Chapter 26: Eating Someone's Food Makes You Soft-Mouthed, Taking Someone's Gifts Makes You Soft-Handed

Roland did not rush to start on the table overflowing with food.

Just as he had surmised earlier, this woman was incredibly easy to read. Her thoughts were practically written all over her face. Although she had spoken very eloquently about how this feast was a gesture of gratitude for his previous help, her expression told a completely different story.

The young witch sitting across from him was nervously wringing her hands beneath the table, her eyes filled with anticipation. No, that wasn't quite right; it was more like impatience—as if she were dying for him to start eating immediately. She was truly inept at concealing her emotions and intentions.

Roland, who had been about to pick up his cutlery, silently set it back down on the tray. Sure enough, Kalia’s expression tightened instantly.

"W-what? You don't like it?"

"Not at all," Roland replied with a slight shake of his head. "On the contrary, it looks quite appetizing. Both the appearance and the aroma suggest it’s far from bad."

"Then why..."

"Don't rush, Kalia. You've got 'ulterior motive' written all over your face." Roland sighed helplessly, then added, "Though I don't think you have any truly nefarious schemes. If you have something to say, just be direct. There’s no need for all this beating around the bush."

Kalia looked down and began fiddling with her fingers. "I can't believe you saw right through me... Alright, I’ll be blunt."

"Go ahead."

"You eat first!"

"You say what you need to say first, then I'll decide whether to eat."

"If you don't eat, I’m not saying anything!"

"Then I guess I won't eat."

"You! I spent the entire morning working on this feast! Have at least a little respect for my hard work!"

"If I eat your food, I'll be in your debt, and it’ll be harder to refuse you."

"..."

After their debate reached a stalemate, Kalia let out a long sigh. "Fine. Just eat. I promise I won't use this to hold it over you, okay?"

"So you *were* planning to use this meal to hold me hostage..."

"Cough, cough! That’s not important!" Kalia cleared her throat, leaned back in her chair, and began. "It’s like this: last night, the old lad—never mind, she’s still in the city, I’d better call her 'Teacher' in case we’re overheard. Anyway, after Teacher finished her work last night, she came to see me. She told me to help clear out the divine plague contamination in the sewers, but she complained that it was too dirty down there and didn't want to go herself..."

"Stop."

Roland was relieved he hadn't started eating yet. Although the spread looked delicious, he wasn't about to become a sewer cleaner just for a bite of food. He wouldn't have even stepped foot in a sewer if not for his investigation into the Cataclysm.

"Hey! You’re being way too heartless, aren't you?" Kalia slumped over, resting her head on her arm in a lazy, dejected posture. "We’re comrades who have been through fire and brimstone together, after all. You can't just leave me to die."

"If it weren't for you, I don't think I would have ended up with so much trouble on my plate," Roland said, crossing his arms and putting on an indifferent air.

"Please, I’m begging you! The sewers are so gross! And the old lady—I mean, Teacher—actually told me to finish the entire purification process by myself. Isn't that just too much? I’m a girl, for goodness' sake!"

Roland sighed. "Instead of running over here to complain and seek help that you're unlikely to get, you’d be better off getting started."

"...You aren't really planning on helping me, are you?" Kalia looked up, staring at Roland with dead fish eyes. "Stare..."

Roland: "..."

"Ugh, forget it. Let’s talk about something else." The eye-contact tactic having failed, Kalia suddenly became listless. "Roland, you’ve attended the entrance examinations for the Royal Magic Academy, right?"

"What’s the academy like? And what kind of city is the capital? Is it more prosperous than Ryskann?"

"Why do you ask?" Roland countered.

"Can't I just be curious?"

It didn't look like simple curiosity at all. Roland muttered to himself before recalling, "The academy? The exams weren't held on the campus grounds, but from the professors and lecturers I encountered, the overall academic atmosphere seemed quite good."

"As for the capital, I can't say much. I was only there for the exams and didn't wander around much. If I had to say, in terms of sheer prosperity, the capital is about the same as Ryskann. However, it’s much larger. Besides the city proper, several surrounding noble territories are traditionally considered part of the 'Capital' area."

"Oh... I see..." Kalia looked deflated. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Roland, Teacher wants me to attend the Royal Magic Academy. She says it’s to cultivate my social skills. She claims that if I stay alone in the forest any longer, I’ll keep getting swindled."

Roland nodded. "That sounds reasonable."

For once, Kalia didn't argue. Her anxiety and agitation were plain to see. Roland only had to watch her for a moment to understand her thoughts. Unlike Ryskann, where she had been forced to flee while being hunted, going to the Royal Magic Academy meant truly leaving the forest where she had lived for sixteen years.

He could empathize with her. He had felt the same way when he first went to boarding school. Compared to strange dorms and unknown roommates, the familiarity of home was always better.

Kalia looked at the still-steaming dishes on the table, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Actually... there’s one more thing I haven't told you."

"What is it?"

"Teacher said she hopes you can look after me at the academy. In exchange, she’s willing to grant you one favor, provided it’s within her capabilities."

Once the words were out, Kalia quickly sat up straight. "Of course, if you don't want to, I can go tell her."

Roland: "...What happens if I refuse?"

"You know how she is. She doesn't like it when people turn down her offers."

...

Roland let out a soft sigh and tried to comfort himself. Looking after someone during academy life didn't seem like much of a chore. Plus, this girl was quite a good cook. Perhaps he wouldn't have to cook for himself anymore. Not to mention the reward from Lady Flam—a promise from a Nine-Ring powerhouse was worth far more than any amount of money.

Thinking it over, he didn't seem to be losing out.

"Fine. I'll do it, for Lady Flam's sake." Roland finally nodded.

"I’ll go tell her, then."

Kalia stood up and headed toward the door. Once she reached the small courtyard outside, she couldn't help but clench her fists.

"Yes! That guy fell for it!"

Most of what Kalia had said was true, but she had told a harmless little lie at the most critical moment. Lady Flam’s actual words had been: "If the boy doesn't want to, forget it. I’ll ask someone else to look after you. If he’s willing, I’ll grant him one favor within my power."

Indeed, there was no threat involved. But Kalia hadn't technically lied, had she? The old woman *did* dislike it when people refused her offers, even if this specific one wasn't a mandatory ultimatum. Was there a problem? There was absolutely no problem at all!

*Hehe, the plan succeeded! That'll teach you to call me stupid! That'll teach you to try and ditch me!*

Kalia covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. After taking a few deep breaths to compose herself, she turned and walked back inside.

By now, Roland had already started eating with gusto.

"Oh, you’ve already started!" Kalia blinked in surprise as she saw him tucking in, then a smile of triumph crossed her face again.

"Yes, your business was finished, wasn't it?" Roland, feeling the deal was acceptable, decided not to let the meal go to waste, as he was genuinely hungry.

"Since you've started eating, that means you have to help me purify the sewers!"

"What?"

"Those are clearly two different things, aren't they?" Kalia gave a mischievous, crafty grin and sat down at the table, beaming. "Eat up! Once you're done, we’re going together!"

Roland: "..."

*So they are two different things? And you only prepared one table of food for both? You couldn't even spare an extra 'sugar-coated bullet' to sweeten the deal?*

"Aren't you going to eat?" Roland asked, watching Kalia as she simply sat there, staring at him.

Kalia shook her head with a smile. "No thanks, I’ve already eaten! These are aaaaall for you! Make sure you finish every last bite!"