Chapter Text
The second trial was very confusing for all three cookies, including Prune Juice, of course. He looked in the mirror and saw a classroom. There were no cookies, only empty desks, and chairs. Windows radiated blue light right into the cookie's face, but upon hearing a familiar voice he flinched slightly.
-Prune Juice Cookie. With a heavy heart, I must inform you...
He remembered those words so well like it was recently. It wasn't. He loved potion-making classes, of course, but struggling with casting spells of course did make him upset. Especially hearing all the gossip behind your back, hearing your name mentioned in almost every conversation...
-Must you remind a cookie of his traumatic past? That's too much, even for me.
Even now, when he participates in the Triple Cone Cup, he is annoyed by the students of Parfaedia who accompany his school. They seem to mention at every opportunity just how much they doubt his success.
-As your professor, I've done everything I could. But I must conclude that you are simply incapable of learning magic.- the professor continued to speak in the same monotone.
Even after the first trial, in Parfaedia's quarters, he hid from the others in his room as quickly as possible. He wasn't willing to hear students talk about him, yet he still did. "But I still don't think he has what it takes to claim the cup".
-Nothing more than a memory it might be, but it hurts just as much, professor.- he calmly said, not even understanding why he was responding to an illusion in the mirror.
Prune Juice heard the professor say that he clearly has the potential to excel at "almost" any field. That made him keep the conversation going until he decided it was time for him to leave. He couldn't though.
Upon hearing the glass crack, he was simply flustered. The bright light blinded him for a moment, and as soon as he could see again, the culprit of this incident was right in front of him.
-Prune Juice Cookie, I need your help!- Kouign-Amann Cookie looked like she was in a fight recently... Her dress was lightly torn in a few places, alongside her chest plate and sword being cowered in multiple scratches.
-My help..? The winner had already been decided?
-Yes, you're right! And if you're done here, please follow me! Capsaicin Cookie is in grave danger!
Huh, she sounded like they weren't even rivals after all. Why would she need his help? While he was almost out of potions already, and without them he cannot do anything, the paladin had a sword, an enormous one.
-What? In grave danger..? HIM?!
-Yes! Let's go!- she said, then turned around and ran quickly, giving the other cookie little to no time to think before following her.
-Oh... Sure..! I'm coming!
Upon their arrival, the whole place was on fire. The crunch of fire came from everywhere, practically stunning the cookies, the smoke did not allow to see and breathe normally. They had no time to think even, yet they still had to think of a plan.
Having exchanged a few words, the cookies agreed to split. Prune Juice gave his last "fire resistance" potion to the paladin, she drank it, then rushed to help the third cookie that caused all of this. The potion maker was left to deal with the forest fire, preventing it to spread even further.
Moments passed, though it seemed like an eternity, at least the fire didn't burn down the whole forest, that's some good news already. Prune heard a voice call him from behind. Kouign-Amann Cookie was carrying the other on her back...
But as soon as she approached him, a fiery chain appeared behind her, ready to strike. Hurriedly, the paladin grabbed Prune and ran, not being able to fight back anymore, given that she had already carried one cookie on her back before that.
***
When they all came back, Kouign-Amann received first aid, and the wounds and cuts on her face were treated by her friends from the Cremé Knight's school. They told her just how well she did, winning this trial, and also saving the other two cookies despite them being her rivals.
Even at the Scovillia's chamber Capsaicin's fans told him not to worry and go rest, after all, he showed everyone how strong he was. Compliments, encouragement, praising... Why wasn't Prune Juice getting any of these, even after he won?
Unnoticed by everyone, he again made his way to his place and locked the door. He didn't want to be distracted. Right now, he was planning to replenish his stock of potions, since all of today's potions had already been used up. Unfortunately, he could not take all his equipment with him, but he had a small cauldron and various ingredients waiting in his room.
Many hours had passed. He had never done so many potions in one day before in his life, he even brewed more than he was planning. Why? He wanted to share one extra potion with his rival, who was unconscious from starting the fire in the forest.
After he finished cleaning everything up, he placed one potion bottle in his leather pouch, unlocked his door, and quietly walked out into the halls. It's a good thing he already knew where he had to go, so it didn't take him long until he entered a big room.
This room had many volcanic-themed decorations, coming straight from Scovillia. There were also lots of torches... "Huh, I wonder how this whole place hasn't burned down yet?" he thought to himself. After walking a little more, he saw a huge red flag with the symbol of the school on the wall.
He turned right, where all of the rooms for students were. He was already walking quietly before, because it was nighttime already, and almost every single cookie was asleep, but now he had to be even quieter. He walked past all of the doors, he was unsure where Capsaicin was, but it was until he stopped next to the last one.
The aura... He felt as if he was standing right in a lava pool right now, there was no doubt it was the room he was looking for. Prune Juice walked to the door and knocked lightly so that only the owner of the room could hear him.
And he did. Moments later the alchemist could hear footsteps from inside the locked room, the sound of a door latch opening, and a creak. He looked up slowly, seeing a tall horned figure in front of him.
-Oh... Oh, hello Prune Juice Cookie... Do you need something?- said the spiciest cookie, looking down at the unexpected guest. It was truly fascinating how his eyes and horns emitted a dim orange light, which at the moment was the only source of light in this hall.
-Yes... Can I enter?- he answered quietly, whispered almost.
The taller cookie didn't answer, but walked aside, letting him enter his room. It was very hot inside, the smell of hot spices and pepper hung in the air like a wall upon entering. The door behind him closed.
-So, why did you come?- Capsaicin asked again.
His voice, to the surprise of the alchemist, was not sleepy at all. Prune Juice found a clock on the wall, the time was far past midnight. He looked around a little more, though he didn't find anything interesting except the same decorations as from their main school hall.
-You see...- Prune Juice turned to the other cookie, reaching to his pouch, looking for his potion.- I decided to brew this just for you.
The potion maker held out the bottle with the light blue contents forward. Capsaicin was hesitant to grab it, but when he did, their hands touched. It wasn't anything, really, Prune Juice didn't even flinch. But the spice overlord's face got redder, and it was very obvious.
-I think you must be very tired and... This works as a sedative and will help you sleep.- he explained.- Though you don't look like you want to sleep at the moment...
-It was very unexpected from you... Thank you.- Capsaicin thanked him, placing the bottle on his bedside table.- But what about you?
Prune Juice hummed in question, looking up once again. Capsaicin's voice was so much louder than his own, even when he was trying his very best to sound more silent.
-You look very tired... And you have a scratch on your face.- shortly after, Capsaicin approached the shorter cookie.
Alchemist sensed his spicy aura somewhere near his face, then his arm landed right on his cheek. Prune Juice opened his eyes wider, as if asking him "Why?". Their faces were extremely close to each other. That's when Capsaicin snapped out of his mind.
-Ah, I'm sorry. But don't you need to sleep, too?
Prune Juice was happy that at least someone in a while was concerned about his health. Even if they know each other for only two days, there still was something special about the horned cookie. He just didn't know what exactly.
-I wasn't baked yesterday, I'll be fine...
-Okay, thank you, and good night.
He didn't understand what was happening now. What was happening before? He forgot almost all of today's events, laying down on the soft blankets, not even bothering to cover himself in some.
He was too tired to do even that. Grabbed his book, turned to the page where he last stopped, and started reading instead of sleeping. His eyes were protesting, trying to close several times, he almost fell asleep even, but he quickly came to his senses and continued to read. He should have slept instead.