Chapter 8: Serina Awakens on Her First Job
The day after the “Explosion Warning” mark was attached to the back of the guild card.
Serina was invited by the bakery owner‚ who said‚ “If you’d like‚ why don’t you try helping out?”
It seemed that after using discount coupons like crazy thanks to the slime dumpling reward‚ the owner had remembered her face.
「Rui～！ I get to work at the bakery～♡」
「You’ve got “Apprentice” written on your guild card‚ but you have zero practical experience‚ right?」
「But I’ve got tons of fluffy passion～！」
「Passion doesn’t bake bread. Probably.」
The bakery “Wheat Dew” was a well-known shop in town.
It was so popular that lines formed from morning‚ and the owner’s skills were solid.
When Serina was handed an apron‚ her eyes sparkled.
「Wow～♡ This is made of fluffy material～！」
「Don’t look for fluffiness in an apron. Focus on functionality.」
When they entered the kitchen‚ the owner taught her how to knead the dough.
Serina started kneading it by hand without using magic.
Her hand movements were surprisingly careful and precise.
「……Huh? You’re actually pretty good.」
「Ehehe～♡ Bread is something you knead with feeling～」
The owner’s eyes widened in surprise.
「You’re not using magic‚ yet your timing for fermentation is perfect. The temperature and humidity are spot on‚ as if you can see them.」
「Yeah‚ because I can hear the bread’s voice～♡」
「Don’t talk to the bread. And the fact that it actually responds is scary.」
Serina quickly shaped the dough‚ baked it‚ and at the end gently infused it with a bit of magic to enhance the aroma.
The bread turned out so well that even the owner was shocked.
「……This might taste better than what I bake.」
「Rui～！ Look‚ look～！ The fluffiness level is the highest ever～♡」
「……Damn‚ I’m a little jealous.」
An even longer line than usual had formed in front of the shop.
Customers were saying things like‚ “Today’s bread has a happy flavor‚” and “The fluffiness soaks into your heart.”
Serina stood in the corner of the kitchen with a proud “I did it” look on her face.
「Rui～♡ I think I’ve awakened as a bread maker～！」
「You were “Explosion Warning” just yesterday‚ and now you’re “Fluffy Goddess”?」
Just then‚ a guild staff member came to buy bread.
After taking one bite of Serina’s bread‚ their eyes widened.
「……This bread has stable magic power. It’s like yesterday’s rampage was a lie.」
「So it really is true that holding bread stabilizes you.」
「In other words‚ she’s a mage who stabilizes her personality by holding bread……」
「That’s kind of a complicated title.」
While baking bread‚ Serina suddenly murmured.
「Hey Rui. When I’m baking bread‚ my own magic power doesn’t scare me.」
「……That’s amazing. It means there are moments when you can control yourself.」
「Yeah. But because you’re next to me‚ I feel even more at ease～♡」
「……I’m not bread‚ you know.」
That night‚ back at the inn‚ I munched on the bread Serina had baked and thought:
She’s fluffy‚ she explodes‚ she talks to a chatting pot‚ but when she bakes bread she’s serious‚
and little by little‚ she’s starting to face “her own power.”
And I quietly murmured.
「……Damn‚ she’s more competent than me.」
The cushion turned heart-shaped.
The pot quietly murmured‚ 「……Today’s bread was so delicious it made me cry.」
And so‚ Serina’s first job
ended with bakery awakening → proud face → Rui’s jealousy → town-wide acclaim‚
a growth story straight out of an isekai rom-com.
Seals and magic and bread and proud faces and a slightly jealous me.
That was our “First Job Chronicle.”
Chapter 9: Fluffiness‚ Crybaby‚ and Just a Little Honesty
The night in Rhoden was quiet.
The starry sky visible from the inn window sparkled like powdered sugar on bread──Serina stared at it while hugging her cushion tightly.
「Rui…… hey‚ just for a moment‚ is that okay?」
Her voice was a little smaller than usual.
When it wasn’t about bread‚ it was usually something serious.
「Yeah. If it’s not about bread‚ I’ll listen with proper resolve.」
「Eh‚ you get scared if it’s not about bread?」
「No‚ bread talk is usually peaceful. It saves the world‚ after all.」
「……That’s my personal theory‚ you know?」
Serina buried her face in the fluffy cushion and murmured softly.
「Lately…… I’ve been a little strange. My magic power sometimes moves on its own.
The other day‚ the slime turned into a baked slime all by itself……」
「That’s because you said‚ ‘It’d be delicious if I baked it‚’ right?」
「But the fact that magic comes out just from saying it is kind of scary‚ don’t you think?」
「……Yeah. It is scary. I was a little surprised too.
When the slime went ‘Sizzle‚’ my heart got burned too.」
Serina hugged the cushion tightly.
The gesture looked as if she were protecting herself.
