Before she even realized it...
Sera had devoured two full plates of dumplings—big ones, too—until Roxxy leaned over with a smirk.
"I thought you said you weren't hungry."
"!"
Chopsticks still hanging from her mouth, Sera froze mid-bite.
"You eat well, Miss Sera. I like that."
It was Annie, seated closest, offering the compliment.
Sera wiped her mouth bashfully.
"Sera..."
Mickey called to her from the other side of Roxxy.
"Normally you can ignore what people say. But if it's Annie Barrett speaking... maybe it's time to start thinking."
"Jeez, would you die if you shut up for one damn day!?"
"Wah wah, Chubby's throwing a tantrum."
Syd chimed in mockingly from across the table. If his mother weren't sitting between them, Sera would've launched across like a wrestler.
"When Sera learns how to fight properly, I won't stop her next time, Gift."
Annie's voice was calm as she addressed her son. Syd, surprisingly, fell silent... then muttered:
"Bring it on."
And went back to eating.
But then Annie set down her napkin and turned toward Jody.
"Let's talk about what really matters... for the two of you."
Jody stopped mid-chew.
"Regarding your request, Miss Jody... the High Council has agreed. I'll oversee your training personally."
She turned her gaze to Sera.
"However, since I've officially retired from active training, I've arranged for someone else—a personal trainer—to handle it."
"A trainer...?"
Jody slowly resumed chewing.
"In most cases, you'd only be trained after being officially admitted into the organization. But this is different. Jody, as an Elementalist, will obviously be accepted. And Sera... due to her involvement and knowledge of Elemental affairs, she's been granted automatic enrollment."
Her tone was gentle, almost too calm.
"That said, this will not be a standard curriculum. It'll be a foundation course—enough for fieldwork. We won't go into electronics like Roxxy's path. And there's just one condition... for you, Jody."
Jody looked up. Annie locked eyes with her.
"You gave me a condition. So I think it's fair that I give you one too. Don't you agree?"
"...Yes."
"Wha–why only Jody?" Sera asked, raising a hand.
"Because she's the Elementalist. Her failure carries more risk. My condition is simple: she must pass a test set by the trainer I've selected. If she passes, she continues. If she doesn't... she'll have to accept my original offer. No exceptions."
"!!!"
Jody froze, unable to swallow her food.
So that's why Annie accepted her request so easily. That smile had been a trap. This—this was the real trial.
"...A test?"
"You'll be informed tomorrow. For now, I suggest you rest."
Annie leaned in.
"You wanted to prove you're worthy, didn't you? This is your chance to show everyone—including the other Grand Masters—that you can survive. But if you can't..."
She paused.
Annie Barrett was gone.
In her place stood Grand Master Anong Wongphudee.
"...You'll be sent to train in China."
That one sentence sent a chill down Jody's spine. She swallowed hard.
"Hey—"
But this time was different. Jody wasn't alone. Syd was right beside her—and he wasn't about to stay quiet.
"What the hell, Mom? That wasn't part of the deal."
He immediately stepped in, placing a hand on Jody's shoulder—a silent signal: I'm here. Don't worry.
"Don't play mind games with her."
"You mean like how you slipped my wallet from my bag during that hug?"
"!?"
Syd stiffened. He instinctively checked his pocket—
Gone.
His mother held it up between her fingers.
"I figured you'd do that. You took it when we hugged... and I took it back when I asked for a kiss on the cheek."
"..."
He was shook. Pickpocketed by his own mother... and he hadn't even noticed. He'd planned to keep her wallet as a little payback—now she had it again.
"Damn it..."
"I know everything, Gift. What you do behind my back, what you think you're hiding... The wallet's just one thing."
"!!"
Syd turned pale. He knew where this was going.
He looked at Jody.
But she turned away.
She wouldn't look at him.
"...."
That hit harder than anything.
He turned back to his mother, right eyelid twitching.
"Ah... twitching now, are we? So you do get it."
She smiled softly—but it sent chills down both their spines.
H-How did she know about the plane?
Did he tell her?
Or...
"..."
Syd glared at Roxxy.
But she was too busy stealing sashimi from Sera's plate to even notice.
