A small dining table rested on the shining wooden deck. The dining table had a heavy reclaimed wood top which was a few inches thick. The top wood was recovered from the statue of one of the finest carpenters of ancient times. But it is true that when the archaeologists found the statue, it was nothing like a statue; it was just a horrendous mess that had resemblance of once being sculpted. These sentients should have maintained their artifacts properly. Because of them, I have even forgotten the name of the carpenter. He mus-

Woof.

Oh, right. Sorry, Pochi. I have never done anything like this before: talking about the backstory of a random wooden log. I think the age has taken its toll me.

Wof woof wof.

Yeah, right. I don't age. Now, I do remember. It seems that my memory is quite bad. But it is the first time that I hav-

Woof.

Okay, okay. I will focus on the scene.

"It has been quite a time, hasn't it?" Adisa looked at Athena, who was naturally disguised as Martha, sat on the white bamboo-chair in front of him.

Athena looked around. "You did find a great place. How come you are able to know all the great places?"

"Being sarcastic?" Adisa chuckled. "These places are nowhere near the places you have taken me with you."

"The luxury is irrelevant. The ambience, atmosphere and food is what matters," said Athena rested her elbows on the table and brought her face near Adisa's face. "Besides, it has been quite a while since we went on a date like this."

Adisa followed the same fashion as Athena. Both of their eyes were a few centimeters apart and stopped for a few seconds. Adisa raised his right brow and she raised her eyebrows. Athena winked and Adisa winked back. And thus, both of their eyes followed winking and eyebrows played along.

"So?" Adisa stopped. "What were we doing?"

"I don't know." Athena smiled and looked down. "Maybe. . ."

"Maybe it's good like that," Adisa smiled and put his hand under Athena's chin. Athena's hand touched Adisa's cheeks and their lips come closer. Both of their lips embraced each other and parted away shortly. "I like it how it is now. But I wish we could go all the way. That damn custom of yours is extremely annoying."

"I know." Athena sighed. "I wish that it didn't exist either, but whining ain't gonna help."

"I know." He shook his head. "By the way, I don't think I have developed the skill; but I can feel some premonitions."

"That's good."

"I think swordsmanship is a good skill."

"I think so too. You're also good at it. Though you aren't a natural swordsman, you do have a little talent." Athena formed a low steeple.

"But the skill is important. It is useful as I am severely lacking in short-range combat."

"It will take some days for your new skill to level up. Then we will focus on defense training."

"Yup. With this, I would get a headstart on fulfilling my goal." Adisa smiled and rested his head on the table.

"And then you can leave the knights and come with me." Athena poked Adisa.

"Yup." Adisa nodded while smiling.

"Oh! Did you order something already?"

"I did." Just as Adisa completed his sentence. A young, cheerful man dressed in a black tuxedo and a checked waist-apron came with two wooden plates in his hands. He also placed a pack of napkins along with a salt and pepper shaker.

"Thanks," said Athena as the man exited with a business smile. Even though these sentients are smiling, it is always uncertain what they are hiding underneath it. Most of the time, it just camouflages their true nature, so that they can prey on their next target easily. That's why a true smile can be a pain to be found.

"Looks great," said Adisa. He smiled at Athena.

Woof wooof.

Yeah, you are right. That smile right there is a true smile. I guarantee that his smile is always true whenever he looks at Athena.

Woof woof bow-wow woof waan bow. Wo-

Hey there! Buddy slow down you can't steal my job as the narrator from me. As the punishment. . . drumroll. . . you will be on hold for a while. Idiot Pochi.This little guy just said that maybe Adisa isn't even true to Athena. What is he? A conspiracy theorist or something? Oh damn. I am feeling a little chatty today. Maybe I should also stop for some time.

"Smells great," commented Athena. "Crispy golden-brown waffles straight out of oven with rich maple sauce is a simple but heart filling meal."

"Yeah. It's nice to take a break from capsule food." Capsule foods were another 'breakthrough' invention which, for the best, didn't carry its creater name. They are processed meals which can be stored in small capsules. Opening the capsules creates a standard version of dish. They aren't in another dimensional space but just involves some high-level of food technology mixed with magic.

"Capsule food?" Athena sighed. "You still take them as substitute for actual food?"

"Yeah. I know you don't like them. But I do think that they're great."

"I don't think you pay much focus on what you eat, do you?"

"Well, the capsule food isn't that bad you know. They're fast, efficient and nutritious. They also all have the same taste every time you eat them-"

"Which makes them boring. They're fine and all, but they can't carry a key ingredient: emotions."

"Emotions, huh?"

"Yeah, you know how important emotions are when you are cooking. A processed capsule may taste good, but a homemade meal connects us with cook."

"I have never paid that much attention while eating, because most of my focus is in nutrients and taste." Adisa scratched his head. "But you know what? Whatever you have made for me was the best thing I have ever eaten. Just like when you brought me a sandwich for the first time. They were a bit irregular but tasted something just more than perfect." Adisa gave a sincere smile

Athena's cheeks turned red. "You know I am still learning." She beamed at Adisa. "Compared to someone who can prepare tons of dishes, I am still a novice."

"But even then, my food isn't beat for yours." Adisa waived his hands.

"For me, there is no dish which can beat yours," Athena grabbed Adisa's hands that were resting on the table. "Any restaurant or palace that I have been to till now, including the ones with world-famous chefs, isn't able to make a dish better than yours. Sometimes I feel like I really really should create capsules of your dishes. But then when you passionately cook your meals." Athena continued as she smiled, "When I see your passion while cooking, I get something more than just that awesome taste of food; I get to see you happy."

Adisa warmly entangled his fingers with Athena's. He said in a soft voice, "Thanks. You know what? What makes me happy is seeing you train me. Whenever it comes to training, your face develops an unnatural glow. And that glow is the only thing that makes me stick through the cruel, arduous training; it's effect is even better than the high-grade potions."

"Aww." Athena laughed. "Aren't you a smooth talker." Athena looked deeply into Adisa's eye and said in a soft voice equal to Adisa's, "I just love mentoring you. It isn't the case at all that I like training others for their development. But the fact that I am able to train my sweet love makes me more than happy." Athena looked down. "But I don't like your carelessness. You don't pay much attention to yourself. Just like the case of eating habits. Even when you can cook, you eat capsule food. There are several other instances when you ignore caring for yourself." Just focusing on your objective and never taking care of himself, he should take care of himself.

Like you are the one to talk. "You know how important my current goal it is."

"As if others who take care of themselves aren't sincere towards their goals. Damn you, always finding a reason for your carelessness." But these little imperfections make you perfect for me.

"Well, it is what it is." Adisa shook his head.

They both continued to eat while flirting with each other.

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