I didn’t limit myself to just the dumplings. With so much food around, that would have been a sin!

Outside of the usual fruits, vegetables, and bread, the table was practically overflowing with all sorts of dishes. Honestly, the most impressive part, including the fact she was cooking four different dishes at the same time, was how Mira had managed to cram so much onto such a small table. It was barely big enough for three—maybe four—people to sit and eat, yet it somehow held:

A heaping bowl of dumplings, three smaller bowls filled with an assortment of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, two plates stacked with omelets, two steaming bowls of freshly cooked rice, three types of bread, and enough spreads to fill an entire pantry: marmalade (both orange and blood orange), creamy butter, and, of course, honey!

And that wasn’t even counting the drinks: a pitcher of freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice, along with a steaming pot of rich cacao.

Seriously, if someone tried dropping a needle on this table, I’d bet it’d bounce right off without finding a single free spot!

I didn’t waste any time, to dig in. When Mira was done cutting my omelet into smaller pieces I grabbed the fork faster than a squirrel spotting an acorn.

The next second, I yelled louder than the boiling pot behind us, my tongue burning like I’d just swallowed fire.

“Hot! Hot!”

Forgetting completely that I was an Elemancer, I cooed, steaming coming out of my mouth. Spitting the piece back onto my plate, I awkwardly blew at my sticking tongue, trying to cool it off with flapping hands.

Mira’s soft, sweet laughter broke through my panic, grounding me back in the present. I blinked, cheeks reddening, and then sheepishly channeled a trickle of quint to summon a small, cool breeze.

She gently brushed my hair back and offered me a warm, sunny smile.

“Careful, dear.” Mira said, wiping away the food off my chin. “Give it some time to cool off.”

Outside, I simply nodded, but on the inside I was screaming.

‘I’m immune to flames! Why is it burning as if fire can hurt me? And this isn’t even fire! How does this even make sense!’

Blowing at my food, my tongue still stung like a fresh burn, but I took a bite regardless. That was because, even if it lasted for only a second, the taste lingered, making it impossible to resist.

The moment the fluffy, golden omelet touched my tongue, the pain seemed to melt away. It was soft and light, with a savory flavor that spread slowly across my mouth like a warm blanket. The eggs were perfectly seasoned, just the right balance between salty and rich.

And then there was the filling: a mix of cheese and chopped vegetables. The creamy, melted cheese coated each bite, stretching slightly as I pulled my fork away. The vegetables—bell peppers, mushrooms, and a hint of herbs—added a satisfying crunch and an earthy undertone, making each mouthful more interesting than the last.

I couldn’t help but hum in delight as I swallowed, the lingering flavors making my stomach growl for more.

‘Mh! So Good!’

“Are you enjoying your breakfast, Lyon?” Mira’s sweet voice made me open my eyes, the happy, satisfied expression on her face filling my tummy even more than the food itself.

“Yeah! It’s the best!” I said energetically, grabbing a dumpling as I did so.

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The moment I bit into it, a burst of different yet equally rich flavor exploding in my mouth, The soft, pillowy dough gave way to the juicy filling inside—a mix of tender meat and finely chopped vegetables seasoned with just the right hint of herbs for a touch of something sweet. Every bite was warm, savory, and comforting, like a hug wrapped in dough.

I didn’t leave a single thing untouched. After finishing my omelet, I moved on to a bigger plate—one with a bowl of rice topped with greens, a glass of orange juice, and, of course, a slice of bread slathered with butter and honey.

Normally, this much food would be enough to fill me until the next morning, or maybe even the afternoon. But ever since reaching the red stage, I’d noticed I was growing hungrier and faster than usual. Especially in those first few days when I’d devour everything in front of me (everything edible, of course).

Now that I’d somewhat adjusted, my eating habits were closer to normal, but it made me wonder—was this some sort of side effect of ascending the colors? If so, I kind of wanted to go back to purple. We still had plenty of food, and bringing back the beast I hunted had been a great idea, but if I kept eating like this, I wasn’t sure how long our supplies would hold out. What would happen then?

Did it have something to do with today’s special breakfast? If so, what was it? I was more than curious, so I finally asked with a mouthful of food.

“Mmh… Mira,” I paused, remembering to swallow first, “why did you make so much today?”

If this was a meal meant to last us all day, I wouldn’t have questioned it. But pots were still bubbling in the kitchen, and every now and then, Mira would check the fireplace to see if something was ready.

She set her chop sticks down and raised a hand to her mouth. After swallowing, she flashed me a mischievous smile.

“Oh, just because,” she replied casually, cutting another piece of her omelet.

For a moment, I just blinked, staring as she raised another bite.

I didn’t have any particular thoughts, since her answer hadn’t really explained anything. Instead, what caught my attention was the way she ate. Unlike me—who ate as crudely and quickly as possible—Mira, no matter what she was eating, always gave off an air of… prestige. There was an elegance to her movements, as if everyone around should be watching her while she ate. It was hard to describe.

Noticing my gaze, she tilted her head slightly and smiled, her mouth still full of food, but the unasked question was clear: What’s wrong?

I quickly shook my head and grabbed another dumpling, trying to think of something else. Normally, after finishing her bite, she would ask me what was on my mind. But this time, the oven’s bell rang, interrupting the moment.

Mira stood up and peeked inside. Strangely, she didn’t take out whatever she was cooking. Instead, she began pulling out various ingredients that had somehow escaped being part of our meal. I didn’t know the specifics, but judging from the smell and what she chose, it had to be something sweet.

When she returned to the table, though, her worried expression couldn’t be hidden behind the smile she offered.

I had learned to recognize that smile. It was the same one she gave me when she felt sorry or upset about something. It reminded me of how she looked every night when I came home injured.

She never expressed it though, which also made me feel sad, but since she never brought it up, it didn’t feel fair for me to say anything either.

This time, however, felt like an exception.

“W-what is it?” I asked, my voice coming out a little panicked.

Her eyebrows—and by extension, her lips—softened. “Oh, it’s nothing,” she said, taking her seat again. “I just forgot to get a red lotus the other day, so I can’t dress the dessert properly.”

I straightened up as an idea hit me. “I’ll go get it for you!” I blurted out without thinking.

It was a no-brainer. I felt bad for making her go through so much trouble just to prepare all this food, so what better way to show my thanks than by helping out? Especially with something so simple!

The western side of the forest was filled with them. If I took Horny with me, I’d find the flower in no time!

Mira chuckled softly. “I appreciate it, Lyon, but you don’t have to. It’s just a garnish—not that important. It’s fine, really.”

“But I want to help!” I insisted. “Please, I can do it!” But she still didn’t look convinced.

She waved her hand lightly, trying to discourage me. “Honey, I know you can find a flower. I’m not doubting you. But it’s still risky, and I don’t want you getting hurt—not today.”

The warmth in her voice almost made me waver. Almost. “I promise I won’t get hurt! I’ll even take Horny with me. I’ll be back in less than an hour, and I won’t step out again for the rest of the day. Please!” I pressed my palms together and made my best puppy eyes.

Mira tried to force her lips into a stern frown, but in the end, she gave in with a loud, regretful sigh.

“Ah, these eyes…” she muttered under her breath, though my ears caught it.

“Fine,” she said at last. “Just be safe. That’s all I’m asking.”

With that, she stood and turned toward the kitchen. “Let me pack something for Horny before you go.”