Mia’s eyes darted around, confirming Teacher Shalina was busy in the kitchen, Ellaria was setting the table, Kefi hadn’t returned from the bathroom, Feliel was sitting quietly in the corner, and Teacher John and Teacher Ben hadn’t arrived yet.
At this moment, the corner of the dining table where she and Teacher Sefina were sitting was temporarily in a blind spot for everyone else!
Now or never! Mia steeled her heart and made a move that caught Sefina off guard.
She executed a sudden “Sliding Tackle.” Although the cramped space made the movement look a bit comical, the effect was significant.
Mia crouched down, spread her arms wide, and firmly hugged Teacher Sefina’s slender calves, which were encased in thin black stockings.
“Teacher Sefina ~~ I’m sorry! I know I was wrong! Please don’t be angry anymore, okay? I’ll be good from now on. I’ll go east if you tell me to go east, and I’ll never go west. If you want to suck my blood, I’ll never… uh, let’s talk about that later… Anyway, I’ll do anything! Just forgive me this once~”
Mia pressed her face against Sefina’s leg, looked up, and launched her Ultimate Pitiful Beam with those watery blue eyes, her voice so sugary sweet it could almost make someone choke.
Sefina stiffened all over at this sudden “attack.” The warmth and tight grip on her legs made her extremely uncomfortable.
“What… what are you doing! Let go!” she scolded in a low voice, trying to pull her legs out.
However, Mia was like a refined octopus, clinging tightly to her legs. No matter how much Sefina struggled, she couldn’t break free.
Sefina looked down and met Mia’s shameless expression that said, “I won’t let go unless you forgive me.” A surge of nameless anger mixed with shame welled up in her heart.
She stared at the “pendant” on her legs with a look of disgust, squeezing the words out from between her teeth:
“Let go right now! What do you think you’re doing!”
“I won’t! Not unless Sefina Teacher promises not to be angry anymore!”
Mia hugged even tighter and even rubbed her cheek against Teacher Sefina’s stockings, enjoying the cool, silky sensation while maintaining the most innocent expression.
Sefina was nearly dying of anger. Seeing that her struggle was futile and that any more noise would surely attract the attention of the others in the living room, she couldn’t bear to imagine the scene of being seen with a student hugging her legs like this.
Weighing the pros and cons, Sefina took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and said quickly in an extremely impatient tone:
“Fine, fine! I can’t be bothered to argue with you! Let go, and get lost!”
Mission accomplished!
Mia’s eyes lit up instantly, and a “shameless” bright smile bloomed on her face as she nimbly let go.
“Thank you, Sefina Teacher! Sefina Teacher is the best!”
Sefina gave her a nasty look, quickly took two steps back to create distance, and tidied her slightly messy clothes.
Honestly, this girl… her skin was as thick as the walls of Oselenka!
Actually, after Mia’s antics, most of Sefina’s anger had indeed dissipated.
More than being angry, she was now concerned about something else —
A seed of curiosity had been planted in Mia’s heart. She was truly afraid that this “curiosity baby” would never forget that “secret.” If one day on a whim she really started to probe or secretly investigate her Forcing Brand…
That would be the start of a true nightmare. It seemed she would have to be even more careful in the future.
Time passed quietly, the sky outside darkened, and the warm yellow Magic Lamps illuminated Teacher Shalina’s living room, making it look cozy and bright.
After a period of busy preparation, the sumptuous Magic Festival dinner was finally ready.
A clean checkered tablecloth was spread over the round dining table, now occupied by various tempting delicacies, their aroma filling the air and whetting everyone’s appetite.
Teacher Shalina had prepared some traditional dishes of the Ayrean Empire:
Secret recipe Cod Steak that was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, red wine braised beef ribs slow-cooked with various herbs and wine, creamy mushroom soup garnished with nuts and dried berries, and a seasonal vegetable salad drizzled with a refreshing sauce.
***
Meanwhile, Sefina had also made some “specialty dishes” while helping in the kitchen —
Brightly colored sweet and sour pork ribs, tender steamed sea bass, and a steaming pot of “medley.”
