Specialty and a Spoon of Love
The academy was filled with more shops than one might expect. The grounds themselves were vast, with restaurants and cafés dotted throughout the place, alongside stores selling alchemical ingredients and magical materials.
These were not as grand as the big shops in the city, but each operated under an academy contract, carefully stocking goods tailored to students’ tastes and preferences.
Though there was only one shop per district, the area near the main gate—District 1—was a cluster of shops known as the academy shopping street among the students. The shops were connected in a circle, creating a lively atmosphere reminiscent of a plaza. In the center of this circle, where the backs of the shops faced one another, lay a space for delivering materials and disposing of trash, forming a quiet, secluded corner that felt naturally abandoned by crowds.
Students heading there to avoid others’ eyes were common. Aslan, who had parted ways with his friends, slipped between the narrow shop gaps.
The towering piles of trash and dim darkness inside contrasted sharply with the bright exterior, leaving any first-time visitor with a wave of unease.
Aslan confirmed the place was deserted the way he knew it to be, leaned against the wall, and lit a cigarette.
According to imperial law, anyone fifteen years or older was considered an adult, so it posed no issue. The academy regulations also did not ban smoking.
Yet among the countless students at the academy, the number of smokers was a single-digit handful.
It made perfect sense. Those who valued their bodies had no reason to smoke. They worked constantly to stay in top form and build strength, and cigarettes were no better than poison.
As a result, the stares directed at smokers were anything but kind. Aslan was frequent company in hidden corners, and the white smoke billowing from his lips drifted into the dark alley.
“Hey, you smoking?”
“*cough*, *cough*, what the hell, no… *cough*, *cough*.”
Rai had appeared at some point, squatting beside him. Aslan coughed up the smoke in surprise. Watching the pitiful hacking, Rai took a cigarette himself and lit it.
“Why so flustered? Your face looks mean, but you’ve got guts.”
“Damn it, anyone would jump when some weirdo pops out of nowhere.”
Aslan furrowed his brows and cleared his throat. Only then did he remember Rai was a teacher and quickly hid the cigarette in his hand.
“You saw everything, yet you’re hiding it again. And in the empire, there’s no age limit on smoking, right?”
“There is.”
“… … There is? Anyway, you’re over fifteen, so you’re an adult. No problem, smoke it without shame.”
Aslan watched Rai puff smoke and chuckle, then asked,
“You won’t tell me not to smoke?”
“Why would I?”
“You’re a teacher.”
“A teacher scolding a student who speaks so casually.”
Teachers hated students who weakened themselves like that. Aslan had been caught multiple times, but since the regulations were silent on smoking, he hadn’t been confiscated the cigarette. Still, he remembered the disappointed glances from teachers.
Rai shrugged and exhaled smoke. He looked like a neighborhood delinquent squatting and smoking. Aslan wondered if this really was an academy teacher.
“Does a teacher have to clean up the back alleys of academy students too? Smoke if you want. You’re the one turning into a slacker, not the other guys.”
It was hard to believe he could say that while enjoying the cigarette.
“You’re smoking too, and you can say those things so smoothly.”
“Me? I’m fine, I’m that strong. I’m not the type who fights with my body anyway. But you’re a weakling, so it hits you harder.”
“Bullshit… your logic is too twisted.”
“If you don’t believe me, don’t. How strong am I, then?”
Aslan’s question made Rai hold the cigarette and think for a moment. He stared at the sky, lost in thought, then tilted his head and answered.
“Uh… if we’re talking only humans, top five? Wait, no way. I’ve been too lazy. Plus, there are fresh challengers coming up, so maybe I’ll scrape into the top twenty?”
The number twenty sounded vague, but surviving in the top twenty after the multi-decade Era of War—when every nation had fielded armies—marked someone as an absolute powerhouse.
It was absurd that such a human was now a young academy teacher. Normally, those with experience on the front lines either retired or were injured and ended up here at a much older age.
Only Rai and his contemporary Leila stood out among those showing off brilliant careers and teaching young at the academy.
Even though Leila was older, she was no different. But Rai claiming top twenty? Aslan thought his boast was too outrageous.
Leila herself wouldn’t even crack the top hundred in the empire. Of course, her fame lay more in command than raw power.
They smoked in silence for a while. Aslan glanced at Rai.
“If you have something to say, say it. You’re a timid one.”
“I’m not timid. I’m a man.”
“Yeah, yeah. Very manly, watching his face.”
Aslan’s scowl deepened at the mocking tone.
“Idiot teacher.”
“Yeah, you’re timid, so you lash out the moment your sore spot is poked.”
“Who started the jabs first?”
Their childish argument continued, then silence fell again. Aslan found himself worrying about Rai squatting beside him, but Rai seemed completely unfazed by the jabs.
His attitude made Aslan angry, yet because Rai didn’t touch on the smoking issue unlike other teachers, some of his guard dropped. He knew Rai wasn’t wrong in saying smoking was bad. Hesitating, Aslan finally spoke softly.
