Todd slowly got up from the bench. He was still a bit wobbly, but it seemed important to him to be standing for this explanation.

  “See, the job of an Arbiter isn’t limited to spells, unlike the other two disciplines.” Todd said. “We’re also in charge of selecting, carrying, and using the party’s magical tools.”

  “So what?” Cassian replied dismissively. “You want me to carry potions around?”

  Athena’s derogatory words echoed in his mind. “You can carry our supplies. Hand out potions. Keep morale up.”

  “I mean, yeah,” Todd said defensively, “but that’s not the only kind of magical tool! There are lots of them!”

  Cassian remained doubtful. Still, it was true that he knew very little about magical tools. They never seemed that important.

  “They can help you teleport, find hidden doorways, open locked doors, cure minor curses, or break certain spells,” Todd began listing.

  “Are you sure about all that?” Cassian asked. “They sound quite powerful. If that’s the case, why doesn’t everyone use them?”

  “Well, for one, they’re very expensive,” Todd said. “And a competent sorcerer could do most of those things on their own. Also, magical tools can usually only be used once before they lose their enchantment.” His voice deflated slightly. “But,” he added quickly, “they don’t take any Mana to use. You can activate them right away. No casting. No strain. That means timing is everything. You need to know exactly when they’ll be most effective.”

  That caught Cassian’s attention. Zero Mana use.

  That meant zero magical input from the user. Which meant he could not ruin it. If they’re really as good as he says, Cassian thought, I might still have a chance.

  “Where do you even get magical tools?” Cassian asked.

  “I know a store,” Todd said eagerly. “A really good one. They’re probably closed already, but we could go tomorrow!”

  Spending more time with the two of them was not exactly a smart idea. They already felt dangerously close. But the promise of magical tools was too tempting.

  “Yes,” Cassian said after a moment. “That sounds like a plan.”

  “Perfect!” Todd exclaimed. “Now how about we go eat that delicious food that kind old man was offering?”

  “Wait,” Sabrina said. “Before we go, there’s something I want to show you, Cassian.”

  Both boys turned toward her. Sabrina raised her sword in front of her.

  “If that girl tries to fight you,” she said calmly, “you’ll need to get in close fast. If you don’t, she’ll have the advantage. So here’s something you can use.” The air behind her roared.

  “Wind Charge!” Sabrina shouted.

  A burst of wind launched her forward, sword leading, and she slammed into a training dummy, impaling it straight through the chest. Todd stared, horrified.

  “Hey, Sabrina,” he said slowly. “You know that girl is his cousin, right? I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t want to hurt her like that.”

  Cassian studied the destroyed dummy.

  “Yes,” he said thoughtfully. “That might be a good strategy. I’ll consider it.”

  “Is trying to murder your cousin a noble thing I don’t know about?” Todd asked, bewildered.

  Sabrina beamed, clearly pleased with Cassian’s reaction, and immediately insisted he practice the technique right then and there. Luckily, before she could drag him forward, a butler entered the training hall.

  “Your time is up,” he said politely. “Please accompany me to the dining hall.”

  They were led through the inner corridors of the mansion, past tall arched windows and polished stone floors that reflected the warm glow of embedded Mana-lights. The halls grew wider the farther they went, until at last they stopped before a pair of enormous double doors carved with the Viamnova crest. With a subtle gesture from the butler, the doors opened inward.

  The dining hall was vast. A single, long table dominated the center of the room, carved from dark wood so polished it reflected light like still water. High above it hung a grand chandelier, suspended by unseen magic, its many crystal branches burning with steady, smokeless fire. The flames were not orange, but pale gold, casting a soft, even glow that illuminated every corner of the hall without a single shadow.

  Along the stone walls hung elegant tapestries depicting the deeds of the Viamnova line. The scenes were stitched in rich greens and golds, thread shimmering faintly with residual enchantment.

  Todd was awestruck. “I know it’s smaller than the dinning hall at the academy, but this place feels more…”

  “Impactful?” Sabrina complemented also taken aback by the room.

  Timothy came to them then, “I hope our preparations are to your liking.” He said.

  “I see you opted for the small table.” Cassian said.

  “Yes, we though it’d be best as they are so few of you.” Timothy answered.

  “Hey, Sabrina.” Todd Whispered, “did he say small table?”

  “I guess the Viamnovas really are on another level” Sabrina Whispered back.

  “Now then, show the young master and his guests to their seats!” Timothy said clapping.

  Servants moved with practiced precision, guiding them to their seats. Each place was set with silverware engraved with the Viamnova coat of arms, the same sigil etched into the rims of the porcelain plates. Even the napkin rings bore the family crest.

  “Wow,” Todd said picking a fork up. “Do you think I’m worthy of using this to eat?”

  Sabrina elbowed him, but she was smiling too. Cassian, who had thought the same thing before, though in a more serious manner, cracked a smile.

  Todd started moving his fork making it seem as if it was speaking, giving it his best attempt at gravelly low voice “Of course not! Don’t be silly, you weakling! To use me, the legendary fork of destiny, you must first master all magic in the world!”