「Hey‚ Rui…… am I broken?」
「……No. You’re just a little fluffy.」
「Is ‘fluffy’ a compliment? Or does it mean I’m glitching?」
「It’s a compliment. I like fluffy.」
Silence fell.
But it wasn’t heavy; it was a gentle quiet that slowly expanded‚ like bread fermenting.
「……Rui‚ you’re sometimes kind‚ aren’t you?」
「Don’t say ‘sometimes.’ I’m always kind. I’m just an introvert.」
「Are introverts and kindness sold as a set?」
「In my case‚ it’s a set. A value pack.」
「Then can I buy it?」
「……It’s not for sale‚ but if you buy it‚ I’d be a little happy.」
Serina smiled softly.
Her smile was gentler than the starry sky.
「Hey‚ Rui. Is it okay for me to stay by your side?」
「……Yeah. When you’re next to me‚ my world gets just a little brighter.」
「Is that the bread effect?」
「No. It’s the Serina effect.」
That night‚ Serina cried just a little.
But they weren’t tears of sadness; they were tears of relief.
While burying her face in the cushion and still holding the bread‚ she let the tears fall.
「Rui…… thank you. I’m so glad you’re here.」
「Me too. I’m saved because you’re here.
Even if the slime gets baked‚ my heart won’t burn.」
「That’s a little romantic‚ huh?」
「A little is my limit.」
And so‚ the two of them spent the night quietly.
The magic rampage‚ the wavering memories‚ the whispers of the spirits──they were still far away.
But their bond grew just a little deeper with bread‚ cushions‚ and tears.
What this night tested wasn’t magic power──but the “softness of the heart.”
And after seeing Serina’s tears‚ I thought quietly.
「I’m probably…… here to protect this girl.」
Chapter 10: The Guild’s Baked Goods and the Scorching Request
The guild in Rhoden was filled with the aroma of afternoon baked sweets.
The “fluffy muffins” that the receptionist Milfy had apparently baked were steaming in the corner of the counter.
Drawn by the scent‚ Serina tugged on Rui’s sleeve.
「Rui‚ those…… are definitely baked with magic‚ right? The fluffiness density is different.」
「No‚ I think they’re probably baked normally in an oven.」
「But I think if you bake them with magic they’d be even fluffier. The air particles would be gently wrapped like this……」
Serina’s magic power reacted to the steam from the muffins and gently spread.
The air grew sweeter‚ and the guild space softly rippled for just a moment.
Rui immediately activated Infinite Appraisal.
《Magic Power State: Emotional Resonance Type. Attribute: Wind・Light・Sweetness. Interference: High. Spatial Influence: Minor Activation》
《Note: Tends to react easily to baked goods》
「……Serina‚ your magic power is resonating with the muffins.」
「Eh‚ so does that mean I’m…… muffin-attribute?」
「No‚ probably ‘fluffy-attribute.’」
Just then‚ Milfy held out a request sheet.
It was labeled “Blazing Hell: Flame Cry Cave.”
「With Serina-san’s magic power‚ this request can be ‘rebaked’!」
「Rebaked…… the monsters?」
「No‚ the space itself will be ‘rewrapped with magic power’!」
Serina’s eyes sparkled.
「……Rewrapped like a muffin?」
「Exactly! You’ll gently rewrap the overbaked space with your magic power and readjust it.」
「So I just need to go ‘fluff’?」
「Yes. However‚ the cave’s magic power is extremely turbulent‚ so the high-ranking party 《Crimson Fang》 will accompany you as escorts.」
Rui frowned.
《Crimson Fang》──a well-known skilled party in the guild.
The fact that they were coming along was a precaution in case Serina’s magic power went out of control.
「……Even though I’m here‚ we still need escorts?」
「Rui?」
「No‚ never mind. I just thought I was the only one who could wrap your magic power.」
Serina gently took Rui’s hand.
Her hand was trembling just a little.
「Rui‚ lately…… my magic power sometimes moves on its own. It scares me.」
「……Your magic power follows your heart. So if you’re gentle‚ your magic power will be gentle too.」
「But what if I can’t be gentle anymore……?」
「Then I’ll wrap you. Softer than a muffin‚ and firmly.」
Milfy smiled.
「I’m sure the two of you will heal the space with your magic power. Rebaking isn’t just repair. It’s also an emotional readjustment.」
「Emotional…… readjustment?」
「Yes. The Flame Cry Cave was once where spirits lived. But now it’s filled with anger and heat. With Serina-san’s magic power‚ you might be able to touch the memories of the spirits.」
Serina lowered her eyes just a little.
A hint of nostalgia floated in her gaze.
「……I wonder what memories smell like.」
「Probably the scent of freshly baked bread.」
「So does that mean my magic power has the ability to rebake memories?」
「……Maybe. Because your magic power is the power to gently wrap the world’s air.」
After accepting the request sheet‚ Rui slipped his hand into his chest pocket.
Inside was the bread Serina had baked‚ named “Fluffy Vow.”
