The morning sunlight filtered through the windows, casting colorful patterns on the floor of the corridors in Saint Roland Magic Academy.
Under Dekalorin’s companionship, Seraphina began her second day of… wandering around the academy.
Although her appearance yesterday hadn’t lasted long, in this semi-secluded academy, word spread quickly—especially since this was someone Dekalorin was following inseparably!
Everyone who heard wanted to catch a glimpse of this esteemed person’s appearance, so as soon as Seraphina showed up today, she immediately drew many gazes.
Her simple yet high-quality dress accentuated her slightly pale, delicate features, along with the innate dignity emanating from her very bones.
It made her stand out in the crowd, as if surrounded by an invisible boundary; the students’ looks intertwined curiosity and awe, with whispers ceaseless.
“Is that the new esteemed adult?”
“Yeah… Could she be from the royal family?”
The demonic aura emanating from Seraphina was conveniently interpreted by them as something acquired from years of dealing with demons, not a reason for her exposure but rather a crown adorning her in the students’ minds.
Her petite stature and slightly youthful face weren’t standards for the students’ judgment at all—anyone who judged a mage’s strength by appearance should prepare their coffin soon.
Yet in her heart, Seraphina was certain that Dekalorin definitely had a bit of mischievous taste.
Seraphina tried hard to adapt to these gazes; it wasn’t too difficult for her, after all, she had over a year’s experience as regent, handling those “fanged and clawed,” “variously shaped” demons with ease—let alone these inherently innocent students?
Dekalorin merely led her across one of the academy’s plazas without taking her to any noisy public classes, instead guiding her through a quiet arched corridor to a workshop.
The air here was filled with the warm aroma of baking and the sweet, sticky scent of frosting.
“Today, there’s a practical class on basic life magic,” Dekalorin explained with a smile, pointing at a group of students inside the workshop who were frantically casting spells on dough.
“Yeah… It really does look like a horn.”
“Though simple, it’s quite fun and very helpful for the future. I bet you haven’t eaten such delicious bread in the Demon Realm.”
She led Seraphina to a corner where an iron rack held already-made breads that looked utterly delicious.
Seraphina picked one up, the blend of milky and wheaty scents hitting her face. “This is… a croissant?”
“Huh?! You know about it?”
Dekalorin’s tone was overly surprised, and Seraphina slowly lifted her gaze to look at her.
“You could guess just by looking.”
“Ah…” Dekalorin scratched her head awkwardly; it seemed… that made sense.
“But… who said I haven’t eaten it?” Seraphina thought about putting the bread back, after all, she’d already had breakfast and had no appetite now.
“Um… sorry,” a slightly timid yet insistent voice sounded from the side. “Miss, once you’ve picked up a bread, please don’t put it back.”
Seraphina and Dekalorin turned their heads simultaneously; the speaker was a girl in a white apron, with a bit of flour on her face, holding a tray of freshly baked breads, clearly intending to place it on the iron rack beside Seraphina.
However, as her gaze moved upward and saw Dekalorin beside Seraphina, watching her with a gentle smile.
Her eyes widened instantly, and the tray in her hands nearly slipped.
“Professor Dekalorin?!” The girl’s voice rose sharply, her disbelief, shock, and panic fully evident.
“You… why are you here?!”
Dekalorin merely kept smiling. “Why so surprised? The most basic magic often contains the purest joy.”
As she spoke, her gaze swept over the scenes in the workshop—though varied in shape, even somewhat crooked, they were full of enthusiasm.
“I… I was just too surprised.”
“It’s fine.” Dekalorin shook her head lightly, then naturally took the bread from Seraphina’s hand that she didn’t know where to put. “Since there’s a rule, then I’ll ‘handle’ this one, alright? It looks delicious.”
The girl was flattered and nodded hurriedly, almost flustered as she watched Dekalorin actually lower her head and take a small bite of the bread.
“Mm, the baking is just right,” Dekalorin praised sincerely.
After a few simple words, Dekalorin didn’t linger further; she gently tugged Seraphina’s sleeve, signaling her to follow.
They didn’t stay in the bustling workshop but passed through an inconspicuous side door into a slightly smaller adjacent room with similar displays.
There was no one else here, only tools and ingredients.
“Mm, this is quieter.” Dekalorin casually lit a few magic lamps on the wall, soft light instantly filling the entire room.
“There were a bit too many people there earlier; you might not be used to it.”
Seraphina looked around, her tense nerves relaxing a bit; this undisturbed quiet indeed made her much more at ease.
Dekalorin walked to an empty workstation, where specially preserved dough and clean tools were placed.
“Want to try making one yourself? Or have you already learned how in the Demon Realm?”
Seraphina looked at Dekalorin’s encouraging gaze, then at the dough before her—how could she say no?
She herself wanted to try, the process of turning a pile of raw materials into delicious food through special techniques felt magical and wondrous to her.
The corners of her mouth curved up slightly, and she nodded gently. “…Alright.”
The process wasn’t smooth; her own magic was scarce, and combined with her frail body, it wasn’t enough to activate the necessary baking instruments.
But Dekalorin stayed by her side, helping her turn on the instruments and occasionally correcting Seraphina’s mistakes.
In the end, Seraphina looked at the oddly shaped but barely recognizable bread prototype in the baking tray and let out a soft breath.
As the bread slowly turned golden in the small oven, Seraphina just stood in front of it, watching quietly.
Dekalorin didn’t disturb her, merely organizing the tools nearby.
Once the bread was done, Dekalorin took it out on her behalf, placed it on a small plate, and pushed it in front of Seraphina.
“Try it? After all, you made it yourself.”
That was the biggest issue!
Seraphina hesitated for a moment but ultimately broke off a piece and put it in her mouth.
“Mm… It’s alright. Rather than my skill… it’s more the good ingredients here…”
Meanwhile, on the distant border line, two figures had already reached a temporary agreement.