Chapter 600: Strange Mana, Two Items
Lucifer and the others still planned to lend a hand today, though they had no intention of working themselves to the bone. With an afternoon shopping trip already penciled into their schedule, the morning was reserved for a trip to Totsuki Culinary Academy alongside Riven, Justice, and Nami.
Nami padded down the stairs, a pair of blue-light blocking glasses perched on the bridge of her nose. Ren watched her approach and offered a helpless smile. "Nami, there is no need to push yourself so hard. We have plenty of time. At the rate you are going, you are going to meditate yourself into a stupor."
Nami waved him off with a bright, easy grin. "It is fine, it is fine! I am not just staring at boring documents all day. I have been catching up on dramas and playing games, too."
Ren shifted his gaze to Nakiri Mana. The WGO Book Master sat off to the side, her expression a turbulent mix of shadows. He leaned in slightly, keeping his voice low. "What is wrong? Erina and the others are arriving today. Are you not looking forward to seeing her?"
Mana parted her lips to speak, hesitated, and finally let out a long, weary sigh. "I really am looking forward to it... but... never mind. Let us just eat. I am hungry."
Ren studied her quietly. The unease in her eyes was obvious, and entirely understandable. After vanishing from Erina's life for so many years, the crushing weight of a mother's guilt made the prospect of a reunion terrifying. That was normal.
But there was something else swirling in her gaze—a deep, agonizing conflict. Why would she feel so conflicted? The puzzle intrigued him, though he chose not to press the issue. The answers would likely reveal themselves tonight, and a quiet sense of anticipation settled in his chest.
A sudden warmth pressed against Ren's side. Modeus leaned over, her silver hair brushing his shoulder, and gave his sleeve a gentle tug. Startled, Ren turned his head. "What is wrong, Modeus?"
The Lustful Demon leaned in, her breath hot against his ear as she whispered something thoroughly indecent. Pulling back, her face was flushed a deep, intoxicating crimson. She wrapped both arms around his bicep, pressing herself against him with a saccharine, satisfied smile.
Lucifer pinched the bridge of her nose, letting out a long-suffering sigh. "Modeus, you need to rein it in a bit."
"I will not!" Modeus shot back, her tone stubbornly possessive.
"You..."
"Boss... I just want to be with Ren."
"No. You still have classes to attend."
Modeus drooped, nodding with exaggerated sorrow. Lucifer watched her with sheer exasperation. The Lustful Demon was simply too outrageous. Lucifer did not expect her to act like a perfectly modest, refined young lady, but the absolute lack of public decency was a headache.
Ren merely smiled, letting the silence stretch. Lucifer had already informed him about Modeus's classes, and he had no objections. Just moments ago, Modeus had whispered her desperate desire to sneak back early today just to play out a ritual with him.
Riven, looking slightly lost in the domestic chaos, spoke up. "Are we coming straight back after picking them up?"
Ren considered the logistics. "Regarding that... Rindou probably has her own chaotic agenda. Momo Akanegakubo will likely want to stay behind to get a feel for the environment. As for Erina... well..."
"Erina will probably want to familiarize herself with the kitchen and start practicing the moment she arrives, right?" Lucifer guessed, tilting her head.
"Mm, pretty much. Which is exactly why it is good that Riven is here."
Riven blinked, pointing a finger at herself. "Eh? What does them getting familiar with the kitchen have to do with me?"
Ren shook his head, a dry amusement in his eyes. "Are you not trying to master meat carving? Is this not the perfect opportunity?"
"Eh?! Really? I can actually carve the meat now?"
Seeing the sudden, eager light in Riven's eyes, Ren nodded. "That is right. They are coming here for an assessment, so we naturally have to assign them some tasks. But their fundamental knife skills are not quite up to par for what I need. You can practice alongside them; it will build a good working atmosphere."
Riven nodded firmly. She had absorbed a wealth of knowledge from Ren regarding the art of butchery—how to read the grain of the meat to slice with or against it, the precise angles required for different cuts, how temperature fluctuations altered the texture, and the absolute necessity of pairing the right blade with the right flesh.
Justice leaned back, waving a hand dismissively. "I will head out to take care of my own business after we pick them up. Sonoko tipped me off about a boutique that makes custom headbands, and I have a feeling I might find exactly what I need there."
Rantabi paused her meal, narrowing her eyes at the Awesome Demon. "Justice... trust me on this. You look genuinely stunning with your hair down. If you left it loose and paired it with a black hat, it would be a flawless look. Stop obsessing over headbands and hair ties."
Around the table, everyone nodded in unison. Justice blinked in surprise, then flashed a brilliant, confident grin. "I know, I know. But I am not the one buying the headband for myself... you will all see when the time comes. Ren, just remember my condition."
"I have not forgotten, do not worry," Ren replied smoothly. "If you come fully prepared, I will give you an extra item. Guaranteed quality."
Justice's smile widened into something triumphant. "There are two people involved, so that means at least two items!"
"No problem."
"As expected of you!" Justice laughed, slapping the table lightly. "We really are a perfect match!"
Lucifer frowned, her crimson eyes darting between them. "What items are you two talking about?"
Before Ren could answer, Ichihara Yuko leaned forward, her lips curling into a mysterious, elegant smile. "Carrots."
"Hm? What carrots?" Lucifer asked, thoroughly lost.
"Captain Carrot!" Yuko declared, a playful lilt in her voice.
The entire table stared at the Dimensional Witch in utter bewilderment. What carrots? Who on earth was Captain Carrot? Yuko offered no further explanation, simply turning her dark, amused gaze toward the Noxian exile. "Riven, do you like carrots?"
"Uh..." Riven scratched her cheek. "I am not picky."
Yuko leaned close to Ren, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Will Riven really eat it?"
Ren's lips twitched with suppressed laughter. "Would that not be the perfect replacement for her broken sword?"
Yuko stared at him for two seconds before a graceful, airy laugh spilled from her lips. Only Ren and Yuko understood the joke—the infamous Battle Bunny outfit and its ridiculous oversized carrot-blade. Justice had already gone upstairs when that particular conversation took place.
"Riven," Yuko said, her eyes dancing with mirth, "it truly is a virtue not to be a picky eater."
"Eh? Oh... thanks." Riven did not overthink it, returning her attention to her breakfast. Yet, a strange prickle crawled up her spine. She had felt like someone was watching her lately. Not an enemy with killing intent, but rather... someone plotting to trick her into something embarrassing.
"Then we will be heading out first!" Justice called out. "Sora! Hurry up, we can give you a ride since we are all heading the same way!"
"Oh, coming! I will be ready in just a second!" Sora's soft voice echoed from the hallway.
Watching the first group filter out, Nami let out a breath and turned to Ren. "So, how are we getting there? Are we walking?"
Neither Riven, Justice, nor Yuko had ever set foot on Totsuki's sprawling campus. Ren waved a hand, dismissing the idea entirely. "If we walk all the way to Totsuki, Yuko's feet will be completely ruined by the time we arrive, and you, Nami, might just collapse from sheer exhaustion."
Nami's eyes widened. "Eh?! Is it really that far?"
"It is. Totsuki is practically its own city, nestled directly against the mountains and surrounded by natural waterways. The geography is perfect for their massive agricultural and breeding facilities."
The group nodded in understanding. Yuko, however, tilted her head, a teasing glint in her crimson eyes. "Ren, do you honestly think I would get tired?"
"I do not," Ren replied dryly. "Because you are exactly the kind of woman who can walk around in stilettos all day and still manage to sprint when the mood strikes."
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