He gently gripped it.
「This feels like it’s packed with your ‘fluff.’ If I keep it in my pocket‚ my magic power probably won’t overbake…… I hope.」
「Yeah…… but what if it burns?」
「Then I’ll wrap you. Softer than bread‚ and firmly.」
The guild door opened‚ and the members of Crimson Fang appeared.
The flame emblem on their backs swayed.
「Are you ready? Two rookies and a fluffy space rebake. This is an interesting request.」
「……Is ‘fluffy’ the official request name?」
「No‚ it’s our internal code name. Operation Fluffy.」
Serina laughed.
Rui also let the corners of his mouth relax just a little.
The challenge of the Blazing Hell.
It was not only the repair of space‚ but also a readjustment of the two of them’s bond.
Chapter 11: The Entrance to the Flame Cry Cave
The guild request sheet read as follows:
「Requested: Space rebake at the Flame Cry Cave. Terrain distortion due to magic interference‚ with residual emotional traces from spirits. Please do it gently and fluffily‚ without burning.」
Gently and fluffily. Without burning.
It was the perfect request for Serina’s magic power.
The Flame Cry Cave was a dungeon inside a volcano.
The moment they stood at the entrance‚ Rui’s glasses fogged up.
The air felt less hot and more like sticking your face into a freshly baked loaf of bread.
「Rui‚ is this place…… a bakery?」
「No. It’s a volcanic dungeon.」
「But the air smells like butter……」
「That’s probably because of your magic power.」
Every time Serina’s magic power touched the space‚ it changed its “flavor.”
Right now it carried a faintly sweet scent‚ like slightly scorched custard.
Rui activated Infinite Appraisal.
《Magic Power State: Spatial Resonance Type. Attribute: Wind・Light・Emotion・Aroma. Interference: Medium.》
《Note: Ability to change the “flavor” of space. Slight contact with memory domain.》
The escort party 《Crimson Fang》 was preparing in the rear.
The leader‚ Val‚ narrowed his eyes at Serina’s magic power and said.
「……This space has become sweeter. The spirits are gathering.」
「Serina-san‚ is your magic power control okay?」
The mage Liz asked worriedly.
Serina glanced at Rui with a slightly anxious look.
Her eyes were as soft as freshly baked bread‚ yet they trembled.
「Rui…… lately my magic power moves on its own. It scares me.」
「……Your magic power stays close to your heart. So if you’re gentle‚ your magic power will be gentle too.」
「But what if I can’t be gentle anymore……?」
「Then I’ll wrap you. Softer than a muffin‚ and firmly.」
Serina let out a small laugh.
But behind her smile‚ a tiny trace of tears shimmered.
「……Thank you. Your words are warm‚ Rui. They’ve got a little browning‚ though.」
「I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not…… but thanks.」
The moment they took one step into the cave‚ the space stirred.
Not just heat‚ but particles of emotion were trembling.
Serina’s magic power reacted and began to tremble faintly.
A soft light danced.
It was a flame spirit.
With tiny wings and a red glow‚ the being drew closer as if pulled by Serina’s magic power.
「……This child looks like it’s crying.」
「Spirits are sensitive to emotions. Maybe it’s reacting to your anxiety.」
「Then if I smile‚ will the spirit smile too?」
「Probably. Your magic power has the power to sweeten the air‚ after all.」
Liz narrowed her eyes at the spirit.
「A spirit appearing…… this cave isn’t just a volcano. It’s steeped in emotional memories.」
「Serina-san‚ please don’t touch it recklessly. Spirit memories can sometimes tear magic power apart.」
Gald stepped forward while drawing his sword.
Serina gently touched the spirit.
In that instant‚ her magic power spread softly‚ and the cave’s air took on a sweet scent.
The color of the walls was wrapped in gentle light for a moment‚ and the throbbing of the rock face calmed.
「Rui…… I feel like I’m about to remember something. Something important.」
「It’s okay to remember. But you don’t have to force it. As long as you keep smiling‚ that’s enough.」
「……But if I remember‚ I might change.」
「Even so‚ I’ll keep watching you. Because I know all of the kindness and fluffiness inside you.」
Val watched the two of them from behind and murmured quietly.
「……Those two aren’t just rookies. Their magic power quality is on a completely different level.」
「But as long as that bond exists‚ there won’t be any rampage. We’re just the anti-burn measure.」
Serina’s eyes grew slightly misty with tears.
But she quickly regained her smile.
「Then let’s start the rebake. Gently‚ kindly‚ without burning.」
「Yeah. Wrap the space again with your magic power. I’ll stay right beside you and watch over you.」
The two stood at the entrance of the Flame Cry Cave.
Beyond it waited the scorching trial.
But their bond had been slowly baked to perfection‚ just like a muffin.
And Serina’s magic power──fluffily‚ sweetly‚ yet with a hot core──
quietly began preparing to rewrap the space.
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