One Hundred Years As An Extra

Kaichen. Is this the Countess’ room? Why are magical herbs and ingredients and tools for potions scattered everywhere? Julius was usually a good-natured and friendly man, but his curiosity was making him impatient and the lack of answers from kaichen was making him very annoyed.

“Let’s go out.
I’ll explain,” said Kaichen finally as though he had noticed Julius reaching the limits of his patience.
He led Julius out of the room to the living room.
They sat down, facing each other.
But Kaichen didn’t start with an explanation immediately, he seemed to be deep in thought.
Julius couldn’t wait any longer, so he asked whatever was on his mind.

“Does the Countess know how to use magic?”

“Yes.”

“That’s… Did she learn it while she was trapped?”

“Yes.”

Julius looked shocked.
“Did she… how did she awaken her mana all by herself? I didn’t even think it was possible.”

Julius, like Kaichen, was a student of Matabju.
He was a genius in swordplay and although he wasn’t as gifted in magic as Kaichen, he was still fairly versatile in it.
Having learned magic, he knew how difficult it was to awaken one’s mana even under the tutelage of a mage.
It was very shocking to learn that the Countess had awakened her mana alone.
He had never heard about it being done before.

“It is shocking,” said Kaichen, nodding slowly.
“Really shocking.
I think it wasn’t a lie when she said she had been trapped in the time magic for a hundred years.”

Julius thought Kaichen would explain some more.
But kaichen suddenly got up and headed to the kitchen as though he suddenly remembered something important to do.
This was an even bigger shock for Julius.
He had never imagined Kaichen in the kitchen, ever.
He stared at Kaichen in disbelief, but he seemed quite familiar with using a ladle.

Now that’s just plain crazy…. Julius got up and walked to the kitchen.
He watched Kaichen plop something in the large bowl.
He walked closer to inspect it and made a serious face.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“It’s porridge,” said Kaichen.

“Is this a new poison porridge you are making? Indeed, just looking at it, I can feel the lethal energy.” Julius maintained a very serious face.
The thing in the bowl looked terrifying.
Julius wondered if he would drop dead at an instant if he ever tasted it. What the hell did he put in it?

“Maybe you… ah….
Did you feed this abomination to the Countess? No wonder she collapsed.”

Julius couldn’t see Kaichen’s jaw clench.
“Sorry friend, but this experiment is a failure,” said Julius, glancing at the black liquid sloshing around in the pot.
“Anyone can tell it looks poisonous.
I would never ever eat it if I can help it.
If you were going to kill an enemy, perhaps this lethal thing would do its job.
But… if you are cooking this for people to eat it, you need to pay more attention and learn basic dishes.”