Eido explained, “It’s an idea that comes from the old tale, The Cloud of Lascatis.”
“The Cloud of Lascatis?”
“Yes. It’s a story of a man who used magic to bulk up his food, and while it succeeded in making him feel full, no matter how much he ate, he wouldn’t stop losing weight. It was as if the bewitched food turned into nothing more than clouds, or mist. It is a cautionary tale against those who would attempt to magic food out of thin air.”
“I get it. The food you make’ll taste good and fill you up, but you won’t absorb any nutrients from it. Sounds great for people on a diet.”
“Master Arcus, please explain your use of the word ‘diet’ in this context.”
“You know, it’s what those people who want to lose weight without trying do. The world’s full of ’em, right?”
“Is it now? And in your twelve years, I suppose you’ve traveled so widely as to be able to back up your claim?”
Eido chuckled.
“Okay,” Arcus countered, “but I’m actually curious about what’s out there, food culture-wise. I know a certain someone who seems to know more about this kinda stuff than me, but they clammed up last time I tried to ask about it.”
Arcus got to work making his sweet treat while they conversed. Since he couldn’t make much use of his left arm, Eido handled most of the physical labor, but even limited to one arm, this was an easier endeavor than the castella. He’d needed to rely heavily on Eido then to make the meringue. In comparison, this recipe was much simpler.
When he was done, Arcus put the treat into a makeshift refrigerator. All that was left was to wait for it to cool. He then tidied up and got on with other work, impatient for his dessert to be ready. While holed up in his room, he was interrupted by a familiar—but uninvited—guest.
“Hi, Arcus. Is the dessert done yet?”
Arcus knew it was Sue without turning around. Her voice had sounded like it came from outside.
“Hey! Get off my property!”
“C’mon, you don’t really mind me showing up, right? Wait, is that Cazzy in an apron?! It actually suits him too!”
Arcus came down from his room to find a cleaning Cazzy being harassed by Sue. Noah was already by her side, ready to show her in. Cazzy looked visibly uncomfortable under her curious gaze.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in class?” Arcus asked. Sue was already enrolled at the Institute.
“I slipped out. None of the lectures today interested me.”
“Won’t you get in trouble?” Arcus turned to the one more likely to have played hooky of the Institute graduates in the room.
“For sure. Doesn’t matter how good your grades are, if ya skip, it’s gonna come back to bite ya when it’s time to move up to the next class.”
“Right,” Arcus said, “so you’re like a college student who’s given up graduating because you already know you’re not gonna get a high enough grade.”
“I dunno what you’re talking about, but I’ll have you know I haven’t given up on anything!”
“The most logical conclusion is that Lady Susia holds some sort of privilege which allows her to skip lectures while evading punishment,” Noah said.
“Yup! You got it!” Sue nodded.
“What?! That’s not fair!” Arcus protested.
“Of course it’s fair! The Institute knows I’ve got way more important stuff to do than sit in lectures all day!”
“Like show up to my house for no reason?”
“I’ve got a reason. I’m here to study!”
Arcus found it hard to wrap his mind around the fact that she skipped out on a taught lecture for the sake of furthering her education anyway.
“I can see how discussing magic with Master Arcus might prove a worthwhile experience,” Noah said.
“Yup, ’specially if they go into the more advanced stuff,” Cazzy agreed.
“Really, guys?” Despite Arcus’s tone, he took their words as a compliment. At least until they started complaining of his habit of saying “complete nonsense.”
“I’m not just here for study either,” Sue continued.
“No?”
“I’m here to treat your arm too.”
“What?”
“I said I was gonna. Remember?”
“Sorta...”
“I did! So c’mon, let’s get moving!”
“Hey! Quit pushing me! In my own house!”
The pair moved to one of the rooms in the house’s tower, which was built right next to one corner of the main, square part of the building. Such architecture was common in the man’s country around the time western culture started to influence its own, and it had a historic feel to it. It was an atrium, its front paneled with glass to give a view of the outside and its back filled with bookshelves, bordered by the stairs which curved around them. South-facing, it caught much of the sunlight and was a bright, pleasant space to be in. Complete with a soft carpet, couch, and table, Arcus used it as both a drawing room and a space to relax.
“Your house gets a four outta ten from me,” Sue declared. “The garden’s too small.”
“That sounds like something Count Roheim would say.”
“I-I-It does not!”
“What’s with the overreaction?” Arcus asked. “Anyway, look, this is the best I can afford right now.”
“So what’s next in the cards? You gonna go for something even bigger?”
“I’m only twelve, remember?”
Ignoring him, Sue took charge again. “All righty, take a seat. Don’t be shy.”
“Noah.” Arcus turned to his servant. “This is my house, right?”
“Yours is indeed the name written on the deed.”
“They have laws about this, right?” Cazzy cackled. “Effective control, or whatever?”
“Give her an inch and she’ll take a mile,” Arcus muttered.