CHAPTER 050: Mirror match Monday, pt. 4

In H pen, Li Bao squirmed uncomfortably while watching Stunlock's match. Logan's observation was scarily accurate; aside from some looseness in the chest, the black cat suit was quite snug.

"Ugh! I don't even know if I'm the one who should be offended here, or not!?!"

RUMBLE! GURGLE! GROWL!

"Double ugh! I didn't even get a chance to eat before running over here! Okay, let's see who's meal I get."

Li Bao tapped the lunchbox storage ring on his finger, and an ornate bento box appeared in his lap.

"Oooh, Jin Wu! Did he make what I think he made?"

He opened the bento to reveal several succulent steamed dumplings. The smell, while a tad sweeter than normal dumplings, carried an intoxicating quality.

"He did! Yum, yum!"

The reactions to this food in the room were mixed. Most paid it no attention. For the magically inclined, however, it highlighted some extreme ideological differences. You'd have one guy salivating, and another retreating in horror.

"You might want to put those away, boy."

The man who issued the warning sat directly to Li Bao's left. He was too short to ride any roller-coasters, but sported a braided beard which dispelled all notions of him being a child. His costume was antiquated, to say the least: a red cloth cap, green tunic, hide breeks, and iron boots.

"You can't just put away fresh demon dumplings like these. If you are worried for my safety, you could always help me finish them quicker."

"Ha! I'd be a fool to turn down that offer."

He grabbed a handful from the bento.

"Oh, still hot!"

"I'm surprised your hands aren't burning."

"What's a little pain for such a rare treat?"

He popped one of the dumplings into his mouth, carefully savoring its taste with every chew.

"So good! I haven't tasted flavor this rich since leaving the wilds."

"You are from another realm? Tell me more!"

"It can hardly be called another realm. Just get lost enough in a forest, and you are there."

Seeing the pain of nostalgia in his eyes, Li Bao couldn't help but ask,

"You seem like you really miss the place. Why'd you leave?"

"I'm not sure it's an appropriate story for a youngling, like yourself."

"I have a master's degree! So what if I'm only 16?"

"Fine, but give me some more dumplings first."

"This box is empty, let me pull another. I don't know if it'll be dumplings, though."

"Why not?"

"I've got 17 different parents, all packing me a lunch. A fight would break out if two of them packed the same thing."

"Sounds fierce."

"You wouldn't believe it. One time, I found two people packed me the same lunch for an overnight cello recital; by the time I got back home, they'd already finished a duel to the death!"

"Are they like that with everything?"

"Only when it comes to bragging rights. Birthdays are tough; really all holidays, now that I think of it."

He tapped his ring, and another bento appeared.

"Alix Wang made this one, so I bet it's seafood."

The lid opened to reveal a perfectly plated, pan fried sweet drunken prawn. Of course, these weren't normal prawns; they were twice as large as normal ones, and had beautiful cyan shells. It made the dish look like a little work of art, but the delicious smell wafting off it ensured its beauty wouldn't remain on this earth for long.

"Oh god! Devil shrimp," a nearby wizard exclaimed before passing out. The salivators in the crowd now resembled fountains. None dared confront the strange dwarf for a bite, however. It took only a stray glance from Red Cap to quiet them.

"You must be quite famous."

"Infamous is more like it. Now, I believe I owed you a story?"

"An explanation is fine, if you aren't comfortable sharing."

"After you shared all this? Nonsense! Now, why did I leave the wilds... I guess, I had a change of heart."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I grew up thinking I had to be one thing: the reddest cap is the best cap! But, after the fifteenth time waking up hung over in a puddle of unfamiliar blood, I rethought my priorities. Can I really keep this up? The long nights, the cardio, the constant hand washing; like, am I even dying the cap anymore, or is the cap dying me?"

"So this is an extended vacation, for you?"

"I guess you could say that," Red Cap remarked while wiping prawn grease on his beard, as if it were a napkin.

"But then again, it might also be more. I have another 300 or so years left, sure, but even monsters have to think about retiring."

"I can't imagine settling down, myself. There's so much out there to see and explore! Won't you get bored after a life of adventure?"

"You talk as if you have a boring life, yourself. Having so many parents must be an adventure of its own, right?"

"Yeah, but it can be frustrating at times. I love them, and I couldn't imagine never seeing them again... But sometimes, I want to be away from it all. Is that how you felt, before leaving?"

"Share another lunchbox with me, and I'll tell."

"No, these have to last me all week. But, I wouldn't mind chatting again over a meal."

"I'll make sure not to get eliminated easily, then!"

"The Wonderkid! Next!"

"That's me, see you later..."