To them, it truly seemed like pure witchcraft.
The transformation was happening before their eyes, but they had no idea how or why. The fire, controlled in that way, seemed like an extension of his will. And they had never seen stone change anything else like that.
Tairo frowned, an old memory surfacing.
'Wait. That time...'
He remembered when he had found a similar egg, months ago. He had tripped while carrying it and dropped it on the ground. A sharp rock had pierced the shell, causing the contents to leak out.
But even in contact with stone, even spilled on the rocky ground, the egg hadn't reacted. It had just... stayed there. Slimy and disgusting.
'Why is it different now? What did he do?'
It was the fire. It had to be. But how could fire do that?
'They must think this is magic.'
Hawke, thinking about this, decided to test a theory.
He mentally summoned the system.
The panel appeared before my eyes, translucent, floating in the air like an invisible window. The geometric edges shimmered softly.
LEVEL; 2
EVOLVE!
Language learned: KAI'AN -- Proficiency: 80%
```
Hawke carefully observed the reactions around him.
No one blinked differently. No one widened their eyes. No one looked away as if they were seeing something strange in the air.
They continued just looking at the cooking egg.
"Do you see something shining in the air?"
He asked casually, continuing to stir the eggs.
The expressions were of total confusion.
Tairo scratched his head.
"Something shining in the air? Isn't it just shining over there?"
She pointed to the makeshift stove, from which small rays of light escaped through the gaps between the stones. The fire danced below, sending out orange flashes.
"There's something shining in the air."Yuka said, attracting everyone's attention. Especially Hawke's, who became hopeful.
'She sees it?! Does anyone else see the system?!'
Yuka pointed upwards.
"There's a large ball of fire that shines during the day. And at night it goes out."
"That's true!"
Tairo nodded enthusiastically. The others also agreed, nodding their heads. An obvious fact to all of them.
Hawke sighed.
"That's not what I'm talking about. I mean, do you see something that shines and... flies. In this cave. Without it being fire."
Everyone shook their heads. No.
"That must be the work of a sorcerer..." Tairo murmured. "Of course we wouldn't be able to see it."
Hawke tilted his head slightly, curious.
"Did the ancient sorcerer do that? Did he talk about things glowing?"
Everyone looked at the old woman.
She hesitated before answering, her mouth moving slowly as if chewing air, organizing her fragmented memory. She raised a finger indicating that she was about to explain something important.
"No. He never talked about anything like that."
She paused dramatically.
"The only thing he knew how to do was make fire with stones... not with sticks like you."
The answer confirmed what Hawke suspected.
"The system is exclusively mine. Only I can see it."
He wasn't absolutely sure yet, but it was easier to accept that than to keep creating false expectations that someone else could help.
He mentally closed the panel and turned his full attention to the egg.
It was perfect. Yellowish-white, creamy texture, and an incredible smell.
Carefully, using the improvised spoon and some large leaves as tongs, she began to scoop portions and distribute them on green leaves that served as makeshift plates.
First, she handed one to Tairo.
"Here."
Tairo took it reverently, as if he were holding a sacred relic.
Then to the girls. Kaira first, then Yuka. Both looked at the boiled egg as if it were edible gold.
Finally, the old woman.
Duggi and Kuggi watched with barely disguised impatience, practically drooling.
The old woman was the first to put the food in her mouth. She completely ignored the temperature, which was boiling, and ate quickly, chewing vigorously. Small balls of smoke came out of her mouth with each chew, like a locomotive chimney.
Then she released a light puff of air from her mouth. "Hmmmmm."
It was the silent confirmation that she was satisfied.
Seeing the old woman eat so quickly, Yuka thought she could too. She grabbed a piece that was WAY too big and shoved it into her mouth all at once.
She made a mistake.
"AAAAAI! HAH! HAH!"
She started wagging her tongue, which hung out like a puppy's, while her eyes watered. A desperate wind blew, trying to cool her down.
Hawke almost laughed.
"Slow down. Take it easy. It's hot."
Kaira learned from Yuka's mistake. She ate slowly, small pieces, blowing on them before putting them in her mouth. She chewed thoughtfully, savoring it. And she looked at Hawke between bites, as if evaluating something beyond the taste.
Something more... profound.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
Yuka asked, her words coming out somewhat jumbled. Her tongue was still hanging out, red and swollen.
Hawke took his portion last. He tasted it with some apprehension.
He chewed slowly after blowing on it.
It wasn't bad. It wasn't as bad as he expected. In fact, it was even... acceptable?
But something was missing.
"It needs a little salt."
No one understood.
"Salt?" Kaira repeated the strange word.
"It's a... seasoning. It makes food tastier."
Silence followed. Empty stares.
But they believed him. After all, he knew what he was doing.
"Where do I get this salt?"
Kaira asked, already getting up, ready to go hunting.
"Well... I believe it's not so easy to get. Not in this situation."
"You can tell me where and I'll kill it." Her eyes gleamed dangerously.
"Seriously. I can hunt."
Hawke laughed.
'She thinks salt is a creature.'
"It's not an animal. It's... complicated. I'll explain later."
He decided to change the subject. "What did you think of the food?"
"It's delicious!"
Kaira stroked her flat stomach.
"But it wasn't enough to fill my stomach. There wasn't enough."
"It hurts your tongue," Yuka complained, still gasping for air.
"You have to eat slowly. Slowly. Like Tairo and Kaira did. Not like the old woman."
She looked at the old woman, who had already finished and was licking the leaf-plate.
"See? They didn't hurt themselves."
Yuka nodded, indicating she had understood the lesson.
Tairo wiped his lips, satisfied.
"It's much better than eating it straight from the egg. Better cooked on a hot stone."
"And you, old woman? What did you think?"
The old woman raised her head, her eyes shining.
"Make more. I want more. I'm still hungry."