Chapter 62: Steadier Hands

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Steadier Hands

The notification came through on Jason’s phone while he was still looking at Novaria who was looking right back at him.

[Raid Invitation: D-Rank Gate]

[Scheduled: Today, 15:00]

He scrolled through the details quietly

"I just got raid scheduled for tomorrow"

It’s a D ranked one but it’s with a new party.

Nobody I’ve worked with before.

It’s a bit short notice, but the timing works fine.

It’s in the afternoon so that leaves us with plenty of time to get through the day first."

He accepted without hesitation, partly for the money, partly for the growth, and partly, if he was honest with himself, out of simple curiosity.

’I want to see what [Cooking Mastery] actually does with real ingredients.’

He’d planned to test it’s effect on both regular ingredients and special ones.

He pulled up his account balance while he was at it, and the number gave him a longer pause than the raid invitation had.

He’d earned well over the past two months, both lives combined.

He’d also spent nearly as much, medication running close to two thousand pounds a dose, ingredients for every meal costing considerably more than they should, Judith’s fee stacking on top of everything without complaint.

’Keeping a crippled wife alive and happy is apparently a full-time financial commitment on top of the actual full-time commitment.’

He didn’t resent a pound of it. He just noted the number, deciding that he’d consider it as motivation to work harder rather than something to worry about, and got up carefully enough not to disturb her.

For a moment, he stayed there.

Then he reached for his phone.

---

He called Judith first, keeping his voice low.

"Good morning Judith."

"Good morning.

You sound like you’re in a pretty good mood.

How’s Novaria doing?" Judith asked.

"She’s recovered from last night.

I really appreciate you asking."

So.... an afternoon raid came up," he said, once she picked up.

"Would you be able to get here by two?"

"I can manage that."

"Appreciate it."

He set the phone aside and moved through the morning routine with the same careful attention he gave it every day, easing Novaria up and into the wheelchair, through to the bathroom, giving her the privacy she needed before helping with the rest.

While she brushed her teeth, he noticed something.

Her hands weren’t shaking as much as they had the other times.

Not entirely still, but noticeably steadier than they’d been even a few weeks earlier.

The faint, constant tremor that had followed every motion since he’d met her had dwindled.

Jason’s senses at this point had gotten far too sharp for him to miss such a change.

He said nothing, watching her work through the motion with a focus that hadn’t been there when the tremor was worse.

’The recipes have been working.

Slowly. But they’re working.’

Novaria caught him watching in the mirror.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You’re staring."

"A man can’t stare at his wife?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, though the corner of her mouth lifted.

"That’s creepy." She said.

Jason did notice what looked like a slight hint of redness on her cheeks.

He smiled and helped her finish getting ready.

He bathed her afterward, then himself, and made his way downstairs, still turning the observation over in his mind.

---

Breakfast was simple: last night’s leftover noodles stir-fried with vegetables and a quick sauce he threw together without much planning.

Something shifted as he worked, a thin, instinctive thread of essence leaking into the pan without him deliberately directing it there.

[Cooking Mastery] had integrated itself into the process almost as naturally as breathing.

He plated the food and served it. The first bite told him everything he needed to know.

The flavor was far deeper than it should have, richer, every note somehow more fully realized than simple leftovers and vegetables had any right to be.

Novaria tasted it, paused, and tasted it again.

"I watched you make this," she said slowly. "I watched the whole thing. I still can’t figure out how it tastes so good." She says, between bites

"It’s just part of my natural charm I guess"

She studied him a moment longer, curious and faintly suspicious, but let it go, finishing the bowl with clear enjoyment.

’Can’t exactly explain the system’s reward without explaining the rest of it.’

"Could you make this again tomorrow?" she asked.

"I will if you want me to."

"Then I’m saying I want you to."

"Then its done"

She laughed softly, and he found himself smiling before returning to his own bowl.

Breakfast passed without either of them needing to fill the silence.

The quiet felt comfortable, something they’d built without noticing.

He cleaned the dishes afterward and spent the remaining hours before Judith’s arrival in the yard, running through his forms with disciplined focus, the sword answering cleanly through every transition.

---

Judith arrived a little before two, knocking twice before Jason crossed to let her in.

"There she is," Judith said warmly, spotting Novaria across the room, her whole face brightening the way it always did. "How are you holding up?"

"I’m fine," Novaria said in a tone she used when she genuinely meant it rather than deflecting.

"Good. I’ll hold you to that." Judith set her bag down, already settling into the familiar rhythm of the household.

"Go on, then, whatever today’s job is. We’ll manage."

Jason checked his equipment, ensuring his mask, cloak, and supplies were tucked safely inside his bag.

"Call me if anything happens."

"Jason," Novaria said.

He turned.

"Come back in one piece."

The words were ordinary, but her expression wasn’t. She wasn’t asking him to abandon the raid or pretending she could keep him safe. She was simply letting him know that someone would be waiting.

"I will."

He gave them both a final glance before heading toward the door, the quiet satisfaction of the morning still sitting warm in his chest.

Outside, the air was cool against his face. He checked the Gate’s location again on his phone and started toward the meeting point.