The Crazy Food Enthusiasts

“Meilyn shouldn’t you get up now?” Tannie asked me.

“Just a little longer! Yesterday completely drained me! I have no energy left," I answered him.

“Get up already!” Tannie said as he bit into my blanket and pulled it away from me.

“No, not the blanket!”

“Meilyn, didn’t you want to go to the library to search for the archives? Don’t you want to find your brother?”

“I do.”

“Then get up already, we only came here to find him, remember?” Tannie yelled.

“Okay, fine I get it! I am getting up already, see?”

I stood up, stumbling towards my wall.

Why do I feel so dizzy this early in the morning?

But Tannie is right. We planned to use our free time to infiltr-, I mean to look around the library and search for any information that could lead us to Raiden. Even if he changed his appearance I would recognize my twin! There is no way I wouldn’t. So I just have to find pictures of his entrance ceremony or whatever Tannie called it.

“You should take that bracelet with you just in case,” Tannie said as he pointed at the chained metallic bracelet that had a little ruby gem integrated.

“Maybe I shouldn’t take it off? Miria did say it was important.” I said as I put on the bracelet.

Yesterday as we finally made it out of that dungeon, I asked Miria if she wanted to join us and register at the Mage’s Association. But she declined saying something about seing the world since she is no longer bound to anyone. 

Before she separated from us, she secretly gave me this bracelet and whispered in my ear, that if I ever needed her help I should call her name and tap the ruby three times, then she would come for me no matter where I am.

So we said goodbye and I thought we would finally return.

But we still had to dispose of that trash in front of his parents house. Only then we came back here and it was already late at night.

But that wasn’t the worst, let me tell you! Pointy ears was allowed to leave earlier! He whispered something towards the squad leader and was excused, just like that!

How unfair, what about me? I worked so hard to stop Miria from killing the trash and he could just leave while we were left with the trash delivery!

So much for searching for Raiden, I didn’t even have the time for anything! I just collapsed in bed and now it’s already morning.

“Don’t forget Meilyn, we still don’t know who is trustworthy! So don’t expose that we came here deliberately in search of Raiden.”

“Don’t worry Tannie, I still don’t trust anyone. Everyone here could be involved in Raiden’s disappearance. Think about it, if he was here I would have found him already, still…”, I looked down at the bracelet and gulped, “at least there is someone willing to help us if the time arrives.”

“That’s great Meilyn and don’t forget you have me!”

“Right?”

I grinned at Tannie as I was ready to step out of the room.

“So, we should go but first let’s eat something Meilyn!”

“Food?! Absolutely where do we have to go? Left? Right?”

“Calm down, I will show you the way.”

“How do you know?”

“I studied the map, since I knew you would be wandering lost with zero orientation.”

“Hey! Are you calling me directionless now?!”

“You! You learned another new word huh?”

“Of course,” I stood proudly with my fist in the air and smiled.

“I will conquer this place before I leave!”

“Take them down Meilyn!” Tannie grinned maniacly.

I laughed at that sight.

We strutted through the hallway until we arrived at a grand entrance.

“Damn, they really used those coins on this building!”

It was a grand sight for sure. Massive pillars of marble, just like the ones in the dungeons I encountered in the demon territory, supported the building. However they were white-colored, so it was entirely different.

No matter where I looked, this space was filled with tables and chairs, separated in little rows. There were at least two hundred mages or am I supposed to call them students, here.

They did say something about learning before going on a mission on the first day, right? But the squad leader is at least a few years older than the rest. Also those five old men that are nowhere to be seen, still exist somewhere and I already encountered countless other people that seemed rather out of place if this was an academy.

Actually, who cares? It’s probably a mix or something like that. I will just research later!

“Hm, well this is rather sophisticated, not bad but I have seen better dining rooms,” Tannie mumbled.

“Is that so?”

“Meilyn, let's sit down for now. They will bring out the food with a flying tray.”

“A flying what?”

As I followed Tannie, we sat down at a table, where some of the mages were already eating. However as they met my eyes they almost choked on their food and started bolting the entire plate. They all averted their eyes and left in just a few seconds.

“That’s rather harsh…” I chuckled softly.

Why are they always running away from me? Just because I am a demon? Again, all because I am a demon. It’s always because I am a demon, isn’t it?

“Meilyn stop, you will hurt yourself!”

Tannie nudged my arm.

“What?” I wondered.

“You are biting your lips too hard, they will start bleeding!”

“Oh.”

I touched my lips with my fingers.

“Seems like they are fine,” Tannie replied as he studied my expression.

“Yeah, sorry I didn’t even realize it. I must have been too focused.”

“That’s fine. Also look, your food is on the way!”

“Hm?”

As I looked in front of me there was that thing Tannie called tray. There seemed to be a plate with food placed on it and it had wings on the sides that made it fly. The moment it reached me, it slowly descended. Then the wings on the tray disappeared with a little message left before it dissolved in the air.

