Among the children, Luka was the first to lean forward and sniff the tofu on the plate.
"There's a faint aroma… it's really appetizing," she said, her eyes sparkling.
"Did Big Brother Yuuki make this? I've never seen anything like it, and it looks so soft and white—it's adorable!"
Another of Rebecca's younger sisters spoke with excitement and curiosity.
Not only were Marco and the others amazed, but even Rebecca herself looked on in disbelief.
"This… so white and tender… could this really be made from those common beans?" she thought, astonished.
She had wondered yesterday what Yuuki could create with those humble beans, but never could she have imagined this astonishingly soft, white dish.
"Can we eat it, Sister?"
Marco, Luka, and the others gazed longingly at Rebecca, drawn by the tofu's fragrant scent.
"Not yet, wait for Big Brother Yuuki," Rebecca said firmly, shaking her head.
"You don't have to wait. You can try it first—I still have another dish coming," Yuuki's voice called from the kitchen.
Rebecca was momentarily stunned—she hadn't spoken loudly, yet Yuuki could hear her from the kitchen?
"Alright!"
"I'm ready to dig in!"
Excited cheers erupted from Marco and the others. Rebecca, distracted by their voices, set aside her earlier confusion and looked at the tofu on the three plates.
Each plate had tofu cut into uniform pieces and arranged neatly, giving Rebecca a sense of artistry—she almost didn't want to eat any of it.
How do you even eat this? she wondered.
While Rebecca hesitated, Marco and Luka were less particular. Some used spoons, some forks, and others just grabbed pieces with their hands.
"Wow, it's sweet!"
"A little salty."
"What a unique bean aroma."
Three different exclamations rang out, leaving everyone at the table momentarily speechless, exchanging confused glances.
Weren't they all eating the same thing?
"I see! They look the same, but each plate actually has a different flavor? Amazing!"
Rebecca tasted all three kinds herself, astonished.
"They're all delicious!"
"Yuuki Oni-chan is incredible… he actually made food like this!"
Marco and the others eagerly tried the different plates, voices full of excitement.
Crunch!
At that moment, the tavern door opened.
"Wow, it smells amazing! Yuuki must get to eat all kinds of food every day!"
A familiar, excited voice rang out.
"It looks like the tavern's been renovated," came a calm, pleasant voice.
Rebecca looked up to see two figures entering from the door.
"Asta… Noelle," she said, a touch of surprise on her face, quickly moving forward with a respectful greeting.
Though they had met before, Rebecca maintained a sense of respect due to their positions.
"No need to be so formal, Rebecca," Asta said, scratching his gray hair with a broad smile as he stepped inside.
Rebecca noticed bandages on him and exclaimed, "You're injured, Asta!"
"Just a small scratch—nothing to worry about," he replied, patting his chest and swinging his arm lightly, smiling as if it were nothing.
His gaze immediately fell on the tofu on the table; his cyan eyes lit up as the appetizing aroma reached him.
"What's this? It smells amazing!"
"And it's been a while, hasn't it?" Asta greeted Marco and the others as he approached.
"Big Brother Asta! Sister Noelle!"
Marco and Luka paused, speaking in their childish voices.
"Hello," Noelle replied with a smile, also noticing the food, her fair face showing a hint of surprise.
"Rebecca, did you make this?" she asked.
Rebecca shook her head with a light laugh. "No, Yuuki invented this dish."
"Yuuki?"
Noelle's silver ponytail swished as she looked at him in astonishment.
"This is delicious! And three different flavors?"
Asta's loud voice echoed in surprise: "Yuuki can cook? I had no idea!"
At that moment, Yuuki emerged from the kitchen, carrying a bowl of soup with a gentle smile.
"If you can join the Magic Knights without magic, what's so surprising about me making a meal?" he said calmly.
Their gazes turned to him.
"Big Brother Yuuki!"
"Big Brother Yuuki!"
Marco and the others immediately surrounded him.
Yuuki set the soup on the table, gently ruffling their hair before looking up at Asta and Noelle.
"You're hurt?" he asked, noticing the bandages on Asta.
"Just a small injury," Asta replied.
"Yuuki, this mission… we faced a very strong opponent. Not only I, but Noelle too…" Asta's voice carried both excitement and regret.
"Cough, cough," Noelle interrupted, covering Asta's words.
"I almost forgot—the captain instructed us not to reveal any Magic Knight mission details."
Asta sheepishly looked at Noelle, scratching his head in embarrassment toward Yuuki.
"You're hopeless," Noelle said with a small huff, slightly tsundere.
"Rules are rules in the Magic Knights. Was your injury serious, Noelle?" Yuuki asked gently, showing concern.
He already knew more about the events in the Magic Palace than Asta. Compared to trivial details, he was more interested in the Marcok he had placed on Noelle using tracking magic.
This was what Yuuki found intriguing.
(End of chapter)
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