The night was pitch dark, and apart from the rustling of leaves and the distant cries of birds, there was no sound. She couldn’t find his way home; she was hungry and exhausted. Though she didn’t have the energy to move a finger, she had no choice but to keep going. She couldn’t stop, not even for a moment, or that thing would kill her. She was trembling from the cold, but that no longer mattered.

  As she wandered aimlessly through the forest, she heard a distant voice calling, “Come here, I’m here.” It was Saria’s voice, her best friend. Hearing it rekindled a flicker of hope within her. She immediately started moving toward the voice. After a while, she reached a tree that emanated a dim, purple glow from its flowers. The tree stood alone, oddly out of place in the middle of the forest.

  Someone was sitting behind the tree, it had to be Saria. She tried to call out, but no sound came out of her mouth. She walked closer, circling the tree, but froze in her tracks. Her eyes widened in horror as tears streamed down his cheeks. Saria’s lifeless body lay under the tree. Her clothes were torn, and deep claw and bite marks covered her body. The most horrifying sight was her throat, as if something had bitten and torn it apart.

  Then she heard another voice, this time a grotesque, chilling version of Saria’s. “Hel…p… me…” it groaned. Turning around, she saw it. A monstrous creature, three meters tall, a grotesque blend of a wild boar and a bear, stood motionless. Half its face was skeletal, and its mouth and snout dripped with blood—not its own. Its small, glowing red eyes locked onto him with terrifying intelligence.

  The creature had set a trap. Under the tree's glowing light, the scorched and wounded patches of its fur were visible, yet it had developed a resistance to magic, sustaining minimal damage. With a terrifying roar, the beast charged toward her.

  She was paralyzed by fear. Just as the creature was about to grab her, a tall, muscular man burst out of the bushes and landed a heavy kick on the creature’s head. The beast staggered back a few steps. Turning around, the man shouted, “RUN, NOW! DON’T YOU DARE DIE, LEENA!”

  Leena woke up drenched in sweat to the sound of her alarm clock. She had been having the same nightmare over and over again for a long time. In it, her best friend died, and her brother saved her. Though she knew it was ridiculous, seeing the same dream repeatedly was exhausting.

  She got out of bed, left her room, and took a shower. When she came out, she smelled the breakfast Nuala had prepared. Returning to her room, she put on her school uniform, grabbed her bag, and went downstairs. The table was already set, but her parents were nowhere to be seen. Sitting at the table, she began eating without waiting for them.

  The meal was a vegetable omelet. She pushed the peppers to the side of her plate and started eating the rest. Noticing this, Nuala gently said, “You should eat the peppers too, Miss Leena.” But Leena ignored her and continued eating.

  A short while later, her parents arrived. Her mother entered with a smile, kissed her on the cheek, and said, “Good morning, sweetheart.” Leena replied briefly, “Good morning, Mom.” Her father, as usual, remained silent, sipping his coffee while reading a piece of paper.

  Breaking the silence, her father said without looking up, “Vulren opened his restaurant last week. You should try the food; it’s really good.” Her mother replied coldly, “I’m too busy to go.”

  Sighing, her father turned to Leena. “What about you, Leena? Would you like to visit your brother’s restaurant with Nuala over the weekend?” Leena rolled her eyes and said, “Eww, no way.”

  At that moment, Nuala entered from the kitchen to refill her father’s coffee and added, “I planned to visit earlier but couldn’t find the time. I’m thinking of going this weekend. Miss Leena, you should give your brother a chance. His cooking is incredible—even better than mine. But Leena wasn’t even listening. Leaving her omelet unfinished, she grabbed her bag and left for school. The school was quite close, and she reached its gates in no time.

  Children started attending the magic school at the age of 8 after they had become accustomed to their abilities and graduated at 16. Leena had adapted to her skill very quickly. After Kavrala, she was the second person in the village to achieve a Level 1 skill. Even among family members, revealing one's skill to others was a strict taboo, a tradition rooted in ancient times. Therefore, no one asked anyone about their skill. Leena's skill was not only of the highest level but also an active ability. She could absorb other people's magic into her own magical energy through her palm. However, during this process, she couldn’t use magic herself. Additionally, if she absorbed more magic than she could control, her magic channels could suffer severe damage.