“What’s the difference between a teacher smoking and me smoking? Top twenty… fine, let’s say so. When you become a master, does your stamina turn infinite?”
“Our fighting styles are completely different. I don’t have great physical condition from the start. Muscles don’t attach easily, and my skeleton isn’t sturdy.”
Rai snuffed out the cigarette, picked up the juice beside him, and continued.
“Do you think even a super-strong pure magic user couldn’t win in one-on-one?”
Aslan recalled the continent’s famous pure mages. Some had beaten other masters in direct combat, whether with swords, bows, or spells. Those legendary warriors ignored the advantages and matchups people talked about.
Reading Aslan’s expression, Rai assumed he already understood.
“I’m not a pure magic user, and I’m not the body-fighting type either. As long as my limbs are intact and my heart beats, it’s enough. But you’re different.”
“… …”
“Aslan, your family and others have probably told you your body is blessed. Too big to be clumsy, not small enough to be weak. Long limbs, wide stance, strong bones. A perfectly balanced, blessed body.”
Aslan had heard it too many times from knightly family members and instructors—his body was excellent. By now the praise felt boring and irritating.
“If you had that blessed body, you’d be even better. Instead of a top five, you’d be at the top of the tower.”
Aslan had heard too often that even with such a body, he could only do so much. Hearing the same words from Rai irritated him.
“That can’t be. Do you think masters are easy?”
“… …”
“Of course, because I haven’t tried. If I had your body, I’d have learned to fight using it. But whether that would make me stronger or weaker… unknown. Honestly, I don’t want to be that type. Managing it would kill me. Good fuel is hard to maintain. I’m too lazy.”
Aslan stared at Rai with disgust.
Even after hearing that he disliked his own body, he felt no aversion. Everyone he had met so far had admired his body, and they teased him that with such a body he should have achieved more despite his low skill.
Hearing Rai’s words— that he had no talent other than his body—felt fresh and welcome to Aslan, who had grown up hearing the same from his family.
“Rai-sensei! Are you slacking off again?!”
“No, I was just cleaning trash!”
Suddenly the back door of the shop opened, and Soltane, the café owner, shouted at the academy students. Rai jumped up in response.
Soltane, with his neatly groomed beard despite his bald head, was beloved by patrons for remembering every student’s name and treating them warmly. Aslan watched in daze as the usually jovial man yelled, then Soltane laughed boisterously and greeted him.
“Aslan, huh? Here to see Rai-sensei? Students talking to teachers is unavoidable. That’s his job.”
Soltane’s popularity came not only from his delicious drinks but from memorizing every customer’s name. Rai suddenly patted Aslan’s shoulder and laughed.
“Yeah, this guy was worried about something, so we were talking. Nothing shady.”
“Mm… customers are packed now, so talk and come in quickly.”
“Yes, I’ll be quick.”
“You two look so affectionate.”
Soltane went back inside. Aslan asked,
“Are you working at the café?”
“Yeah. Last time I went on credit, but I have no money.”
“… …”
Aslan remembered Rai giving drinks to students during the fight with Philia and gave him a pitiful look.
“You have no money, yet you went on credit with those words.”
“There was money then. As long as I didn’t get caught by the vice-principal.”
Rai answered dejectedly, lowered his hand, and trudged toward the back door. Just as he was about to open it, he remembered something, turned back, and said,
“If we’re continuing the earlier conversation, it’s about making the most of what you have. No one knows if you’ll become a master, but using what you have is the highest probability compared to clinging to nothing.”
Rai entered the shop. Aslan stared at the door for a moment.
Faint, cheerful voices drifted from beyond, filling the quiet space. Alone in the darkness, Aslan shook his head, smiled, and left the alley.
* * *
“Come in. Welcome to Soltane’s Magic Teacup.”
“Rai, a special tea, and add a spoon of love.”
“Shut up and get out.”
Rai scowled at Seset, who smiled wickedly and gave a thumbs-up.
“Boss, this employee is being unprofessional…”
“Yes, one special tea, and what about the one on the side?”
Seset’s gossip was blocked when Rai glared at her. Philia, maintaining her sales smile, glanced at Rai. Unable to bear his intense stare, she ordered a seasonal juice and grabbed the back of Seset’s collar, who was still teasing Rai, and returned to her seat.
“Why is that guy acting like that?”
“The ultimate fate of an irresponsible gambler. Or maybe the last moment before that.”
Seset laughed. Philia finally remembered and clasped her hands in apology.
“Yeah, thinking about it, Seset bet on me. I’m really sorry.”
“Ah… uh… it’s fine, it’s fine…”
“No, really sorry. I placed a bet trusting you, but I didn’t live up to your expectations. Did I lose a lot?”
“No… I didn’t bet much. It’s really fine…”
“I’ll buy today. Eat as much as you want.”
Seset stiffened when Philia said she would lose money because of her. She insisted it was fine.
When Philia heard Seset had bet money, she immediately ran to bet on Zeroa. Though happy with her stake, she struggled with her innocent friend’s apology.
