Chapter 43: Breakfast The morning began with the scent of freshly cooked food filling the inn’s common room. Lorraine moved with practiced ease, placing steaming plates of breakfast on the wooden table. The morning sun filtered through the curtains, warm light pooling across the floorboards. Today marked another step in their journey. After breakfast, they would pack their things and continue down the road. If everything went smoothly, they would reach Starbloom City in just two more days. Lorraine’s heart fluttered faintly at the thought. Two more days. Her father, Gerome, settled himself into a chair, studying her face with keen eyes. His brow furrowed slightly. "Is it just me," he said slowly, "or do you look... more beautiful than you did yesterday?" Lorraine hesitated, her cheeks coloring faintly under his scrutiny. She knew what he meant. After her breakthrough last night, she had noticed the change too. Her skin seemed to glow with new vitality, her hair had grown thicker and silkier, and her features were sharper, more defined. She could almost feel the mana flowing through her veins like liquid sunlight. "I advanced to the Second Circle last night," she said softly, placing a plate of food in front of him. "Sir Azel gave me the Shadow Wraith’s core." Gerome blinked, visibly impressed. "Already? That’s... fast." She nodded. "It was thanks to him." Gerome leaned back, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Azel had helped them more during yesterday than most people had in their entire lives. The money, the lodging, the Shadow Wraith... and now a gift strong enough to push his daughter to the Second Circle. As much as Gerome wanted to believe Azel was simply being kind, part of him couldn’t help but be wary. "He’s helping us quite a lot," Gerome said carefully. His voice hinted at suspicion, though not outright accusation. "Almost too much." Lorraine didn’t argue. She, too, had wondered why. Still, she prepared two more plates — one for Azel, and one for... the little girl with intense magical pressure. She wanted to know where the girl came from. But before she could question it, the door creaked open. "Papa! You should let me do your hair more often!" The voice was bright and bubbly, and a moment later, the source appeared: Lillia. She was perched happily in Azel’s arms, her pink hair gleaming in the sunlight. Azel followed, looking tired but composed, his long silver hair now tied neatly into a ponytail. Clearly, Lillia’s handiwork. "You’ve already done enough," Azel sighed, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Besides, don’t you want to eat?" "I’m totally hungry!" Lillia declared, throwing her arms up dramatically. Lorraine blinked, taking in the sight of the girl. She was even more beautiful than yesterday and instead of the plain black dress, she was wearing a lavender dress that made her look like a pretty doll. Even Gerome’s brows lifted faintly, though he wisely said nothing. Azel settled into his chair, Lillia perched neatly in his lap. He greeted them both casually. "Good morning." "Good morning," Lorraine replied smoothly, masking her curiosity. His life was none of her concern didn’t mean she wasn’t interested about it. Gerome only gave a nod. His gaze lingered briefly on the pink-haired girl, but he said nothing. Neither asked the question burning at their lips: Who is she, really? Instead, Azel spoon-fed Lillia with patient care, as though this were the most natural thing in the world. The girl ate happily, kicking her legs lightly beneath the table. When she finally pushed the plate away, she let out an innocent little burp. Azel chuckled, gently patting her head. "What did I tell you about burping, huh?" Lillia giggled and ducked her head sheepishly, and Lorraine found herself staring despite herself. ’He’s... good with her,’ she admitted inwardly. The image of Azel — stoic, silver-haired, deadly with a sword feeding a small child like a doting father was strangely disarming. Didn’t that make him a good father? That earned a lot of points in her books. As he continued, Azel’s thoughts drifted. ’I need more missions. A whole lot of fate tickets. The wheel’s been good so far despite my bad luck with Gachas, and I need everything I can get... especially for her.’ His mind flashed briefly to the item he’d won last night. [Item: The Witch’s Wand] [Rank: S] [Description] [Once wielded by one of the greatest magi ever to grace the Delmarva Continent, this wand hums with a life of its own. Playful, mischievous, and dangerously potent, it awaits the hands of a master worthy of its secrets.] Azel smiled faintly to himself. The timing was perfect. This wand had belonged to that witch — from the same game Lillia had come from. Fate itself seemed to be aligning their paths. When breakfast ended, Azel set his utensils down and turned to Lorraine. "Congratulations on your breakthrough," he said simply. Lorraine blinked at him, startled. She hadn’t expected him to notice, let alone comment on it. "How does it feel?" he asked, leaning casually back in his chair. Her face went pink almost immediately. "I... feel amazing," she admitted, her voice quiet. "Like my mana’s doubled, like I could cast twice as fast as before. Thank you for the core, Sir Azel. Truly." He waved her off. "No need to thank me. Instead... I want a favor from you." Both Lorraine and Gerome stiffened. This was it — the first time Azel had openly asked for something. Lorraine swallowed nervously. "A... favor?" Azel nodded, smiling faintly. "Yeah. I want you to teach magic... to Lillia." For a heartbeat, silence reigned. "W-what?" Lorraine blinked, staring at him. Even Gerome looked dumbfounded. From Azel’s lap, Lillia’s head popped up. "Magic?" "Yes, sweetheart," Azel said, brushing her hair back. "You’re smart — just like your papa. I think you’ll be a natural." He KNEW she would be one, after all she was a magician genius. Lorraine looked between them both, speechless. Lillia was young — far younger than most anybody began formal training. But... there was something about her. Her mana. The sheer weight of it. Lorraine remembered it vividly from last night. The aura rolling off the girl had been enough to make even her heart skip a beat. Though it had vanished now, that feeling still nagged her. Slowly, a small smile tugged at Lorraine’s lips. "Very well," she said finally, bowing her head slightly. "If that’s what you wish... I’ll teach her." Lillia clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "Yay!" Azel smirked, reaching over to pat Lorraine lightly on the shoulder. "Knew you’d agree. Don’t underestimate my daughter." Lorraine snickered softly despite herself, her earlier tension melting away. She was thankful that he wasn’t angry at her.