It's almost time for the customary birthday interview. I do hope my answers serve as a good example for the other students. Only five minutes until the appointed time. Surely we'll be starting on schedule...
???
I understand your concern, but you should know a professional like myself is always on time.
Now then... Happy birthday, Riddle. I hope you don't mind if we jump right into the questions. If you could use flight magic to go anywhere, where would you want to go?
Yes, on an elementary school field trip. It's not far from the town I grew up in, so many of my classmates often went there on the weekends with their families. Enjoying an ice cream purchased from one of the many trucks dotted around the farm seemed to be the thing to do there. In fact, most of my classmates were eating ice cream on the school trip, as I recall.
No, I believe it opened after I enrolled here at Night Raven College. I happened to see a write-up in a magazine one of my dorm-mates was reading, so I looked it up on the internet. They offer hugely popular confections made with fluffy whipped cream. People even come from abroad to sample them.
Indeed. The homepage had all manner of sweet treats on display. The cream tart looked especially bewitching. I've had my heart set on it for some time.
So you'd go to that farm and back in one day, with your mother none the wiser, is that it? Hah, how splendid! A secret snack run. Night Raven College has certainly had an influence on you.
I receive full marks on all my tests, so nothing distinguishes any one subject above another when it comes to grades. But if I were to pick one, I would have to say practical spells.
That must come in handy. Though funnily enough, when I first had my magical awakening, I often found myself thinking it quicker to do many things WITHOUT magic.
Indeed. In Heartslabyul I employ practical magic to manipulate cutlery or paint roses. But my dorm-mates who are less assured of their magical abilities often simply do those things by hand. Freshmen in particular.
Simple things at first. Putting away books after I'd read them, or changing my clothes. When I was five or so, I tired myself out completely trying to complete a task through trial and error and ended up falling asleep. Mother was quite cross when she found me and gave me an even greater challenge.
Still... As I worked to complete her tasks, I could feel myself getting better. I began to challenge myself to finish everything before she came back. I still remember how proud I was the first time I managed it.
The other day, Trey and Cater asked me to lunch. Trey was cooking. When I asked what he would be making, he said it would depend on what he found in the fridge.
The main course was a cheese omelet, using leftover ingredients from a cheese tart he made the previous day. There was also a side salad he made with the extra carrots and raisins from a carrot cake. He even made soup and a dessert, all with what he'd happened upon in the kitchen.
I thought the same thing. Once it was almost done, the aroma attracted Ace and Deuce as well. Five of us had lunch in the end, and all of us were more than satisfied. I was shocked. Trey had made not one, but multiple delicious dishes—all from leftovers. For me cooking has always meant deciding what to make, then gathering ingredients and following a recipe step by step.
Trey said that his skills developed as a matter of course because he often had to cook in place of his parents. It made me realize that memorizing recipes is not enough. I need to get more experience. One day, when I've left my home and dorm behind, I imagine I'll find myself living alone, and will need to cook for myself. If I can avoid wasting ingredients, I'll have less shopping to do as well. So, to temper my cooking skills, I plan to be a regular participant in the Culinary Crucible.
Ah, that. Yes, I suppose I'll have all sorts of considerations to make, won’t I? If I ever find myself shopping for furniture, I shall have to ask your advice, Vil.
And that brings our interview to an end. What a fascinating chat we had. Here—this is for you. The vivid red flowers make this broom your perfect match.
Indeed, red symbolizes both Heartslabyul and the Queen of Hearts herself. Thank you very much. Honestly, it's made me happier than I'd care to admit. I do hope my flight does it justice.
