Chapter 17: Guess We're Cookin'

Alrighty you guys~~~! Hope you enjoy what I have cooked up~!

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[Lunch break]

Finally, after another two long hours of lectures, the bell rang, surprisingly enough. Didn't even know they have this here. But oh well, everything's great as long as it is convenient.

I closed my eyes for a bit and stretched my body, sore from the four hours long of just sitting. I let a contented sigh and stood up from my seat and Reah immediately approached me.

"Hey, Kross. Let's go to the cafeteria together. Big brother Aultrec and bid brother Clarret are already waiting with everyone else."

"Hm? Everyone else?"

I understand if it's Aultrec and Clarret, but who were the rest?

"Mm! The representatives from the elves and the beastmen agreed to my big brother's invitation, so we're going with them."

"Eh? Wouldn't that be some kind of a diplomatic thing? Because as far as I know, all the representatives sent from their own continents were princes and princesses."

Yeah, I only knew of this earlier while talking with Aia.

"Of course not. We will only be gathering for the sake of acquainting with each other, not for any diplomatic purposes.

And besides, what are you saying being princes and princesses? You're a crimson dragon, so basically you are also from the royal bloodline of dragons, you know?"

She said as she reasoned out with a pout.

Man I want to pinch those cheeks... Wait. Snap out of it you dumbass!

"Heh? I didn't know that there's something like that..."

"Well, don't worry about that! By the time when we finish our studies here in the institute, we'll bring you along with us to Dragonariah, and I'm sure my father and the rest of the elders will give you a rank of nobility! After all, you are the only crimson dragon alive as of date~."

Huh. Now that... sounds unsettling. Never really thought of myself doing noble-y stuff, especially paper work...

"Right... Anyways. Let's go? We don't want to keep them waiting for long."

"Mm! Let's!"

We walked out of the classroom with my hand linked with Reah's.

When did that happen exactly?

We saw the group and waved towards the them.

I saw Aultrec, Clarret, Aia, two other elves with one having the same hair colors as Aia's and another with golden hair, along with the group are three beastmen, with one of them I was able to identify as the one that Clarret's been talking with earlier, and from the looks of it, they from the line of the white tiger beastmen.

"Oh, finally you two love dragons are here. Come along, everyone. Or our tummies gonna annoy us further."

Aultrec said jokingly and gained some light chuckle from everyone else, except the two of us, me and Reah, as our faces immediately burned crimson that I don't doubt that just a few shades more, then will be as bright as my scales.

We followed along as Aia approached us.

"Hey Kross."

"Oh, hey Aia. What's up?"

"Well, nothing really. I was just wondering if I can somehow ask for the chefs here in this institute to teach me a few recipes of the dishes they serve, or maybe get to learn some few techniques as well."

"Hm, that's a good idea, actually. Why don't we try then? But then again, I just hope that they can satisfy my stomach. Not just in the quality of the dishes, but also the quantity."

"Haha. I know, right? Just based from the amount that we ate last night, I can already say that your stomach's capacity is that of thirty people."

"Heh, you don't say. But I think it's like a mini black hole."

"A mini black hole? That's a new word for me. What does it mean?"

"Oh, uhm... It's something that can consume things with no definite limit."

"Hoo~, that is a good object of comparison. But say, you really don't know your limit on how much you can eat?"

"Nope. Because as far as I know, everything that goes in my stomach will be instantly absorbed by me in the form of pure energy that can amplify my body to some extent."

"Hoo~."

"Hm~. So the legends about crimson dragons are true then."

After being silent for some time, Reah finally decided to... uhm... remind us of her presence. Cuz I almost forgot that she's with us even though I'm holding her hand...

But more importantly,

"What legends?"

I asked as Aia perked up his pointy ears, eager to listen to Reah for his own curiosity.

"It's a legend that states of crimson dragons having abilities related to the first generation of dragons, such as what you have right now, Kross. Say, you can consume a little amount of food, but it won't make you satisfied but will still make your hunger sated, right?"

"Yup, that's exactly how I feel."

"Mm. Then it is the trait called [Absolute Absorption], which turns everything you consume into energy needed by the body."

Well, that's not exactly wrong but neither is it right. Because it isn't [Absolute Absorption] anymore the moment I evolved, but rather upgraded to [Devour]. Well, better keep my lips sealed for the time being. There are still a lot of mysteries clouding my very being, after all. Mysteries that even I couldn't make heads or tails to, even though I clearly remember only setting it as simple.

Wished to be a dragon with full transformation capabilities... There seems to be anything but wrong in that.

Maybe it's just the way of the world? That... I do not know.

Hais, too troublesome...

"Oh, now that explains it. But then again, it's still not bad to appreciate the beauty and alure food gives us, it's just too tempting!"

Aia added.

As expected of a foodie.

"Well, I can agree with you on that. Oh, and by the way. We're here."

"Perfect!"

Aia exclaimed.

Our group stopped in front of one the table available, near the cooking and serving corner.

Delicious aroma of different kinds of dishes assaulted our noses, tempting us further with just their flavor that mixed in the air.

"Well, everyone. The Dean have already made arrangements for our food and only need to wait for a while for it to be served. Oh, and by the way. He have also gave the approval of us for the kitchen use of needed in case we want to cook ourselves or if the food served is insufficient."

Aultrec said as we seated ourselves, which caught delight of our foodie with his last sentence.

I even heard him mutter to himself with an excited look on his face.

"Score..."

I could only smile wrily. But it's understandable, I guess.

I sat beside Reah, with Clarret on my left. Followed by Aultrec, Aia, with the other two, and three beastmen, with one of them still enthusiascally talking about fighting.

Clarret even dragged me into it and I was finally able to get to know the name of the beastmen he've been talking to.

His name is Igris Beasthrelle, which kinda fits him in my opinion.

White hair that looks a bit wild, buffed physique, and tall figure.

He's a really likeable guy, not like what I expect of how royalties would act.

Then, he introduced us to his siblings.

The one younger than him, less hot blooded and without the muscles... If I may say, is named Tigris Beasthrelle. And their youngest, and only female in their family, their older siblings included, is named Iris Beasthrelle.

Just like the other two, she have white tiger ears with black stripes and a tail with the same color scheme that keeps of swishing gracefully behind her back, yellow with the hint of gold, cat-like eyes, and a sweet smile always on her face face, much how like Reah acts. And she's also a beauty, not a buxom type of beauty, but she still have a lovely figure that coul... Wait a minute!!! Just how much did myentality changed that my mind always goes that path?!

*Ehem*

Breath, breath, I need to breath.... Phew...

After that, Aia also introduced his two siblings.

Is it just me, or my conjecture of polygamy is widely accepted in this world actually spot on?

The first one he introduced is the first prince, his twin.

Yeah, it was a shock.

Akaia Dryas. Much like his twin, have the same silver hair but he kept his longer, reaching the middle of his back.

Then the last one is Eleniea Dryas, the one with golden hair, also the youngest of the three. And the the thing is... Well, female elves in this world is the type most weebs are going 'loko' in my world for.

Tall, hour glass body, and a buxom figure.

I just don't know if all elves are like her, I haven't really saw any other female elves just yet.

After all the introductions, we continued to chat casually, with no solid topics to talk about, just trying to amuse each other.

But most of the time waiting for our food, it was Clarret and his new buddy Igris who leads the conversation with stories of their fights, to the amusement of everyone present.

Then finally, our food have arrived.

We started eating, but we took our time. There's really no need to hurry as we have at least an hour and half the time for the lunch break.

After a while, all food were consumed. And guess what? I ain't satisfied even a tiny bit...

"Hey Kross? What do you think?"

Aia suddenly asked.

His question was slightly vague, but I k ow what he meant.

"Well, the tastes are good and and the servings as well as the flavors were all finely balanced... But, my stomach just can't be satisfied with the little amount."

"Haha. Well, I have expected that. So what do you say? Wanna hit the kitchen and cook up a batch?"

"Hm, sure. Why not."

As this conversation of ours is going, the others were also paying attention.

And by the looks of the faces of Aultrec and Clarret, and add Igris' to the mix, they have the same opinion as me.

They want to eat more.

Well, I couldn't blame them, two of them are dragons so it's expected and the other one is a beastman.

This is also the reason why all three of them perked up the moment they heard our conversation.

Aulttrc immediately grinned, so did the other two.

"Oh? So you know how to cook, brother-in-law?"

Aultrec asked with a wierd smile on his lips.

"Hehe, and he's really great at it too, you know?"

Without me confirming myself, Aia decided interject.

"Hm. That coming from our dear brother who's obsessed with cooking... That means that you are really good at it, then."

Eleniea added.

"Hm. This does not happen too often. My brother only acknowledges the best of the best when it comes to cooking, so I guess you really are talent, Sir Kross."

Akaia confirmed and added his piece.

""Hohoho~! We're going to enjoy a feast!""

Clarret, together with Igris said as they grinned widely with their fists pumped up.

Dammit, I have to escape from this embarrassing situation... fast!

"U-uhm. W-well, let's go already Aia! I-I want to start c-cooking!"

Man~, that sounded so pathetic...

