Chương 116: Chapter 072 [Alarm Clock Rooster] (Part 2)

"Hey, Mom." Jack entered the kitchen. The air was rich with the smell of spices and simmering broth.

"Need a hand?" He waved to Zia as he passed. She was standing on a stool, shaping biscuits into animals and trees.

"They look awesome." The little girl blushed at the compliment and focused harder on her doughy task.

"There isn't much to do right now." Anna continued glazing a tray of sausage rolls.

"But in another hour, I have a large batch of meat that requires marinating overnight." Jack nodded and sat at the kitchen table. The warmth from the oven and the soft glow of the aether lantern filled the space with domestic calm.

"Polly not around?" Anna checked the clock.

"She's due home any minute." As if on cue, the front door opened.

"Speak of the devil." Polly entered the kitchen, dropped her bags of tailoring supplies against the wall, and collapsed into a chair.

"I'm starving!" Jack chuckled. Anna rolled her eyes.

"Welcome home, sweet daughter of mine. Yes, I've had a wonderful day with little Zia." Zia smiled up at her new mother.

"I'm so glad you asked. How was your day?" She placed her hands on her hips. Polly smirked.

"It's been quite a difficult day, Mom." She lifted her index finger.

"Stabbed myself with a needle… look at the wound." There wasn't even a pinprick.

"I fear I might lose it. I feel faint from the loss of blood and need food." She gave a theatrical sigh and slumped in her chair. Jack burst out laughing, joined by Zia's uncontrollable giggles. Anna shook her head, trying not to smile.

"We're eating in around fifteen minutes."

"Then I'll try to survive until then." Polly placed a hand to her heart. She smirked while pointing her limp finger.

"My days of pointing an accusing finger at Jack are over." Their mother shook her head and went back to cooking. Jack leaned back in his chair, letting the laughter fade into quiet warmth. For a moment, the fear of the Inquisition, the weight of secrets, and the uncertainty of tomorrow's trials all felt distant, reduced to nothing more than shadows. [Multitasking] and [Perfect Recall] were sorting through his memories of past skills he'd already inscribed in his first life.

He'd already found a few, but none of them was suitable to cast in front of his family. He might get away with casting [Hair Flair] if they were outside; the skill would summon a slight breeze to ruffle the mage's hair. But he couldn't explain away a skill like [Summon Orb], which produced a small floating orb of light. Jack smiled as he cast a spell under the table that no one should notice. His hands felt warm like he'd been wearing woollen gloves. Hmm… that feels quite nice.

[Warm Hands] Keeps fingers toasty in cold weather. Duration: 5-10 minutes, depending upon the weather. The kitchen was alive with warmth and fragrance. Anna set the last of the dishes on the table, steam curling up from platters of roast vegetables, buttered potatoes, and thick slices of herbed beef. Zia stood beside the tray of biscuits she'd shaped earlier, beaming when Anna praised her work.

"Perfect timing." Anna looked towards the kitchen door as it opened. William stepped in with a rare smile on his face.

"Smells wonderful." He leaned in to kiss her cheek.

"Had a good day?" She set out the cutlery.

"Perfect. Clear air, good company." He smiled across the table at Jack.

"You should be proud; our son didn't even complain once about the hills." The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Jack laughed.

"You nearly fell asleep on that rock, Dad." William grinned.

"A man deserves a moment's rest now and then." In his cot by the hearth, little Richard kicked his legs and gurgled. Polly leaned over to tickle his foot, earning a delighted squeal. The family gathered around the table. Anna served food onto plates while William poured drinks. For a while, the only sounds were the clinking of cutlery and the low murmur of contented voices. Zia announced, "I made the biscuits!"

"You did?" William raised his brows.

"Well then, I'll save room for one. Maybe two." Zia nodded. Jack ate in silence for a moment, taking in the smell of herbs and the warmth of the kitchen. The world outside their home felt distant: the Inquisition, the blood mages, the Academy, all the weight that waited beyond their walls. [Multitask] and [Perfect Recall] had found another skill he could cast now. He cast [Book Locator], and the nearest book glowed and hummed. Damn. That's bright.

