CHAPTER 19: TEACHER?

The sun hung low when classes ended, painting the academy’s stone courtyard in amber light. Students poured out in groups — laughing, chatting, waving goodbye as the day came to a close.

And among them, standing quietly by the academy’s gate, was Ariana.

Her hands were clasped in front of her, head slightly bowed. Her long bangs veiled her expression, and the faint breeze played with the loose strands of her silver hair.

Every few seconds, she peeked toward the main path — only to look away again when she caught someone’s eye.

Cadets passing by gave her curious glances.

"Isn’t that the Solmere girl?"

"Who’s she waiting for?"

"She never waits for anyone..."

Whispers trailed after her like leaves in the wind.

But she didn’t move. She simply waited — quietly, patiently — until a familiar voice cut through the noise.

*****

"I hope I didn’t make the lady wait too long," I said, hands tucked in my pockets, grinning faintly.

Her head snapped up, eyes widening. "N-No! I-I just arrived!" she stammered, flustered.

Of course, the way her body jolted betrayed that lie instantly.

I chuckled. "Sure you did."

She puffed her cheeks — just a little — and fell into step behind me as I turned away from the academy.

"Let’s go."

*****

For a few minutes, we walked in silence. The streets beyond the academy were lively — stalls clattering, vendors shouting, the smell of bread and roasted meat hanging in the air.

Ariana, walking half a step behind, finally gathered her courage.

"U-Um... where are we going?"

"Where else?" I said. "The market, of course. We need ingredients for cooking, don’t we?"

At the word cooking, her eyes practically lit up.

The nervousness in her steps melted into excitement.

"What are we going to make today?" she asked softly, her tone rising just enough to show her anticipation. "H-Hamburgers again? Or maybe tacos?"

"Neither."

She blinked, tilting her head. "N-None?"

"Yep," I said, smirking. "Today, as a commemoration of you becoming my student, we’ll make something sweet."

"Sweet...?"

"Yeah. Good things should always start with something sweet, right?"

For a moment, she froze. Then her eyes softened — not just with excitement, but with something deeper.

That simple statement hit her like a wave she didn’t expect.

Sweetness... kindness... warmth — all things she rarely tasted in her life.

Her throat tightened. "Y-Yes, teacher," she said, bowing instinctively at a perfect ninety degrees.

"Teacher?" I blinked, then laughed. "Ha! I like the sound of that. But refrain from calling me that in public — I have a reputation to maintain, you know."

"Y-Yes, teacher," she repeated obediently.

I sighed, shaking my head. "You’re doing that on purpose now."

*****

The streets grew busier as we reached the market. The air buzzed with energy — merchants calling out prices, the scent of spice and mana-rich herbs filling every corner.

Brightly colored crystals and glowing fruits shimmered under the golden light.

And there it was — my target.

The ingredients for the day’s experiment.

Cheesecake.

The universal weakness of women, no matter the world.

If I could recreate it here, Ariana would be hooked for life.

Not that I was scheming or anything.

Well... maybe a little.

But first came the hard part.

There was no cheese in this world. At least, not the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth kind. So I’d have to make that from scratch.

We stopped at a dairy stall run by a plump woman vendor selling fresh milk.

"One jug of your best milk," I said.

The woman grinned, handing over a heavy bottle that shimmered faintly.

Ariana followed quietly beside me, clutching a small pouch in her hands. When we moved to the next stall, she tugged at my sleeve.

"P-Please let me pay for this," she said earnestly. "It’s the least I can do, since you’re teaching me."

I frowned. "I can’t let a lady pay for my groceries."

"It’s f-fine," she insisted, shaking her head. "I-I want to. It’s my way of thanking you."

I hesitated, the words as a man, I have dignity hanging on the tip of my tongue — before I remembered my precarious situation. My wallet quietly screamed from inside my coat.

Even though I still had around three hundred-plus gold left, my spending rate looked suicidal. And not to mention I had no income source.

My pride fought valiantly for five seconds... and then died in silence.

"...Fine," I muttered. "But just this once."

Her face lit up in a shy smile as she handed the vendor the coins.

’Damn it,’ I thought bitterly, ’I’m being sponsored by my own student.’

****

We moved from stall to stall — collecting eggs, flour, and sugar that glittered faintly like frost. Ariana followed behind, carrying half the bags, her steps light and cheerful.

Watching her like that — smiling faintly, humming softly under her breath — I couldn’t help but think that the timid, gloomy girl from a few days ago was slowly fading away.

Maybe it was the food.

Or maybe... she just needed someone to remind her she wasn’t useless.

Either way, it was working.

"Alright," he said, adjusting the bags in his hands.

Ariana nodded eagerly, her silver hair swaying as she followed him down the street — her heart quietly beating faster than usual.