CHAPTER 66: [66] EXTRA SPICY

The owner of Café Leblanc gestured toward the menu board hanging above the counter. "Special today is the Tonkotsu ramen with extra chashu. Been simmering that broth since 4 AM."

"Surprise me," Xavier said, settling into one of the worn wooden booths. The restaurant smelled amazing—rich pork broth, charred garlic, and something sweeter underneath, maybe caramelized onions. "Just make it spicy."

Aurora slid in across from him, her crimson ponytail swinging as she leaned forward. "Same for me, but make mine extra spicy. Like, ’regret my life choices’ spicy."

The owner chuckled. "You got it. One surprise and one surprise that’ll make you cry." He turned toward the kitchen, then paused. "Coffee while you wait? Just roasted a new batch."

"God, yes," Aurora said. "Black for me."

"With cream," Xavier added.

As the owner busied himself with the coffee, Xavier noticed a white cat with black patches sauntering between tables. It paused to rub against a chair leg before continuing its patrol of the small restaurant.

"So," Aurora said, leaning back against the booth. "First week at Catalyst. Expectations versus reality—go."

Xavier considered the question, a slight pressure building behind his temples. Nothing serious, just a faint discomfort he couldn’t quite place. "Expected: boring lectures and stuffy professors. Reality: a masked teacher who can stop time and another who accidentally tests us on third-year material."

The owner returned with two steaming mugs, setting them down carefully. The white cat jumped onto an empty chair nearby, watching them with unblinking yellow eyes.

"That’s Morigan," the owner said, nodding toward the cat. "Shop mascot. Don’t mind him—he thinks he owns the place."

After he left, Aurora wrapped her hands around her mug. "I expected to be the best in class," she admitted. "I was top of my regional training center back in Dublin. But here? Everyone’s exceptional. It’s..." She took a sip of coffee. "It’s both terrifying and exhilarating."

"You seem pretty exceptional to me," Xavier said.

Aurora’s eyebrows shot up. "Based on what? You’ve been ignoring me all week, remember?"

"I notice things," Xavier said, taking a sip of his coffee. It was rich and smooth, with none of the bitterness he’d expected. "Your Essentia during Phantom’s class—Momentum Cascade, right? The way it builds with each consecutive hit is impressive."

"You were watching me?" Aurora’s smile widened.

"Hard not to. You and Eliza are not exactly subtle when you train." The pressure in Xavier’s head increased slightly. He rubbed his temple, trying to be discreet about it.

"You okay?" Aurora asked, her eyes narrowing with concern.

"Fine. Just tired." Xavier changed the subject. "What about you? What have you noticed about our classmates?"

Aurora leaned forward, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Alexander is definitely leadership material, but he’s too cautious. Kyrie’s an asshole with potential. Naomi scares me a little. And your cousin..." She hesitated. "Calypso’s ability is weird. Those cards seem to do different things each time."

"She’s still figuring it out," Xavier said.

"And what about you?" Aurora asked, her golden eyes fixed on him. "Still figuring out your ability too?"

Xavier nodded, the dull ache in his head spreading. "It’s... unconventional."

"That’s putting it mildly. A meter that fills up through combat moves? It’s like you walked out of a fighting game." Aurora reached across the table and plucked a napkin from the dispenser, folding it absently between her fingers. "But I like unconventional. Normal is boring."

The cat—Morigan—jumped from the chair onto their table, nearly knocking over Xavier’s coffee. Xavier steadied the mug while Aurora scratched behind the cat’s ears.

"Hello, handsome," she cooed. Morigan purred loudly, butting his head against her hand.

"He likes you," Xavier observed.

"Most males do," Aurora said with a wink. "Though few are as straightforward about it as this guy."

"So what’s your story?" Aurora asked, still petting the cat. "Before Catalyst, I mean."

Xavier had prepared for this question, but the growing discomfort made it harder to recall his cover story. "Not much to tell. Homeschooled most of my life. My mom’s a nurse at Mercy General. Awakened late, about two years ago."

"Homeschooled? That explains the social skills," Aurora teased. "Though I’m surprised you don’t have more questions about... well, everything. Most sheltered kids I’ve met are overwhelmed by Catalyst."

"I adapt quickly," Xavier said, which was true enough.

The owner returned with two steaming bowls of ramen. The broth in Aurora’s bowl was a deeper red, promising the extra spice she’d requested. Both dishes were artfully arranged with sliced pork, soft-boiled eggs, green onions, and what looked like handmade noodles.

"Here you go," he said, setting the bowls down. "One surprise and one ’you’ll regret this’ special. Enjoy."

Morigan immediately focused on the food, but Aurora gently moved him back to the edge of the table. "No, this is people food."

The cat meowed indignantly.

"Sorry, chef’s orders," she said, as if the cat had made a coherent argument.

Xavier picked up his chopsticks, grateful for the distraction. He took a bite of the ramen, and the flavors exploded across his tongue—rich, savory broth with just enough heat to make it interesting without overwhelming the other flavors.

"Holy shit," Aurora said after her first bite, fanning her mouth. "This is amazing. And painful. Amazingly painful."

"Too spicy?" Xavier asked, amused by her reaction.

"Perfectly spicy," she corrected, taking another bite despite the tears forming in her eyes.

They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the only sounds the soft slurping of noodles and Aurora’s occasional gasps for air as she battled the spice level. Xavier found himself studying her—the way she attacked her food with the same enthusiasm she seemed to bring to everything, how her eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled, the small scar near her right eyebrow that he hadn’t noticed before.

"What?" she asked, catching him looking.

"Nothing. Just..." Xavier paused, unsure why he felt so comfortable. "This is nice. Normal. Most of my week has been..."

"A complete mindfuck?" Aurora supplied helpfully.

Xavier laughed. "Yeah, that about covers it."

"Mine too," she admitted. "I mean, I came here to become stronger, but some days I wonder if I’m cut out for this. Did you see Thalia’s demonstration? That Zantei technique was insane."

"It was impressive," Xavier agreed, thinking about his interaction with Thalia afterward. "But it took her years to develop that. We’re just starting out."

"I know, but still. The gap between where we are and where she is feels... massive." Aurora twirled her noodles thoughtfully. "Though I guess that’s why we’re here, right? To cross that gap."

The headache intensified suddenly, sending a sharp pain through Xavier’s skull. He winced, unable to hide his reaction this time.

"Okay, you’re definitely not fine," Aurora said, setting down her chopsticks. "What’s wrong?"

"Just a headache," Xavier said, though it was becoming more than ’just’ anything. "I should probably get back soon. Calypso’s waiting for dinner."

"Right, the cousin." Aurora’s tone shifted slightly. "Can’t keep her waiting."

Xavier pulled out his wallet and placed enough cash on the table to cover both their meals, plus a generous tip. "My treat. Consider it an apology for ignoring you this week."

"Apology accepted," Aurora said, finishing the last of her coffee. "Though next time, I’m paying."