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Scene 7 – "A Meal of Kindness and Weight"
Inside the white dining room, the decor was simple but full of thought. A light wood table was adorned with green leaves and fresh flowers from the palace garden. Although the materials looked modest, it was clear that great care had gone into the arrangement. The same could be said for the food—no ornate plating or sculpted garnishes, but everything had been prepared with genuine attention and warmth.
It was a perfect reflection of the people around Kalan—those who willingly gave their best, not because of duty, but because of affection. Simple things carried deep meaning when they were done out of heartfelt respect.
The atmosphere was just as friendly as before. The kitchen staff spoke casually with Kalan, chatting and laughing as they introduced the dishes with enthusiasm. Even after we had all taken our seats around the table, they remained present, eagerly describing the menu like excited hosts.
Seeing our hesitation, Kalan smiled and said warmly,
"You don't need to wait for some elder to begin the meal or for me to make a formal speech. Just eat, all of you. Pretend this is your home. It might be a bit cramped, but hey—at least we all fit around the table."
With that gentle permission, the clinking of cutlery began to fill the room. From the other side of the dining hall, the kitchen staff also started to eat together. Akira glanced at them in quiet amazement.
"To outsiders, this might seem chaotic or undisciplined… but to me, it looks like true happiness. Like people who feel completely at home.
If a war ever broke out, I have no doubt these people would give their lives for Kalan without hesitation.
Is this what made Liu Bei one of the Three Great Powers of the Three Kingdoms?"
Laughter and chatter filled the room as people paired off for conversation—Akira's group mingling more and more with Kalan's.
"Keela," Kalan said cheerfully, "I heard you visited Aunt Calisa recently, right? Man, I miss her cooking so much. The food here's good, but nothing compares to hers."
Keela jolted in surprise. "Oh! Brother! I totally forgot!!"
In a flurry, she reached into her dimension ring—which seemed to hold far more than most—and pulled out a carefully packed set of dishes.
"These are from Mom! She sent them for everyone!"
Kalan nearly jumped out of his seat. His chair wobbled behind him as he sprang to his feet.
"Wait, from Aunt Calisa?! Oh, blessed heavens—Kitchen! Bring dishes! NOW!"
The cooks scrambled—not in fear, but in giddy excitement, murmuring among themselves about the legendary rarity of the food, treating it like they'd just found a culinary treasure trove.
Elina leaned toward Draco and whispered, "What just happened?"
Draco murmured back, "I… I don't really know. I guess they really like her food?"
Garrett chimed in, starting loud and quickly softening his voice,
"It's not just good food, okay? Oh—sorry! What I meant was, it's not just tasty."
We all tilted our heads with question marks practically hovering above us.
Magnus chuckled.
"Kalan talks about Aunt Calisa's cooking constantly. It's kind of become a legend around here."
Zaria added with a smile, "Not just talks—he daydreams. And he keeps challenging us to try it, saying we'll understand once we do."
Kaelum nodded toward the kitchen.
"Even the cooks are curious. With how much credit he gives it, we should save some portions for them to analyze later."
We all glanced toward the kitchen staff, now bustling with reverent care. It seemed Aunt Calisa's cooking wasn't just tasty—it was an experience.
And honestly… even Grandpa Gryp, a Guardian, was once silenced by her food. So, perhaps it wasn't so surprising.
After a short wait, the dishes were served.
The members of Kalan's side visibly restrained themselves from diving in, their excitement barely contained.
Meanwhile, we had already tasted much of it before, though a few dishes were new. And just like always, every bite carried Aunt Calisa's signature warmth and mastery.
But watching the others react was something else entirely.
People looked ready to ascend to heaven.
Kalan sat with arms crossed and a look of complete transcendence—his soul clearly leaving his body.
We all exchanged glances.
"…Is it really that good?"
Mirelle, watching quietly from the side, thought to herself,
"Keela… you wield such terrifying power in savory cooking. I may not be able to match that…
But when it comes to baking and sweets? I'll give it everything I've got."
When everyone finally returned from their out-of-body food experiences, the meal continued with casual conversation.
