The Ark Of Baldwin Sets Out

"Nonsense! You are the biggest help we could ever wish for! Without food, the battles will not flourish. We will not have the strength to continue with our lives if our fast has not been broken. The children can't grow up big and strong without delicious food."

"And I, for one, cannot leave for a task without the food you've packed for me. And you are a legit chef, not a home cook, so that makes it even better! When creating dishes, you've got a more flexible mind, providing an array of dishes to the table."

Without you, I highly doubt we could cater to Rina's dietary needs since Ysabeau only knows how to cook meat properly. Thus, you are an asset to the Arks, and even if you are not there on the field with us, we won't think of you any lesser as a member of the Arks."

"So chin up, big boy, " greeted Z, sitting down.

Clement was taken aback by Z's encouragement while Baldwin smiled at the chef.

"He took the words right out of my mouth. With these delicious things in my hand, I better set off. Z, try not to overeat since you've got to share with the others," said Baldwin, summoning his armor.

"You're lucky that you've got an excuse to leave now," spat Z.

Baldwin's armor set wasn't too flashy or bulky, looking like it was custom-made only to fit the Dark Mage. But it gave him the necessary protection. It was as black as Baldwin's Aura and covered the Dark Mage from head to toe. In addition, the helmet had a single, horizontal slit for Baldwin to see.

"So, are you ready to clash with that hound again? It's been years since we had to handle him," said Z, grabbing some of the bacon and toast from the middle of the table.

"It's not my choice if I'm ready or not. So I have to answer the activation either way. But I think I've got a shot against that dog since I've been gifted something I never thought I could see as a weapon," said Baldwin, smiling as he grasped the Bokken.

"What would that be?"

"A glorified tree trunk," laughed Baldwin, walking towards the door.

The two front doors swung open, and the Dark Mage whistled. The Angry Man then saluted his friend, and a black figure of smoke ran past the porch. Baldwin grabbed onto the black figure, and off he went to fulfill his duty of protecting the Teuton Domain.

As Baldwin rode off, Bryan came into the room wearing his full battlesuit and ready to devour whatever breakfast was on the table. Z seemed surprised that the kid was an early riser. Either that or the man has severe problems with his sleep schedule.

"I can't get too much sleep either. I'll develop a headache," answered Bryan, sitting down as the Old Chapel placed a plate in front of the Slayer.

"Mate, I think you've developed a headache because you're sleep-deprived. Ask Mavislin for a day off; you're looking like death. Either that or take some naps here and there. And stay off from the coffee cabinets," advised Z, taking a bite out of his toast.

"The Mages over here as odd sleep patterns as well. I don't think the Headmaster slept at all for the whole night, but he seems fine. And Mavislin hasn't slept for the past few days, only sleeping tonight. So I don't see sleeping being a problem here," shot Bryan, chewing on some bacon.

Z sighed and leaned across the table to give Bryan a powerful flick on the forehead.

"Ow! What was that for?!" yelled Bryan, rubbing the new sore spot on his forehead.

"The problem is that the ones who sleep are the ones who don't possess a human body. So Raiyen and I sleep regularly while Mavislin sleeps only after a few weeks or days, depending on her Elemental Energy usage. As for the Aki, he virtually doesn't require sleep."

"Gillian could go with his life and battles without needing to sleep at all and not have any repercussions since he doesn't haven't a physical form. But, instead, we're seeing an illusion of words coming into life describing a person he had seen many years ago."

"As for Mavislin, Baldwin, and Ysabeau, they need sleep since they use physical forms, but their source of rest is not humans' sleep. When humans sleep, they do it to recharge themselves, giving them back the energy needed to perform the day's task."

"For Valkyries to recharge, they rely on the positivities of the people around them. So if you've got hopeful or happy thoughts in your mind, Mavislin would restore her Elemental Energy pool. As for Baldwin, the Dark Mage is the opposite of the Valkyrie."