Chapter 1150 Year 2 Chapter 7: Second Years

Year 2 Chapter 7: Second Years

“You have gotten stronger in these last two months.” The change in how he fought took him off guard. Keith asked, “Why did you include wider swings? I thought straights were more comfortable for you?” Swinging widely brought more force, but was also dangerous as it left openings for opponents to close in.

“Fighting while thinking isn’t working for me.” Herrick laughed as he puffed his chest, “That’s why I’m going to rely on my instincts.” He was never a thinker: fighting with his gut has always been his method. And it was something he would come to rely on, no matter what.

“Fair enough.” Keith would not criticize his choice, “Just watch for counters.”

“I got my gut for that.” Herrick clenched his fist, “Now that I won, I want some steaks, jumbo-sized!”

“Alright,” But I think Alfia and the others will have a say. The group returned to the mansion, where Keith headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner. From the fridge, he took out a giant slab of orc meat. Keith took the butcher knife; the blade never went through the meat as he took a deep breath,

“You know what I’m about to say, right?” Across the table were Herrick and Melor, eyeing the meat like a bunch of beasts.

“We miss this!” “Yeah!”

Keith chuckled, “Don’t worry, I’ll make your portions larger than the others.” His knife went through the meat like butter; each steak being about an inch thick. Herrick and Melor’s portions were three inches thick. With slices of meat this thick, he inserted rods into the meat while he grilled them. Finishing it, he tossed them into the oven to bake.

“Waiting is the worst.” Herrick’s head slumped onto the table while Melor looked out the window. Gabriel entered the kitchen, “Now, now. As long as the food is served, it is worth the wait. Am I correct, Keith?”

“Mmhmm. So wait patiently, you two,” Keith did not focus on them as he prepared the salad to pair with steak; such a heavy main dish called for light and refreshing sides.

Jack added, “But how was the trip to the demon kingdom? You had to fight in a tournament?”

“Yep,” Keith nodded, “I fought a bunch of guys and fought a crazed heir.”

“So nothing new.” Jack grinned.

“Hey!”

“Fighting crazed heirs is your strong suit, Keith,” Gabriel joked.

“Sorry, Leader. This is true.”

“You can say that again.” “That’s for sure.” Herrick and Melor agreed.

“...” You guys are so lucky I have veggies in my hand; if not, he would have thrown them out of the kitchen. But he could still speak. Before he could, the oven let out a loud ring.

“Oh, it’s done.” Keith brought the steaks out. When the metal rods were removed, a delectable and savory meat juice oozed out.

Drip, drip, drip.

“Hold,” Keith warned, “We’re eating this at the table. Gabriel, drag them.” Gabriel was one step ahead as he held the collars of the two princes.

A giant slab of steak was brought before the rest in the dining room.

“Why are we eating so much meat?” Alfia’s eyes locked onto the giant piece of steak. Keith could only respond with a shrug. From it, the princess instantly understood that the reason for their heavy dinner was because of the two across from her.

“Sniff!”

“Do you two have to be this dramatic?” Scarlet rolled her eyes at the two sobbing princes; she moved her plate away, not wanting extra salt to sprinkle on her food.

Herrick continued to tear as he ate, combining the two together…It did not make a pretty scene.

Keith had to cover Eri’s eyes, not allowing her to see such a gruesome scene. Carolyn and Krystal were one step ahead as they pulled out some drapes to separate them from one another.

“Eri dear, eat.” A plate of cut steak was slid over to her.

“Thank you, Grandma.” Eri picked one up and ate it, “Dewlish!”

“How adorable.” Long Yueying smiled as Yukiko gently wiped the fox girl’s lips of sauce.

“Grandma Yukiko, Grandma Yueying, is Cadmus going to be here?” An oddity was at the table: Cadmus, Sohma, and Aidiun weren’t there to eat with them. This was quite a red flag since this dragon would never miss a feast!

“He told us there were matters to attend to for the academy.” Long Yueying coughed as she added, “But he specifically asked us to tell you to leave him a doggy bag.”

“...I see.”There was no need to tell him; he had three steaks still in the oven. If he didn’t prepare extra, his ears would ring the entire night. But this was a little surprising since Cadmus would never miss a meal from him.

The next morning, Keith had prepared breakfast for all of them. And the tears continued onward. Keith rolled his eyes, “Come on, guys. I know you missed my cooking, but there are limits.”

Two times of tearing up were acceptable; a third was overdoing it.

“We’re going to be second years now, so mind your manners.” Second years. Did they forget? Would they act like this in front of their juniors? Keith sighed, “I’ve prepared a large lunchbox, so stop crying and eat.”  

“Okay!” Instantly, the two of them shut up as they sprang up like a bunch of chickens. Their eyes set forth on their meal.

Keith did not focus on them and turned to Eri, “Eri, will you be okay?”

“Mmhmm! Big sister Udine with me!” She hugged the great spirit of water’s legs.

“That’s good.” Keith nodded as he waved his hand.

“We’re going to the auditorium?” This was one place he had been to, since it was usually used for talking and such. Keith and the others stood in the auditorium. Muriel walked over to their group, “Keith, it’s been so long.”