Chapter 66: Ch 66: A Dinner Date
With a few hours to kill before his dinner with Anika, Baldeur decided to review the Mana spells he knew for melee combat. The obvious of course were speed, durability, and strength.
Most arcane warriors would have those as the spells in the casting implement that also served as their weapon. If Baldeur had known he was about to compete he would have included them in his wand, or even used a weapon as his implement.
Now he didn't have enough time to redo his spells.
His father and mother did buy him an enchanted sword at one point but he rarely used it as he preferred to use his hands. It also had very basic enchants. It did however have an extra long hollowed out handle specifically to fit his wand in it.
He'd have to review the rules to see what spells from his wand that he'd be able to cast.
Part way through his training he received a communication from his mother.
"How have you been dear? Have you been eating enough? Why don't you come over tonight for dinner?" She said.
"Sorry I have plans with some friends." He replied.
"Oh, well, how about tomorrow?"
"I'm not sure what my schedule is going to be for the next week. I've been selected to participate in some tournament through a gate. I start a training regiment first thing tomorrow."
"When were you going to tell us of his honor?"
"I just found out myself." Baldeur gave her the details that were given to him a few hours earlier.
"Well your father will be excited. But if you're busy I guess we can wait on dinner. Maybe we'll try and get a visa to go and watch you compete."
He was surprised his mother backed down so easily. Even the tone of her voice seemed off.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, I mean… Nothing is wrong, your father and I just wanted to discuss something with you. Nothing bad, I assure you so don't worry. We can talk after you win this tournament."
"I could come over after my da.. Dinner tonight."
"There's no need. Like I said, nothing is wrong and it's not time sensitive. I've competed in competitions before and I know how important it is to keep your mind focused on what is in front of you."
"Alright. Training might let up the day before we leave, so I can stop by then. Just to have dinner."
"Of course that sounds perfect."
When the communication ended Baldeur still felt that something was off. He almost wanted to head over to his parents, telling her that he wouldn't be able to concentrate until she told him. But he wasn't going to push it. If she said he had nothing to worry about, he'd believe her.
After a little more training, he took a quick shower and headed out. He didn't wear anything fancy as, despite his almost slip when talking to his mother, he didn't consider this a date. It was obvious that neither of them were interested in each other. So definitely not a date.
When he arrived at the restaurant he saw that she was wearing a rather nice dress and almost transmuted his clothes to match. But then he remembered that Renie said her sister had refined, or as others called it, expensive, tastes.
And he was just being polite in admiring how it fit her body.
"I hope this isn't weird. Yesterday started off with me speaking down to you, apologizing, then running off after you showed me something amazing." Anika said.
"It's fine. Trust me when I tell you it'll be hard for you to top the weirdness I've already experienced today." He replied.
They continued with small talk until after their waiter took their order.
"Okay, I will understand if you say no to my proposal. We aren't exactly friends. But I hope that you'll at least consider it."
"Alright, what do you need me for?"
"I need someone to listen while I ramble. Not about just anything, about the designs I'm working on. I think I can replicate the spells you showed me and I have to do it within the next few weeks if I want to impress Madam Bandile."
"I don't know much about Laksulm. Your dad might be a better candidate. Or even Master Volundr. I'm sure your mom can get him to meet you."
"I don't want a partner. I want to figure this out on my own. I just find that my mind works through problems when I talk about them out loud. I just spent most of the night and morning talking to myself and I much prefer an audience."
"What about your sister or mother?"
"I'm not very happy with my sister for how she went about things yesterday. And if I go to my mom, she'll try to get my dad involved."
"I mean I wouldn't understand you."
"That's perfectly fine. I just need someone to talk to."
"Well I wouldn't mind being your sounding board. But I'm about to start some intense training before heading out for a few weeks for an assignment. Sorry."
Anika had a disappointed expression and was silent for a few moments.
"Do you intend to be busy all day? Even if we could just meet over dinner, it would be helpful." She said.
Baldeur was interested in being her sounding board because even if he couldn't outright share the knowledge from his seventh life, he was still interested in her theories and wanted to see if they matched the ones he was coming up with.
He had no experience from that life in combining other Sources to his Laksulm devices. Working on his staff and sword had been a pain, and those merely enhanced his spell casting. This would be a little different.
Plus he could subtly guide her if she was onto something.
"They would be late dinners and I might be too exhausted to listen for long."
"Anything will do."
"Fine. I'll message you when I get out and we can meet at my apartment."
"Wait, do you expect me to cook for you?" Her ears stood straight as she blushed a little.
"What, no. We'll get carry out or something. I'm just going to be too exhausted to go out in public."
"What, do you think I can't cook?"
"No I just wa…"
"Because I can. Plus you are doing me a favor so I might as well do one for you. I'll ask my mother what a good meal for training is and make you some."
Baldeur chuckled.
"If that's what you want to do. I won't say no to a home cooked meal."
"Good. Then it's settled." She started to pay extra attention to the table cloth to avoid making eye contact until their meal was brought out.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone