Chapter 29: A Table of Unequal Portions

Luka remembered something from basic training.

Nine out of ten magical girls, when choosing their spells, focused on a single school and only took spells from that school.

After all, the spells gained through promotion were too random. If they relied purely on luck, they might end up a jack of all trades, master of none.

If all their spells came from the same school, there was a good chance they’d get at least one or two useful abilities in that field, enough to be combat-effective.

From the army’s perspective, it also made it easier to organize magical girls into different roles, or for squad members to cover each other’s weaknesses.

Of course, Luka, with his “backdoor access” to the mental world, didn’t need to worry about that.

“I’m a control-type.”

Moye snickered. “When we worked together to lure the Spider Butcher, you saw my [Blinding Flash] and [Paralysis], right? Control spells are really handy.”

“True enough.”

Luka thought for a moment, then looked puzzled. “But with your personality, I thought you’d pick defense. That has great survivability.”

“Ugh, on the battlefield, pure defense doesn’t always solve the problem. It just lets you die slower.”

Moye spread her hands helplessly. “Rather than hunkering down, I’d rather use control spells to lock the enemy down. Then whether to fight or flee, attack or defend, it’s my call. Right?”

Luka nodded. “That reasoning sounds like you.”

“But…”

Moye’s expression turned awkward. “A few of my control spells are only good for mowing down small fries. Against elites like Spider Butchers, or big swarms like Bat Wings, they barely do anything.”

“Stasis Eye is strong, but the side effects are huge. I’ve barely dared use it a few times.”

“And my luck is terrible! Even after promoting to two-star, most of the spells I got were useless junk. Even [Blinding Flash] and [Paralysis] are among the more useful ones. Ugh…”

With that, she flopped onto the table and started groaning.

“Your situation isn’t that rare.”

Alesia came over carrying dishes.

“Among the magical girls I’ve met, some are at the same rank as you but can’t pull out a single usable spell. So don’t beat yourself up.”

She moved quickly, setting the table while she talked.

In a few sentences, she filled the table with food. Utensils and napkins were all laid out.

“We could eat the dry rations we carry, but they taste bad and don’t suit someone of your stature, my lady.”

Alesia gave Luka a small bow and sat down. “I decided that a hot meal was needed to restore our bodies and magic, so I prepared something. Lady Doronia, please have a taste.”

Luka was a bit overwhelmed. He looked down at the meal, which had meat, vegetables, soup, and drinks, and couldn’t help praising her. “Alesia, I had no idea you could cook so well. You could practically open a restaurant!”

“You give me too much credit, my lady. It’s just that the Patino family’s education is very thorough.”

Alesia was modest in words, but a hint of pride showed on her face, and her lips curled up.

“Hmph.”

Moye’s voice was sour. “I don’t mind Luka getting the best, obviously. But I didn’t think you’d be this blatant about playing favorites.”

She pointed at the food in front of her, a playful look on her face.

The meals in front of Moye and Alesia were clearly a whole tier below what was set before Luka.

If Luka’s plate was a spread of every ingredient, each one exquisitely prepared, then Moye’s and Alesia’s could barely be called “an ordinary village home-cooked meal.”

There was very little meat or fresh vegetables, and the staple was coarse black bread.

“What’s this? Didn’t Lieutenant Alesia just argue with great conviction that officers have different concerns from us common soldiers and must take on greater responsibility?”

Moye crossed her arms, a hint of mockery in her eyes. “So normally, shouldn’t an officer treat subordinates equally and not show any favoritism?”

Luka was taken aback. He looked at the dishes in front of Moye and Alesia.

He had been so focused on the food that he hadn’t noticed their plain meals at first.

Before he could speak, Alesia’s cold voice cut in.

“Sergeant Moye, your question is laughable. Even a little stupid.”

Alesia didn’t look at Moye. She filled Luka’s cup with sweet juice and said calmly, “Given Lady Doronia’s noble status, whether it’s you, a common soldier, or me, a noble officer, we’re both just attendants serving our master. At best, there’s the difference between a first-class maid and a second-class maid. It’s virtually nothing.”

“My duty is to do everything I can, with limited resources, to make sure Lady Doronia receives treatment worthy of her status. And if your food and mine were the same grade as hers, that would be an insult to her.”

“At least between the two of us, I can eat the same food as you. I believe that in today’s imperial army, that’s already a rare show of closeness with the common soldiers.”

“Let me ask you: does your squad leader eat the same food as you?”

After this long speech, Alesia didn’t spare Moye another glance. She picked up her knife and fork and elegantly sampled her plain, modest meal.

To look at her impeccable table manners, you’d think she was enjoying a farmer’s fare as if it were a banquet.

“Hmph.” Moye, for once, didn’t argue. She just snorted, bit into the black bread, and lowered her head to eat.

In any case, this was still much better than portable field rations.

“Moye! Alesia!”

Luka’s voice broke the silence. The two looked up, surprised.

Luka stood and, with his small frame, tried to push the sumptuous feast toward the middle of the table.

“I don’t want special treatment. This meal should be shared by all three of us.”

Luka looked serious.

Moye was startled and quickly stood to block Luka’s little hand. “Luka, you’ve got it wrong! I, I didn’t mean it like that. I was just joking with her. You contributed the most, and you’re still growing. You deserve all this!”

Alesia frowned as well. “Lady Doronia, please don’t worry. You are nobler than us. It’s only right that you receive better treatment. This is absolutely not favoritism!”

“Stop, stop!”

Luka raised both hands to silence them, sounding impatient. “I don’t have time to debate. I’ll just say this: I can’t eat all this! And after dinner, I have something very important to discuss with you both. I don’t want to waste words on this trivial matter.”

“Now, shut up and eat!”

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