"Sir Mic, my apologies for disturbing your rest," a voice called from outside. "I have come at the command of the Grand Mage."
Michael's brow furrowed slightly at the mention of Mage Lian.
Still, Michael stood up and moved to open the door.
The knight standing outside gave him a respectful nod before continuing, "The Grand Mage requests your presence in the dining space of the flying ship for a meal."
Michael's eyes narrowed.
An invitation to a meal?
It shouldn't be that simple.
Michael considered refusing but ultimately chose against it.
It was better to face it directly than avoid it.
Also avoiding it might come off as rude.
For most people, Michael wouldn't care about what they thought but it was different for Mage Lian.
This was the person that made it largely possible for him to quickly integrate into this world.
This and their relationship was also good. Something Michael could not see ending soon and wished it didn't.
"Lead the way," Michael said, stepping forward.
As they walked through the corridors of the flying ship, Michael's thoughts drifted to several things.
One being what Mage Lian wanted.
Two, were they cooks on the ship?
Michael followed the knight through the ship's well-lit corridors, his boots echoing faintly against the smooth, polished floors.
The knight ahead of him came to a stop before an ornate wooden door.
With a firm knock, the knight pushed it open and gestured for Michael to enter.
Inside, a long dining table stretched across the slightly spacious room, covered in an assortment of dishes.
The warm aroma of roasted meats, seasoned vegetables, and exotic spices filled the air. The setting was elaborate, more reminiscent of a royal banquet than a simple meal on a flying vessel.
Mage Lian sat at the far end of the table, his posture composed yet relaxed.
His red robes shimmered faintly in the candlelight.
This robe was just the same as before, with visible signs of age, but it seemed to have been cleaned of dirt when Mage Lian returned to the ship.
As Michael entered, Mage Lian sharp eyes met his.
"Sir Mic," He greeted with a small nod, motioning toward an empty seat across from him. "Please, sit."
Michael complied, settling into the comfortable chair as a Knight in the room moved to pour him a glass of deep amber wine.
He took the goblet but didn't drink, waiting for Mage Lian to speak.
"You must be wondering why I called you here," He began, his voice deep yet carrying a weight of authority.
Michael met his gaze evenly. "The thought did cross my mind."
A small smile played on Mage Lian lips. "Straightforward as always." he gestured toward the spread of food. "Eat first. Then, we shall talk."
Michael hesitated for a moment before nodding. It would be rude to refuse, and truthfully, the sight of the well-prepared meal stirred his appetite.
This world really had its way with food for him.
Michael picked up a fork and sampled a piece of seasoned meat, savoring the rich blend of spices and tender texture.
Mage Lian watched Michael's reaction with a smile as he took the first bite.
The meal was exquisite, with each dish seeming to complement the other perfectly.
The flavors were rich, the spices subtly layered, creating a mouthwatering experience that even a seasoned traveler would appreciate.
"So, how is it?" Mage Lian asked, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.
Michael swallowed the bite, nodding. "It's...good."
Mage Lian smiled and dropped a revelation that surprised Michael.
"They were made by the knights on the ship with us."
Michael paused for a second before responding. "I didn't expect knights to be such good cooks."
Mage Lian chuckled softly. "You're not wrong to be surprised. But not all knights are purely combat-focused. Some of them possess a variety of skills beyond fighting."
Mage Lian gave a small wave of his hand as if dismissing the thought. "It's more common than you might think, especially among those who've traveled extensively."
Michael raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this revelation.
He had always seen the knights as stalwart warriors, trained solely for battle. The idea that they might also possess the art of cooking—or other, more subtle skills—was unexpected.
Mage Lian's gaze softened slightly, the amusement in his eyes dimming just a fraction. "I've learned that the more one experiences the world, the more skills they tend to pick up. It's not about what they are trained for; it's about adapting to whatever circumstances they find themselves in."
Michael nodded thoughtfully, his mind shifting gears. He didn't quite share the same experience, having come from a world where survival was simpler. Well, up until recent events that is.
Still, he understood the sentiment.
Survival and adaptation—he'd seen that firsthand when he had arrived in this world for the first time.
Unlike what Michael had expected, that the mage would go straight to the point of why he had requested his presence, Mage Lian instead seemed content to treat the meal as the main focus of the evening.
Alongside this, Mage Lian took on the role of an entertaining host.
This was outside of Michael's expectations, but he didn't interrupt.
One, this was a good way to pass the time.
Two, through their discussion, he could glean bits of information about this part of the land of origin he was in, all while being entertained.
Minutes passed, and as Mage Lian and Michael talked, their conversation subconsciously brought them a little closer, a quiet understanding growing between them.
For a moment, the two stopped conversing and simply focused on eating.
The knight in the room, though surprised by the scene—especially given the status of the grand mage—could only keep his thoughts to himself.
Suddenly, Mage Lian turned to look at him.
"Would you mind stepping out for a bit?" Mage Lian asked.
It sounded like a question, but it was undoubtedly a command. The knight didn't dare hesitate. After a respectful bow, he left the room.