  Sabrina started giggling, and Cassian couldn’t stop himself from laughing.

  Timothy raised an eyebrow but made no comment, then he rang a bell and the doors opened once more.

  In a quiet procession, the servants came carrying dish after dish, laying them along the length of the table. A perfectly roasted rack of lamb, the meat tender and fragrant, herbs still clinging to the crust. Golden soufflés, light as air, the faint scent of truffles rising from them. Onions, slow-cooked in rich gravy, glossy and dark, alongside turnips glistening with butter. Bowls of white beans mixed with thick-cut bacon, steaming gently. Quails drowned in butter, their skin crisp and golden.

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  Todd’s eyes sparkled as he reached for one of the dishes in front of him, but Timothy stopped him. Cassian could see that the butler thought some sort of speech or toast was in order before eating.

  Before such a thing, however, came the sweets, which the servants placed on a separate table off to the side. Cream swans, delicate and ornate, honey biscuits still warm, an almond-crusted tart cut into precise slices, and bowls of peaches resting in thick amber honey.

  Todd and even Sabrina were shocked as new plates of food kept arriving, the servants struggling to place them neatly on the already crowded table. Cassian barely noticed most of the dishes. Save for the quantity, this was business as usual. But then arrived something he had never seen before.

  It was a wide plate. At its center laid a rich, dark broth that glistened under the light, thick and slow-moving, clinging to every ingredient. Plump, tender beans rested beneath the surface, swollen with flavor, some split just enough to show how soft they’ve become after a long simmer.

  Floating throughout were generous bites of smoky, crisp-edged pork, their golden-brown fat melting into the liquid, releasing deep, savory aromas. Thin slices of sausage added bursts of red and spice, their oils painting the surface with warm hues. Flecks of onion and soft tomato drift lazily, while fresh cilantro scattered a bright green contrast across the dish. The steam carried a layered scent: salty, smoky, and slightly spicy.

  “That is the fanciest plate of Carnivore Bean Broth I’ve ever seen!” Todd announced.

  “It doesn’t look that yummy compared to everything else…” Sabrina mumbled.

  “Are you mad, woman? That is the greatest food in the whole world!” Todd proclaimed.

  “Sure it is,” she replied. “And you can have as much of it as you want! Me and Cassian will partake in the finer dishes, won’t we?”

  But Sabrina found Cassian looking intently at the broth, “I’ve never had anything like that before…” he muttered.

  Todd seemed ecstatic, “Guess Carnivore Bean Broth is one of the finer dishes, huh?” He said, taunting Sabrina, who stuck her tongue out at him.

  “You know, Cassian, you’re way more normal than I thought.” Todd said happily.

  “What do you mean” Cassian responded feeling uneasy at the idea.

  “You see… Don’t take this the wrong way, okay? But in the Academy, you seem so perfect and elegant and like you know everything about everything,” Todd Started “And girls always giggle when they see you. and the teachers looooove you, and…”

  “Are you going to make a point or are you just saying you’re jealous?” Sabrina interrupted.

  “Am not!” Todd exclaimed offended. “What am trying to say is, it’s good to know you can laugh and make jokes and be curious about Bean Broth. It makes you normal, and I think that’s pretty great!”

  Normal and great? Could a thing like that really exist? Those two things seemed completely opposite to one another… Maybe it was a commoner thing?

  A servant poured a small amount of pale wine into each of their cups.

  “Just a sip,” Timothy said firmly. “To toast the young master’s selection.”

  They raised their glasses.

  “To Cassian,” Timothy intoned.

  “To Cassian!” the staff echoed.

  “To Cassian!” Sabrina and Todd joined in.

  Cassian drank. The wine was a very sweet thing; there couldn’t be much alcohol in it. Todd seemed to really enjoy it.

  “Oh,” he said, swirling the cup awkwardly. “That was actually really good! So, this is what adults drink! Could I have more?”

  Timothy’s gaze snapped at him instantly.

  “No.”

  The single word landed like gavel.

  “But I just meant, you know, to celebrate properly,” Todd said, trying to sound refined and failing miserably.

  “Children do not celebrate properly with wine,” Timothy replied firmly. “Especially not in this house.”

  With a sharp clap of his hands, the wine cups were removed. Moments later, new cups were placed before them, one filled with bubbly apple juice and another with warm, honey-sweetened milk. Todd stared at his cup.

  “…I mean,” he said after a moment, “this is also very good.”

  Sabrina was delighted with the apple juice and ended up asking for two refills. Cassian tried the broth. It was indeed spicy, but he really enjoyed it. He, in turn, told Todd to try his favorite. Todd liked the soufflé so much he asked if he could bring some for his mom and brothers. Sabrina asked a butler if they had any mint jelly; a maid came with the stuff not long after. She explained that where she came from, they ate the lamb covered in jelly. Both boys imitated her as she spread the jelly on top of a lamb chop. Cassian enjoyed it immensely. The jelly made every bite sweet and refreshing. As for Todd, he served himself two more chops and began covering them in the gelatinous green stuff. Soon, Todd was piling his plate high with every dish he could reach. At some point he covered his eyes and exclaimed that this was by far the best meal he’d ever had. And, for a brief moment, surrounded by warmth and the voices of Sabrina and Todd, the weight on Cassian’s chest seemed to ease a little.