Then he looked at Toshi.
"..."
The Japanese boy gave a slow, sad shake of the head.
He didn't have to say anything. Syd understood.
"...!"
His breath grew heavier. Rage bubbled beneath the surface.
He clenched his fists, just about to leap up and let Toshi have it—but—
Jody gently tugged his sleeve.
"...Don't."
She shook her head.
Annie spoke calmly.
"I ordered Toshi to do it. If you've got a problem... take it up with me."
That voice—it was her voice again. Anong Wongphudee. And Jody now knew the saying was true:
"No one can handle Syd Barrett... except his mother."
Because Syd sat back down... silently poking at his plate with his chopsticks.
Jody, too, sat still—head lowered, unmoving.
They looked no different from one another in that moment.
"Don't take it out on Toshi. Understood, Gift?"
"...Yeah."
He growled the word out.
"I'm not mad. Not really. You're young. It happens. But be mindful of timing. Do you think now is the right moment?"
"Mom, seriously—we're not a thing. That was an accident. It won't happen again."
"..."
She ignored the last part entirely. She knew her children better than they knew themselves.
"...Alright."
Jody finally spoke.
"Huh!?"
"It's fine. Your mom's right."
She looked at Syd, then back to Annie.
"I accept the condition. I'll do it."
With those words, Grand Master Anong disappeared again.
And Annie Barrett returned.
"...."
She'd expected it.
There was no scenario where Jody wouldn't accept.
And whatever the test was... it wouldn't be easy.
But for now, the tension was put on pause.
Annie could see how both girls hadn't relaxed since she sat down.
"There is... one more thing, Miss Jody," Annie said gently.
"...Yes?"
"I heard your mother had two siblings?"
"...Three, including her."
Annie nodded.
"I don't mean to pry, but... were you close with any of your mother's siblings?"
Jody tilted her head, puzzled—but answered honestly.
"No... not really. I've met her sister once. And my granddad. That's it."
"And the others?"
"My grandmother passed a long time ago. I've never met my uncle... not even once."
"I see."
Annie nodded to herself.
"...Why do you ask?"
"No reason. Just verifying something."
"I see..."
Jody paused for a moment. Then she looked up, remembering something.
"Um... the book. Thank you. Really."
"You'll enjoy it, I'm sure. Keep it and read it."
"Who'd read a priest's book anyway? Only Boomers like you, Mom."
Syd chimed in.
Pinch!
"Ow!?"
"I'm not that old."
"Keep lying to yourself. You're hitting 60 in two years."
"You just don't get it."
Sera, sensing her moment, joined in with an exaggerated tone.
"You look so young, Miss Annie! I saw your photo and thought there's no way it's real. I even wondered if it was AI. Is it... martial arts training?"
"...The kids told you, didn't they?"
"You're the one who taught Toshi 'Bullet Time.'"
Sera's voice turned serious.
Toshi and Roxxy exchanged glances—they understood why she brought that up.
"Yes."
Annie answered.
"But even so, you still have to take care of yourself. Many of my peers in martial arts... are barely alive now."
"..."
"Or maybe... it's not your health you care about, but the technique itself?"
"!"
Sera saw Mickey in Annie's reflection.
How does she know what I'm thinking?
"...Both."
"...."
Annie stared at her, thinking.
"Then start with exercise."
"Ugh..."
That one hit hard.
"As for the martial arts... it has its place. But I don't think you really need it."
"...."
Sera was now the second person at the table struck speechless.
Mickey noticed the shift in her demeanor—but said nothing.
Then Jody asked:
"Miss Annie..."
"Hmm?"
"There's something I want to ask you too."
Jody met her eyes directly.
"What is it?"
"...Your power. What is it?"
"..."
"You're just gonna ask like that!?"
Syd stared at her.
"It doesn't hurt to ask."
Jody replied calmly.
"..."
"You're right," Annie said with a faint smile. "I already know your power... it would hardly be fair if you knew nothing about mine."
She paused, letting the tension build.
"But I'm afraid... if I were to use my power here, it'd cause quite a bit of trouble. Especially for the restaurant owner."
"!!!!"
And with that—
The scene faded into the next morning...