The next morning, the academy felt different — sharper, more alive.
Will woke up with the faint scent of Einsfel's hair still lingering on his pillow and the memory of her warmth pressed against him from the night before. He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling of his small auxiliary staff room, heart quietly full. Last night had been tender and deep, a private celebration that left both of them breathless and closer than ever.
But today was a new challenge.
He dressed quickly, tied the Simple Apron around his waist like familiar armor, strapped the Mother's Worn Pot securely to his back, and tucked the Inherited Kitchen Knife into his belt. The pot's rim now carried a noticeably brighter silver-gray glow, as if it, too, remembered the intimacy of the previous night.
When he arrived at the eastern gate, the team was already waiting.
Marcus stood at the front, arms crossed, his expression as serious as ever. Lena gave Will a small, friendly wave. Theo nodded with a bit more respect than before. And there, standing quietly to the side with her crystalline magic staff in hand, was Einsfel.
She wore her deep blue and gold-trimmed uniform, silver-gray hair tied back neatly for combat, though a few loose strands still framed her face beautifully. When their eyes met, she gave him a small, private smile that made the morning feel warmer.
Marcus got straight to the point.
"We've been assigned another support mission. Slightly larger scale this time — increased Flamefang pup activity mixed with Shadow Lurkers near the eastern forest border. The instructors want reliable logistical backup. They specifically requested you, Harlan."
Will blinked. "Me?"
Lena grinned. "Your methods worked last time. The instructors noticed. They want to see if it was a fluke."
Marcus crossed his arms. "Don't get cocky. You're still support. Stay behind the main line and provide whatever assistance your cooking allows. We leave in five minutes."
As the team prepared, Einsfel stepped closer to Will under the pretense of adjusting her staff.
"Be careful out there," she whispered, her blue eyes full of quiet concern. "I'll be right beside you. If anything goes wrong, I've got your back."
Will nodded, heart swelling at her words. "I know. Thank you."
The team moved into the forest.
The air grew heavier the deeper they went. The trees cast long shadows, and the faint smell of smoke and darkness hung in the air like a warning.
The Flamefang pups appeared first — small, fiery creatures with glowing orange fur and sparks constantly dancing around their paws. They were fast and aggressive, darting between tree trunks and launching small fireballs that left scorched marks on the ground. Behind them, several Shadow Lurkers slithered through the darker patches of shadow, red eyes gleaming with predatory patience.
Marcus gave the signal.
"Engage!"
Fireballs exploded in bright orange bursts, lighting up the forest. Lightning crackled through the air. Sharp wind blades sliced through the undergrowth. The combat mages moved with practiced coordination, pushing the beasts back.
Will stayed at the rear, observing carefully.
He noticed the same pattern as before — the Flamefang pups kept pausing mid-charge, noses twitching violently as they sniffed the air, drawn toward something they couldn't resist.
They're drawn to the scent again.
Will acted quickly.
He dropped to one knee in a small clearing, unstrapped the Mother's Worn Pot, and set it up on a flat rock. The Inherited Kitchen Knife flashed in his hands as he diced meat and vegetables with blinding speed. He added a stronger blend of spices this time — dried chili flakes, garlic, wild peppercorns, and a touch of secret herbs he had gathered earlier that week. The rich, fiery aroma of Hellfire Hotpot Base began to roll across the battlefield like an invisible wave of heat and flavor.
The Flamefang pups froze mid-leap.
Their noses twitched frantically. Then, as if hypnotized by an irresistible force, they abandoned the mages completely and charged straight toward Will and the bubbling pot instead.
"Harlan!" Marcus shouted. "What are you doing?!"
"Trust me!" Will called back, voice steady despite the chaos.
He scooped ladlefuls of the steaming hotpot base and flung them forward like fiery projectiles. The pups pounced on the food greedily, devouring it in seconds.
The effect was spectacular and chaotic.
The overwhelming spiciness triggered their fire elements into complete overload. Flames erupted uncontrollably from every pore of their bodies. Their own protective fire shields turned against them, roasting them from the inside out. One by one, they spun in wild, frantic circles, shooting flames in every direction before collapsing in dramatic puffs of chili-scented smoke and sparks.
One particularly enthusiastic pup ate too much at once and literally exploded in a shower of orange sparks and steam, leaving behind a small crater that smelled strongly of overcooked barbecue.
Lena couldn't help but laugh out loud. "That's… honestly impressive."
Theo stared with wide eyes. "He just turned a pack of fire beasts into fireworks."
Even Marcus looked momentarily stunned, his usual stern expression cracking with reluctant respect.
The remaining Shadow Lurkers tried to take advantage of the chaos, slithering forward from the darker shadows with razor-sharp claws extended. Will didn't have time to cook more.
He reacted on instinct.
Grabbing the Simple Apron with his left hand, he spun it like a makeshift shield while slashing forward with the Inherited Kitchen Knife. A concentrated burst of aromatic steam exploded from the blade's edge, slamming directly into the nearest Lurker like a spicy shockwave. The creature shrieked and dissolved into black mist.
Einsfel moved with graceful precision beside him. Her magic staff glowed bright blue as she launched controlled spells to cover his flanks, her eyes never leaving him for long. Every time a Lurker got too close, a precise blue bolt from her staff would intercept it.
When the last beast finally dissolved into harmless mist, the forest fell quiet once more.
Marcus lowered his staff and turned to Will, breathing heavily.
"…You're strange, Harlan," he said, but this time there was clear respect in his voice. "But you get results. The instructors will hear about this."
Lena gave Will a thumbs-up, still grinning. "Nice work. Seriously."
Theo just shook his head in disbelief. "I've never seen magical beasts defeated by seasoning before."
As the team began to regroup and check for injuries, Einsfel walked over to Will under the pretense of checking on him. Her voice was soft, meant only for him.
"You were incredible again," she whispered, her blue eyes shining with open pride. "The way you controlled the battlefield with just your cooking… it was beautiful to watch. I couldn't stop worrying about you, but you made it look almost easy."
Her fingers brushed against his hand in a hidden, intimate touch that sent a pleasant shiver up his arm.
"Tonight," she added, her voice dropping even lower, warm and full of quiet promise, "my room. I want to celebrate properly. Just the two of us."
Will's ears turned noticeably red, but he nodded.
"I'll be there."
As the group headed back toward the academy, the sun beginning to set behind the towering spires and painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange and purple, Will felt a quiet sense of accomplishment settle in his chest.
He was no longer just the "soup boy" who got lucky once.
He was starting to prove — slowly, steadily — that flavor could be a power of its own.
And with Einsfel walking beside him, her presence a constant source of warmth and strength, he felt ready for whatever challenges the academy would throw at him next.
The Mother's Worn Pot on his back glowed with a soft silver-gray light, as if agreeing with him.
The Cooking Demon King was slowly, surely awakening.