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“Inject your elemental energy into the lid, just like you did with your hammer,” Eshmund explained. “Then touch it to the stone on the locket.”

“Like this?” Anise asked. She held the jar lid and carefully guided her energy through her hand, channeling it into the object.

“Not too much. Just enough so you can feel it’s wrapped in your energy.”

“Okay now?”

“Yeah, now.”

She touched the energy-infused lid to the Void Stone embedded in the locket. In a soft poof, the lid vanished.

“Oh! It’s gone!” Anise exclaimed, eyes wide with surprise. “So it’s inside the black stone now?”

“You could say that but not quite,” Eshmund replied. “It’s actually stored in a subspace – like a pocket dimension. The stone just acts as the key or door that connects to it.”

“I don’t really get it, but… how do I get it out again?” she asked, leaning forward, clearly eager.

“Now you need to inject energy into the stone and try to ‘feel’ for the lid inside. Once you sense it, wrap it in your energy again – just like before. There’s really nothing…”

“Aha! Got it.” Anise grinned triumphantly, holding the lid in her hand again. “Guess I’m a genius too, huh?”

Eshmund rolled his eyes. “Sure, let’s go with that.”

She tilted her head. “Do I always have to touch items to the stone to put them in?”

“Not necessarily. You can also connect an energy thread from the item to the Void Stone. It takes more control, but it works.”

Excited now, Anise went on a storage spree. She started transferring anything she could find: vegetables, a full cookie jar, a wooden spoon, a couple of plates, even one of her gloves.

After a while, she leaned on the table, dazed. “Ugh I feel dizzy.”

Eshmund chuckled. “Serves you right. You burned through your energy. Who told you to shove random things into it nonstop? Now how are you gonna get it all out?”

“Oh no… Mom’s gonna kill me!” she groaned dramatically.

“Relax,” Eshmund said, laughing. “Just wait till your energy recovers.”

Her expression relaxed a little. “So, as long as I have energy, I can keep putting things inside?”

“Not quite. The space inside this one is about ten square meters, but you’ll start getting resistance before you actually hit the limit. Don’t ask me why – it just works that way.”

“I see” she nodded thoughtfully.

Eshmund also took out the all the other items he bought from aunt mina’s Store, intended for Anise. The girl accepted them happily.

“Here, take this too.” Eshmund handed her a slender silver bangle. “It’s for something different, but I’ll explain it later.
For now, I got to head home. Grandma’s waiting on me for lunch.”

“You want me to come too?” Anise asked, half-teasing, half-serious.

“You’re welcome to join,” he offered with a grin.

She shook her head with a small smile. “Nah, I don’t wanna crash your family reunion.”

“Alright, then come by for dinner. Carlan and the other guy will be there too. Hopefully”

Anise’s smile grew wider. “Okay. I’ll be there.”

---

“You’re early dear, lunch isn’t ready yet. I just finished frying some chicken – are you hungry already?” Leila asked, seeing her grandson already in the kitchen.

“I know. It’s just… been a long time since we cooked together,” Eshmund said with a small smile.

“Oho, so today I get a helper?” Leila raised an eyebrow, amused.

“At your service, boss,” Eshmund said with a playful grin.

“I picked some papaya and mango from the backyard. Thought we could make Tapados salad.” Eshmund said

The name was different in this world, but it was basically Som Tum – the famous Thai green papaya salad. Made with shredded unripe papaya or mango, sometimes both. There were variations, but the essentials stayed the same: crunchy, tangy, spicy, and refreshing.

“Oh, you missed those, huh? They don’t have that at the sect?” Leila asked as she checked on the chicken.

“They do, but not quite like how you make them. I tried making some before, but it’s just not the same,” Eshmund admitted.

“Then it’s time you learn how to make it properly – my way,” Leila said with a proud smile.

“Yeah. After being away from you, I realized just how delicious your cooking really is,” Eshmund replied.

“So you know. One day, when your grandpa and I leave this world, at least you’ll have my recipes to remember us by,” she said softly, a bit of melancholy in her voice.

“Nah, you and grandpa are healthy as ever. You’ll live to at least 150. You’re only 60 now – that’s basically a baby. Even your skin’s smoother than some girls I know,” Eshmund chuckled, thinking of a certain blacksmith.

“You sweet-talker,” Leila said, laughing. “Why don’t you peel and shred them first? We’ll mix it together after. I’m heading to the backyard for a bit.”

“Alright, boss,” Eshmund said. Leila just smiled at his antics as she walked out, the warm aroma of fried chicken lingering in the air.

---

He picked a sharp knife from the kitchen and washed it under cold water. With practiced hands, he began peeling the papaya. A little latex still clung to the skin – it was freshly picked, after all.

The fruit wasn’t that big, about the size of a rugby ball. Once peeled, its flesh revealed a deep orange-red hue – semi-ripe, but still firm. Just right for salad. It would bring a hint of sweetness while keeping that signature crunch. He sliced it into quarters from the stalk down and scooped out the seeds.

