The Nihility Chef

Alice and Samael arrived in a luxurious penthouse, the teleportation circle connecting them to a Forte Family inn and restaurant located in the heart of the flying city. The manager of the inn was there to greet them, his demeanor respectful and professional.

"Young Master, Madam, we have prepared the penthouse for your stay," he said, bowing slightly.

The manager glanced at Samael, his eyes lingering on the strange ensemble. The young master had his head wrapped in a white scarf, a Tengu mask obscuring his face entirely. The only clue to his identity was the glint of his amethyst eyes and the fact that Alice was by his side.

Though curious, the manager knew better than to ask questions. Decades of working for noble families had taught him that some things were better left unsaid.

Despite the manager's discretion, Samael could feel the weight of his curiosity. The thought of wearing the mask for another six days only deepened his irritation. He shot a glare at Alice, who responded with an innocent smile, before storming off toward the kitchen.

He missed the hustle and bustle of a restaurant kitchen, the rhythmic chopping of ingredients, the sizzle of pans, and the symphony of flavors coming together. This was his chance to relive that experience.

When he reached the restaurant, he flashed a token proving his identity. The head chef's eyes lit up with excitement. He had been cooking here for years, and every time a Forte family chef visited, it was an opportunity to learn something extraordinary.

The Forte Family didn't share Andhrimnir's Art with outsiders, but even their basic techniques were enough to inspire awe. The head chef had been stuck at his current level for years, and he hoped this encounter would help him break through.

Samael quickly donned a chef's outfit, the crisp white fabric contrasting sharply with the eerie red of his Tengu mask. He glanced at the list of orders and began prepping ingredients. His movements were a blur, his knife slicing through vegetables with precision and speed. The rhythmic chopping became a melody, filling the kitchen with a sense of harmony.

Dish after dish flew out of the kitchen, each one a masterpiece. Samael's work rate was insane, and he even improved some of the recipes on the fly. As he advanced through Andhrimnir's Art, his understanding of ingredients and flavors had deepened, elevating his craft to new heights.

Word of the "Demon Chef" spread like wildfire. Customers flocked to the inn, drawn by the rumors of exquisite food and the chance to catch a glimpse of Alice, whose beauty was the talk of the city.

The restaurant was soon filled with laughter and chatter, the atmosphere joyous and lively. People sang, devoured their meals, and reveled in the moment. It was a scene of pure, unadulterated happiness.

"Chef, we need one Wraith Boar Roast, ASAP!" a server called out.

"On it," Samael replied. He quickly realized there was no prepared meat and would have to butcher the entire boar himself.

Dragging the massive carcass to a clear space, he summoned Gluttony, his greatsword-turned-chef's knife. Using the Chef's Dance, he transformed the task into an elegant performance. To the untrained eye, it seemed as though his arm merely twitched, followed by a whooshing sound, and perfectly cut cubes of meat would fall away.

The chefs watching him were stunned, their eyes filled with admiration and a yearning to reach his level of skill.

Samael swiftly finished the dish and decided to call it a day. As he left the kitchen and entered the dining hall, the customers were initially shocked by the sight of a chef in a Tengu mask. But as realization dawned, applause erupted. They were grateful to have witnessed the culinary magic of the "Demon Chef."

Alice approached him, a mischievous grin on her face. "Hahaha, well, you should be happy I drew on your face. Otherwise, you wouldn't be wearing the Tengu mask and earning the awesome nickname of Demon Chef."

"Shut up. Demon Chef sounds cringe as hell, and I still hate you," Samael retorted, though there was no real malice in his voice.

He turned and headed back to the penthouse, Alice trailing behind him.

"Hey, wait up!" she called, catching up to him. "Samiiiiii!"

When they arrived, they took a moment to appreciate the penthouse's opulence. The room was adorned with rare and expensive items, its grandeur rivaling that of a small apartment. The glass ceiling offered a breathtaking view of the night sky, the stars twinkling like diamonds. Tonight, the constellation Leo roared in the heavens, its presence commanding and majestic.

Alice leaped onto the massive bed, its size easily double that of a king-sized mattress. "Sooooo comfortable!" she exclaimed, sinking into the plush surface.

Samael joined her, lying back and turning to face Alice. "Are you ready, Alice? This is a bigger stage. We're going to meet so many new faces and make new friends."

"I'm going to let them taste my cooking and my rivals taste my fist," Samael continued, a determined glint in his eyes. "How about we break the record for the quickest breakthrough to the Emperor Realm in the history of the academy?"

"How about the history of the world?" Alice countered, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Okay," Samael laughed. "I'll race you there."

With that, the two friends drifted off to sleep, ready to leave their mark on the Tianjiao Academy.

Info of the Day: Technology

Technology has always existed in this world, from the Mechanical Arcanists of the Old Era to the advanced creations of today. While the aesthetic is steampunk—clunky and industrial—the functionality is unparalleled.

Mecha, towering constructs ranging from 3 to 10 meters tall, are a prime example. Unlike the sleek designs of Earth's imagination, these machines are more akin to the Hulkbuster, their bulkiness a testament to their raw power. However, mecha are almost exclusive to the Goblin Civilization, which relies on technology to carve out its place in the world.

Ancient technology, such as teleportation circles and seer orbs, relies on runes to function. Runes, an element exclusive to Dwarves and Goblins, were the foundation of their technological advancements.

While runes were once exclusive, the creation of the Rune Feather has made them accessible to all. This ingenious device converts neutral aura into rune energy, allowing anyone to use runes. However, this only works for the rune element, as runes are required to create runes—a paradox that makes perfect sense to those who understand the intricacies of aura manipulation.