Alex was looking around the kitchen while the maid explained where everything was.Once she finished, he began to cook—he enjoyed the quiet focus that came with doing something simple.
Today's dish was a common one from Tessara, and Susan's signature recipe: a kind of pasta served with tomato sauce and meat.
He cracked eggs into a bowl, mixed them with flour, and began kneading the dough with steady strength. While he worked, a voice came from behind.
"Hello."
Alex turned and saw Vanessa and Sylvana entering together.
"Hello. It isn't time to eat yet; I just started," Alex said. They were earlier than he expected.
"It doesn't matter. I just wanted to see you cook," Vanessa said with a mischievous smile.
To her, watching the man who was usually rebellious and merciless do something so mundane was amusing.
"What's with the smile? Aren't you worried I might poison your food?" Alex asked.
"I'm not, the magic contract prohibits you from willingly harming me," Vanessa said, deadpan.
"And speaking of poison, can I get some of the ones you used in the mansion the other day? For research purposes." Vanessa asked— this had been in her mind, and she wanted the potions quite badly.
Sylvana looked between the two, waiting for Alex's answer.
"Nope," Alex replied, not even pausing as he kept kneading.
"Why!? Come on!" Vanessa pleaded.
"Why do you even want them?" Alex asked.
"For research! I swear! You don't sell them in your shop, so I can only ask you."
"Don't you think that I don't sell them for a reason?" Alex stated, then continued, "I didn't teach you how to sleep someone so you can go around poking anyone to sleep, that's creepy!" Alex said.
"It's not for that, I promise!" Vanessa insisted it was in her genes to fight to the end to get what she wanted, and the more he denied it, the more she became determined to get it.
Sylvana watched the exchange with clear amusement. She had made the right choice coming here; these two were entertaining.
"It's an order," Vanessa insisted. "As my aide, give me a sleeping poison!"
"No. What are you going to do about it—beat me? The contract won't let you anyway," Alex replied.
He returned her earlier argument right back at her.
"Hmpf. I'll get some myself then," Vanessa muttered. There were always…alternative sources.
"Well, good luck," Alex said as he finished kneading and began stretching the dough.
"What are you making anyway?" Vanessa asked.
"Pasta with tomato sauce and meat. A traditional Tessaran dish," Alex replied.
"Tessara?" Vanessa echoed, feigning confusion; she already knew where he was from thanks to her previous talk with her aunt, but she didn't want to be seen as a snoop once again.
"Yes, I am not originally from here. I was born there," Alex said.
Sylvana noted it quietly. 'Cooking really calms him—enough to make him open up on his own.' It was a nice discovery, but then she asked,
"Oh, I see. That explains why you didn't know much about me when you healed me," Sylvana said. "But how did you know about my condition so thoroughly in the first place?"
Thinking back, it didn't make much sense.
Alex paused, looked at her, smiled, and said, "Secret."Then he turned back to his dough.
"You litt—" Sylvana started, but stopped herself halfway.
Vanessa chuckled. "I told you, he has a talent for annoying people with only words."
But inside, she was as curious as her aunt. The man in front of them had many secrets—but she would pry them out in time.
Once Alex finished stretching the dough, he sprinkled flour on it and rolled it tightly.
"What are you doing now?" Vanessa asked.
"Shaping the pasta. Look—I'm cutting it," Alex said as he sliced thin strips and coated them in flour. "These are noodles. Now I'll prepare the sauce while the water boils."
Vanessa watched the entire process unfold. The way he worked through the ingredients had a strange, soothing charm.
Soon enough, a rich aroma filled the kitchen.
"It smells delicious," Sylvana said before Vanessa could.
Vanessa nodded. "It really does."
"Thanks," Alex replied as he tended the simmering sauce.
A while later, he served a large plate in front of each of the women.
"Go ahead. I know martial artists eat a lot," he said, placing a smaller plate for himself before sitting down.
The three ate quietly, too focused on the food to speak.
When they finished, Vanessa sighed. "That was amazing. We should add this to the palace menu. Mom and Dad need to try it."
"I agree," Sylvana said. "You have many talents, Alex. Well done."
"Thanks. Susan taught me how to cook. If you think mine is good, hers is heavenly."
"Susan?" Vanessa asked.
"That's my mom."
"Oh. I see…" Vanessa murmured. Her desire to meet Susan only grew.
When everything was finished, Alex headed home. On the way, he passed through the magic shop again and bought several spells—expensive ones—but necessary as well.
He planned to spend the next months mastering his new elements, especially space, and practicing his new spells. That meant many more trips to the palace, but it was worth it.
He also intended to begin learning at the hospital once Sylvana called him in, and volunteer at the orphanage when time allowed.
His schedule was getting packed, but he wasn't in a rush to go adventuring. Safety—and preparation—came first.
So his training resumed with a trip to the library.
His weakest element was Space, and he had to fix that as it would likely become his strongest defensive tool in the future.
As he read through spatial theory, he found himself hooked.
'This is really interesting…'
While studying theory didn't help him improve on his progress, it was a must if he ever wanted to create his own spell with this element.
So Alex kept studying for the rest of the afternoon.
As he left the library, he returned home. His idea was to learn the healing spells at home, then until the trial date, he would keep a consistent training regime, and so after dinner, he began his training.