CHAPTER 18: FAVOR...

The cafeteria was quiet today — not empty, just comfortably sparse.

A few groups of cadets sat scattered around, whispering, eating, pretending not to glance my way.

Good.

Let them.

I leaned back in my chair, mood considerably brighter than it had been in days.

Partly because I’d just humiliated a group of walking plot-armors in front of the entire class... but mostly because of what floated right before my eyes.

A translucent system window shimmered faintly.

[You have verbally defeated the protagonist and his party.]

[Reward: 2000 Points]

[You have publicly humiliated the protagonist’s party.]

[Reward: 2000 Points]

Four. Thousand. Points.

"Now that’s a satisfying meal before the meal," I muttered, grinning.

The system didn’t even reply, but I didn’t care.

This alone was better than therapy.

Still, as I waited, I couldn’t help glancing at the door every few seconds.

’Where is she? She should’ve been here by now.’

I had just started to tap my fingers on the table when—

’Oh, there she is.’

Ariana stepped into the cafeteria, looking around nervously like a lost kitten in a crowd. Her gaze flitted over the tables, hesitant, until I raised my hand.

Her face brightened — subtly, but enough. She hurried over, her steps light, cautious, her bangs hiding most of her expression.

She sat down across from me, hands folded neatly, eyes flickering to the lunchbox immediately.

I couldn’t help it — I chuckled.

She looked like a kid waiting for candy.

Oh wait, that’s right. There aren’t any candies in this world.

What a tragic, uncivilized place.

"Well," I said, unwrapping the cloth. "As promised."

The moment I opened the lid, a soft hiss of steam rose, carrying a spicy, mouthwatering aroma that filled the air. The magic circuit etched into the box kept everything warm and fresh — like a fantasy-world version of a high-end thermosteel.

The scent alone was divine — roasted hare meat, tangy tomatoes, the faint sweetness of cabbage, and toasted bread.

Ariana’s violet eyes widened. She leaned forward slightly, her gaze locked onto the food like a magnet.

I tested a theory — sliding the lunchbox slightly to the left.

Her eyes followed.

To the right.

They followed again.

I smirked. "Cute."

"W-What?" she blinked, caught off guard.

"Nothing." I pushed the box toward her. "These are called tacos."

"T-Tacos...?" she repeated softly, the word foreign on her tongue.

"Yeah. Go ahead, don’t be shy."

"T-Then... thank you."

Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked one up.

She studied it for a moment — as if expecting it to explode — then finally took a bite.

*****

Ariana’s POV

The moment it touched my tongue — the world stopped.

Warm.

Crisp.

Soft.

Spicy.

The flavors burst all at once — a harmony of heat and sweetness, the juicy hare meat melting with every chew. The tang of the sauce mixed perfectly with the crunch of the vegetables. It was like magic — not the kind you cast, but the kind that feels like a spell.

Her eyes widened.

Her shoulders relaxed.

For a moment, she forgot to breathe.

"W-What... is this...?" she whispered between chews.

The cafeteria, the stares, the judgment — it all faded away.

There was only the food, the warmth, and that comforting taste that made her heart feel... lighter.

She took another bite.

And another.

Faster this time.

Her eyes shimmered faintly — almost sparkling — and a soft sigh escaped her lips.

It was ridiculously tasty.

****

Back to Lucien’s POV

I leaned back and watched her eat like I’d just solved world hunger.

Every bite she took made her expression soften a little more — from hesitant, to curious, to full-blown bliss.

Her reaction was so dramatic, it almost felt like one of those anime cutscenes where food transcends logic.

I smirked. "I’ll take that as a five-star review."

She looked up, blinking rapidly, her cheeks faintly pink.

"...I-It’s amazing," she said earnestly. "I’ve never tasted anything like this."

"Of course you haven’t," I replied. "You people have lived your entire lives without seasoning. It’s a miracle you’re all still functioning."

Her lips twitched — almost a smile.

****

Then I realized something.

It was too quiet.

Way

too quiet.

I glanced around.

Every cadet in the cafeteria — nobles, commoners, even a few instructors — were staring at us.

Some curious.

Some envious.

And a few... outright drooling.

I followed their gazes down to the tacos.

Ah. Right. The smell.

I sighed and muttered under my breath, "Great. Now it’s a public exhibit."

Ariana, oblivious, took another delicate bite, her eyes lighting up again.

I leaned back, crossed my arms, and smirked at the gawking crowd.

