"Where are you going?" Jin Li demanded to know, leaning against the inside frame of the door as he asked.

"S-s-school," was all Leon could manage to say.

"School?" The man's nose wrinkled in distaste. "This Lord is too well learned for such a common place. I will remain here. Although this place lacks decent spiritual energy, I will cultivate. Do not disturb me." With that he close the door behind him, shutting a startled Leon out. Leon stood there for a few moments before sighing and making his way to the halls.

As he walked, he swiftly forgot all of his grievances and with each step he was calmer of heart. He was looking forward to being able to cook rice at the hut, if he could obtain something to cook it in.

*****

"Eh? You want cooking equipment?" The lady in charge of the kitchens echoed. She was a grey haired old woman, but retained much vitality despite her advancing years. Leon nodded. "Why? We cook all of the meals here for you brats!"

"B-but then," Leon stuttered, feeling slightly cowered by her, "h-how w-w-will I c-cook th-the rice?" She raised one eyebrow, so he handed her the request form and showed her the mushrooms he carried in his basket. Her eyebrows knitted together and she turned to glare at a young man, who had sidled over in the fuss.

"But mam!" The man said, surprising Leon, "I needed to promise summin' in trade or 'ow else would I get th' shrooms?"

"Wantin' rare shrooms and payin' a pittance! Fool!" She smacked him about the ear then turned to Leon and said; "and more fool for you for botherin'." Leon flushed brightly, how was he to know these mushrooms were valuable? Well, it did say in the library book that they were considered somewhat of a delicacy, but it never spoke in monetary terms. "Tell you what, seein' as what's done is done, how 'bout I get my fool of a son to take you down to the town tomorrow. He's headin' there to collect some supplies for the school. He can introduce you to some who owe me favours, get you some stuff cheap like."

"I d-don't really h-have any money," Leon admitted.

"But you're an alchemist student, so surely you 'ave some pills and the like to trade," she pointed out. Leon nodded in agreement and a small smile appeared upon his face.

"Thank you," Leon said, brightly.

"You're welcome," the woman answered automatically, before her lips curved into a generous smile. She had taken a liking to this polite young man, so refres.h.i.+ng after dealing with so many sour, stuck up youths. "Wait here." She ducked back into the kitchen, before reappearing with a warm loaf of bread, a bowl of fresh vegetables, sliced meats and a piping hot roast tuber. Leon blinked and gratefully swapped them for the mushrooms, which her son greedily stole away. "Come back here at dawn," she advised him. "We'll sort out the rice later."

Leon agreed, before taking the food back to his hut, only for much of it to be wolfed down by his forgotten guest.