I immediately stood up and dragged the grinning Aia along with me to the kitchen.

Well, at least someone's having fun with my plight...

...

"Brother-in-law gets embarrassed so easily."

Aultrec said.

"Mhm. Brother-in-law really does get embarrassed so easily."

Clarret added.

"Muo~! You shouldn't have done that~!"

Reah whined and she pouted and pinched her two btothers' cheeks, rather harshly, much to her bothers' chagrin as they apologized to profusely, just fro her to let go of their cheeks.

These actions only earned some light chuckles and giggle from the rest.

Aultrec, now freed from his sister's clutches, suddenly suggested as he rubbed his reddened cheeks.

"Say, should we invite the Dean? After all, Kross and him are quite close and in a grandfather and grandson relationship."

The others mused for a moment before nodding their heads in approval.

"That's not a bad idea. Good thinking, big brother!"

Reay beamed as she said that.

"Hehe. Of course."

Auktrec beamed back.

...

Now back to Kross and Aia...

"Ho~. As expected of the kitchen from the most prestigious institute."

Aia said in amazement.

"Mm, I completely agree with you. This the most grandest looking kitchen I have ever seen."

I said and agreed with his opinion, completely getting of my earlier embarrassment.

The whole kitchen is really big with all sorts of magic tools especially made for cooking all around, ready to be used.

The lightings are great, the arrangements and cleanliness are also flawless!

There are a lot of chefs busy with their work as they rushed passed us.

The scent of different and rare and exotic ingredients lingered in the air, messing with our senses.

And the smell of different dishes being cooked is mesmerising!

"Kross! Come on, I've got us a place over there!"

Aia exclaimed as he waved at me from a corner where cooking tools and utensils are already arranged, ready to be used.

Various ingredients laid on the table, with different kinds of seasonings and such!

I walked towards him.

I didn't even realized how he got here so fast. One time we're talking with each other, admiring the kitchen, then the next moment he's already there.

'Guess I got distracted more than I have anticipated, or is it just him being so agile? Meh, who cares...'

And so we began.

With us two working together, not much time passed and already a lot of dishes were prepared and finished as their aromas being carried by the wind, gaining the attention of the other chefs as they began to clamor and crowd our aare, but we didn't notice that as we were too concentrated in our work.

Our hands blurred as we cut through ingredient after ingredient, all the while arranging the dishes in a proper and presentable platings.

We moved about in our kitchen corner, perfectly in sync, without any chance crashing with each other, like we're performing a dance while in a trance-like state.

As the chefs got more and more rowdy, we're finally done with our last dish, and we sighed in relief and grinned at each other and looked at the different dishes set on the table.

Only then did we noticed that we have gathered quite the crowd.

...

[3rd person POV]

Delicious aroma wafted out from the kitchen as the servers brought out dish after dish and placed them in front of the group.

All of them stared in awe as they gulped at the same time.

Other students also threw their envious gazes towards the group, but they didn't do anything stupid as they knew who they were and even spotted the Dean along with them.

Finally, after their table was about to be filled to the brim, the two of their companions finally got out from the kitchen with two other dishes in their hands.

The two looked on in amusement as they saw the other's look and shared a grin.

[POV changed: Kross]

We were blocked by the other chefs, all wanting to at least try our food.

Without any other choice, we cooked a bit more, enough for them to share.

After that, we asked for the servers to help us carry all the dishes to our table as we also went out with the last dishes in our hands.

I saw all of them barely holding themselves back as they eyed the food in front of them.

I looked at Aia and grinned which he did the same.

We walked towards them and placed the last two dishes on the table before going back to our seats.

And then I noticed grandpa Sylv, already sitted himself in one of the empty seats.

I smiled and greeted him.

"Hey there, grandpa. Glad to see that you are here."

"Hoho~! My boy my, glad to see you too! And I must say, these dishes smells really terrific!"

He exclaimed and threw me a thumbs up.

"Haha. It's our combined effort, after all. Now then, everyone,"

I gave him a smile and turned to looked at Aia, we nodded to each other and looked at the group who are hungrily eyeing the dishes and grinned.

""Let's dig in.""

-fin.

[Author's rants: Yo' heya~!

The chap's a bit plain, I know. But this is necessary to proceed smoothly, and to add more stability with this story of mine.

After this, all the events in the institute arc, or may we say, during "class hours", will mostly be focused on the Combat classes, so bear with it for the time being as we will start there immediately in the next chapter.

But anyway~!

There's nothing really worth of "cliffhanging" in this chapter either, so I wasn't able to do it, but oh well... Better luck next time I guess?

😜😆😜😆😜😆😜😆😜😆😜]