It was actually a simplified version of hot pot, using a Magic Warming Pot to keep it hot.
The seasoning and cooking methods of these dishes were very different from the common styles in the Empire, causing everyone to take notice.
Just then, Teacher John and Teacher Ben arrived one after another, and the small living room suddenly became even more lively.
Everyone greeted each other and sat around the dining table under Shalina’s arrangement. The feast of the Magic Festival officially began.
“Wow! Teacher Sefina, did you make this? It looks so special!” Kefi couldn’t help but exclaim as she looked at the platter of tempting sweet and sour pork ribs.
“Yeah, try it and see if it suits your taste.” Sefina nodded faintly.
Mia had already impatiently picked up a rib and stuffed it into her mouth. The sweet and sour sauce and the perfectly tender meat made her squint her eyes in happiness:
“Mmm! So delicious!”
Even the usually reserved Ellaria’s emerald eyes lit up slightly after tasting the steamed sea bass, as she softly praised:
“The fish is very fresh, and the flavor is very unique.”
Feliel tasted it quietly; although she didn’t speak, her action of silently taking a few more bites already showed her stance.
Teacher John wasn’t too picky about the delicacies on the table. After tasting them one by one, he smacked his lips in satisfaction and said:
“Mm! The traditional food made by Teacher Shalina tastes very authentic, and Teacher Sefina’s specialty dishes are also delicious.”
Teacher Ben also gave high praise to the food cooked by the two female teachers: “The taste is excellent. I haven’t enjoyed such a delicious meal in a long time.”
Everyone chatted as they ate, and the teachers’ conversation quickly turned from food to the work and life at the academy.
“I heard the practice grounds for the Elemental Faction are going to be adjusted next semester?” John asked while cutting his beef ribs.
Sefina swallowed the food in her mouth and replied: “There is such a plan. The details are still being discussed with the academy.”
Shalina responded with a smile: “Our Summoning Department is the same. I heard they’re going to renovate a site.”
“As the end of the semester approaches, various activities are increasing.” Teacher Ben pushed his glasses up. “After the holidays, we’ll have to remind the students to prepare their papers.”
The students’ side was much more relaxed, with the topic mainly revolving around what they had seen at the Magic Festival.
Kefi quietly discussed the magic performances she saw on the street today with Mia and Ellaria: “That Mage who used water to create little birds was really amazing!”
Mia, her mouth full of food, said unclearly: “I think the one who set off fireworks was better looking, bang bang bang!”
“I saw the performances too; they were wonderful. You don’t see them usually.” Feliel said, taking a sip of juice.
“Yes, they were indeed beautiful.” Ellaria chimed in softly.
The atmosphere at the table was lively, with constant laughter and conversation.
After several rounds of food, Teacher John picked up the bottle of fruit wine that Sefina and the others had purchased and poured himself another glass, praising it:
“This wine was a good choice; it has a rich fruity aroma and a smooth taste. Teacher Sefina, Teacher Shalina, don’t just drink juice. Why not have some together? It’s a festival, after all—relax a bit.”
Shalina looked at the tempting liquid and felt a bit tempted. She turned to Sefina: “Teacher Sefina, what do you think? A change of pace?”
Sefina had originally intended to just drink juice, but seeing how much John and Teacher Ben were enjoying it, she thought a small sip occasionally should be fine.
She had a basic understanding of her alcohol tolerance; although she wasn’t a heavy drinker, she wasn’t the type to collapse after one glass.
Besides, as John said, this fruit wine didn’t have a high alcohol content and tasted sweet, more like an alcoholic beverage.
“Alright, then I’ll try a bit.” Sefina nodded.
Shalina also agreed with a smile: “Okay, then let’s have a little.”
The students were naturally excluded; they continued to enjoy their juice and delicious desserts.
Sefina took the small half-glass of fruit wine poured by Teacher John. The crystal-clear amber liquid shimmered slightly under the light, emitting a sweet fruity fragrance.
But would things really go as smoothly as Sefina expected?