  As the dream from last night lingered in her mind, she heard a voice behind her. "Good morning, Leena," a high-pitched girl’s voice said. For a moment, she froze, remembering the monster from her dream. A few seconds later, a hand touched her shoulder. "Are you listening? I’m talking to you," the girl said. Snapping out of her thoughts, Leena replied, "Sorry, I had another nightmare last night, so I couldn’t sleep well." She turned her head and saw Saria, a green-eyed girl with short black hair, smiling at her. Leena, feeling her mood improve, also began to smile.

  "Come on, class is about to start. Let’s go," Saria said and began walking toward the school, with Leena following her. When they reached their classroom, they took seats in the middle rows and placed their materials on the desk. The room fell silent as soon as the teacher entered.

  The lesson was history, recounting the tale of a demon prince and an elf princess who sought to end the centuries-long war between elves and demons. The demon prince was the most promising member of the royal family. His father, the Demon King, was very proud of him, believing his son could help annihilate all elves.

  Despite the prince’s opposition to the war, he was too young and too afraid of his father to voice his opinion. When the prince turned 16, the Demon King sent him to lead a small army into battle. Reluctantly, the prince accepted and led his forces to attack a small elf village. Although he ordered his soldiers not to harm civilians, the demon army massacred the villagers. Upon learning this, the prince angrily made his way to the scene.

  When he arrived, he saw the village engulfed in flames. His rage dissipated, replaced by fear and dread. As he walked through the ruins, he heard an explosion. Rushing toward the source, he found a young woman with long white hair, ocean-blue eyes, pointed ears, and pale skin. She was furiously casting spells at the demons, tears streaming down her face.

  The prince was captivated by her beauty and couldn’t take his eyes off her. After a moment, the woman noticed him and began walking toward him. Hastily, the prince straightened his clothes and started speaking, "Good day, my lady. I mean no harm; I—" but his words were cut short as she punched him hard in the face. The prince fell to the ground, knowing things were about to get worse but unable to finish his sentence.

  The woman climbed on top of him and started punching him, crying all the while. Her punches weren’t strong enough to hurt him, but her emotions were palpable. The prince tried to calm her down, but the burning houses and corpses around them made it difficult. He attempted to speak, but her punches kept interrupting him.

  After hours of punching, the woman collapsed from exhaustion. The prince stood up and sensed the approaching energy of a large demon army. Apart from the woman and himself, no one else had survived. He picked her up and fled into the nearby forest. When she woke up, she resumed attacking him, but the prince easily avoided her strikes, which were too weak to cause any harm. Eventually, hunger and fatigue subdued her, and for the first time, she spoke.

  "Why do you kill innocent people? Have you ever thought about what would happen if the same were done to you?" she asked. The prince, surprised by her question, gave her an odd look and replied, "The same does happen to us. The elves kill our people too. It’s the nature of war; there’s no way to prevent it."

  The woman, with a stunned expression, responded weakly, "You’re lying. Demons attack our villages and kill our people. We’re only defending ourselves." The prince, reluctant to argue further, said, "The children in the orphanage at Elanil Village must have been a real challenge for you to defend yourselves against."

  The woman buried her face in her arms and said in a trembling voice, "I don’t want demon children or elf children to die. I just want this war to end. But my father says the war won’t stop until every demon is eradicated." Remembering she hadn’t introduced herself, she quickly composed herself and added, "My name is Aeula Elphine, the third princess of the Elphine Empire. May I ask your name?"

  The prince looked up at the sky and introduced himself, "Zelphar Dortumal, the first prince of the Demon Kingdom."

  Aeula was shocked. Zelphar was infamous across the continent for his extraordinary and overwhelming power. Her courage evaporated, and she began looking for a way to escape. But before she could act, Zelphar, still gazing at the sky, continued, "I’m tired of this war too. It might sound foolish, but I want to ask you: would you join me in stopping this war? I can’t do it alone, but having an elf princess by my side would make things easier."

  Aeula was somewhat relieved to find the prince different from what she had expected, but his seemingly impossible dream left her skeptical. Could they really stop the war? Thus, these two individuals from opposing races began hiding in the forest, seeking ways to end the war.

  In the days that followed, Zelphar and Aeula spent their time in the forest, learning about each other's worlds. They met in secret, always under the cover of night. The war was an ever-present shadow, and though they knew their actions could never fully erase its impact, they believed they could make a difference.

