The sounds of utensils clinking on ceramic echoed across the manor kitchen.
Malakai had a frown on his face, but deep down, he knew how much of it was a lie.
Different varieties of mouth watering dishes were sprawled in front of him; roasted duck glazed with golden spice, thick juicy steak still sizzling on the edges, soft mashed roots soaked in gravy, and warm honeyed bread fresh from the oven.
Each one made his stomach churn for more. It was foreign… a feeling he had never felt before. He didn't like it. Yet, why did it feel so good?
Malakai took a spoonful of soup… and froze. It was as though his taste buds had exploded.
'Why does it taste so good?'
He took another, then another. He couldn't stop. Malakai was feeling all sorts of good inside, but his frown only deepened.
He couldn't imagine how he must look to anyone watching. But somehow, even that thought didn't stop him.
He picked up his fork and knife, cut a bit of the mouth watering steak, and took a bite.
'Amazing.' His mind reeled again. Malakai moved on to another dish, baked cheese pie with a soft, flaky crust. He took a bite, and another explosion rocked his insides.
Malakai was lost for a while. He couldn't understand this feeling. Was this the effect of eating good food? Had he been missing this all his life?
His frown deepened, and somehow the miserable life he had lived in the Sanguine Clan became even sadder.
He had missed food all his life. This… perfection.
'What is this boy?' He soon turned his gaze upwards, towards the cause of it all. Renlo.
The boy looked even more lost and excited than he was. Unlike Malakai's frown, Renlo looked like the happiest boy in the world.
His cheeks were puffed up, stuffed with food. His hands darted from one plate to another, eating at a frightening pace.
They had arrived at the manor less than an hour ago, and somehow, he had managed to prepare all this food?
'He's insane,' Malakai thought.
But as he watched Renlo's pace, his eyes narrowed dangerously.
'He's finishing the food.'
Suddenly, the air in the kitchen turned cold. Malakai had released his killing intent, eyes trained on Renlo like a predator.
He needed to slow down. He was finishing everything.
But Renlo didn't even notice. He simply shivered at the cold, then shrugged it off and kept eating, faster.
Malakai narrowed his eyes. The battle line was drawn.
'I'll match his pace.'
He was a genius in battle, known for predicting his opponent's moves and reacting accordingly. Observation and analysis were his specialties.
Malakai sat straight, focused. He studied Renlo's movements, each reach, each scoop. Then, he moved. His hands mirrored Renlo's, eating at breakneck speed.
But it only took a second for Malakai's frown to return.
'I'm not enjoying it.'
Eating this fast dulled the taste. He couldn't savor the meals like before. He had to slow down, but Renlo only got faster.
Soon enough, a loud burp echoed through the kitchen. Renlo slumped in his chair, stomach jutting out like a swollen dough.
"Damn… that was refreshing~" he sighed in satisfaction. But a chill ran down his spine. He looked up, Malakai's cold eyes were locked on him.
"Ah! Forgive my manners! Ninth—Malakai!" He stood abruptly, scratching his head awkwardly. He had completely forgotten where he was.
Malakai just stared at him. Then, his eyes drifted to the table. Most plates were empty. Renlo had cleared everything farther from Malakai, leaving only scraps in front of him.
"A-are you okay, Malakai?" Renlo asked, blinking.
"Why?" Malakai's voice came out colder than he expected. Renlo flinched.
"I-it's just that… you look sad. Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine." Malakai replied, but Renlo wasn't convinced in the slightest.
"Is the food not to your liking?"
Malakai's eyes flicked toward Renlo. He had never heard more absurd words in his life. Why wouldn't this perfection be to his liking?
Renlo breathed out. "I'm sure you're used to eating the best meals prepared by your maids, so I'm just happy I was able to satisfy you."
'Oh, Renlo… only if you knew.' Malakai heard Valentine's voice in his head and, for once, agreed with the chubby man.
"Yeah." He turned back to his food. There was only a little left thanks to the monster in front of him, but he was determined to enjoy every last bite.
Just as he reached for his fork again…
Malakai exhaled, calming himself before he did something drastic.
'A grade two darkness creature will form, but I can probably get to it before it fully forms.'
He shook the thought away and looked up. Renlo stood with eyes full of resolve.
"I-I want to become stronger!"
Renlo bit his lip and shook his head. "N-no! I want to be strong like you. I want to stand by your side and fight whatever comes our way. Please, Malakai… train me!"
Malakai stared at him. The determination in Renlo's voice was real. But truthfully… he didn't know what to say. He'd never trained anyone before.
"I thought you hated training. What changed?"
"I-I…" Renlo hesitated. But his mind flashed to every time Malakai had saved him. He remembered how his family abandoned him for being weak. He clenched his fists and looked up with determined eyes.
"I hate being weak more."
He had asked the question to test Renlo's headspace. The boy hated training, but hated weakness more. That was a good enough reason to wake up every morning.
"Alright. After we finish eat—"
Malakai didn't even finish before Renlo's face lit up.
The boy jumped from his chair and cleared the table in seconds, even the plate Malakai had just reached for.
"Yes! Thank you! Thank you! I'm ready to train now!" Renlo beamed as he rushed to the sink with the plates.
Malakai stared at the table. Specifically, the empty spot where the steak had been.
He looked like a man in denial.
He had been moments away from one last bite. One final explosion of flavor.
And Renlo had taken it.
Renlo's cheers came to a sudden stop. He turned, and froze when he saw the smile on Malakai's face.
A smile that chilled him to his bones.
"You're right. Why wait. Let's go train now."
Renlo watched as Malakai walked out of the kitchen. He felt the shift in the air.