After an hour, we finally break through the tree line.
Though we were pretty far from the arena, it's large and easy to spot. The sun's retreating toward the horizon, but we have plenty of time till sunset.
'I'll never know how he navigated us all the way there, but thank you for your service.' I think giving Marshal an internal salute.
We walk for a bit before finally reaching the arena. The headmaster sits on the steps eating a sandwich. He claps for us as we approach. "Kongrashulashuns," he says—mouth full.
"Thank you, sir," Kate and I say with the same amount of discomfort.
The headmaster goes back to eating only pausing to acknowledge the adventurers as they pass him to go inside. Kate asks the nurse—who is sitting nearby—to examine Marshal. The nurse smiles nodding. She walks down the steps to the ground gesturing for me to follow. I do, laying Marshal before her.
The nurse wets a cloth with water from a water skin on her side. She lightly caresses his bloodied forehead with it. Once the wound is clean she retrieves the metal cylinder from her pocket. She draws a mark on his forehead—I'm glad he isn't awake to feel the searing sensation—after a moment she draws another on his cheek.
A few minutes later, Marshal gasps, sitting up quickly. He immediately flinches, grasping his head. "Ow. Dammit, my head feels like a hammer through the skull," he groans. The nurse walks back up the steps looking content as she sits down.
Marshal peeks his eyes open seeing Kate and I. "Oh, hey guys, uh did we get them," he asks—groggy. Kate hugs him, surprising both Marshal and I. Jealous feelings start to creep in, but they don't finish their work before I'm hugging the both of them. I'm glad he's okay more than anything, and while our school's healer is amazing she wouldn't always be there. That aside we did it.
'We didn't just survive the trial. We outright destroyed it!'
We release him. I'm surprised to feel the tears that stain my face. I didn't even notice myself start to cry. Marshal's face is flushed, and he lets out an awkward laugh, "I'll guess this means we did it.".
"Yeah..." I say, trailing off as I notice the arrival of another team.
It's the boy from the carriage, and his team. He looks rough, to say the least. Burns and acid marks are just the least of his injuries. His teammates are injured too, but the boy definitely took the brunt of whatever they encountered.
The girl with the twin-tails from before avoids eye contact with me, and there's also a dark-haired girl I didn't know. He considers us only for a moment before marching up the steps to the headmaster.
"Ah, congradu—" the headmaster starts but he doesn't finish his sentence before the boy swings the clothed puppet piece at him—like a club.
But Marshal is there, grasping it, and shielding the headmaster. Their eyes are locked in intense glares for a moment. The boy huffs letting go and marching into the arena. His party members follow after him quickly. The one with the dark hair pauses only for a moment to bow. Whispering an apology for the boy's behavior.
Marshal sighs, handing the headmaster the cloth-covered piece. "Thank you—Please go tend to that boy's wounds," the headmaster tells the nurse.
"Gladly," she says with an unreadable smile.
The headmaster and Marshal exchange glances.
"Well, you three should head to the arena," the headmaster says.
I tilt my head, "Why do we have to head to the arena?"
The headmaster's face curls into a smile.
"Why—for your feast under the stars of course," he says.
Marshal and I perk up noticeably. "Really," we both ask in unison.
The headmaster chuckles, "Of course. You didn't think we would never feed you, did you? You kiddos worked hard so this is your reward.".
We go up the steps and enter the arena hall. As the door closes the headmaster wishes us an enjoyable feast. Marshal and I are racing each other down the hall—Kate not far behind. We burst through the main arena doors, and run out onto the sands.
We are greeted by the soft whine of violins playing. Their ghostly notes are warm and fill our hearts. We couldn't hear it from outside though. 'Marks.' I immediately answer myself. It's well within the average elf's skills to make a sound containment mark. 'Though that'd require a property type elf.' I guessed there must be one among the hired adventurers.
A large oval table sits in the middle of the arena. Candled stakes dot the arena grounds. There's also the soft crackling of fires. The source being cooking stations set up a couple meters away from the table. 'I can't wait to see the candles when they get lit.'
We sit and chat admiring the quaint scene. After a while my mind wanders, I stare at the stars as they become clearer and clearer with the coming nightfall—thinking of my mom. 'Did you do this too? Is this where you started?' I snap back to reality, greeted by the captivating aroma of the stew placed in front of me. The server hands us all soup spoons and shuffles back to the cooking area.
