Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

Shichen returned shortly after, bringing back something rather remarkable.

He brought an animal that looked something like a cow yet wasn't exactly a cow, its body at least three or four times his own size. The key point was that it was still alive, with grass still in its mouth as it chewed. Obviously, it had been caught mid-graze.

Besides this cow-like beast, he also brought a few vegetables to use as side ingredients. After all, just eating meat becomes too greasy; there have to be vegetables to go along with it.

"How about we eat this today?" Shichen patted the animal's head, asking Frieren.

Frieren glanced at the creature—still chewing grass, acting like nothing had happened—and asked curiously, "Where did you catch it from?"

"Over in the forest."

"This thing is huge. How can we possibly finish it?"

"No worries, we can eat it bit by bit. Anything we don't finish can be stored away. Tomorrow morning we can make meat stew."

"As you wish. At any rate, I'm not the one who's cooking," Frieren replied, giving up on the matter.

"All right, I'll drag it off for butchering."

"Go far away, so its blood won't splatter everywhere. I don't like the smell of blood."

"Got it."

Shichen took the cow-like animal away, and about half an hour later, he returned. By then, that animal had been dismembered—cut into several pieces: the limbs, head, plus the body in five sections. It had also been roasted to some degree, the meat emitting an enticing reddish-brown color, giving off a faint aroma.

As for himself, he was very clean, without a single bloodstain on him. It wasn't that he drank the blood—he didn't care to drink animal blood. The idea never crossed his mind. If it were a beast-girl, that might pique his interest…

Frieren had no thoughts of training anymore. Ever since Shichen came back, she hadn't really been able to get into a meditative state.

"What are you planning to do?" Frieren asked, coming over and sniffing the faint aroma while forcing herself not to swallow her saliva.

"I was thinking we'd just roast it. Both the leg and spare ribs can simply be grilled. Sprinkle on some seasoning."

"Roasted again? I'm an elf and I'm still eating barbecue day in and day out… And can we even finish it all?" Frieren sighed, those cute thick eyebrows of hers arching together in mild annoyance.

"No help for it. All we can do is roast it. We don't have many cooking options, plus our seasonings are limited.

"Fine. Do whatever you want." Frieren gave up.

"I would've liked to try other ways to make something tastier for you, but I forgot to bring along certain seasonings. Another time, I'll let you taste real cuisine."

"What are you even talking about?" Frieren said, not quite following him.

"Never mind. I'll just roast this."

Shichen didn't explain. He put most of the meat inside the kitchen, then started roasting some right nearby. He didn't bother with a wood fire; he simply levitated the meat in midair, then summoned a handful of golden flames around it.

Frieren watched curiously. She walked up to his side, asking, "That flame is also your magic?"

"Not exactly," Shichen replied.

It was his beast's ability—the power of his contracted creature—and he could draw on it.

"Why is the flame gold?"

"Because it's a 'holy flame.'"

"I don't get it."

"That's alright. The important thing is we'll soon get to eat."

Using holy fire to roast meat is quite extravagant—after all, it's no ordinary flame; it's imbued with life energy and can burn away filth or evil. But powers exist to be used practically. If he did normal roasting, who knows how long it would take. With holy fire, ten minutes was enough.

A meaty aroma spread all around, and the roasted surfaces of the meat shone with a golden tint.

Unable to hold back, Frieren swallowed, her throat making an audible gulp.

Gulp—

Shichen shot her an amused look.

"What're you looking at?" She glared at him, feeling a rare moment of embarrassment.

Shichen smiled and shook his head. "Oh, nothing."

"Hurry up and finish roasting!"

"Alright~"

They didn't talk further, simply watching the floating roasted meat gradually finish cooking.

In almost no time—just ten minutes—it was done. Right at that moment, a mature, slightly languid voice spoke up.

"Oh ~ What's that smell? Frieren, have you finally learned to cook for yourself?"

Shichen looked toward the voice and saw Flamme, who appeared much the same as last time he saw her. Delighted, he waved at her.

"Master!"

"Shichen, you're back?" Flamme came over beside him with a gentle smile.

"Yep, I'm back!"

"Good to have you back. And that mana inside you… Pretty impressive," Flamme remarked in awe. "I can sense my own mentor's aura in you."

"You mean Master's master?" Shichen played dumb.

"Mhm. She was quite formidable—pretty much the strongest. She was also an elf like Frieren," Flamme said, smiling.

"Oh." Frieren was uninterested, eyes fixed only on the roasted meat.

"Hehe~" Flamme didn't mind. Following the aroma, she gazed at the floating golden fire-roasted meat. "What flame is that?"

"It's Shichen's ability," Frieren answered for him.

"I see, impressive," Flamme chuckled, patting Shichen on the shoulder in praise. She certainly sensed the terrifying strength contained in that flame.

"Master, you're flattering me," Shichen said, a bit embarrassed.

Looking up at the golden flame blazing around the meat, Flamme's eyes reflected its golden light. She looked on without blinking. "I knew there was something unusual about you, but never expected you to have a power like this."

Shichen grinned sheepishly. "If you praise me too much, I might get cocky."

"Haha, alright, no more praise. Let's eat— I'm starving."

"Sure. Let Master taste my cooking." With the golden flame dispelled, Shichen used telekinesis to carry the roasted meat inside the house.

Frieren and Flamme followed on either side of him.

"It seems like there's quite a lot," Flamme noted, eyeing the big plates of roasted meat as she sat down at the table.

"No problem. Frieren will definitely finish it," Shichen teased as he sat across from her.

"What do you take me for?" Frieren snapped, pouting adorably.

"Hm…some lazy elf who loves eating?"

"You're the lazy one!"

"Let's see, who left all the cooking to me? Master said you never cook at all."

Frieren was left speechless.

"Alright, alright. Frieren is already hopeless. Let's just enjoy the food before it gets cold." Flamme laughed, interjecting to mediate.

"Sure thing."

They devoured a feast of roasted meat with great satisfaction. Shichen ate quite a lot, Frieren ended up with oil all around her mouth, and even Flamme partook of a fair portion.

Perhaps it was simply that this cow-like creature's meat was too delicious. Truly, high-quality ingredients only need simple cooking. Even so, plenty remained.

Shichen set aside the leftover roasted meat. He'd wanted to ask Flamme some questions about magic, but she instead proposed having a duel of sorts.

He couldn't find a reason to refuse.

Thus he followed Flamme away from the house, heading to an open area nearby. Frieren also came along to watch.

"Master, no need to go easy on me," Shichen, standing some distance away, bold-facedly declared.

"I had no such intention." Flamme shook her head.

"Great. I'm ready."

"Then let me strike first?" she confirmed. Without waiting for a response, she raised her hand. A surge of mana gathered there, shining bright, forming a projectile almost like a cannon shell, and it shot straight at Shichen.

That cluster of mana held potent force, visible to the naked eye. Shichen calmly stood in place. Only when it was barely a meter from him did he vanish on the spot.

"What?!"

Flamme couldn't help exclaiming in surprise.

"Master, didn't expect that, did you?" Shichen's triumphant voice sounded behind her.

Flamme spun around sharply. There stood Shichen barely a meter away, already facing her.

"At this range, I think you can guess how that ends, right?"

~~~

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