Next, he grabbed three unripe mangoes. They were the elongated variety – not too sour, low in fiber, ideal for shredding. He peeled them cleanly, then split them open. The seed casings hadn’t hardened yet, so they came out effortlessly, leaving no mess.

After rinsing the fruit, he transferred everything into a bamboo basin. He reached for a grater with slightly larger holes – around 0.5 to 0.7 millimeters – perfect for the job. He started shredding the papaya and mango into long, ribbon-like strips.

Curious, he picked up a handful of mango strips and popped them into his mouth. The sharp tang hit instantly.

“mmp.. that’s sour,” he winced, his face twisting slightly.

Leila walked in just in time to see his reaction. “Tasting before mixing, huh?” she chuckled. “Help me clean these.”

She handed him a bundle of herbs and roots – lemongrass, turmeric, and another plant Eshmund didn’t recognize. It looked like a thicker variety of lemongrass, with reddish tints at the base of its stalk.

She also had a few wide-leafed kale bunches in her basket.

“What’s this one, Grandma?” he asked, holding up the unfamiliar stalk.

“That’s called Tuhao. My secret ingredient for Tapados,” Leila said proudly. “Haven’t you seen it before? It’s been growing in the same spot since you were a baby.”

“Oh? Where? I’ve never heard that name before,” Eshmund replied.

“It’s just a little ways from the mango tree. The area’s a bit overgrown, so it blends in with the weeds. But once you know what you’re looking for, the stalk is easy to spot,” she explained.

“I need to see this,” Eshmund said, setting the basin aside and heading out.

Sure enough, just a few meters from the mango tree, at the edge of the garden where weeds ran wild – stood a patch of the mystery plant. It looked like Galangal at a glance, with thick stalks and wide leaves.

“Is this it? Looks exactly like Galangal…” he muttered, plucking a leaf and sniffing it. “Oh, wait. The smell’s completely different!”

A sudden realization lit up his face. No wonder my Tapados never had that unique smell. This must be the secret ingredient Grandma uses!

At that moment, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.

“Etlingera Coccinea,” Sage intoned, and a shimmering status window appeared before his eyes.

“So this is where the magic came from”

Eshmund grinned, excitement bubbling up inside him. He dug a few stalk, with its root, planning to plant them in his vegetable garden later.

---

He walked back into the kitchen, holding a small bundle wrapped in leaves.
“I took some to plant at the sect,” he said, placing it carefully on the counter. “That way, I can make Tapados the way you do, even when I’m away.”

Leila smiled softly at him, pride in her eyes.

They stood side by side at the sink, washing the vegetables. The sound of running water mingled with the quiet rhythm of their conversation.

“So, how do you use the Tuhao?” he asked, curious.

“For the salad, we only use the soft core,” Leila explained, picking up a stalk. “You peel away the tough outer layers. If you can pinch it easily, it’s good to use. I’ll show you.”

Once the vegetables were clean, Leila grabbed five Tuhao stalks, each about thirty centimeters long. The leaves are already removed. With practiced hands, she removed the fibrous outer layers and began mincing the tender inner core. The air filled with its sharp, citrusy scent. She followed that with a handful of fresh red chili peppers, finely chopped. Se also squeezed the juice from several limes – just enough to fill a small tea cup, about 50ml.

She brought out the bamboo basin filled with the shredded papaya and mango, then poured in the lime juice, the minced Tuhao, the chilies, a generous pinch of salt, and a spoonful of sugar. She mixed everything gently but thoroughly with a wooden spoon.

Finally, she added a small chunk of shrimp paste, the kind aged in clay pots.

Eshmund watched intently.

“You can also grind dry-fried anchovies and use it instead of shrimp paste,” she said. “And vinegar can replace the lime juice. Some people don’t like the smell of fermented shrimp or vinegar. And if the mango is really sour, you don’t need the lime at all.”

“I see,” he nodded. “But the way you make it, – that’s the way I like it too.”

Leila laughed softly. “You haven’t even tried the other varieties. They’re not bad either.”

“Well, I’ll give them a try eventually,” Eshmund chuckled.

“You know,” she said as she continued to mix, “without the papaya and mango, this mix of Tuhao and lime juice makes a great sauce for fish – especially freshwater fish. It gets rid of the smell.”

“Oh, you mean the dipping sauce we use with grilled fish and anchovies?” he asked.

“Yes, that one,” she confirmed.

After a bit more mixing, she scooped a small portion and held it out to him.

“Here, taste it.”

Eshmund leaned in and took the bite. He chewed slowly, savoring the vibrant mix of sweet, sour, and spicy. The shredded papaya gave it a crisp texture, while the Tuhao brought that signature aromatic punch.

“This is perfect,” he said with a wide smile.

“It’s good, isn’t it?” Leila beamed back, her voice warm and proud.

“Alright, let’s get the curry going next. The chicken’s already fried, and your grandpa will be home soon,” she said, slipping into her usual kitchen rhythm.

She placed the finished salad onto the dining table and carefully covered it with a serving lid woven from palm leaves.

