The academy grounds were quiet by the time Will finished his evening duties.
The last rays of sunset had already faded behind the towering spires, leaving the sky painted in deep indigo and soft purple. Floating magical lanterns drifted lazily along the stone paths, casting gentle golden and blue light that made the entire campus feel almost dreamlike.
Will walked quickly, the Mother's Worn Pot tucked under his arm. Inside was a fresh batch of Childhood Fried Rice, still warm, seasoned exactly the way Einsfel loved it — with that perfect balance of savory comfort and just enough spice to make her magic feel steady and safe. He had prepared it with extra care tonight, his hands moving with quiet focus as the silver-gray glow on the pot's rim pulsed gently in response.
His heart was beating faster than usual.
Tonight wasn't just another quiet meeting.
It was a celebration.
He reached Einsfel's dormitory door and knocked softly — three light taps, their private signal.
The door opened almost immediately.
Einsfel stood in the soft lantern light of her room, wearing only a thin white nightgown that clung gently to her body. Her long silver-gray hair was loose, cascading down her back like moonlight. Her clear blue eyes lit up the moment she saw him, a mixture of warmth, relief, and unmistakable anticipation shining within them.
"You came," she said softly, her voice carrying a gentle tremble of excitement.
"I promised," Will replied, stepping inside.
The moment the door clicked shut behind him, the tension of the day melted away. Einsfel took the pot from his hands and set it carefully on the small wooden desk. The rich, comforting aroma of the fried rice slowly filled the entire room.
She turned back to him without a word.
This time, there was no hesitation.
Einsfel stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a deep, hungry kiss. Her lips were warm and soft, tasting faintly of the academy's clean air mixed with the lingering spice from earlier that day. Will's hands found her waist, pulling her flush against him as the kiss grew more urgent, more needy.
Einsfel made a soft, needy sound against his mouth. Her fingers slid under his shirt, tracing the lines of his chest and shoulders as she pressed closer. The thin fabric of her nightgown shifted with her movements, revealing the elegant curve of her shoulders and the soft rise of her breasts.
She pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, breathing slightly heavier.
"I've been thinking about this all day," she whispered. "After watching you fight… after seeing you turn chaos into something beautiful with nothing but your cooking… I couldn't stop wanting you."
Her cheeks were beautifully flushed.
She reached down and untied the Simple Apron from his waist, letting it fall to the floor. Then she began unbuttoning his shirt with trembling fingers, her touch both gentle and eager. Piece by piece, their clothes found their way to the floor until there was nothing left between them.
Einsfel took his hand and led him to the bed. She pushed him down gently onto the sheets and climbed over him, straddling his hips. Her long silver-gray hair cascaded around them like a curtain, blocking out the rest of the world. In the soft lantern light, her body was breathtaking — pale, smooth skin glowing faintly with the blue shimmer of her magic, elegant curves that begged to be touched.
She leaned down and kissed him again, deeper this time, as her hands explored his chest.
"You always take care of me," she murmured against his lips, voice thick with emotion and desire. "With your food… with your presence… with your heart. Tonight, let me take care of you."
She moved against him slowly at first, savoring every sensation. Her hips rocked gently as she took him inside her, a soft moan escaping her lips. Will's hands gripped her waist, feeling the smooth warmth of her skin as she moved above him.
"Will…" she breathed, her voice breaking beautifully. "You feel so good… so deep… so warm inside me…"
Their rhythm gradually built — tender at first, then more urgent as desire took over. Einsfel's magic glowed brighter, wrapping around both of them in a warm, protective blue light. Every movement, every shared breath felt deeper, more intimate, and impossibly connected.
She leaned down, her silver-gray hair brushing against his chest as she kissed him again and again, her moans growing softer but more intense.
When pleasure finally crested over them, Einsfel cried out his name, her body arching and trembling as waves of intense release and stabilized magic washed through her. Will followed moments later, holding her tightly as the world narrowed to nothing but her warmth, her voice, and the steady glow of her magic surrounding them both.
They collapsed together onto the sheets, breathing hard, skin slick with sweat and glowing faintly.
Einsfel curled against his chest, her silver-gray hair spilling over his shoulder like a soft blanket. She pressed a series of gentle, lingering kisses along his collarbone and up to his neck, her fingers tracing lazy, affectionate patterns on his skin.
"I needed that," she whispered, voice hoarse and full of contentment. "After today… after seeing you fight so bravely… I just wanted to feel close to you. To remind myself that you're here. That we're together."
Will wrapped his arms around her, holding her close and pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
"I'm not going anywhere," he said quietly. "No matter what they say about me."
Einsfel smiled against his skin.
"I know."
They stayed like that for a long time, wrapped in each other's warmth as the magical lanterns outside the window dimmed for the night. The Childhood Fried Rice sat forgotten on the desk, its aroma still lingering in the air, mixing with the scent of their bodies and the faint crackle of magic.
Eventually, Einsfel lifted her head to look at him, her blue eyes soft but shining with quiet conviction.
"You're becoming something special, Will," she whispered. "Not just to me… but to this academy. I can feel it. The way your cooking affects my magic… the way it affects everything around you… it's only going to grow stronger."
Will brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"Then I'll keep cooking," he promised. "For you. For us."
Einsfel leaned in and kissed him once more — slow, tender, and full of love.
Outside, the academy slept under a sky full of stars.
Inside the small room, a boy with no magic and a girl with extraordinary power lay tangled together, hearts beating in perfect sync.
The Cooking Demon King was no longer just a rumor.
He was beginning to become real.