Seeing the little witches so deep in their discussion, Lyra couldn't help but smile. "If I make a card that can record Ms. Amisha's lectures, would anyone want it?" she asked, knowing full well that her knowledge of the technology from Blue Star would make creating such a recording card an easy task.
The little witches exchanged horrified looks and immediately shook their heads. "No, no, absolutely not!" they exclaimed.
They had no desire to relive Ms. Amisha's lectures in painstaking detail or risk another homework assignment summarizing a dozen or more questions, like today's. They agreed it was far better to focus on asking fewer questions and requesting Ms. Amisha to slow down so they could take clear notes during class.
"Alright, if that's what you prefer," Lyra replied with a shrug. She wasn't about to force the idea if no one wanted it. She knew when to let things be.
As they neared the cooking magic classroom, the little witches quickly fell silent. Ms. Amisha had already arrived, standing at the front of the room as the class bell rang.
Once inside, Ms. Amisha wasted no time. "The rest of you will continue practicing your brown bread," she instructed, her voice carrying over the bustle of the classroom. Then she turned her gaze to Lyra and Amy. "You two, begin by contaminating all the kitchen utensils on your workbench. This will allow you to control them more easily during your cooking."
Lyra paused, thinking it over before proceeding. "Dean, do we need to infect new kitchen tools every time we change locations?"
Ms. Amisha nodded. "That's correct. Cooking magic is most effective when used in a familiar kitchen setting. The more you use a set of tools, the more responsive they become. It's like a wand; the more you wield it, the more attuned it becomes to you."
Lyra's eyes lit up in understanding. "I see!" she said. It made sense; she didn't want to be stuck re-infecting new sets of tools every time she used a different kitchen. Nor did she fancy the idea of lugging pots, pans, and utensils everywhere she went. She needed a more efficient solution.
Without another word, Lyra summoned her book of cards, her fingers moving deftly as she crafted a new card. After a few moments, a new card materialized in one of the slots.
{Mobile Kitchen Card}
- Function: A complete set of kitchen utensils can be manifested, including worktops, storage cabinets, enchanted stoves, enchanted ovens, pots, knives, tableware, and more. All items are resistant to damage and can be summoned individually or as a complete set. Items retain their state when placed back into the card. Users can customize the color and pattern of the kitchen items.
The image on the card displayed a gleaming, organized kitchen setup, complete with every tool she could need. Lyra examined the card's details and was pleased with her work, although she noted it had used up more mana than expected; 100 mana, to be precise. The additional mana consumption was due to the card's complex storage function, which allowed multiple items to be stored in an organized manner and retrieved with ease.
Despite the high cost, Lyra wasn't worried. She had been diligently storing excess mana into her card book every day and had saved up several thousand mana from selling her cards in the past. For her, the 100 mana was a small price to pay for the convenience of having a portable, customizable kitchen at her disposal; a kitchen she could use anywhere without worrying about new equipment.
Satisfied, Lyra approached Ms. Amisha with the card in hand. "Dean, could you remove my worktop? I'd like to use my own kitchen setup."
Ms. Amisha raised an eyebrow, intrigued as she examined the card. After seeing the functions listed, she nodded approvingly and waved her hand, causing Lyra's workbench to disappear. "Very well," she said, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Go ahead."
Lyra tapped the {Mobile Kitchen Card}, and with a shimmer, the entire kitchen materialized in the space where her workbench had been. It was a perfect fit, complete with counters, cabinets, and all her preferred tools. Lavender and gold curling grass patterns adorned the cabinets and tableware, making the kitchen not only functional but distinctly hers.
The other little witches watched in awe as the sleek, customized kitchen appeared. It was unlike anything they had seen, and the elegance of the setup, with its intricate patterns and coordinated colors, left them marveling.
Ms. Amisha observed with a knowing smile. "It seems this year's little witch is full of surprises," she remarked.
The sudden appearance of Lyra's expansive, luxurious kitchen startled the other little witches, making them jump back at first. But as soon as they realized it was just a card summon, their shock quickly turned to envy and excitement. They all had the same thought: 'I want one!'
