Alicia carefully adjusted the mana flow beneath the heavy iron pan.
The orange fire obediently weakened, spreading evenly across the metal surface. A rich, savory aroma filled the kitchen as the meat pie continued to bake. To anyone looking through the window, it was a perfectly ordinary, peaceful domestic scene.
Which, honestly, was fundamentally hilarious.
The future calamity destined to reduce entire empires to ashes—the terrifying 'Crimson Witch'—was currently utilizing her monstrous Level 9 Fire Magic Comprehension just to make sure the breakfast didn't burn.
Life was strange.
Not that Alicia particularly minded. The smell of warm food filled the estate as morning sunlight streamed through the glass. Over the past few months, this place had slowly shifted from a temporary shelter into something far more grounding. It had become home. The realization had settled so naturally that Alicia didn't even actively notice it anymore.
