The Grand Hall had grown louder as the afternoon passed.
Students still crowded Noel's table. But now, it wasn't only students.
"Ho?"
A voice carried through the chatter.
Professor Glenn, head of Alchemy, approached with a curious gleam in his eyes. His robes smelled faintly of herbs and powders.
He picked up one of the pastries without hesitation, sniffed, then bit in.
Crunch!
Sweetness followed by something mellow.
"Mm. Good balance. Not overwhelming. This kind of palate control…"
His brow furrowed, then rose again.
"Instructor Noel, you could've been an alchemist.
This kind of precision is… admirable."
Noel tilted his head slightly.
"…That so."
Glenn gave a short laugh, shaking his head as he moved on.
"Students could learn a lot from this. Hah!"
Soon after came Professor Seline, who taught elemental history.
"Oh my, this is delightful."
She sampled a taiyaki, her silver earrings swaying.
"Red bean? But smoother, richer.
And look at their faces."
