Chapter 32: A Poisoned Lunch

【Eksu PoV】

I sat at the long table in the academy dining hall.

I was ready to enjoy a quiet meal after a busy morning of classes.

The room was filled with quiet murmurs and the clink of utensils.

I waited as the other students settled into their seats.

I felt a mix of relief and cautious hope.

Lilith entered the room carrying a small basket.

Her eyes shone with excitement.

She walked toward our table with a bright smile.

“I made lunch for everyone!”

Her voice rang out cheerfully.

I noticed Elizabeth and Siegfried already seated at the table.

They looked at Lilith with calm expressions.

Lilith placed her basket on the table and carefully lifted the cloth.

Inside, there was a dark, thick stew that looked a bit strange.

The aroma was unusual and slightly bitter, like burnt herbs.

“I hope you all enjoy my special stew!”

Her tone was filled with pride.

I glanced at Elizabeth as she reached for a bowl.

Her movements were steady and confident.

“I made this recipe all by myself!”

I thought about Lilith’s inexperience in cooking.

Her experiments in the kitchen were always unpredictable.

I silently wondered if she had mixed the wrong herbs by accident.

Siegfried frowned as he looked at the bowl.

He eyed the stew with a hint of suspicion.

I sensed his wariness from his guarded expression.

“I don’t think I will eat this today,” Siegfried said firmly in a steady voice.

Lilith’s smile faltered for a moment.

Her face showed a trace of confusion and worry.

She quickly tried to hide her disappointment.

“It is my first time cooking!” Her voice came out softly, almost pleading for understanding.

I could tell she did not know that some of the herbs she used were poisonous.

I felt my heart race with worry for her well-being, even though I was protected.

Elizabeth reached for a spoon and scooped a small amount of the stew into her bowl.

She studied the food with careful, measured eyes.

I knew from past experiences that she was used to handling dangerous substances.

“Here, try some,” Elizabeth said in her cool, calm tone.

I nodded silently.

I took a spoonful of the stew and brought it to my mouth.

My Absolute Defense activated, stopping any harmful effects from the poison.

I did not feel a thing, even though I knew the stew was dangerous.

I swallowed the bite with a forced smile.

The taste was bitter and off, but my body remained unharmed.

I was thankful that my ability protected me.

Siegfried shook his head.

He looked at the stew with clear distrust.

His eyes told me he would not risk his health.

“I refuse to eat this,” Siegfried said again, his voice even and strong.

Lilith looked down, her smile turning into a sad frown.

She blinked repeatedly as she tried to understand his refusal.

Her face held innocent confusion.

“I worked so hard on this recipe,” Lilith said softly, her voice tinged with hurt.

Elizabeth continued eating her stew without any sign of distress.

She chewed slowly and maintained her calm expression.

I watched her with a mix of relief and curiosity.

I took another careful bite.

My mind raced with the thought that Lilith had made a serious mistake.

I knew the stew was poisoned, but my ability kept me safe.

The taste was unpleasant and bitter.

I forced a smile and nodded slightly as I chewed.

Inside, I was silently thankful for my Absolute Defense.

Siegfried looked even more troubled as he stared at his untouched bowl.

He kept his eyes fixed on the food as if it might harm him.

I understood his caution, knowing the risks of eating something dangerous.

Elizabeth finished her portion with calm determination.

She placed her spoon down and continued to eat without hesitation.

Her steady behavior made it clear that she was well-accustomed to poison.

The room fell quiet for a moment.

I listened to the soft sounds of chewing and the occasional clink of cutlery.

The tension was thick, mixed with the awkward silence of an unusual meal.

Lilith’s eyes shone with hopeful excitement again.

She glanced at Siegfried and me as if seeking approval.

Her face was bright despite the mishap.

“You will like it next time!” Lilith said brightly, her voice full of promise.

Siegfried shook his head slowly.

He kept his gaze on his empty bowl and did not speak further.

His silence spoke louder than any words.

Elizabeth looked at Lilith with a slight, knowing smile.

Her eyes were calm, and she seemed to accept the meal as part of the academy life.

I noted her quiet confidence and measured tone.

I took a final bite from my bowl.

The unpleasant taste lingered, but I felt safe.

I appreciated that my ability had saved me from harm yet again.

The meal slowly came to an end.

I placed my spoon down and sighed quietly.

I was relieved that the dangerous stew was finished.

Lilith gathered the empty plates and began to clean up.

Her movements were careful, though still filled with a childlike eagerness.

She did not understand the true danger of what she had cooked.

“I promise I will do better next time,” Lilith said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her words were filled with genuine hope and innocence.

I felt a mix of pity and concern for her.

It was clear that she was still learning.

Elizabeth continued to eat calmly.

Her steady, experienced manner made her seem untouchable by the food’s effects.

Siegfried remained silent, his expression serious and guarded.

I finished my meal quietly.

I felt a subtle warmth of relief knowing I had not been harmed.

The dangerous stew had been a close call, but I was safe.

I looked around at the other two.

Elizabeth’s calm assurance and Siegfried’s firm refusal painted a clear picture.

Each of us reacted in our own way to the risky meal.

The noisy murmurs of other students faded into the background.

I sat back in my chair and took a deep breath.

I silently thanked my Absolute Defense for protecting me.

The meal was over, and we had all finished our food in our own way.

Despite the poison in Lilith’s cooking, we had managed to survive.

The experience would be a lesson for all of us.

I knew that from now on, I would be extra cautious around anything Lilith cooked.

Her experiments were unpredictable, and I hoped she would learn over time.

Yet, the day at the academy was far from over.

I stood up slowly, feeling the weight of the meal lift from my shoulders.

The crisis of the poisoned stew was now just a memory.

I felt a small spark of hope for safer meals in the future.

We all cleared our table and began to leave the dining hall.

I glanced at Elizabeth and Siegfried, each lost in their own thoughts.

Lilith followed behind, still smiling hopefully.

The dangerous lunch had ended.

I walked away, silently promising myself to be more careful next time.

The academy life had just begun, and I knew there would be many challenges ahead.

My life at the academy was just starting, and I was determined to learn from every moment.