The two of them moved seamlessly around the kitchen – cutting, stirring, frying. The familiar sounds of clangs and clinks echoed through the space. Soon, a delicious, aromatic fragrance drifted through the air, wrapping the house in comfort.

---

“I’m home,” came a strong, charismatic voice from the inner door, just as Leila and Eshmund were placing the last dishes on the dining table. Tasan’s timing was impeccable. In his right hand, he carried a small bundle tied with string, something he often brought back from his errands.

“We came to join – smells delicious in here!” chimed another voice. It was Ran, Eshmund’s second senior brother, his tone light and cheerful as always.

Kalen, the eldest, stepped in behind them, saying nothing but wearing a wide grin that said plenty.

“Grandpa!” Eshmund beamed, hurrying over to meet Tasan. He gently took the bundle from his hand, then grasped Tasan’s weathered fingers and planted a respectful kiss on the back – an age-old gesture in the land, reserved for elders after a long separation.

Tasan gave a rare, pleased smile and walked toward his favorite spot at the table. As he sat down, his sharp eyes took in his grandson’s figure. “Hah, you’ve grown taller.”

He didn’t speak much, not unless it mattered. But the pride behind his words wasn’t something he could hide.

“I noticed it too,” Leila added with a warm smile as she poured tea into her husband’s cup. “He’s really turning into an adult.”

Eshmund didn’t respond – just grinned, clearly pleased. If even his grandfather noticed, then it must be true. Tasan wasn’t one to hand out compliments easily.

“How are you, Grandpa? I heard they’re expanding the cabbage fields,” Eshmund asked as he set the bundle on the nearby cabinet.

“I’m a bit tired, but it’s alright. The cabbage has become this village’s pride. It’s brought in new jobs, and the government’s even expanding the roads to make transporting it easier,” Tasan replied, his tone practical. “They’re also planning to enlarge the apothecary so they can process the cabbage into healing salves.”

“That sounds like a good thing, right? ” Leila chimed in. “Didn’t you say you were getting bored?”

Tasan gave a small chuckle. “True, but harvest season is here. The villagers already have their hands full with the rice fields. I wish they’d let them finish that before pushing the expansion. Everyone’s going to be overwhelmed at this rate.”

“I’m sure the officials will make some arrangements,” Leila said gently.

“I hope so,” he muttered.

“Well, let’s eat first. There’s more rice, so don’t be shy,” Leila said, taking her seat beside her husband.

The family shared their meal, asking Eshmund about his life at the sect between bites. The warm aroma of home cooking filled the room, blending with laughter and quiet conversation.

After lunch, they moved to the living room to rest. Eshmund took out a bundle of fine silk from his pouch and handed it to his grandmother. Her face lit up as she unfolded the soft, vibrant cloth.

“These are beautiful,” she whispered, running her fingers over the delicate weave.

“Your favorite color has always been those right? I hope it’s okay,” Eshmund said.

“It’s great dear” Leila replied.

Then, from his space pouch, Eshmund retrieved four bangles – slim, elegant, and lightly glowing with spirit energy.

“These are for you all. They have basic protective functions and also work as Space Pouches. So I hope you guys wear it all the time” He said

He handed one to each of them. His grandmother’s bangle was slightly more ornate, set with a soft floral engraving.

“We all have some training in martial arts, so using them should be easy,” he said. Then, just as he’d done with Anise, he showed them how to activate the space function, guiding their hands and focus.

“This thismust be expensive,” Leila murmured. “Your grandfather used to have one, but it broke.”

“I made some contributions to the sect, so I was allowed to purchase the materials. A senior helped craft them. They’re low-grade, nothing fancy,” Eshmund explained. “Only about ten square meters of space, but it should help with carrying things.”

Ran’s eyes sparkled. “Thank you, little brother!” he said eagerly, immediately testing the bangle by taking out a medicine bottle and putting it back in, over and over.

“Carefully with that Big Brother, it could drain your energy and make you dizzy” Eshmund said. Ran slowed down his tinkering with the bangle.

“Thank you,” Kalen said, his tone serious. “This will help a lot when we visit patients.”

Leila’s eyes were soft with affection. “Thank you, dear.”

Tasan nodded, turning the bangle over in his hand. “Thank you. It’s been a long time since I held something like this.” His expression shifted, a shadow passing across his features – an old memory stirred by the sight of the void stone embedded in the bangle.

“These are restricted, aren’t they?” he said after a pause. “Only sect members or government officials can buy them from their group. Will the Samang Sect be okay with this?”

“It’s fine. I didn’t go through the weapon department, we made it ourself” Eshmund reassured him. “So it won’t be an issue.”

“By the way, Grandma,” he added, “my friends will be joining us for dinner tonight – Anise, Carlan, and someone new. You haven’t met him yet. Don’t worry, I’ll help with cooking after I get back from the cabbage fields. I want to see what’s changed.”

“Alright,” Leila said with a knowing smile. “But don’t be late, or I’ll start without you.”

“I definitely won’t, I need to learn your recipes diligently, so I can at least imitate it at the sect when I miss your food” He said, chuckling