(Kasa POV)

My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden knock on my door.

'How strange, this isn't the usual time I get food. Is it Duke Pendell kicking me out? Maybe a mage would finally help me if I get kicked out. Maybe it's one of my siblings. But didn't my brother leave for the academy a few weeks ago? He was the only person who still showed up to harass in the past few months. Is it another one of my siblings trying to harass me? How annoying, I just want to focus on magic. When I finally learn Search magic I won't be surprised by people suddenly showing up.'

As my thoughts continued to race, the second knock on my door pulled me out of my thoughts. 'Well, it's time to face the music I thought to myself as I opened the door.

The door opening revealed a small kid holding a basket. He had brown hair and brown eyes and was a little shorter than I was. He seemed older than 5 but didn't have any traces of being a magician. Thinking about it for a few seconds, I realized he was the first son of the first wife, the untalented kid who visited the prison almost daily.

'He is probably here to mock me.' I thought to myself. I hate the fact that untalented trash like this can make fun of me without repercussions. After all, he's still a real Pendle, if I tried to retaliate I would be thrown in prison again.

We stared at each other for a few seconds before he opened his mouth.

"Hello, my name is Rorik."

"..." I remained silent.

"... I heard you don't get good food, so I got you a few sandwiches."

I couldn't understand. Why is he giving me food? Is he trying to feel good about himself? Does he think I can't even get decent food on my own? Is this talentless brat looking down on me?

I couldn't stop myself from lashing out.
"Is that why you visit the prison?"
"I'm sorry?"

"You must feel so good about yourself, acting like a saint. I bet you don't help those prisoners out of goodwill, you just want to look down on them."

I know what I was saying hurtful, but my pride couldn't take it.

"You think that just because you bring me some food, you have the right to look down on me?"

"..." He remained silent.

"I may not be a real Pendle, but I am a real mage, something you'll never be."

"If you think I'll let you feel like a saint by just giving me some food, you have another thing coming your way."

"I, Kasa, will not be humiliated by anyone, especially not by someone like you. Now if you understand get out before I blast you with my magic."

"..." He continued to say nothing, he simply put down his basket and left.

When I saw him walk away I regained my senses. 'What have I done? Was this his plan? If he tells someone what I did just now wouldn't I go back to prison? I should've never fallen for his provocation. Those sandwiches are probably inedible anyways.' I hated the prison, it's cold and hard to sleep there.

I waited for my punishment, but a few hours later no one came. I let out a sigh in relief, he must've been too scared to tell anyone. I then inspected the sandwiches he gave me. When I realized they seemed eatable I took a bite.

I'll admit it, it tasted better than anything else I've had the past few years. It's not that I liked or wanted to eat the food the servants gave me, I would not waste any time searching for better food. After all, I could spend that time learning more magic. Still, I did feel a little bad about it, he gave me food and didn't tell anyone about my outburst.

'Well it's not like it matters now anyway, he won't be coming back.'

He came back the next day.

I was baffled, what was wrong with him? Is he a saint?

Unlike last time, however, we didn't have a conversation.

He simply handed me a basket and left.

The basket contained lots of fruits. I realized how long it's been since I had fresh fruits. After finishing the basket in minutes, I felt a little regretful. Those were the tastiest fruits I had in years, I want to eat more.

... If he came back today he'll come back tomorrow right?

He came back again. This time he brought sandwiches. I was a little regretful that he didn't bring fruits but I had a more important thought in my mind.

'Why is he doing this, I got super mad at him the other day and he still comes back. Is he a saint, or does he like me?' I felt a little curious, so I had to ask.

"Are you doing this because you like me?"

Almost instinctively, he replied "No" and left.

I felt a little sad when he said no so fast but didn't know why. Anyway, the sandwiches tasted great, but I missed eating fruits. I wonder if he'll bring fruits tomorrow.

Sure enough, the next day he did bring fruits. As I stared at the basket in my hand, I realized the boy in front of me had the nickname 'prison boy'. I couldn't help but ask.

"Do you bring the prisoners food as well?"

"No, I'm only bringing food to you."

"Why are you only giving me food?"

"I heard your food was worse than prison food."

'Did someone say that? Is my food worse than prison food? He must be saying that to make fun of me right?' I wanted to argue with him but I was a little hesitant. My food really didn't taste good, if I made him mad and he left I wouldn't get to eat good food anymore. Although he didn't get at me 3 days ago, I still didn't want to risk it.

"... Only bring fruits from now onwards."

"No problem."

As I saw him leave I realized that I was looking forward to his next visit.

He came back with more fruits the next day.

I didn't understand, why did he keep bringing me food? I didn't do anything for him.

"Why are you giving me all this food, what do you want from me?"

"I wanted to be your friend."

Friend? What a joke, it seemed that this entire thing was some kind of prank. My mood soured instantly.

"Why don't you try to be friends with your other siblings?"

"We're both hated by everyone so you were the first person I thought of to be my friend."

I suddenly realized who I was talking to, the untalented prison boy. Even if he was actual Pendle blood, there's no way anyone would tolerate him, even if he tried. He also said I was the first person he thought of to be friends with. Does that mean he valued me more than the other Pendle children? It made me feel a little happy.

"... Come again with fruits tomorrow, I'm sorry about what happened a few days ago."

"No problem, I'll see you tomorrow."

As I saw him waving me goodbye, I wondered what I should tell him tomorrow.

He came back again the next day.

This time, before he could hand me fruits, I decided to tell him what I was thinking about.

"Friends are people who help each other. You're helping me by giving me fruits, but how am I helping you? If I don't help you in return we can't be friends. So tell me, how can I help you."

I decided to be upfront with my questions. If he said something like using me to protect him when he grew older, I would stop talking to him immediately, that relationship would be less like friends and more like the relation between the Duke and me. I don't want to owe anyone else. I was nervous about how he would respond, I liked the idea of having a friend who would bring me fruits all the time.

He thought about it for a few minutes before giving me a response that shocked me.

"You could teach me magic."

"You? Learning magic? I heard you were so untalented that the Duke tried to test your ki capabilities right after he left the mage headquarters."

"... That may be true but I still want to try."

"Hmph, stop joking with me and get out of here. Don't forget to bring fruits tomorrow."

"Alright."

That night, I thought about what he said. If his talent was that poor, there was no way he could learn magic before I left for the academy. In that case, it would be useless for him to come here all the time. On the other hand, if he does come here, I'll be able to have a friend and eat fruits. When I thought about it harder, the choice I had to make was obvious.

When he came the next day, I didn't take the fruits from him immediately.

"Rorik, you said you wanted to be my friend and learn magic from me right?"

"That's right, I want to learn magic."

"... As long as you keep bringing me fruits every day, I'll be your friend and teach you everything I know about magic. With the future archmage Kana teaching you, you'll be a talented magician in no time."

While I gestured him to come inside, I couldn't help but feel a little guilty. I was lying to a kid younger than me after all.

'Well, as long as I get fruits I'll feel better about myself.'

This was the first time I invited someone into my room since my mother died.