I just stare at the beautiful stew. I almost don't want to eat it. I just want to admire it, but my stomach doesn't share the same sentiment. I look to my left to Kate. She's already eating a spoonful of the stew, and Marshal is slurping down his as well. I take my spoon and dig in.
Bliss.
The stew is divine. Heavenly. The broth is as thick and creamy as it looked—yet light and smooth. The vegetables are perfectly seasoned and practically melt in my mouth. I also love the taste of the broth. It's so savory—cheesy, but not too cheesy. It blends so well with the vegetables.
'H-how can only one spoonful lead to this PARADISE!'
I'm snapped out of my food-induced trance when I hear Marshal and Kate chuckle.
"How can anyone look that happy eating food," Marshal says—leaning on his arm.
"I'm almost jealous," Kate says.
I feel my ears start to burn. "Well it's really good, and you shouldn't have your elbow on the table," I say—embarrassed.
"Aye aye, table manners," Marshal says, moving his arm.
I take another spoonful of the stew. "But you guys like it too right," I mumble.
"Not as much as you but yeah. It's delicious," Marshal says.
"Very flavorful," Kate agrees, taking a spoonful as well.
Marshal slurps down the rest of his bowel, and I lay down my spoon finished. Twelve more teams filter in as we eat. The boy's team sits on the other side of the table. The server comes over to us multiple times each dish is a new discovery of flavor. Marshal and the boy have silently started an eating contest, and are both scarfing down whatever food the servers left nearby. The bravest of the servers place the plates right next to them.
Some stretchers with the injured students are rolled into the arena, so they can enjoy the feast as well. The more able-bodied of the injured join us at the table. Their bodies are canvases—adorned with various marks. Likely for healing purposes, and pain control. The candles on the stakes are now lit, their soft glow illuminating the surrounding area. I can't help but smile at such a serene scene.
I glance over to Marshal—who is still engaged in a contest of epic proportions—the marks that were drawn on his face have almost completely faded. My face turns somber. 'If only it were that easy for me.' I chuckle ruefully. Marshal looks at me—mouth full—confused. I wave him off and continue eating the delightful steak before me.
After a while, it's finally time for the final course—dessert. After the breathtaking show of flavor I experienced before, I'm almost scared to see what they have in store. By now all of the teams have returned, and our feast is illuminated by the moonlit sky. The servers glide from person to person with proud smiles. I notice that no one gets the same dessert. The table becomes a beautiful array of desserts—most I've never seen. I'm itching to see what mine will be.
A server glides over to us handing desserts to Marshal and I. Marshal has a layered tower of cake and jam. If I'm not mistaken it's lemon from the aroma. My eyes land on my dessert. A cute little cake it is. Covered with smooth white frosting, and bordered with little swirls. And it's crowned with candied strawberries. My heart almost skips a beat as I marvel at the cake's simple beauty. 'And I haven't even taken a bite.'
After swallowing, I take hold of my fork. I cut out a chunk of the cake—revealing the layers within. The spongy cakes sandwich a layer of strawberries. I take a bite. The cake itself is fluffy, and the fresh strawberries seem to complete it. I'm skipping on clouds—the texture alone makes this cake a masterpiece. I open my eyes, about to go in for another bite, but then I see something I'd only heard legends of. There on Kate's plate sat a gelatinous delight of a cake. It's as amazing as I'd dreamed.
The cake is encased in a red crown of gelatin. Though it's hard to tell through the red tint—I guessed the cake inside is vanilla—same as mine. I must've been staring too hard because Kate stops eating.
"Do you want some Benji," she asks with a giggle.
'YES.'
"No I was just—" I divert my eyes.
My heart is crying. I've wanted a cake like that ever since I saw one in the window of a dessert shop in a small elf village.
"Benji," Kate calls sweetly, making me turn toward her.
She slips a spoon full of scarlet gelatin into my mouth with a, "Ah."
The jiggly substance disintegrates on my tongue. It tastes of cherry.
"Delicious," I mumble, too happy to even take in the situation. Kate is staring at me with a smile.
Unconsciously my eyes dart from her to the cake. I really want to taste the cake within.