  Zelphar began to learn about the elves' culture, their peaceful ways, and their deep connection to nature. He had always been taught to see them as enemies, but spending time with Aeula, he started to see them in a new light. Aeula, in turn, was gradually coming to understand the demons. She had once thought them all ruthless and merciless, but Zelphar showed her that not all demons were like the ones who destroyed her village.

  The two of them often spoke about their dreams of peace. They would sit by the fire, discussing plans to bring both sides to the negotiation table. They knew that such a feat would be dangerous, and their enemies would never accept it easily. But still, they held on to the hope that things could change.

  One night, as they sat under the stars, Aeula asked Zelphar, "Do you really think this is possible? Can we really stop the war?"

  Zelphar, who had been quiet for a while, finally spoke. "I don’t know. But I’ve seen the destruction on both sides. I’ve seen the people who suffer. If there’s any way to end this, even if it’s just a small chance, I have to try. I can’t just stand by and let more innocent lives be lost."

  Aeula nodded, her eyes filled with both hope and doubt. "I want to believe in that too. But sometimes it feels like we’re fighting against fate itself."

  They spent the rest of the night in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The moonlight shone down on them, casting long shadows across the forest floor.

  The next day, as they made their way to a secluded clearing, they were ambushed. A group of demon soldiers had tracked Zelphar’s scent, and now they surrounded them, weapons drawn.

  Zelphar immediately stepped in front of Aeula, his sword drawn and ready to fight. "Stay behind me," he ordered, though he knew he couldn’t protect her forever.

  Aeula, unwilling to be a mere bystander, stepped forward. "I won’t run. If we die today, we die together."

  Zelphar turned to her, surprised by her resolve. Before he could say anything, the battle began. It was fierce, the sounds of clashing steel echoing through the forest. Zelphar fought with all his might, but the odds were against them. The demon soldiers were well-trained, and they had the numbers.

  Just when things seemed at their worst, a blast of magic surged from behind Zelphar. It struck the demons, knocking them back and giving him a moment to regroup. He turned, and to his surprise, Aeula was standing with her hands raised, her body glowing with the magic of the forest.

  "I won’t let you die, Zelphar," she said, determination in her voice. Her magic, a combination of elven power and the energy she had drawn from Zelphar’s own life force, swirled around them, creating a protective barrier.

  Together, they fought side by side, slowly turning the tide of the battle. With each strike, they grew closer, their bond strengthening. As the last of the soldiers fled, Zelphar and Aeula collapsed to the ground, exhausted but alive.

  Breathing heavily, Zelphar looked at Aeula. "I guess we’re not so different after all," he said with a weak smile.

  Aeula, still panting, smiled back. "I suppose not."

  In that moment, both of them realized that the war could not be ended through strength alone. It would take more—sacrifice, trust, and unity. And while the path ahead was uncertain, they knew they would face it together.

  In the aftermath of the battle, Zelphar and Aeula took shelter in a nearby cave, their bodies bruised and worn, but their spirits unbroken. The night was quiet now, but the events of the day lingered in the air like a thick fog. They both knew that this skirmish was only the beginning, and that there were many more challenges ahead.

  As they sat in the cave, Zelphar looked at Aeula, his mind racing. He had never felt so torn. Part of him knew that he couldn’t just keep fighting, but another part was afraid of the unknown—afraid of trusting the elves completely.

  "Aeula," he said quietly, his voice full of doubt. "What if we can’t convince either side? What if everything we’ve done here is for nothing?"

  Aeula met his gaze, her eyes unwavering. "Zelphar, I don’t know what will happen in the end. But I believe in what we’re doing. We can’t change the past, but we can change the future. And if we fail, at least we can say we tried."

  Zelphar swallowed hard. Her words were simple, but they carried a weight that he hadn’t realized he needed to hear.

  After a long pause, he spoke again, his voice softer this time. "I don’t want to lose you, Aeula. I can’t afford to lose you."

  Aeula reached out and placed her hand on his. "You won’t lose me. We’re in this together, remember?"

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  Zelphar nodded, feeling the truth of her words settle in his chest. He had spent his life fighting for survival, never trusting anyone enough to believe that true strength came from unity. But with Aeula, he felt something he hadn’t felt before—hope.

