"Your mama told you the opposite? That you need more meat, huh?" Lucy asked, watching Alfie nod enthusiastically with his mouth still full.
"Well, I won't argue with that," she continued. "Young children need protein from foods like meat and fish to grow properly. But for Shinras and cultivators like us, vegetables are just as important. They're nourished by Mother Nature and contain natural Renshi. Eating them regularly helps strengthen your Renshical energy."
Alfie and Rebekah froze.
Their eyes widened, and their jaws dropped in perfect unison.
"AHHHHHH. MASTER, WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US THIS EARLIER?"
Lucy chuckled at their reaction.
"Calm down, you two. Don't make a scene. I was planning to introduce you to this diet once we reached the Kingdom of Ashura. For now, enjoy yourselves while you still can. The real training begins when we get there."
Alfie slowly lowered his fork.
"Wait a minute, Master. Are you saying we're not allowed to eat meat during training?"
"Exactly. No meat, no junk food. We're going on a strict diet."
Alfie and Rebekah lowered their heads, their excitement disappearing almost instantly.
Lucy watched them for a moment before adding, "But if you keep up with your training and do everything I tell you, I'll let you eat meat once a week."
Alfie's head shot up.
"Meat once a week... assuming we survive your training?" he muttered.
Then, as though he'd suddenly remembered something important, he slammed both hands against the table.
"COUNT ME IN."
Lucy burst out laughing.
"Hahaha. Now that's what I like to hear."
"Don't leave me out, Master," Rebekah exclaimed. "I love beef even more than chicken. I'll work as hard as I can to earn my weekly beef."
"Good. I expect both of you to keep that same energy when training starts."
Lucy stood and placed some money on the table.
"Now get up. We're heading back to the road."
Alfie and Rebekah quickly gulped down their water before jumping to their feet and following her out of the restaurant.
As they made their way toward the motel, Alfie suddenly hurried up beside Lucy.
"Hey, Master... Can I ask you for a favour?"
Lucy glanced at him suspiciously.
"I hope it's something reasonable."
"It is. I was just wondering... do you have enough money to buy Rebekah and me two scabbards? One for each of our swords?"
Lucy stopped walking and stared at him.
"Just say you want me to buy you two scabbards. Why are you asking whether I have enough money?"
She shook her head.
"Money has never been a problem for me, Alfie."
Her gaze shifted to a nearby weapon shop. She pointed toward the entrance.
"Come on. Let's see what they've got."
Lucy pushed open the door, and the two children followed her inside.
A bell rang above the entrance as they stepped into the shop. Rows of weapons lined the walls, from swords and daggers to spears and various pieces of Shinra equipment.
Lucy approached the counter and placed Alfie's wooden sword and Rebekah's silver blade in front of the shopkeeper.
"Excuse me, sir. Could I get two scabbards for these swords?"
The shopkeeper examined the weapons before raising his eyes to Lucy. A flirtatious smile spread across his face.
"What's a beautiful woman like you doing carrying around a poorly made wooden sword?"
For a moment, nobody reacted.
Then...
"HUHHHHHHH?"
Alfie burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Rebekah immediately smacked him on the head and clamped a hand over his mouth.
But that did little to stop him. His shoulders continued shaking as he giggled beneath her palm.
"I think Master just found herself a husband," he whispered between laughs.
Rebekah's eyes widened.
She quickly brought her other hand over his mouth, pressing down so firmly that she nearly choked him.
"I'm sorry, sir," she said, bowing awkwardly. "He's always an idiot. Please don't mind him."
Lucy stood completely still, staring at Alfie in disbelief.
This little brat...
Meanwhile, the shopkeeper simply laughed.
"It's alright. I suppose it's surprising when someone compliments your big sister."
Rebekah froze.
Big sister? Not even his mother or aunt?
She glanced at Lucy, who still looked young enough to be in her twenties.
He has absolutely no idea how old Master really is. Whatever skill she's using must be working wonders.
Lucy finally snapped out of her thoughts.
"Enough. Just give me the scabbards so we can get the hell out of here."
The shopkeeper flinched.
"O-okay. Right away."
He hurried behind the counter and began searching through the available scabbards, apparently eager not to upset his beautiful customer any further.
Lucy leaned toward Alfie, who was still struggling to contain his laughter.
"Hey, Alfie," she whispered through clenched teeth. "The moment we leave this shop, you and I are having a one-on-one duel."
Alfie's laughter stopped for half a second.
Then his face lit up.
"NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT."
He threw his fist into the air.
"BRING IT ON, MASTER LU. I'M READY ANYTIME."
Rebekah stared at him as though he'd completely lost his mind.
"Don't get carried away. Look at Master. She's furious."
Alfie grinned and turned toward her.
"Relax, Honey Badger. If I have to get punched every day and make things complicated just to spar with Master, I'll gladly take one for the team."
Lucy and Rebekah both froze.
Lucy's expression twisted with rage.
"YOU LITTLE..."
She raised her fist.
Rebekah immediately grabbed her arm.
"PLEASE DON'T HIT HIM, MASTER."
She tightened her grip, desperately trying to hold Lucy back.
"You finally understand why I punch him all the time, don't you?"
Alfie burst out laughing again.
"HAHAHAHAHA."
"JUST LET ME SHUT HIM UP WITH ONE GOOD PUNCH," Lucy snarled, struggling against Rebekah's grip.
"No. You'll hurt him..." Rebekah pleaded. "And I'll be the one who suffers for it. Who do you think will have to carry his heavy butt back to the horse?"
Alfie stopped laughing for a moment.
He looked at Rebekah, then at Lucy's raised fist.
"...Okay, okay. Let's just go."
He raised both hands in surrender, still wearing that irritating grin.
Lucy slowly lowered her fist, her eye twitching.
One of these days, Alfie... one of these days.
Alfie swallowed nervously.
"Hehehe... Looking forward to it, Master."
Rebekah covered her face with one hand.