several Rings and Necklaces and other Accessories.

None were joke items and with Jess' tutelage I improved quickly.

I was now pondering which Ring to gift her.

She had let me see her complete equipment info, but refused to teach me how to just look on my own, telling me to mind my own business.

Aw well, she was well equipped.

The Snake Ring I carried was really just a toy to her.

"Nothing of this is really good enough for you."

She was blushing furiously and hitting me, for whatever reason.

I went on crafting, but this time, focused a bit more on the magic I had done today.

It was quite late already, again, and I figured the last try had to be it.

I painstakingly imbued as much mana as I could, weaving in ever more complex patterns eventually outstripping my mana recovery and touching upon that other space.

The Mana there eagerly followed my wishes.

It was then that the Ring really took on a Life of its own.

Two Snakes, or no it was just one, biting itself, coiling endlessly while emitting an Aura not quite from this world.

I had felt her trying to stop me, but I was so close and disregarded her.

The finished product was quite a pleasure to look at.

『Phranesis' Token』

Its stats were well beyond anything I could imagine, unearthly and gamebreaking.

I gave it to her before I could claim it for myself, the temptation rising.

She looked at me, lost for words.

"I cannot accept this Ring. Any other, but not this!"

She pleaded with me.

"If you cannot take it, then I'll just make another one."

"Not like this you won't! I will not let you!"

"Hey, I cannot wear this either, I know It wants me to, but I cannot.

It is for you."

"Make another Ring.

Do not use your otherworldly gift, and I will accept it, no matter how ridiculous it looks.

Go ahead."

I went at it again, feeling her practically glued to me, looking over my shoulder and intensely focusing.

I was very aware of her intentions, the mana she had gathered left no doubt.

"You can be certain I will not cheat this time.

Ease off a little, will you?"

"No! I won't. You cannot be trusted."

Wrapping her arms around me was distracting, really was.

But I managed to finish the other Ring.

Again, a coiling living snake, biting itself, with none of the otherworldly Aura.

『Coiling Mebius』

"I do not believe you! How could you!"

"You know I didn't cheat, this time it is yours!

No going back, if I have to force it on you."

I was looking at her menacingly.

"I want to see you try~" She was sticking her tongue out coaxing me, sashaying in a playful manner.

Well, we didn't return to the infirmary today, or tomorrow.

When we woke up, still sweaty and spent cuddled together, she looked at the Ring.

"I cannot believe you made me wear this.

It is worth a Kingdom, more than it actually."

I was admiring her form and and rolled on top of her.

"How about we go at it again? I kissed her."

"Stay away, I have my reputation to uphold."

"What? what we did just a few minutes a.."

"Not another word or I'll not do it again!"

"Fine, let's just go ahead then."

I started and, well.

It was afternoon.

"You know I cannot explain to anyone where I was, or you for that matter!"

"Just say we trained and fell asleep, not that far from it. You..."

"No stay away, I am not be sore. Again."

...

"Sigh, ok, just this once..."