“Yes, Philia’s seasonal juice is ready. Seset’s special tea for the one who bet on Zeroa can be placed here.”
Rai appeared with the drinks, stating the facts naturally without missing an opportunity. Philia stared at Seset.
“… …”
“You bet on Zeroa?”
“… … A little. It’s seriously tiny.”
“How much did you win?”
“Because the odds are high, about four gold…”
“You bet a lot.”
Philia couldn’t know the exact odds, but four gold was a huge sum. A common laborer’s monthly wage was around one gold. Even as an academy student, four gold was substantial.
Thinking Seset would be angry, Philia quietly pulled her chair back to escape. But Philia seemed unfazed.
“So the person who lost money bet on me?”
“No, that guy was caught betting on students, so it was all confiscated by the headmaster.”
“Hum… I really have no real friends.”
“There’s no way! Here, I’m always ready to be Philia’s friend!”
“Even though you bet on Zeroa.”
Philia glared. Seset fell silent, sweating. When Philia stared fiercely, she burst out laughing and straightened up.
“It was a joke. Then today Seset buys.”
“Great. Let’s completely devour Soltane’s shop today.”
Seizing the crisis as an opportunity, the two girls, who had endured desserts to maintain their figures, ordered until their stomachs were about to burst.
Philia had been lost in happy thoughts when she remembered the upcoming march training and grew thoughtful.
“Are you prepared for the march training?”
“Mm… Abigail is uncooperative, but we’ve roughly divided roles. Zeroa scouts, Abigail guards, and the goddess… well, the goddess handles her role.”
Philia had seriously considered whether the goddess role even existed, then asked Seset what her role would be.
“So what about you?”
“I’m a pure magic user, so I won’t be any help~ My role is just to be a burden.”
Seset self-deprecatingly waved her hand. Philia frowned and said,
“That’s nonsense. Even a pure magic user can be helpful. Who said that? Abigail?”
“I did.”
Unfazed, Seset’s words left Philia blinking in shock. Then she smacked her.
“Pure magic users can’t help during marches because they can’t use mana, right? But there must be ways to help.”
Seset and Philia argued for a long time about whether pure magic users could contribute during marches, but when no agreement came, Seset called Rai—who was cleaning up as closing time approached—to join the discussion.
“Customer, closing time, so please leave?”
“No, that talk is over. I have a question.”
“No, that talk is over, and I’d appreciate it if you left. I have to go home too.”
Rai answered with a sales smile, but Seset ignored him and asked,
“What role should a pure magic user who can’t use mana play in marches?”
“Um… emergency rations?”
“… … Don’t scare me. That means no role, right?”
“Even without mana, pure magic users can do something. Using broad knowledge to guide, or knowledge of plants and ecology to help.”
Philia chimed in. Rai looked at her and said,
“Guiding is experience, not just knowledge. Plants and ecology are better known by rangers or locals. Even pure magic users’ knowledge is limited to rare plants or magical creatures. Plus, a body with no stamina won’t lead the way.”
“Ugh…”
Rai countered point by point. Philia fell silent. Seset raised her voice and laughed.
“So I have nothing to do. When it’s hard, I’ll have Zeroa carry me and come back sipping honey.”
“Yeah, mana-less pure magic users are just burdens.”
“Can’t be helped.”
“Yeah, if it’s an experienced pure magic user with skill and knowledge, maybe. But this kind of guy is garbage. Low stamina, no endurance, even less spirit.”
“… …”
Seset looked up, but Rai showed no sign of stopping.
“What will she do there? Steal rations and sweep poop.”
“Stop. Staff.”
“What did you say, garbage? The poop made by these people smells disgusting.”
“Uwaa— uwaa— what kind of talk is that! It’s fragrant!”
Crossing into dirty talk, the noble-born Seset blushed and lunged at Rai. After a commotion, the two left the café. As Rai finished cleaning, Soltane spoke.
“Teacher, thank you for your hard work.”
“Yes, thank you. I’ll work hard until I pay off the debt.”
“Hahaha, what a fun person. Students will like you.”
“It’s hard with only the lazy ones.”
“You seemed to enjoy it. Here’s a gift for your hard work. It should pair well with the tangy tea.”
Soltane handed over a box of desserts. Rai received it with gratitude.
“From next time, march training starts, so I won’t be able to come, right?”
“Yes, teachers also have to participate.”
“Teachers work hard every time. Maybe I’ll prepare some snacks for you during training?”
“Really? If you do, I’ll eat anything gratefully.”
Rai answered with a bright smile. Soltane smiled too. From the beginning, Rai had felt different from other teachers—honest. Others pretended to refuse but accepted anyway; Rai expressed his true feelings openly.
As the owner of Soltane’s was bound by an academy contract, the lowest position here, Rai treated him without hesitation, as if he were an equal.
Soltane had thought he had found a good teacher for the students.
“I hope the training goes smoothly.”
Realistic training often brought injuries. Soltane worried, but Rai laughed and replied.
“Yeah, I’ll make sure nothing like that happens.”
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**No additional sections or chapters follow this point.**