"Look all you want," I said quietly. "You’re not getting any."

*****

After finishing her last bite, Ariana sat back, hands folded neatly on her lap.

Her usually guarded expression softened, a quiet contentment blooming on her face.

"...That was... incredible," she murmured, almost to herself.

Her voice was so faint that I barely caught it.

Her cheeks had the faintest tint of pink, eyes relaxed — the kind of peace that comes only after a satisfying meal.

For a girl who looked like the world scared her, she seemed almost... human now.

As she dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin, she hesitated. Her fingers twitched slightly, as if she was wrestling with whether to speak or not.

Then, in a barely audible voice—

"U-Um..."

I looked up. "Hm?"

Her eyes flickered between me and the empty lunchbox. "...C-Could you... maybe..."

She paused, her face already starting to redden.

"...teach me how to cook like that?"

For a moment, I blinked. Then a grin tugged at my lips.

Oh? Interesting development.

Her face turned crimson the moment she realized what she’d said aloud.

"I-I mean! It’s just—after eating your food—everything else tastes so bland and I can’t eat the cafeteria food anymore and—"

She was rambling now, tripping over her words, hands waving helplessly in the air like she wanted to grab them back.

I leaned my chin on my hand, watching her flustered face with mild amusement.

"Hmm..." I said, pretending to ponder deeply. "You want me to teach you, huh..."

Truthfully, I’d already decided. Of course I’d say yes.

The system rewarded me for improving her favorability, and spending time together was the easiest way to raise it.

But that wasn’t the only reason.

Ariana Solmere — the forgotten daughter of a ducal house. No talent in sword or spell.

But hidden inside that quiet girl was one of the greatest alchemic geniuses this world would ever see.

If I could awaken that potential early... she’d become more than an ally. She’d become a cornerstone.

Not to mention — free potions and enchanted items?

Yeah, that sounded like a future investment to me.

A grin crept onto my face without me realizing.

After a long, thoughtful silence, I said, "Alright, I’ll teach you. But—"

Her head shot up instantly. "B-But?"

I smirked. "I have a condition."

Her expression stiffened. "W-What is it?"

"As my friend," I said, choosing my words carefully, "you can’t stay weak."

Her expression wavered. The glow of excitement dimmed.

"...B-But I don’t have talent in anything," she said softly, voice trembling. "I’ve tried magic, swordsmanship, archery... everything. I can’t do any of them. I’m just... useless."

Her words hung in the air.

I looked at her for a moment — really looked.

The way her shoulders hunched, the way she avoided my gaze, the way she spoke like she’d already given up long ago.

Then I smiled faintly.

"Who said that?" I asked.

"H-Huh?"

"Whoever told you that you don’t have talent," I said, my tone suddenly firm, "must be the biggest fool in this academy."

Her violet eyes widened, caught off guard.

"Listen," I said, my voice steady but sincere. "Just one semester. Give yourself to me — and I’ll make sure no one ever calls you weak again."

Her lips parted in shock.

The tips of her ears turned red, her face flushing all the way down to her neck.

’W-What does he mean by that?!’

’Give myself... to him?!’

’D-Does he mean... that?! No, no, no— he couldn’t possibly mean that!’

She panicked internally, fumbling with her thoughts so visibly it was almost adorable.

Meanwhile, I tilted my head, watching her turn pinker by the second.

"...Ariana?"

She jolted, lost in her own spiral.

"Y-Yes?!"

"I asked — will you do it?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Will you give yourself to me?"

Her entire body froze.

Her brain clearly went straight to the wrong interpretation.

Her lips trembled, her face completely red now.

"I–I... y-yes!" she squeaked, her voice barely audible.

I blinked.

That reaction was... unexpected.

But, eh, I’ll take it.

"Good," I said simply, standing up. "Meet me at three o’clock at the academy gates. Don’t be late."

She nodded stiffly, still dazed, as if her brain had short-circuited.

"I–I’ll be there..." she murmured, eyes spinning.

I smirked, picked up my lunchbox, and walked away.

As I stepped outside the cafeteria, the system chimed.

[Favorability +10]

[Current Favorability: 30 (Interest)]

[Reward: +100 Points]

I raised an eyebrow.

"Huh? What’s with the sudden jump?"

Then I smirked.

"Ah... maybe it’s because I agreed to teach her cooking."

The system didn’t reply, but I could’ve sworn the faint glimmer of the window looked amused.