The little dining space inside Healer Hilda's lab felt far homier than Raiden expected.
Unlike the grandeur of the Goldheart family hall, this place was modest, almost cozy. A square wooden table sat at the center, decorated with a vase of freshly cut wildflowers. The air was thick with the scent of fish soup and baked herbs, steam wafting upward lazily in delicate curls.
Hilda had made not just the soup—she had also brought out several trays of small delicacies—crispy fried root vegetables, honey-glazed soft rolls of sweet bread, and even a plate of candied nuts that immediately caught Raiden's eyes.
It was strange—the three of them sitting together like this as if they were a small family. Hilda sat at the head of the table, her warm smile lighting the room. Kent sat on her left, trying to maintain a dignified air while sneaking glances at the food. Raiden sat on her right, legs swinging idly as he grinned at the spread like a little king awaiting his feast.
"Eat, boys," Hilda said gently, gesturing toward the dishes. "Don't let it get cold."
They didn't need to be told twice. Kent lunged for the bread, Raiden went straight for the candied nuts, making Hilda chuckle as though she had expected nothing less.
For a while, only the sound of clinking spoons and the low hum of satisfaction filled the air. It was a simple dinner, but the warmth it carried surpassed even the Goldheart family's grandest feasts.
Eventually, the conversation began.
Hilda dabbed her hands on a cloth and turned to Raiden. "Tomorrow, when we resume your training, I want you to focus more on steadying the flow of mana during [Healing Touch]. You're powerful for your age, Raiden, but your mana output still fluctuates too much. That instability can sometimes cause harm instead of helping."
Raiden nodded eagerly, spoon halfway to his mouth. "I'll do better, promise. Tomorrow I'll be perfect."
Kent snorted into his soup. "You? Perfect? The only thing perfect about you is how perfectly annoying you are."
Raiden gave him a side-eye, but Hilda intervened with her usual calm tone. "Kent, you're welcome to join us if you wish, but don't discourage your brother."
"Oh, I am joining," Kent said at once, smirking. "Not for training, mind you. I just want to see if there's going to be more fish soup. This one's… incredible." He emphasised by scooping in another spoonful into his mouth.
Raiden paused and lowered his spoon dramatically, his eyes narrowing at Kent. His voice came slow, deliberate, and laced with mock-seriousness. "You know, Kent, I might just have to sell you off at this point. Or better yet… lock you up somewhere safe and throw away the key, to save myself from watching my big brother turn into a shameless freeloader. Honestly, isn't this supposed to be beneath your standards?"
Kent froze mid-bite. Then he coughed suddenly, his face scrunching in pain. He'd swallowed a fish bone.
Raiden blinked once… then burst into laughter, almost falling off his chair.
Hilda quickly leaned over, patting Kent's back until he managed to spit the bone into a napkin. "Careful!" she scolded, frowning as she handed him water. "You'll choke yourself if you're not mindful."
Kent coughed again, then wiped his mouth, glaring at Raiden through his watery eyes. "You're impossible."
But after a quick breath, he recovered and, to Raiden's surprise, shot back with a grin. "When life gives you dead fish… you make fish soup."
Raiden tilted his head, lips curling upward in amusement. "Huh. Not bad. But tell me, Kent—" his grin widened into something far more wicked, "what if the fish soup is poisoned?"
Kent froze again, staring down at his bowl. His spoon hovered mid-air, uncertain. Slowly, he turned to Hilda. "It's… not poisoned, right?"
The healer laughed and shook her head. "Of course not. I would never do that."
Relief washed over Kent's face, but before he could take another bite, Raiden raised his small hand casually, still grinning like a trickster. "Oh, I could, though. If I had to."
"Raiden!" Hilda snapped, her voice finally raising than usual, which made both boys straighten at once. "Enough with that. It's bad enough you tease your brother constantly, but don't joke about things like poison. Have I made myself clear?"
Raiden slumped back in his chair with a sigh. "Yes, Miss Hilda."
Kent smirked triumphantly, as though he'd won something, and shoveled another spoonful into his mouth.
Dinner carried on, the earlier tension dissolving into warmth once more. They laughed, teased, and filled their stomachs until the pot was empty and the plates cleared.
Finally, when the sky outside had turned indigo and the moonlight spilled through the windows, Hilda clapped her hands lightly. "Alright, boys. Time to head back. It's late."
Raiden pouted. "But—"
"No buts," she said firmly, rising to her feet. "Your parents entrusted you to me. I'll not have them thinking I kept you past proper hours."
Kent stretched, groaning as his full stomach protested. "Fine. But next time… more soup."
Hilda chuckled, gathering her shawl. "Perhaps next time."
The walk back to the main building was quiet but comfortable; the cool night breeze rustled the trees as the three strolled along the cobblestone path. Raiden walked a little slower than usual, deliberately dragging his steps to prolong the walk, while Kent yawned now and then, clearly ready for bed.
By the time they reached the entrance, the group saw thatLady Elise was already waiting. She opened the door, her sharp eyes sweeping over both boys before softening.
"Thank you, Hilda," she said warmly. "For looking after them—and for feeding them, I hear."
Hilda inclined her head politely. "They were no trouble at all, my lady."
Raiden barely kept from snickering at that, while Kent avoided his mother's gaze.
"Goodnight, then." With that, Hilda turned and departed down the moonlit path, leaving the two boys in their mother's care.
Lady Elise ushered them inside, her tone shifting back to firm. "Bed. Both of you. And Raiden…" Her gaze sharpened as it fell on him. "Not a single act of mischief tonight. Do you hear me?"
Raiden placed a hand on his chest with mock innocence. "Mother, when have I ever caused mischief?"
Kent groaned. "Do you want the list alphabetically or chronologically?"
"Bed," Lady Elise repeated sharply, pointing down the hall.
"Yes, Mother," both boys muttered in unison and trudged off toward their rooms.
A smirk played on Raiden's face as he turned the corner.
Despite the scolding, tonight had been a win. He'd eaten well, laughed more than he'd admit, and—best of all—found a new way to keep Kent distracted.
Tomorrow's training promised to be even more interesting.