  The next few weeks were a blur of planning, scouting, and evading enemy patrols. Zelphar and Aeula knew that they were being hunted, and they couldn’t stay in one place for too long. They made their way from one hidden refuge to another, always one step ahead of those who sought to destroy them. The war raged on in the distance, but they had a different goal now—a goal that was far more dangerous.

  They reached the heart of the elven kingdom in secret, hoping to gather support for their cause. The elves, still mourning their losses and grieving the war, were skeptical of their mission. Many saw the demons as nothing more than monsters, their hate for elves unending. Convincing them otherwise would be no easy task.

  Aeula had to speak to her people, to her elders, the leaders of her land. She knew it would be difficult, but she also knew she could not let fear stop her.

  Zelphar stayed in the shadows, watching as Aeula made her case. She spoke passionately about the possibility of peace, the shared suffering of both sides, and the need for a new beginning. But the council was divided, and the debates grew heated. Some argued for more force, more destruction. Others agreed with Aeula’s vision, but feared that a peace treaty would be impossible. The scars of the war were too deep.

  In the end, it was the quiet, wise voice of an elder who spoke the words that would change everything. "We are not the children of hate," the elder said. "But we must first recognize that the demons are not the only ones to blame. We must look within ourselves. Only then can we begin the work of rebuilding what was broken."

  Zelphar listened, feeling the weight of the elder’s words. Maybe, just maybe, there was a way forward.

  But as the council broke up and the discussions continued, a shadow moved outside the hall—a dark figure watching from the trees. A messenger, cloaked in the black armor of the demon army, had arrived with a warning.

  The war, it seemed, was far from over. And soon, they would find out just how high the cost of peace would be.

  As Zelphar and Aeula left the council hall, the air outside felt colder, heavier. They knew that the warning from the demon messenger would only make things more complicated. The elves’ hopes for peace were fragile, and the demons’ threat loomed large.

  "Do you think they’ll act on it?" Zelphar asked, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees for any signs of movement.

  Aeula’s expression was serious. "They have no choice but to. The demons won’t stop. And if we want to have any hope of survival, we need to push for peace now before the war escalates further."

  Zelphar nodded, but doubt still gnawed at him. He’d fought alongside demons and elves, seen the horrors of both sides. Could peace truly be achieved? Was it possible for two races so scarred by years of bloodshed to come together?

  Their path led them deep into the forest, toward the hidden sanctuary where they’d arranged to meet with an emissary from the human kingdoms. The human kingdoms, once distant and uninvolved in the war, had begun to take notice of the growing conflict. They were preparing to join the battle, and the balance of power could shift at any moment.

  "I hope this emissary is worth the risk," Zelphar muttered, his thoughts still racing. The journey had been long and perilous, but it was necessary if they were to rally the support they needed.

  "She will be," Aeula replied, her voice firm. "She’s a strategist and knows how to work with all factions. We need her expertise if we’re going to win this war."

  They approached the sanctuary, a hidden grove surrounded by thick trees and vines. At its center stood a large stone circle, where the emissary waited.

  She was a human woman, clad in armor that bore the insignia of her kingdom. Her face was sharp, her gaze calculating, but there was something about her presence that radiated authority.

  "You must be Zelphar and Aeula," she said, her voice even but strong. "I’ve been briefed on your mission."

  Aeula stepped forward. "Thank you for meeting with us. We need your help to broker a peace, but we don’t have much time. The demons are preparing for something worse, and the elves are divided."

  The emissary, whose name was Lyra, gave a slow nod. "I’ve heard rumors. The demons are planning an offensive, and it will hit both the elves and humans hard. But a peace treaty? It’s going to take more than just words."

  Zelphar couldn’t hold back. "We know that. But it’s the only chance we have. We have to bring everyone to the table, or we’ll all be destroyed."

  Lyra studied them for a moment before speaking again. "Alright. I’ll help. But I’ll need assurances. You both will have to negotiate with not just the elves and demons, but also the human leaders. If we don’t get them on our side, everything will fall apart."

  Aeula and Zelphar exchanged a glance. This was a far more difficult task than they had anticipated. The tension between the factions had reached its boiling point, and there were enemies within each race who would never accept peace. But they had no choice. The future of the world hung in the balance.

