Chapter 1


    “Senior Drakkel! I made some food for everyone!” Mi-Mian said excitedly.


    She rushed into the room with a bowl in her hand, causing Drakkel to pause in the middle of his story.


    All the disciples in the room turned their attention to her.


    One of the minor disciples, Grise, said, “Don''t you always say that? Then don''t we end up throwing out the food and wasting precious ingredients?”


    “Not this time!” Mi-Mian pouted. “Senior Aurien said it was edible!”


    “Ha! Edible?” Kio mocked. “You might want to listen to Grise! Senior Aurien is too kind! If he says it''s edible, it means it''s bad!”


    Mi-Mian’s cheeks puffed up.


    “Senior Drakkel?!” She whined.


    Drakkel was still trying to decide what to do when Leyon stepped in. “I’m sure it''s good. Mi-Mian is always practicing. Her food only gets better and better!”


    Another minor disciple, Miron, laughed.


    “What''s so funny?” Mi-Mian asked.


    “Probably that birds of a feather flock together! You already took Leyon as a sworn brother. With similar temperaments and looks, one would assume you two to be blood brother and sister! Of course he always protects you!” Kio answered.


    Mi-Mian turned her head away as she replied, “Well at least I don''t cling to Senior Drakkel like a chick to its mother! I also don''t instigate disputes between disciples like some people!”


    Kio was taken back. “Who are you talking about? Aren''t you the one who came in yelling and disturbing our peace?!”


    Mi-Mian approached Kio and stared him in the face before scoffing and walking towards Drakkel.


    “You’ll try my food, right Senior Drakkel?”


    Drakkel hesitated.


    Then he took the bowl from her hand. He looked up at her and she smiled expectantly at him.


    Drakkel couldn''t refuse his junior sister. He grabbed a spoonful of the lumpy porridge and lifted it up. As he did so, an odd, unpleasant smell drifted into his nostrils.


    Mi-Mian said, “If you can tolerate it, Senior Drakkel, then I can give it to the two sick guests staying with us without worry!”


    Kirora, who was silently standing next to Drakkel, stepped forward. “Enough everyone! Enough fighting!”


    He took the bowl from Drakkel''s hand and shoved it back into Mi-Mian''s. “Obviously Senior Drakkel doesn''t want to eat it. But you know how he treats us. Don''t take advantage of his kindness. Try it yourself first and see if you would dare give it to anyone after that.”


    From the look on Mi-Mian''s face it was evident to all in the room that she hadn''t even tried her own cooking. She warily stared down at the bowl and then gazed around the room.


    Several eyes were trained on her so she knew she couldn''t refuse.


    She scooped a bit of porridge with her spoon, picked it up and pushed it into her mouth. Her face scrunched up in disgust, before she covered her mouth and spit the porridge out.


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    “Aha!” Kio said. “So you really tried to force Senior Drakkel to eat food that you hadn''t even tried on your own! You haven''t even surpassed master in cooking and you already want to have others eat your disgusting concoctions? How could…!”


    “How could what?” The voice of Rodius Fowl came from the doorway.


    A few moments later, he stepped into the room.


    Kio immediately stopped talking, gazing at his angry master.


    “How could what?” Rodius Fowl reiterated.


    “Nothing, Master!” Kio hurriedly said.


    Mi-Mian rushed over to Rodius Fowl and said, “Master! Kio said that my cooking hasn''t even surpassed yours and so is not fit for human consumption.”


    Rodius Fowl turned to face Kio. “Is this true?”


    Kio vigorously shook his head, his face an image of fear.


    “Drakkel?” Rodius Fowl called.


    “Yes, Master?” Drakkel answered, looking him in the eyes.


    “What truly happened here?”


    Rodius Fowl was known as the strongest Sword Fighter in the world so of course his sword sense was second to none.


    Because of this, Drakkel knew he had already heard everything. If he really wanted to punish someone, they wouldn''t all still be able to sit here comfortably.


    He cleared his throat. “I was recounting a story when Mi-Mian came in to tell us about a new recipe she learned from Senior Brother. We were all going to taste it together when Kio asked how Mi-Mian could bring it in here without extra spoons or bowls.”


    Rodius Fowl raised an eyebrow. “That''s all? Well, just bring more spoons and bowls! You had me worried for a second. You all know the number one rule of our clan!”


    “Of course we do, Master. We should not slander each other.” Drakkel answered, slightly bowing his head.


    Rodius Fowl smiled. “That''s good. It was getting noisy so I came to check what was going on. If you all are fine here, I won''t disturb you any longer. Enjoy your fun and remember, only 2 hours of break per day! The rest of your personal time should be reserved for training and cultivation!”


    All the disciples in the room bowed their heads and answered in unison, “Yes, master!”


    Rodius Fowl smiled and stroked his beard, nodding while leaving the room. Once he was gone, everyone let out a sigh of relief.


    “Thank you for saving us, Senior Drakkel! If Master heard what we said, we would have been made to hold sword positions for three hours as punishment!” Said Zair, another minor disciple.


    “Three hours? Make it four!” Kio exclaimed.


    All the disciples laughed.


    Then Mi-Mian cleared her throat. “Sorry everyone. Sorry Senior Drakkel. I’m afraid you were right. I still have a long way to go before I can even touch Senior Aurien’s toes!”


    Leyon rubbed his chin. “I don''t know… if Master heard you slandering others, your dream to touch Senior Aurien’s toes just might come true!”


    The laughter continued as Drakkel thought about his early days when he would pull pranks on the guests staying in the manor.


    Washing his Senior Brother''s and Master''s feet were among the list of punishments he had to endure for his behavior. Attempting to keep his composure, he didn''t laugh with everyone else. But upon thinking back on his past faults, a small giggle escaped his smiling lips.


    “Did you just laugh, Senior Drakkel?” Mi-Mian asked.


    Drakkel whose face had now returned to its previous indifferent demeanor shook his head.


    “Don''t try to deny it, Senior! We all saw you!” Leyon said.


    Drakkel looked around, trying to find out if it was true. After gazing around, he settled his eyes on the always observant Kirora.


    Kirora’s eyebrows were up as he glanced at Drakkel in surprise.


    Drakkel looked down, his face feeling a little hot.


    “It’s fine, Senior Drakkel ! You should laugh more! You''re always reserved! Reserved when you talk, reserved when you eat, and reserved when you laugh!


    Even when you smile, you''re still reserved!” Kio said.


    All the disciples nodded.


    One called out, “Seeing Senior Drakkel laugh so genuinely is like watching an immortal descend from the heavens- a once in a lifetime sight! I must enshrine this moment!”


    “When it comes to Senior Drakkel, you seem to have to enshrine every moment, Elisa! If you want to marry him, just say so!” Kio said.


    All the disciples laughed.


    Elisa yelled out, “It''s not like that!”


    A wide smile spread upon Drakkel''s face as he stood up. “Come on everyone, no more fighting. I didn''t even get to finish my story.”


    He thought for a moment, then an idea came to him.


    “How about this? We can finish the story and then you all go back to training while I buy some snacks.”


    Several voices resounded in response,


    “Really? Thanks, Senior Drakkel!”


    “We appreciate it, Senior Drakkel!”


    “Snacks? Yes please!


    Drakkel smiled. “Now gather around. Let me finish up.”