A Stay-at-home Dad’s Restaurant In An Alternate World

“He just went inside,” the orc answered, pointing. “What happened?” he asked nervously, looking at the sweat on the other party’s face.

“Nothing. Which way did he go?” Hydle asked, bending forward to study the bike.

“He asked us about the magic school, so I think he went there,” the old man said.

“Magic school?” Hydle straightened up, hesitant. After a while, he curled his upper lip. “I’ll wait for him here. The teachers in magic school don’t like me.” Then he went back to studying the bike.

“I thought he’s not allowed to go in,” Dicus said, curious.

As the liaison officer between Chaos City and the Chaos School, Dicus knew every rule here—they had been made by Novan to ensure the safety and independence of the Chaos School. Even the Lord of Chaos City himself couldn’t get his pet, a fire lion, through this gate.

Anyway, the fire lion probably didn’t want to come anywhere near this place again after it got hit by Novan’s ice ball and lay in bed for half a month.

“He has a pass,” the old man answered calmly.

“I see,” said Dicus. No outsiders had the right to enter the Chaos School without a pass. He had one himself because of his job. Before he got his pass, Novan had talked with him in person, and made him promise that he would follow every rule here and that he would never do anything that might put the school or students in harm’s way.

Who is that? He can’t be anyone ordinary if he can get a pass from Novan. Besides, the girl looks to be of the same age as Udyr. I don’t think she’s old enough to go to school yet. Is she a highborn lady, or is she a genius magic caster?

Dicus had so many questions in mind. He is mysterious as well as interesting.

Hydle was also very surprised. He took a look at Dicus and refrained from asking about the pass. He walked around the bike, his eyes shining in excitement. “He must be a genius, a real genius. How did he get the iron wires so even in thickness? And how did he manage to make such a perfect iron ring…” he murmured.

“Meow!” the cat shrieked suddenly, standing up. Its front paws were on the edge of the basket, and it was baring its teeth menacingly.

Hydle was engrossed in staring at the bike. The screech really startled him, and sent him stumbling down on his butt. He gave a wry smile when he saw the cute cat sticking its head out. “Good God! What is this cat doing here?”

The orc and the old man quickly helped him up. “Are you all right? It’s that man’s cat,” said the orc.

“Yeah. I’m all right. Thank you.” Then he pointed a finger at Ugly Duckling. “You naughty cat!” He crouched down and began studying the gears.

…

At last, the father-daughter duo arrived at the No. 3 building. It was not as magical as Mag had thought it would be. Actually, this three-storied building was just like every other building in this school. On the wall was a drawing of a witch on a broom and a flying golden ball, which had probably been done by a child—not an artwork, but it was still adorable.

“Will I be able to fly on a broom like the witch here, Father?” Amy asked, looking at the drawing with wide eyes.

Mag smiled. “You will, but not necessarily on a broom.” Krassu must know some flying magic if he wants to fight ranged magic casters.

Mag stepped into the building with Amy. Classes normally started at 7:30 AM, so no one was here yet. The inside was quite bright, and didn’t feel stifling. Unlike the other buildings, there were fewer classrooms on each floor, and they had no windows.

The two got to the third floor and found only one classroom here. The door coated with black metal was ajar, with light coming through.

Mag walked up and knocked.

The heavy door slowly opened with a creak, and then they saw Krassu standing in his white robe. “Come on in. You’re right on time.” He smiled.

“Thank you,” Mag said, smiling back.

“Good morning, Master Krassu,” Amy said, looking up at the old man.

Krassu was taken by surprise. “Good morning, Amy.”

“Father said I ought to call you Master Krassu in school,” Amy said, smiling. “But can I call you Master Half-beard after school?”

“You can call me whatever you like,” Krassu said, feeling good.

I can get used to her calling me Master Krassu. Her upbringing is better than I thought. Then he noticed the bag in Mag’s hand and smiled. “Did you bring some tofu pudding for me?”

Mag nodded. “Yes. It might have broken due to the bumpy road, though,” he admitted.

“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m sure it still tastes the same. Thank you.” He took the bag. “I’ll take her to your place for lunch at noon.”

“Thank you.” Mag crouched down and looked at Amy. “Do as Master Krassu says and study hard. I’ll be waiting for you at home.”

Amy nodded. “Yes, Father.” She didn’t want to leave her father, but when she looked around, the bizarre objects in the magic room really attracted her eyes.

“Go,” Mag said, stroking her hair. He watched for a while after she walked inside, and then closed the door lightly. He started towards the gate.

Before he arrived at the gate, he heard an alarm going off.