He checked his family's reaction, but they continued with their meal. He double-checked the skill description. [Book Locator] Points towards the nearest book. Hmm… they really should've added a note that only the mage sees and hears the effect of the skill. Jack continued eating as the glow and hum faded away within a minute. Could be useful in finding hidden books. Right, no more untested skills in front of people. It's too risky. When the meal had settled into its rhythm, William leaned back in his chair.

"I was thinking, if the weather holds, we should go fishing next Sunday. Haven't had a quiet morning by the river in far too long."

"That sounds fun," Jack replied. Zia clapped her hands.

"Fishing!" Anna smiled.

"I might come along just to watch you all fail to catch anything." William grinned.

"You'll regret those words when we bring home half the river."

"Count me out." Polly stuffed her mouth full of food.

"I get enough bad fish smell from Jack's room."

"Ha. Ha. Ha." Jack rolled his eyes.

"I'm surprised your room hasn't been cordoned off by the city guard as a health hazard." Polly chuckled. Next Sunday… The memory struck like a stone dropped in still water: the Baron's invitation to the stag hunt, the ritual behind the laughter and wine. Cain dragged forward as the nobles smiled and watched. That's the same day. Jack took a sip of orange juice, forcing his face to stay calm. I'll need an excuse to avoid the hunt. The conversation moved on. Polly was complaining about rehearsals with her friends.

"How am I meant to remember my lines when Clara keeps forgetting hers? We've been practising the same scene for a week, and she still can't remember who she's meant to slap and who to kiss." Anna chuckled.

"Perhaps she's kissing the wrong person on purpose."

"I wouldn't mind if she did." Polly sighed.

"At least it would be interesting." Laughter rippled around the table. Anna smiled as she gathered the empty plates. When the noise faded, William turned to Jack.

"So, the Academy tomorrow." Jack nodded.

"It's a little daunting."

"I never studied there myself." William leaned forward.

"But I've met plenty who did. You'll meet every sort. Over half are the children of nobles, the rest are merchants' children, and those with deep enough pockets. Don't let the titles bother you, Son. Nobles aren't as different as they pretend." Anna made a quiet sound of agreement.

"And be polite. Don't draw attention to yourself. It'll make life easier." Jack smiled.

"I'll try." He wondered which of the young blood mages were attending the Academy. If only I could stay away from them all. William leaned further forward, elbows on the table.

"Just remember, the Academy isn't the whole world. Learn what you can, make a few friends you can trust, and don't let anyone push you into something foolish." He tapped the table in thought.

"If the Baron continues to sponsor you, you'll be set for life as an Apprentice Mage, Jack." Jack met his father's eyes and nodded. If only you knew. After the meal, once the younger children were settled for the night, Jack stayed behind while Anna prepared for the morning's work. She had a dozen trays of meat laid out, glistening under the lamplight.

"Hand me that bowl, will you?" Anna gestured. Jack passed it over, then rolled up his sleeves to lend a hand. They worked side by side in quiet rhythm, coating cuts of meat in thick marinade. The scent of spice, wine, and garlic from the rich mix filled the kitchen.

"Thank you," Anna said after a while.

"It's easier with two pairs of hands." Jack smiled.

"This is fun. Anytime, Mom." The scrape of spoons, the patter of rain on the window, and the muffled sound of his father snoring in the next room filled the space. The moment felt safe, fragile but whole. When they finished, Anna covered the trays with cloths and sighed.

"There. All ready for the morning." Jack washed his hands and looked towards the dark window where the blood-red rose sat. Tomorrow he'd walk through the Academy gates, and a new chapter of his life would begin. Anna gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks, Son." She frowned.

"Why's your collar stained blue?"

"Is it? Probably ink." He thought of the sweat spell. Stupid spell. For now, he let the quiet kitchen hold him, warm and still, while the rain tapped against the glass. Tomorrow would come soon enough. Tonight, he was home with those he loved.