Tania nervously tried to stop me from entering a small, rather plain-looking restaurant, but I insisted on following through with my decision.
"Tania, don't worry. I just want to taste the food of the common folk," I said cheerfully as I walked along the narrow path toward a certain shop.
When I arrived and looked up at the sign above the door, my eyes widened slightly.
"Hmm… this is exactly like in the game."
The restaurant before me was small — only a single story — with a simple wooden sign that read: Alevi's Restaurant.
I pushed open the door and stepped inside. The first thing I noticed was the crowd of men seated everywhere, eating their meals as if their lives depended on every bite.
All of them shared one thing in common: pure joy on their faces as they devoured the food.
I walked in further and searched for a seat while peeking toward the kitchen. There, a seemingly old man was bustling about in a chef's uniform. Despite his white hair and wrinkled face, he moved with youthful energy as he handled various ingredients with practiced ease.
Curious, I activated the [Scan] function.
Name: Erina Bevallig (Alevi)
Gender: Female
Age: 135
Race: Elf
Talent: 10/10
Power: Saint – Mid Stage
Title: Former Princess of War, Saint of the Spear
Affection: 0%
Description: Travels the world in search of the one destined for her. Loves tasting and cooking exotic foods.
Difficulty: S+ (A woman whose strength is beyond comprehension. If you wish to conquer her, you must work hard and be ready to risk everything.)
What?! I didn't expect her to be a woman… let alone an elf!
In the game, Alevi was known as a close-combat specialist and a passionate lover of food and cooking. She wandered the world spreading her culinary creations and tasting new dishes wherever she went.
But I never expected her to hide her true identity like this… nor did I imagine she'd disguise herself as a simple old man in an apron.
The reason I had come here was simple: to learn cooking from her.
Honestly, I wasn't learning how to cook just to become a good chef.
There was a hidden quest triggered by meeting Alevi. If you learned cooking from her and impressed her with your skills, she might reward you with something truly priceless.
I had stumbled upon this information by accident back on Earth — and by sheer coincidence, I discovered that her shop was located within my mother's territory.
After placing our order, we waited for the food to arrive. Tania and the guards looked nervous, clearly uneasy about eating at such a common place with no guarantee of hygiene.
Ten minutes later, our meal was served — a simple spread of rice, bread, and soup.
I scooped a spoonful of the soup and brought it to my lips.
Boom! My eyes flew wide open.
An explosion of flavor burst in my mouth, so intense I nearly bit my tongue.
"It's… it's delicious! Unbelievably delicious! I really should take cooking more seriously!"
Seeing me devour the food with pure joy, the others hesitated for a moment before gathering the courage to try it too.
"Amazing!"
"What is this? How can it taste this good?!"
"This is better than the food in our mansion!"
Tania and the guards were instantly hooked.
After the satisfying meal, I stood and walked straight toward the kitchen.
"Grandpa, are you the one who cooked this?"
I looked up at Alevi with sparkling eyes full of admiration, and my sudden action drew attention from several customers.
She turned to face me, her eyes curious.
"Yes, I am. Why do you ask, boy?"
Her reply made me smile brightly.
"In that case, could you teach me how to cook?"
"Tuan muda! What are you doing? You can't just wander around asking strangers to teach you!" Tania hissed as she rushed to my side.
"Tania, don't worry. I just want to learn cooking from her. Her food tastes way better than the chefs back home!"
As Tania and I whispered back and forth, Alevi spoke again.
"Boy, why do you want to learn how to cook?"
"Because… I want to make delicious food for my mother!"
"For your mother?" She raised an eyebrow.
I nodded firmly.
"She works so hard and she's always exhausted… I want to make something delicious for her."
I didn't even realize how passionately I was speaking.
"Tuan muda…" Tania's eyes grew misty as she looked at me.
My words left Alevi silent for a moment.
"Boy," she said softly, "don't you think cooking and being a chef isn't that… great?"
I shook my head immediately.
"Anything that can make my family happy and smile… is something great to me."
My answer seemed to puzzle her, but then — she burst into laughter.
"Ha… Ha… HAHAHAHA!"
"Good, good. I like your answer, boy. Very well — I'll teach you how to cook."
I grinned from ear to ear at her words.
"If you truly wish to learn, be here tomorrow morning at 8."
I nodded eagerly. With that, we left the shop and headed home, my heart light and full of anticipation.
I had no idea that the wheels of fate had begun to turn.
POV: Sophia
At that moment, I was reviewing documents concerning my territory. Since my husband's death, the burden of leadership had fallen entirely upon me.
As I thought about him, Zeref came to mind. That boy had matured so much recently.
I recalled Tania's report about his trip outside — about his desire to become a bow user, and how he believed I didn't know.
He wanted to become a bow user to support and protect his family.
Just like his father.
Without realizing it, a gentle smile appeared on my face.
"Hmm… they grow up so quickly, without me even noticing."
"I should look into the woman who owns that shop. Tania said her power might be at the Master stage…"
And that idiot son of mine wanted to learn how to cook just to make me happy. I chuckled softly at the thought — my boy truly had a kind heart.
As I sat there lost in thought, a sudden presence made me freeze.
I shot up from my seat, instantly forming a Mana shield around myself.
Anyone capable of entering my office unnoticed was far from ordinary.
Then I saw her — a woman in a one-piece dress and a hood that covered part of her face, radiating an elegant aura.
"Her…!"
Suddenly, a crushing pressure descended upon me, as if the weight of the world itself had landed on my shoulders. As someone who had once fought on the battlefield, I knew immediately — I was no match for this person.
A Saint…
The realization sent a chill down my spine.
I straightened my posture and faced the woman with utmost respect. A Saint, no matter who they were, was someone who could shape the fate of the world.
"What does a Saint want with me?" I asked, my tone respectful but cautious.
She waved her hand dismissively.
"Relax. I'm not here to kill you or anything."
"I came here to tell you one thing: I want to take your son as my disciple."
"WHAT?!"
I gasped, unable to hide my shock.
A Saint… wants to take my son as her disciple…?