  They spent the next several days with Lyra, formulating a strategy. The first step would be to secure a temporary ceasefire between the demons and elves, which would give them the breathing room they needed to bring in human forces. Once the ceasefire was established, they would hold a summit, a risky and unprecedented move that could either save the world or plunge it further into chaos.

  But as they prepared to make their move, Zelphar couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. The shadows seemed to grow darker, and he couldn’t help but wonder if they were being watched.

  Then, on the eve of their departure to bring their proposal to the elves and demons, it happened.

  A blast shook the forest, followed by the sound of footsteps—heavy, deliberate. Zelphar and Aeula ran toward the source of the noise, their weapons drawn.

  In the distance, they saw a figure emerging from the trees, draped in the black cloak of the demon army. But this time, it wasn’t a messenger.

  It was a commander, and he had come with an army at his back.

  "Zelphar!" the demon commander called, his voice loud and mocking. "I should’ve known you would be here. The traitor and the elf, still thinking you can change the world. But you’ve run out of time."

  Zelphar’s heart sank. The demons had found them. Worse yet, they knew about the peace talks.

  "Ready yourself," Aeula said, drawing her own blade. "This is not over."

  But Zelphar knew that the fight had just begun. And with it, the true cost of peace would be revealed.

  The demon commander’s laughter echoed through the trees, cold and menacing. "You think you can stop us, Zelphar? Peace? The demons will never accept it, especially not now."

  Zelphar’s mind raced. The commander’s arrival wasn’t a coincidence. This was no ordinary attack; it was a message. The demons had known about the summit, and they were determined to destroy it before it could even begin.

  "We’ll see about that," Zelphar said through gritted teeth. He had no intention of letting the demons spoil their fragile hope for peace.

  Aeula stood beside him, her posture unwavering. "Get ready. We fight, but we don’t lose focus. We need to get through to the elves and the humans. The peace talks must go on."

  As the demon commander advanced, a line of soldiers flanked him. The air crackled with dark magic, and the tension was almost unbearable. Zelphar could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him. Every decision would be crucial.

  The battle began with a violent clash of steel, the sharp screech of swords cutting through the air. Zelphar’s blade met the demon commander’s with a resounding crash. The force pushed him back, but he quickly regained his balance, using his agility to land a series of swift strikes.

  "Still fighting with honor, Zelphar?" the commander sneered, effortlessly parrying each of Zelphar’s blows. "You’re wasting your time. You can’t change anything. The demons will never bow to the elves."

  "Maybe not," Zelphar replied, "but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying."

  He shifted his stance, calling upon every ounce of skill he had learned over the years. The commander, though strong and confident, underestimated Zelphar’s resolve.

  Meanwhile, Aeula was engaging with the demon soldiers, her movements graceful and lethal. Her magic surged around her, creating a barrier of protective energy that shielded her from enemy attacks while she fought with precision. Despite her power, there was a clear sadness in her eyes, knowing that the peace they sought was slipping further away.

  Zelphar’s mind raced as he exchanged blows with the commander. He knew this fight wasn’t just about survival—it was about the future. He couldn’t let this moment slip through his fingers.

  Suddenly, a sharp cry rang out from behind them. Lyra, the human emissary, had been struck by one of the demon soldiers. She had been helping them in their strategy, but now, she lay motionless on the ground, blood staining the dirt beneath her.

  "Lyra!" Zelphar shouted, his heart racing. He broke away from the commander, sprinting toward her.

  But the commander wasn’t finished. With a burst of dark energy, he unleashed a torrent of magic toward Zelphar. The blast sent him tumbling backward, crashing into a tree. Pain coursed through him, but he forced himself to stand, eyes fixed on Lyra’s still form.

  Aeula was there in an instant, her magic flowing outward to shield Lyra’s body. She wasn’t dead, but she was gravely injured. Zelphar could see the desperation in Aeula’s eyes as she tended to her.

  "We can’t lose her," Aeula said through clenched teeth. "She’s our only chance."

  Zelphar nodded, determined not to let everything they had worked for be in vain. The demons were relentless, but so were they. The peace they sought might be the only hope for the world—and they couldn’t let it die here, not in the woods, not like this.

  "I’ll handle this," Zelphar said, his voice steely. "You protect Lyra."

  With a deep breath, he turned back to the demon commander, who was advancing again, confident of his victory.

  "You’ve lost, Zelphar," the commander taunted. "No one can stop us now."