"Do you want it," Kate asks, not letting me break eye contact. I want to say yes, but if I did she wouldn't have a dessert of her own. "Let's trade instead," she says instead, sensing my hesitation, "Those strawberries look yummy."
I nod—still a little embarrassed. We swap plates, and she takes my fork—leaving me with her spoon. I'm about to object before I realize the situation.
'I can't make a fuss about her using my fork when I didn't make a peep while using her spoon...'
It's not that I have any particular problem with it. If my mom asked me to taste something from her spoon I would, but this situation is totally different.
'This is even worse than the lap pillow—better?'
I shake my head, pick up her spoon, and try to refocus on my own cake—I look at Kate instead.
She's already taken a couple of forkfuls of her new cake. She's even got some frosting on the corner of her mouth. She looks at me with a smile.
"It's really good," she says, finishing what she had in her mouth.
"The candied ones are the best," I tell her.
Kate nods. I tap the corner of my mouth. She realizes what I mean, and promptly licks the frosting off with a grin—going in for another forkful. I smile going back to my cake.
Now that I look, the red gelatin started a deep crimson descending to a softer salmon color. Curious, I go for the middle tone. 'Watermelon?' I'm surprised—the indirect kiss I just experienced settling into the back of my mind. 'I didn't even know you could capture the flavor of watermelon like this—in gelatin of all things.' I try the bottom layer savoring it. I try to discern its flavor. It has a very mellow flavor. If you weren't paying attention you might miss it, but it's some fruit I don't believe I've had before—similar to pitaya.
'All together now.'
I carefully manage to scoop every gelatin layer. My hand is quivering in anticipation as I taste the spoonful. 'Amazing.' Cherry is the most prominent being the most robust among the others, but the watermelon flavor highlights it, and the after-taste is light and lasting.
'Forever.' I promise myself.
'I want to remember this forever.' I think, continuing to eat.
I must've gotten really into it, because Kate breaks me out of a trance I didn't even know I was in.
"I think my new favorite thing is watching you eat, Benji," Kate says. I feel my ears burn red, as I mindlessly go for the cake—now free from the gelatin.
"Is that so," I mumble—embarrassed.
"Yeah—I think you and Sue would get along," Kate says, giving me a sweet smile that sets my heart ablaze.
"She cooked most of my meals for me, and always complains when I don't understand how amazing a new recipe she's made is. If she saw you react like that to something she made she might actually die," she explains with a small laugh. I swallow the cake in my mouth—it being unbelievably soft—now more intrigued about this "Sue" person.
She seemed to be someone dear to Kate, but similar to when she first mentioned her I had no idea who she was. Scanning through my mind once more for the more renowned of the Regneil family—Sue isn't among them. I'm also certain "Sue" isn't her mother's name. Maybe I'll ask Marshal later—he has a concerning amount of knowledge when it comes to these types of things.
"I'd love to try her cooking. Maybe if I meet her we could all have a picnic one day," I offer.
"She'd be delighted. Don't spoil her too much though or she might end up stealing you away," Kate jokes.
"I won't."
The serene scene of the three of us having a picnic floats to mind. I could almost feel the warm sun, and cool breeze on my skin. A small grin forms on my face.
After much merriment, the headmaster finally calls for everyone's attention.
"Hello, students. Are you all enjoying yourselves," he asks. Everyone nods or murmurs cheerfully. "Good good and I hope you all will remember this day for years to come—but I must inform you all that some of your fellow schoolmates have unfortunately passed—"
The table goes quiet as most take in what they just heard.
"—But despite the tragedy that took place. I would like to formally congratulate you all. While some of you got here a little late, I'm just glad you got back safely. You all will grow to be fine Elites and Adventurers alike. You will be provided sleeping bags, and be taken back to the academy come dawn. Let the nurse look over any injuries you may have. It helps no one to hide them, " the headmaster finishes, beginning to leave, "Goodnight. You can enjoy your feast for a little while longer."
Sometime later, sleeping bags are handed out.
The table and chairs are moved from the arena—by the lingering adventurers. Marshal, Kate, and I sleep near each other. Marshal's stomach rumbles.
"Maybe eating all that meat wasn't the best idea," he mumbles.
I chuckle quietly. "Rest well you guys," I whisper.
"Rest well, Benji."
"Heh, I'll try. You rest well too, Benji."
I stare at the array of stars above. Their tranquil beauty lulls me to sleep.