?


    Gazing upon Banning''s unapologetic demeanor, Emilia was utterly A·S·T·O·N·I·S·H·E·D.


    Surely, no one in this universe should have the audacity to behave so shamelessly?


    "Apologies, but I am unustomed to cooking for others, so I must decline," Emilia dered, adamant that she would not prepare a meal for Banning.


    "Umm... I believe I left two books with you..."


    However, Banning''s words undeniably held Emilia''s neck to the de.


    "Emilia, you wouldn''t want me to take back those two Tier-3 Fire Magic books, would you?" Banning''s follow-up remark had Emilia clenching her fists, only to release them momentster.


    Now, Emilia considered that perhaps preparing a meal for Banning wasn''t entirely out of the question.


    After all, the portions for one person and two weren''t significantly different. Some dishes would even be easier to manage if cooked inrger quantities.


    -(But this will be the only time.)


    Emilia warned herself, determined not to give Banning another opportunity.


    "Lord Banning, do you have any particr requests for dinner? Please make them known so that I may amodate."


    Hearing this, Banning offered a faint smile. "I''m not picky. Whatever you eat, I shall eat as well."


    Observing Banning''s smug grin, Emilia could hardly resist the urge to unleash a Tier-3 Fire Magic: Pir of mes upon his face.


    ·


    Emilia increasingly believed that Banning was sent by the heavens to torment her.


    Otherwise, how could such an unashamed person exist?


    If it weren''t for the two Tier-3 magic books, she would never cook for him!


    Nevertheless, while she resisted, Emilia adhered to a principle: either she wouldn''t cook, or she would cook to the best of her ability.


    In order to ensure her culinary skills were not underestimated, she poured her heart into preparing avish dinner for two that night.


    "Appetizer: lettuce with ck vinegar dressing."


    "Soup: cream of chicken soup."


    "Main course: pan-fried chicken with mushroom sauce."


    "Side dish: pickled cucumber."


    "Dessert: saltwater-soaked raspberries."


    To prove her culinary prowess, Emilia spared no effort that evening.


    While the material wealth of Sunny Town was somewhat better than that of the neighboring viges, it had not yet reached the point where one could eat meat at every meal.


    Emilia had used all of her meat rations for the week, as well as her most treasured seasonings, to prepare that night''s feast.


    Curiously, throughout the meal, Banning remained silent, offering nomentary.


    The only constion for Emilia was that he had consumed every dish entirely.


    It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say that the tes hardly needed washing.


    Only after he had finished eating did Banning finally speak.


    "My apologies. I didn''t want to be distracted by conversation, as it would be disrespectful to the dishes you prepared."


    "Emilia, you''re an artist who can create masterpieces and perform symphonies with ingredients. Tonight''s meal was absolutely delectable."


    Upon hearing this, Emilia momentarily thought she was hallucinating. The sun must be rising in the west for Banning to offer such eloquent praise.


    Emilia had initially assumed that Banning would be difficult to please, nitpicking her cooking after he had finished eating.


    -(If he dared to do so, I would add a poisonous leaf to his meal next time!)


    Unexpectedly, Banning''s words were filled with extravagant praise.


    ttery like this—using ingredients to paint and perform—was something Emilia had never heard before. A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she bashfully averted her gaze.


    "...It''s not as exaggerated as you''ve made it sound. You only think so because you don''t know how to cook," Emilia quickly regained herposure, refusing to let Banning see her flustered.


    Banning offered no rebuttal, instead courteously clearing his used dishes and cing them on the stove.


    "I truly believe that, without any exaggeration."


    With that, he sat down and began reading a book on potions.


    Emilia didn''t respond, merely watching him in silence for a moment before starting to clean up.


    Her home was enveloped in a peculiar tranquility.


    Banning sat engrossed in his book, while Emilia cleared the table, the room filled with the sounds of running water, ttering dishes, and the asional rustling of pages.


    The cozy atmosphere evoked memories of home for Emilia.


    When she was a child and her parents were still alive, her home was just as serene and peaceful every evening.


    -(Dad... Mom…)


    .


    Upon tidying the kitchen, Emilia suddenly realized an issue.


    Banning hade for a meal, yet after finishing, he showed no signs of leaving—could he be nning to stay the night?


    Emilia grew anxious; although she was deeply passionate about the magic books, she had her limits!


    Coughing intentionally, Emilia approached the living room.


    "Finished cleaning, have you? Perfect timing, I''d like for you to demonstrate your magic for me," Emilia had been nning to ask Banning to leave, but he unexpectedly made a new request.


    "I apologize, but I cannot perform magic," Emilia quickly lied without a second thought.


    "I saw you use a Fireball spell just the other day, right there at the garbage heap," Banning countered, catching her in the lie.


    "Well... that was... I used a flint to create that fire."


    "Is that so? I happen to have a flint right here. Can you show me how you used it to create that fireball?"


    Banning took out two pieces of flint, nearly shoving them in Emilia''s face.


    "Regardless, I will not indulge you. Magic is not a tool for amusement."


    "Oh, I remember I left two books at your ce..."


    "Very well, what type of magic would you like to see?"


    Emilia now genuinely regretted her decision. Had she known, she would not have epted those two Tier-3 magic books as a gift.


    Now, she found herself in a truly passive and difficult situation.


    However, if the same event were to happen again, Emilia suspected she would still be unable to resist the allure of Tier-3 magic books.


    ·


    With no other choice, Emilia led Banning to an open space outside the house.


    Amidst the night''s darkness, she raised her right hand towards the sky, her fingertips pointing forward while her fingers slightly spread apart.


    "Tier-1 Fire Magic: Fireball." As Emilia''s words fell, a red, glowing point of light shot from her fingertip.


    In an instant, a magic circleposed of red light trails materialized before her right hand.


    The magic circle''s light gradually intensified, and at its peak brightness, a rotating fireball emerged, whirring as it soared far into the night sky before eventually disappearing.


    Despite her enjoyment in casting magic after such a long time, Emilia did not let it show on her face.


    "Five seconds..." Banning mumbled something under his breath.


    "Hmm? What did you say?"


    "No, it''s nothing. I just wanted to ask if you always cast magic like this, without the need for a wand or something simr?"


    Banning''s sudden politeness caught Emilia off guard.


    Moreover, she noticed that during her magic casting, Banning had observed her intently, making her feel somewhat embarrassed by his unwavering gaze.