  Zelphar’s grip on his blade tightened. "I’m not done yet."

  He lunged forward, drawing on every last bit of strength, skill, and willpower he had. The commander met him head-on, their blades clashing again in a shower of sparks.

  But this time, Zelphar wasn’t alone. The power of his resolve, his dreams of peace, surged within him like a flood. Every swing of his blade carried the weight of that hope. With a final, devastating strike, he cut through the commander’s defenses, landing a blow that knocked the demon to the ground.

  The commander’s eyes burned with fury. "This isn’t over," he snarled, retreating into the shadows with his remaining forces.

  Zelphar stood, panting, blood dripping from his wounds. He looked over at Aeula, who had managed to stabilize Lyra. She was still unconscious, but alive.

  "This isn’t over," Zelphar said quietly, his voice filled with resolve. "But we’ve bought ourselves some time."

  They had won this battle, but the war was far from finished. The demons would return, and so would the challenges of forging peace. But for now, they had the chance to continue their mission. And Zelphar wouldn’t stop fighting until peace was more than just a distant dream.

  After the history class and the following math class ended, it was already time for lunch. Leena took out the lunch box that Nuala had prepared for her from her bag, and she and Saria went out to the garden.

  A few people were gathered under the large tree in the garden, eating. These were the most talented and strongest students of the school. At the center of the group sat Kavrala, eating her meal.

  Upon seeing Kavrala, Leena straightened her clothes and approached the tree. Many of the students greeted her, and Leena smiled and nodded back at them. Saria didn’t like eating among so many people, so she stood nervously beside Leena.

  Leena approached the blanket where Kavrala was sitting and sat down next to her. Saria’s skill was also at level 2, so she didn’t attract attention. Instead of sitting on the blanket, she sat by the tree, next to Leena.

  Kavrala looked a bit down that day. While opening the lunch box Nuala had packed, Leena asked without taking her eyes off the box, “You seem a bit off today. Is something wrong?”

  Kavrala, without looking away from her meal, replied with a blank face, “I miss a meal I used to have. The other foods just seem tasteless now.” They quietly continued eating for a few minutes.

  After a while, Kavrala broke the silence, “I heard a new restaurant opened a bit further from the town center. They say the food is really good, have you heard of it?”

  Leena, speaking with her mouth full, replied, “I’m not sure, do you know the name?” After swallowing her bite, Kavrala said, “I think it was something like Rava’s, but I can’t remember exactly.”

  Upon hearing this, Leena almost choked on her food. After coughing a few times, she immediately began to speak, “That’s my brother’s restaurant. If you want, we can go together. I’m sure he’ll make the best meal for you.”

  Trying to act surprised, Kavrala responded, “Great! How about after school today?” Leena smiled and said, “That works for me.” They finished their meal just before the lunch break ended and set off toward their classrooms.

  When they reached the classroom door, Leena turned to Saria and asked, “You’re coming too, right?” As Saria walked into the classroom, she turned back and said, “Of course! It’d be foolish to turn down a chance to eat with Kavrala.”

  After another boring class, the school day ended. Leena and Saria waited for Kavrala in front of the main entrance. After a while, Kavrala joined them, and they walked together while chatting about classes and magic, heading toward her brother’s restaurant.

  Kavrala suddenly asked Leena, “Doesn’t your brother go to school?” Leena found it a bit strange that Kavrala brought up her brother but shrugged and answered, “My father doesn’t send him to school because he’s a weakling who can’t even do a bit of magic.”

  Surprised by how Leena spoke about her brother, Kavrala asked, “Don’t you like your brother, Leena?” Leena rolled her eyes and replied, “When I was younger, he used to tell me interesting stories that I liked, but after a few years, I realized how weak he is. The chances of the stories he told being true are zero. He probably just told me what he read in a book as if he saw it himself. Since then, I haven’t really liked Vulren, but he’s good at some things, like cooking.”

  Kavrala felt sorry for Vulren, who had been lied about by his sister. She was sure the things he’d seen in the forest were real. After a short while, they reached the street where Vulren’s restaurant was located.

  When they entered the restaurant, Vulren was washing dishes in the back. A couple of customers were sitting at a table eating together. The two customers stopped eating and stared at Kavrala and Leena in surprise. After all, they were both well-known in the village. Kavrala had won first place in the 16-and-under battle tournament at the annual magic festival, and Leena had come third.