“Enjoy your food?” I read it out loud.

“T-tannie how did you know about all of this! What was that? Magic, a creature or could it be a c-curse?”

I held onto Tannie in panic.

“Meilyn calm down! You are suffocating me!”

He tapped me as I slowly relaxed my grip.

“This was all described in the brochure that was included in that welcome gift set with the book.”

“Why didn’t I see that brochure?”

“Because you were completely obsessed with the book!” He sighed.

“Ah right, I completely forgot about the rest!” I giggled.

“Well, as long as you are calm it’s fine. Shall we start eat-”

“Look at that, hey Meilyn is that you? Did you come for breakfast too?!” a voice echoed loudly through the dining room making everyone turn towards the one talking.

“Roy?”

“It really is you Meilyn!” He suddenly dashed with a tray in his hands and placed it down on the table right next to me. Then he sat down smiling.

“Did you sleep well? What are you eating?” He asked enthusiastically.

“I, ehm-”

However I couldn’t collect my words at the sight of Pink Berry, Bangs and even Pointy ears joining our table. The latter one took a seat directly opposite of mine.

Seems like pointy ears had a rough night? Why does he have dark circles under his eyes? But why would I even worry about him? He must have trained or studied the whole night, since he is at least diligent. And I want to make clear that it’s not me that said that but Tannie! Tannie said that guy must learn a lot for him to be able to wield his magic like that. I am not the one giving compliments, okay?!

“Please don’t stare like that de-, I mean Mei-, member of the squad.” he said as he felt my eyes lingering on him.

“Would it kill you to call me by my name?” I replied.

“Says the one who keeps on giving everyone weird nicknames.”

“Who said I gave everyone nicknames?” I said as I nudged Roy’s arm.

“Ah, right she does call me Roy though?”

“That would also be my biggest question, but sorry I am not in the mood to play today. Let’s just eat already,” he sighed.

Well, maybe I should cut him some slack? Another word I learned by the way.

“Meilyn, what do you usually eat?” Roy asked me.

“You mean in the demon territory?”

“Yeah” he nodded.

“Well, black berries and if we were lucky and caught a monster, then monster meat.”

Everyone dropped their spoons. Silence filled the dining room. I could even feel the rest of the mages staring in our direction.

Please look away, I don’t like everyone’s eyes on me!

I looked down at my hands, only with Roy tapping on my shoulder I took a glance toward him.

“What do you mean? That’s all?” Roy asked while nervously gulping.

Why are they all so shocked? That’s just all that existed there.

“Listen little one and the rest, this girl here doesn’t know the slightest about the food you indulged in ever since you were born. Be so kind and teach her the world of food!” Tannie stated.

He looks a bit frustrated though.

“S-so Meilyn try this!” Roy said and handed me some food.

“What is this and why is it sparkling like a jewel?”

“This is bread with strawberry jam! It’s absolutely delicious, I guarantee you will love it. Please try!”

His stare could kill someone.

I nervously raised the bread toward my mouth.

As I chewed I felt a sweet sensation filling my mouth.

“Roy this, what is this sweetness? It literally melts in my mouth! Is this magic?” I cheered as I kept on chewing on this magical bread.

“I am glad you like it!”

“Here, try the eggs as well!” Pointy ears said as he handed me over a plate with some orange-colored eyes.

“Say, Pointy ears, why are you acting kind again? After all, you are sick aren’t you? Let’s go to the physician already,” I yelled as I got up.

“Sit down already, I am fine. Just eat.” He replied, his voice strained.

“Before you ask, these are sunny side up eggs,” he continued.

Okay, should I try some?

“No, she should try the pudding next!” Pink Berry yelled, followed by Bangs who also got up.

“The salad is the best here, let her eat something healthy!”

“Nothing beats the strawberry jam!”

“You guys, obviously sunny side up eggs win.”

All of them started shouting at each other and for the first time since I arrived here, I felt intimidated by them. They acted like ferocious little bugs and I started to shiver. My chest is tightening from being frightened.

“T-tannie they are scaring me, can I make a run for it?” I whispered towards Tannie who grinned diabolically at the commotion.

“Just ignore them and eat Meilyn, I guess this is the normal way for mortals to converse about food and it’s surely interesting.”

“If you say so.” I sniffed as I tried to gulp down the food that I couldn’t even taste well now.

I should just eat in my room the next time.

*Student council special note*

Obviously this is not the normal way to talk about food. Even before joining the squad, the members of the Crimson Lion were well-known to be food enthusiasts. However, their culinary tastes differed, resulting in a debate every single time about what the best food in the association is. Everyone agreed to ignore them since they act like crazy madmen if disrupted. Take care and don’t provoke them! Good luck surviving dear mages!