Chapter Text
Bread. The food that could unite even the most divided of folk. Whereas other foods tended to vary depending on culture, bread remained relatively the same. Of course there were different kinds and styles, but they were all enjoyed by everyone. Sourdough, brioche bread, flatbread. They were the pride of the current world, and could bridge any gap.
However, making it wasn't as easy as eating it.
Marcille, a student of magic, had been tasked with preparing the fire for her class's cooking project. When she had first heard the concept, she had thought it was inane and pointless. After all, there's a big difference between learning to cultivate spirits and make food. Even still, in all her grace, Marcille accepted this responsibility, and though she had some qualms with the idea, she wasn't going to fail the class because of it.
Fidgeting with her robe as she anticipated the arrival of other students to the classroom, Marcille looked at the black, shiny pot that hung above a stack of wood. Rather rudimentary, but effective even still.
Her job was simple. Use her fire magic to light one beneath the pot. However, as Marcille reached for her staff, she could feel dread build up inside her. While she very well could perform the spell, it often resulted in catastrophe. At her current skill level, the spell was difficult to execute on a small scale. Despite this, Marcille gripped her staff, stepped back, and aimed.
Chanting an incantation beneath her breath, Marcille could feel the magic surge through her. In the blink of an eye, fire whooshed beneath the pot, the wood crackling as it did so. Lowering her staff, Marcille cautiously looked down at the blaze. Relief washed over her as she realized it hadn't gone too far.
Giving herself an imaginary pat on the back, Marcille waited for her classmates arrivals, and though she wasn't exactly eager to learn how to prepare food in a magic class, she knew she would get it done.
…
Marcille jumped back from the pot as the fire beneath it seemed to expand and contract randomly. The students around her gasped, watching as Marcille, their ace, managed to burn the thick piece of meat in the pot to a crisp. Staring with wide eyes, horror overwhelmed her as she realized her error. This fire had far too much magic poured into it to be a simple classroom display. If she got lucky, she could put it out and reignite it without anyone noticing, but things didn't seem to be in her favor. All the students' eyes were on her, Marcille, expecting something grand, and when she didn't so much as move a muscle, afraid of tarnishing her reputation, she could practically taste their disappointment in her.
The fire continued to widen and shrink at seemingly random intervals, only burning the meat further. However, before Marcille could cast a spell to put it out, ready to accept the shame of the situation, the flame seemed to adjust itself.
Marcelle's mind whirled in confusion as she watched the fire, which had been brimming with magic, turn into just a regular flame. Turning around to face the class, she felt a wave of relief as she took in their more relaxed expressions now that the fire no longer seemed to be a threat.
“And, that's how you make charred steak!” Marcille stated, partially joking, hoping the class would pay her mistake no further mind. It seemed to work, and amongst the students laughing and a few others going to inspect the now burnt meat, a young, female tall-man seemed to be staring at Marcille with an odd intensity. This girl's eyes were barely visible, and while she didn't seem hostile, Marcille couldn't help but worry if this person had caught on.
Just as she was about to fully turn away from the classroom and back to the pot, her eyes met the other girl's, and what Marcille assumed to be a faint smile decorated the girl's face.
How odd…
The rest of the day passed with very little incidents. As per usual, Marcille was doing quite well, showing her status among her peers. Even still, as the day came close to a close, she could feel her mind drift back to that… almost disaster. How the fire had seemingly relaxed or been tamed, something Marcille wasn't quite aware of how to do just yet.
Thinking back to the sights of the students that had been around her, she recalled that peculiar girl that had met her gaze. She couldn't deny the curiosity she felt, but also worried that the answer might be unpleasant.
And so, with the weight of the day on her mind, Marcille decided to do what she always did when something had ruffled her feathers.
Get some food.
Marcille loved to eat, and almost all her extra coin that wasn't spent on schooling was spent on food. From fruits to pastries to steaks to bread rolls, Marcille could feel herself begin to drool at the thought of eating one of those.
However, upon entering the usual area in which food stands set up shop, she noticed something peculiar. A building that had been seemingly abandoned since Marcille had first come here now seemed to be fully renovated. The wooden walls were smoothed and the panels covering the windows were removed. It had an awning protecting people from the rampant sun. And, most importantly.
It smelled great.
While Marcille couldn't place her finger on exactly what the smell was, she could tell it was food. The scent was as sweet as caramelized sugar with undertones of welcome bitterness. Before she could even think twice, Marcille was headed in it's direction, nudging through the crowded streets.
As soon as she arrived outside the door, she could hear what sounded like a friendly and jovial din from inside, a variety of voices laughing and talking indistinctly. Marcille inched closer, placing her hand on the fine silver doorknob, and took a deep breath as she went inside.
It smelled divine. There were so many foods on display, mainly consisting of pastries or other doughy dishes. Only then did she notice that this building seemed to be divided into two halves, having open door frames that allow for easier access. She read the sign that hung on the wall.
Touden Bakery & Butcher.
Touden? Marcille could've sworn she’d heard that name before, though couldn't place where. She was currently standing in the left corner where the bakery portion of the building was, explaining the heavenly scents of sweets. Somehow, despite the bakery and butcher’s being next to each other, the smells didn't seem to overlap, leading Marcille to wonder if they had cast some sort of spell on the door frames as a scent barrier.
Pushing forward, Marcille traveled closer, her eyes taking in all they could see. People were bustling in and out, and she could barely distinguish a face amongst the fray. Though, as she continued to walk, finding herself closing in on the front counter, she noticed one person in particular.
Standing behind the counter was that female tall-man from her class. Although she was dressed differently, it was undeniably her, from the fluffy hair, squinted eyes, and rosy cheeks. Marcille’s jaw would've hit the floor if she didn't quickly remind herself to maintain her composure.
Finally, the reason she recognized the last name clicked, and Marcille could barely contain a gasp.
This was Falin Touden, a girl in her magic class, as well as a girl who was known throughout the school as odd and unprofessional. But now, standing behind that counter, she looked so refined Marcille almost experienced whiplash.
Taking a deep breath and trying to submerge herself in the crowd to avoid Falin’s gaze, Marcille could feel her heart hammer in her chest, a mix of humiliation from today's previous events as well as a new sense of guilt for judging Falin so fast.
Silently observing and waiting for her time to make a move, Marcille couldn't rid her mind of the name that now seemed to echo within it.
Falin Touden…