  As they approached the counter to order, Vulren set the dishes in the sink and came to greet them. “Welcome, may I take your orders?” he asked. While Saria and Kavrala were looking at the menu, Leena frowned and said, “Couldn’t you find a more disgusting building to open your restaurant? You’re tarnishing our family’s name!”

  When Leena finally stopped speaking, Kavrala quietly pointed to something on the menu without looking at Vulren and said, “I’ll have this.” Saria also ordered fried fish and salad. Leena turned to Kavrala and said, “If you don’t like this shabby place, we can leave right now.” Kavrala shook her head and replied flatly, “It’s fine.”

  Leena heard that Kavrala disliked even the best restaurants in the village sometimes, but she couldn’t understand what she liked about this place. Finally, Leena gave in and placed her order, “I’ll have the chicken salad, cut the chicken into large pieces, and don’t put parsley in it. Also, I want lemonade and pudding for dessert.”

  While they waited for the food, Leena and Saria chatted, while Kavrala listened with empty eyes. After a while, the food was ready, and Vulren brought the dishes to their table. The smell of the food was incredible.

  Without hesitation, Saria started eating. After her first bite, a look of surprise appeared on her face. Kavrala also began eating, and inevitably, she started smiling. However, Leena stared at her food as if she were trying to make sure there wasn’t poison in it.

  While Vulren was watching his sister’s friends love the food he had prepared from behind the counter, he couldn’t help but smile at the defeated look on Leena’s face. After a short while, Leena picked up her fork and began eating. The food was much better than she expected. The tenderness of the chicken and the refreshing taste of the vegetables were amazing.

  The food was delicious, but the sense of defeat Leena felt was dreadful. However, she didn’t want to give up without trying the dessert. After finishing the meal almost without realizing it, Vulren returned with three plates in hand. One plate had a chocolate soufflé, another had vanilla pudding, and the last one looked like a strange cake.

  As he handed the pudding to Leena, the soufflé to Saria, and the cake to Kavrala, he said, “These are a gift from me.” Saria smiled and thanked him when she saw the dessert. Kavrala, with wide eyes, poked at her dessert with her spoon and then turned to Vulren, saying, “What is this? It smells wonderful.”

  Vulren, with a smug smile, said, “This is my new recipe; I call it cheesecake. As the name suggests, it’s made from cheese.” While Kavrala looked very interested, Leena still refused to accept defeat and said, “A cake made from cheese? That sounds horrible.”

  Everyone dug into their desserts. Leena didn’t wait long to try the pudding. The comforting vanilla flavor and perfect texture of the pudding completely defeated her. Without saying a word, she kept eating while watching Kavrala, who was smiling in a way Leena had never seen before. The usual blank expression on her face seemed to melt away, replaced with pieces of joy.

  But this only made Leena angrier. Every time she saw her brother’s disgusting grin, she fumed with rage. Just as they were about to leave the table, Vulren turned to Leena and spoke, “By the way, Leena, I didn’t have any chicken left, so I had to use Giant Swamp Frog. It’s not a problem, right?”

  Saria and Kavrala started laughing silently. Leena was about to throw up everything she had eaten and her anger, but she didn’t want to embarrass herself in front of Kavrala. Turning to her brother, she replied with a green face, “Nice try, but even ten of you couldn’t beat a frog.” And she left the restaurant without paying.

  Kavrala sighed, “I’m sorry on her behalf; I’ll pay for her too.” At that moment, Saria was trying to pull out money from her bag. But Vulren raised his hand and said, “Forget it; this one’s on me.”

  Kavrala frowned, about to refuse, but Vulren cut her off, “It’s a gift for the beautiful young ladies of our village.” Kavrala immediately looked away, putting the money back into her bag and turning around, “Only this time.”

  Saria giggled, “4 points.” Vulren, already back to washing dishes, didn’t take his eyes off the plates and said, “4 out of 10, not bad actually.” Before leaving the restaurant, Saria said, “It was actually out of 100. See you later, Vulren. I loved the food.” And she walked out through the door.

  Vulren started liking this compliment thing. By evening, after finishing all his tasks, he closed the restaurant and set off for home. However, for Vulren, the day wasn’t over yet; he had tons of training to do.