This kitchen was far more impressive than anything they had seen; several times more luxurious than the standard ones in the classroom or even those back in their dormitory. Amy immediately recognized the convenience of such a card and rushed over, eyes gleaming. "Lyra, are you selling these?"
"Of course!" Lyra replied with a smile. "But the production cost is a bit high, so the price is steep. It'll cost 500 mana in a one-time magic payment."
Lyra had no shortage of energy when it came to making cards. The magic power the other witches had been paying her in installments for previous purchases would soon replenish her card book, and she calculated that she'd have enough mana to produce nearly 70 more {Mobile Kitchen Cards}. At her current rate of savings, three to four hundred mana per day; this wasn't an issue for her.
But for the little witches, 500 mana was a substantial amount. Even if they opted for an installment plan, it could take several months to pay off without affecting their ability to perform daily spells and study.
Amy did the mental math, tapping her chin thoughtfully. If she paid 6 mana per day, it would take her 100 days to repay the full 500 mana. If she lowered it to 2 mana per day, she'd be in debt for a thousand days, nearly three years. And she still hadn't finished paying off her debt for the {Character Card}, which already required her to pay back 2 mana every morning.
Sensing the hesitation, Lyra offered an alternative. "If that's too expensive, there's also the {Portable Kitchen Utensils Card}. It includes all the essential kitchen tools from the Mobile Kitchen Card, but without the full setup. That one's only 100 mana for a one-time payment."
This was actually a simplified version she had created when designing the kitchen card, specifically for witches who needed the essentials without the full luxury setup. It was more than sufficient for practicing cooking magic.
Amy, however, shook her head. "No, I want the {Mobile Kitchen Card}. I'll pay in installments; 6 mana a day for 100 days."
Lyra raised an eyebrow, impressed by Amy's determination. Amy had always dreamed of becoming a gourmet witch like her mother, and she knew the importance of having the right tools from the start. A mobile kitchen that could stay with her as she advanced would be invaluable. Without such a card, she'd have to manage with inconsistent kitchens until she could save enough for an expensive space item like her mother's, one that could hold all her equipment. Regular shrinking magic wouldn't work on enchanted items like magic stoves and ovens.
Amy's logic was sound, better to invest now and ensure she had everything she needed to excel in her studies and cooking magic.
"Are you sure?" Lyra asked, wanting to confirm her friend's decision.
"Absolutely!" Amy said firmly, nodding with resolve.
Lyra quickly wrote up a contract, detailing the payment terms, and handed it to Amy. Once Amy signed, the contract took effect, and Lyra produced the card. Amy then approached Ms. Amisha, asking her to remove her original kitchen worktop. Ms. Amisha obliged, her expression one of approval as Amy tapped her card and manifested her own kitchen setup.
The new kitchen appeared, adorned with a playful candy pattern on every surface. Upon closer inspection, the design was inspired by Amy's signature meat-grain candy, a touch that made her kitchen uniquely hers.
Now, two luxurious kitchens stood at the front of the classroom, gleaming with customization and style. The rest of the little witches looked on with envy, wishing they could have such a setup. But they knew they were still struggling with the basics; black bread, for instance, so they had a long way to go before they could justify such an investment in cooking magic.
Meanwhile, Lyra and Amy got to work, focusing intently on infecting every item in their mobile kitchens. They weren't just working with the kitchen tools; they infused everything, from countertops to storage cabinets. They both understood that this kitchen card was going to be their companion for a long time, and it wasn't just a temporary tool for learning. The more thoroughly they infected the items now, the easier it would be to wield cooking magic seamlessly in the future.
Infecting such high-quality, enchanted kitchen tools proved more challenging than expected. Unlike basic wooden utensils, these were crafted to be durable and precise, and it took considerable focus to properly infuse them with their magic. By the end of the class, both Lyra and Amy had made only average progress.
Even so, Ms. Amisha showed no sign of impatience. She knew the two were building the foundation for advanced cooking magic, and she allowed them the time they needed.