Fiona's Magic Restaurant—the most popular student dining hall at Fusion Academy.
Its difference from ordinary restaurants was clear just from the name.
Magic—mystic energy that had existed on this continent for over a thousand years.
Those who mastered magic and wielded it freely were called mages, symbols of supreme prestige.
—But that was all history, centuries ago.
Now, the Elves' Continent was ruled by Duel Monsters.
Both sword and magic had taken a back seat.
Even so, mages with bodies infused with magical energy lived longer and retained youthful appearances.
Take the chef and owner of the academy's magic restaurant, Madam Fiona. Rumor had it she was once a national-level Archmage a hundred years ago.
Her top-tier explosive spells could turn the tide of battles with tens of thousands in a single cast, as devastating as a nuclear strike.
Nevertheless, after the rise of Duel Monsters, the wise Fiona foresaw the shift and resigned from her post, opening a magic restaurant in the academy to live a leisurely life.
As for what made this restaurant so "magical"—
"One roasted turkey leg, one Caesar salad, and two tomato pastas, please."
Irena smoothly placed her order of favorite dishes, setting down the menu.
Ten seconds later, the food arrived.
As magical energy swirled around the marble tabletop, the dishes materialized as if by true sorcery—far beyond sleight of hand.
Cooking with magic was this restaurant's signature.
No one knew how the dishes were made. Only Fiona held that secret.
At first, people were skeptical. Was the mystery food safe to eat?
But one bite conquered all doubts. The taste won everyone over.
Fresh ingredients, perfect seasoning, and best of all—when you were starving, the food appeared in seconds.
Once those criteria were met, no one cared how the magic meals were made.
Just eat.
"Senpai, isn't this place kind of expensive?" Aisha said nervously.
The Carlos family was in decline and had tight finances. Aisha, who prided herself on frugality, had never set foot in such a high-end place all semester.
"Don't worry, Aisha. I said it's on me—your only job is to eat... oh, you already started."
Aisha, stomach grumbling, couldn't resist any longer and dove into the tomato pasta.
"It's so good, Irena-senpai!"
"Hehe, but don't eat me, okay?"
Watching the cute girl devour food like a hungry kitten, Irena smiled gently.
It was dinnertime, and Fiona's Magic Restaurant was packed, buzzing with noise.
Despite the high prices—three or four times that of normal restaurants—its popularity proved that Fusion Academy had no shortage of wealthy noble students.
After a few bites of crisp salad, Irena scanned the crowd with her icy blue eyes.
"There he is—the Seth family's younger son."
Her gaze had landed on Kevin Seth, Aisha's opponent in tomorrow's practical test.
With his medium-length black hair and noble features, Kevin was objectively handsome. Add the titles of duke's son and elite Duelist, and he was a prince-like figure admired by many girls.
Wherever Kevin went, a flock of smitten girl students secretly followed to admire their dream guy from afar.
Why secretly?
—Rumor had it, Kevin Seth despised women.
Any girl who approached him was ignored at best, and at worst, met with scolding or cruel words.
Over time, even admirers dared not speak to him directly.
Strangely enough, this icy demeanor only added to his dark appeal among a certain group of female students.
Normally, Irena wouldn't bother with Kevin.
But as Aisha's opponent tomorrow, she decided to "greet" him.
Under the table, her left index finger twirled and conjured a delicate ice-blossom, which floated over and burst atop Kevin's steak.
Poof~!
The flower exploded in a frost that blanketed his steak with icy glaze.
Kevin, usually expressionless, frowned slightly. The prank clearly annoyed him.
He looked up and quickly spotted Irena, who made no attempt to hide her mischief, grinning boldly at him.
And across from her, Aisha Yuna Carlos, devouring turkey.
Rather than erupt in anger, Kevin calmly used his silver knife and fork to brush off the frost.
Poof~!
Another ice-blossom burst before him.
Kevin, no fool, realized Irena had no intention of letting him eat in peace. He set down his utensils and walked over.
"Irena-senpai. Is there something you need from me?"
'—Impossible. Kevin Seth actually spoke to a girl?'
His silent fanclub, trailing him from a distance, wore expressions of utter heartbreak.
Though upon realizing his target was Irena, they seemed oddly accepting.
"What? I can't even say hi? I mean, your... hmm, brother, Kaima Seth, and I are at least friends. Shouldn't a friend's little brother be more sociable?"
Fusion Academy's two most powerful second-year Duelists:
The Gray Witch—Irena, and White Dragon Tamer—Kaima Seth.
They were known as the academy's twin pillars.
"K-Kevin?! Mmph!"
Still chewing a mouthful of food, Aisha choked in shock when she looked up and saw Kevin standing beside their table.
After some coughing and a half-glass of ice water, she finally caught her breath.
"Aisha Yuna Carlos." Kevin, looking down at her tomato-smeared lips, seemed to realize why Irena had called him over.
"Sorry, Aisha Yuna. Irena-senpai. I won't hold back in tomorrow's Duel."
As expected. No one thought Kevin would throw the match just because Aisha might be expelled.
Not even Irena.
Irena just smiled mysteriously. "Kevin, I think you misunderstood. I came to offer some advice as a friend of your brother."
"Advice?"
"Yes. If you're not careful tomorrow... You just might lose that perfect win streak."
The entire restaurant stirred in shock.