"So, Keela," Kalan said warmly, "Tell me about your latest journey. How was it?"
Keela beamed.
"Well, at first I was headed straight for Draft. But along the way, I kept meeting villagers who needed help, so I stopped to assist wherever I could. That's why it took so long to reach the border."
"You haven't changed at all," Kalan said fondly.
Keela smiled back. "Not as good as you though, Brother. But after crossing the border, I heard about the civil war. I took a detour into the wastelands instead… and got slashed by Zekhtau's laser sword."
Kalan froze. "What?! Are you okay? Where were you hit? I heard the battlefield was torn in half—land and sky alike!"
Keela shook her head. "I honestly don't know. My friends saved me, so they should be the ones to tell it."
We all looked at one another, unsure who should speak. Normally, Yue or Draco would volunteer, but this time both looked hesitant.
So Osiris stepped forward.
And in true Osiris fashion, she activated a holographic projection right onto the table, now cleared of food. She narrated our journey—from the abandoned stadium, Zekhtau's brutal announcement, the hellish six-mode battle, the loss of teammates, and finally, the slash that accidentally hit Keela's airship.
But she deliberately omitted one truth: that Lunar Cipher was, in fact, Cain Moonshard.
Instead, she presented it as a cooperation between Lunar Cipher, herself, and Akira, who worked together to bring down Zekhtau.
Kalan and his companions listened intently, clearly believing every word. Osiris's calm, detailed narration left no room for doubt.
But Akira knew.
He knew she had bent the truth.
Garrett clapped. "That's amazing! Especially you, Akira—you really are the real deal, Third Generation Hero!"
Kaelum added confidently, "His leadership is the anchor of the group."
Zaria fanned herself gently. "And his ideas—so unconventional, yet always effective. On a battlefield, someone with both tactics and combat skill like him… would be terrifying."
Magnus chuckled.
"Why terrifying, Zaria? He's on our side. We should be grateful he's not our enemy."
Zaria smiled with her usual half-closed eyes.
"I mean it from Zekhtau's perspective. Akira was his ultimate game-changer."
Akira responded humbly,
"No, not at all. I've made plenty of mistakes. Like when I attacked Zekhtau's barrier and accidentally gave him energy instead… I was devastated.
And in the final phase—when everyone fell—I felt utterly helpless."
Kalan stood and placed a hand on Akira's shoulder.
"That's what leadership is. When those under you are hurt, the pain is sharper because you feel powerless.
But even then, you stood tall. You were still their hope. And that's incredible."
He placed his other hand on Akira's other shoulder.
"You don't have to be strong all the time. Look around. You have people who fight with you, cry with you.
It's okay to lean on them.
You being who you are now… that's already enough."
Akira looked around at his friends. Warmth filled his chest. But as their wounds flashed through his memory… his dam broke. He burst into tears, sobbing as the others rushed in to comfort him.
Keela marched toward Kalan, scolding.
"Brother! What did you do?! You made Akira cry!"
Kalan turned away from Akira and whispered to Keela,
"I would've been surprised if he didn't cry. And…"
He leaned in close and said softly,
"If he couldn't cry… then he wouldn't be worthy of being your life partner.
I know how you feel, little sister."
Keela's entire face flushed red.
"Wha—?! How does everyone know?! I haven't even said anything that obvious!! Not even Brother?! Gahhh—!!"
She covered her face and wanted to vanish into the earth from sheer embarrassment.
Kalan turned back to the group.
"Alright then, how about something light-hearted? For this afternoon, I'll be assigning our hero team to a little community service. What do you say, Third Generation Hero?"
Akira wiped his tears, still surrounded by concerned but supportive gazes.
"If you're going to call me a hero," he said softly, "then helping the community is one of the things a hero should do."
And with that, the topic shifted to afternoon activities and plans for outreach.
But none of us realized it yet…
That sometimes, kindness wrapped in authority is no different from a holy sword—capable of striking down the innocent with righteousness.
All it takes is a single accusation… to make justice feel like judgment.
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