Chapter 7: It Smells So Good...

Arnel Brad felt as if a blinding light was flickering back and forth before his eyes.

He struggled to open his heavy eyelids, but no matter how hard he tried, they wouldn't budge.

His head felt groggy, as if a thousand-pound lead weight was pressing down on it, pinning him to the pillow.

Where is this?

What time is it?

Vaguely, he could only recall being punched in the face by some fierce brute, and then—darkness.

After much effort, he finally managed to open his eyes against the piercing light. It turned out to be the midday sun streaming through the open window, carrying a rare touch of winter warmth.

At that moment, Arnel felt completely dazed, his thoughts a tangled mess. His nose still ached from the blow, and even the slightest movement sent waves of pain through him, likely from a torn wound.

Damn it!

Arnel cursed inwardly.

As a noble mage apprentice, the only person who had ever reprimanded him was his mentor. When had he ever suffered such humiliation?

Not to mention, he was the son of Duke! Though he was merely a lowly illegitimate child… he was still not someone ordinary nobles could treat with such disrespect!

His limbs still felt numb as he cautiously sat up in bed. Those damn soldiers didn't know how to hold back! It was just a piece of white bread—was that really such a big deal?

Gurgle~

His stomach rumbled embarrassingly. Only now did he realize just how hungry he was. After all, it had been days since he'd had a proper meal…

The door creaked open easily; there were no guards stationed outside. Leaning against the cold stone walls of the castle, Arnel slowly made his way toward the stairs.

Since the person who captured him was a noble, there should still be some room for negotiation between them… right? Just as this thought crossed his mind, Arnel suddenly shivered and froze in place.

Because he had just realized something—he was dealing with a noble who didn't play by the rules.

In his experience, nobles were supposed to be elegant, refined, and dazzling. Who in their right mind would knock someone out with a single punch upon first meeting them?

However, just as he was about to retreat, the enticing aroma of food wafted into his nose, stopping him in his tracks.

So hungry…

His stomach growled again. The hunger overcame his fear of the eccentric noble, and so, like a warrior marching toward his execution, he resolutely followed the scent.

And then…

He saw the noble who had punched him.

Sitting at the grand dining table, enjoying a feast.

It was him!

That damned man who had humiliated him!

A noble's dignity and honor must not be tarnished!

In an instant, Arnel's anger flared up, his eyes burning with fury as he stormed toward Bruno. Even the pain in his legs seemed to miraculously fade in that moment.

"I… can I have something to eat…"

But when he reached the table, his hunger won out, and all he could do was swallow his pride.

To hell with noble dignity—he needed food!

At his words, Bruno glanced up at him before motioning for Shabi to bring over a steaming bowl of noodles.

Arnel sat at the table, staring blankly at the bowl of soup noodles before him. This was… something he had never seen before.

"What… is this?"

"Noodles," Bruno replied casually, picking up a few strands with the freshly carved wooden chopsticks he had ordered the carpenter to make and lifting them to his mouth.

Having seen a great many things in his life, Arnel imitated Bruno's movements, attempting to grasp the food with the unfamiliar wooden sticks. However, this was his first time using them, and his efforts were clumsy at best.

Frustrated, he set the chopsticks down, picked up the bowl, and gulped down the entire portion in one go…

"So good… hic… more…"

Bruno stared at him in shock. This guy… is a bottomless pit…

As Arnel devoured his food like a storm, Bruno quietly observed the young mage who had been captured by his guards.

Before this, Bruno had always held a certain reverence for mages in this world. In his mind, they were supposed to be refined, handsome, and powerful figures capable of casting spells with a mere flick of the wrist.

But the man in front of him? At best, he was just a glutton… This completely shattered Bruno's expectations of what a mage should be.

Arnel ate with difficulty due to the bruises covering his face, making him look particularly pitiful…

Once Arnel had finally finished eating, Bruno spoke up. "Are you really a mage?"

As the count of a frontier territory, Bruno didn't know much about mages. Most of them were concentrated in the empire's prosperous central regions. This guy was probably the first mage-like person he had ever encountered.

"Of course. My full name is Arnel Brad, and I am a disciple of the great mage Glenn Galvin!"

Now full, Arnel hiccupped and lifted his chin proudly.

"Oh."

Oh…

Just oh?

His mentor was one of the most renowned mages in the western empire, yet this lord's only reaction was an indifferent "oh"? Shouldn't he be amazed? Shouldn't he be in awe?

"My father is Duke Loon, the guardian of the empire's western borders!"

"Oh."

"…"

Arnel gave up. He couldn't communicate with this completely unpredictable noble. Couldn't this guy show a little respect? He was the son of a duke, for crying out loud!

As Arnel silently fumed, Bruno finally spoke again. "Since you have such a prestigious background… why did you steal my bread? Don't tell me you've already stolen all the bread in the west?"

Arnel almost spat out blood. Does this guy even know how to talk properly?

"I haven't eaten in days…"

"You stole my bread."

"I can give you gold coins—double the amount."

"You stole my bread."

"Fine! I'll apologize. Is that enough?"

"You stole my bread."

"…"

"How about this—you work for me to pay off your debt." Bruno finally suggested.

"You want the noble son of Duke Loon, an esteemed mage apprentice, to work for you? Keep dreaming!"

"Three meals a day, food and lodging included."

"Absolutely not!"

"You'll also get to eat the best food in the territory."

"I am a noble mage!" Arnel gritted his teeth.

"Do noble mages steal bread?"

"I need a respectable wage—at least five gold coins a month." Arnel slumped in his chair, defeated.

"Deal," Bruno said with a grin.