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Cassian arrived at the Tower of Wisdom the next morning to find both Todd and Sabrina waiting for him.

  The two of them had left shortly after the feast, carried away in carriages prepared by Timothy. The head butler had asked Todd if he wished to stay the night, given that he had collapsed during training. Todd had declined immediately, insisting he felt more than fine, especially after the feast. Besides, he added, his mother would spank him if he slept somewhere else without telling her.

  Timothy had offered to make arrangements, to ensure his mother was informed, but Todd had waved him off.

  “Seriously, I’m all better. Nothing to worry about,” the boy had said.

  “Are you certain?” Timothy had asked, frowning. “Forgive me, but collapsing is a serious matter. I am not entirely sure how it happened, but a misplaced hit could-”

  “I wasn’t even hit,” Todd interrupted. “I was enhancing Cassian, and suddenly I just felt all, bleh, and then fell over, that’s all.”

  “Ah!” Timothy had exclaimed, as though struck by sudden understanding. “I see. Yes. Then I am quite certain you are feeling much better indeed. Simply bit off more than you could chew.”

  The three children had exchanged confused glances, each wondering what the old butler had understood that they had not. But Timothy said nothing more on the matter, instead busying himself with ensuring that the guests were escorted home safely and comfortably.

  Todd spoke first, his arms crossed dramatically.

  “Young Master Cassian! There is a matter we must discuss,” he declared in a terrible imitation of Timothy.

  “It has come to my attention that you have not delivered the promised goods of yesterday!” he continued, puffing out his chest. “Pray, may you tell me when you are, umm… what was it? Oh yeah! Fulfilling your obligations and, umm… delivering the promised goods!” he finished proudly.

  “Yesterday you said you had the best meal you’d ever eaten, and now you’re pestering him for candy?” Sabrina said, incredulously.

  “Hey, that’s one thing and this is another,” Todd shot back. “I was promised candy. As much as I could eat!”

  Cassian did not answer. He merely produced a small pocket watch from his chest.

  “Hey, you’ve got one of those too! Just like the old man’s,” Todd said, impressed.

  “We agreed to meet here at seven-thirty,” Cassian murmured, glancing at the watch. “You two are early.”

  “Yeah, Sabrina actually came to my house and dragged me here at, like, six!” Todd complained. “Can you believe her?”

  “I slacked off yesterday. I wasn’t going to do it again today,” Sabrina replied without shame. “And I knew you’d be late if I didn’t come get you.”

  “Who cares about that? Let’s talk about my reward,” Todd insisted.

  “Not much longer,” Cassian said, still watching the hands of the clock.

  “What are you-” Todd began.

  Then the three of them heard it, the thunder of a carriage racing at full speed. Cassian smiled, pleased. As the vehicle came into view, the horses galloped down the road pulling what looked like a large farmer’s cart. For a moment it truly seemed as though they would crash straight through the gates and into the Tower of Wisdom itself. But just as collision appeared inevitable, it was as if some unseen force stepped upon their momentum, and the horses slowed gracefully to a perfect halt directly in front of them.

  Cassian closed his watch.

  “Seven-thirty on the dot. Very well done, Timothy.”

  Then the other two noticed what filled the cart.

  An enormous mountain of candy towered over them: bars and bundles, jars and wrapped sweets, more than any sensible person could ever hope to eat. Todd stared at it in open disbelief.

  “As promised,” Cassian announced, “as much candy as you can eat and more.”

  “This… this is a kingdom,” Todd whispered, climbing onto the edge of the cart as if he were about to claim new territory. “I could live here. I should live here.”

  “You’d be sticky,” Cassian commented, amused. “Take a handful of your favorites and then tell the horses how to get to your house. They’ll take it there.”

  Todd grimaced. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. My mom-”

  “If you try to enter the academy with this much candy, I’m sure a teacher will confiscate it,” Cassian rationalized.

  “Ugh, I guess you’re right. So I just… talk to the horses?” Todd asked, uncertain.

  He began giving directions as best he could, leaning close to the nearest horse and gesturing wildly. While he was doing so, more students started arriving at the Tower of Wisdom. Young and old alike, they all stopped in amazement at the sight of such a colossal mountain of sweets. A few second years recognized Todd.

  “Hey, um… why are you talking to those horses?” one boy asked.

  “I’m giving them directions to my house so they can take the Candy Kingdom my good pal Cassian gave me,” Todd announced proudly. As he said this, he wrapped one arm around Cassian and pulled him close.

  “Wait,” the student said, staring at the cart again. “You gave him that candy? And you’re friends with Cassian? You, Todd?”

  “Yes,” Cassian answered simply.

  “But of course,” Todd replied smugly.

  One of the horses snorted and tapped the ground impatiently.

  “Oh, right, where was I? You got to make a left at the street with the shoe store… I think,” Todd continued explaining to the horses with great seriousness.

  Once he was certain they understood, the cart rolled away, leaving behind only the smell of sugar and stunned onlookers.