Chapter 473: Some ideas about cooking
"Can I have some more?" she asked, unable to stand it.
"Of course," Idan replied readily, and the one who had prepared dinner stood up and served Hailey a second helping.
"And she likes to eat," Arabel remarked, speaking to Idan through a mental link.
"I think it's her bloodline that has started to affect her body, which is why she eats so much," Idan shared his guess.
Arabel, remembering that Hailey has a Dragon System, agreed with Idan's opinion.
"By the way, about cooking, do you have any thoughts?" she asked.
"Yes, I have some thoughts," Idan replied to her. "I'm a little surprised myself that I didn't pay attention to it earlier."
"Do you remember our early days in Limbo, when the System first gave you the task of cooking and me the task of butchering?" Idan recalled their early days in another world.
"Of course I remember," Arabel shuddered even now, thinking about it. "I ruined so many dishes back then, and I sometimes have nightmares about these incidents with harsh comments from the System."
"I also remember that in the beginning it was very difficult for you to meet the requirements of the System. It was only after you learned how to control mana, taking lessons from the Master and from Eulalia, that you were able to pass the System's assessments," Idan shared his observations.
"You're right!" — Arabel remembered those days. When she couldn't control mana, she almost always messed up the ingredients by cooking simple meals. She hadn't noticed it at the time, but now, looking at it from the outside, she understood why the System always rejected her cooking, even though she thought she was doing everything right.
"It was easier for me to handle the cooking task than for you, because by that time I already knew how to use mana, unlike you," Idan confessed.
Arabel, remembering this, was slightly offended. Back then, she thought that Idan's talent for cooking was better than hers, but it turned out that this was not the case. She just became the first and suffered trying to cook dishes without having the necessary mana control ability.
Idan, looking at Arabel's offended face, couldn't help but laugh.
Hailey, engrossed in her meal, ignored them.
"Now that we know this, it doesn't surprise me that there are almost no people in our world who are able to handle the cooking of new ingredients that appeared after the world changed, especially the meat of evolved beasts," Idan said.
"Yes," Arabel agreed. "Not to mention ordinary people, most Awakened Ones have Ordinary Systems that cannot help their Hosts master magic. And without that, they are not able to use mana."
"Yeah. It follows from this that only awakened ones with a Rare System have the opportunity to cook dishes like ours," concluded Idan. "But even they probably don't have a separate cooking ability like we do. Perhaps only cooking-related systems can work properly with new ingredients."
"How about we open our own little restaurant?" Arabel suddenly suggested, and a spark of excitement lit up in her eyes.
"No, that's not the best idea," — Idan shook his head. "We have so much to do, and waste more time cooking for customers? No, I don't need it. What I cook for you is enough for me."
Although Idan's words rejecting her little idea upset Arabel, the fact that he was willing to cook for her made her happy.
"But maybe we could consider promoting the development of cooking in our world and try to earn System Points from it," Idan continued.
"How do we do this?" For some reason, this idea caught Arabelle's attention, although she was more inclined to the idea of a restaurant.
Nevertheless, she did not dismiss this thought and began to think: "What if we open a small eatery on our territory and feed only our own, and not everyone? Besides, by working there from time to time, we'll be able to improve our cooking skills."
"I suggest that we first study the current state of cooking in our world. Perhaps there are already awakened ones with a cooking system, and they have already started their business somewhere." Idan started sharing his tentative plan that he had just come up with. "We could hire them or consider cooperating."
Arabel nodded, as if she were making notes in her head.
"We have a lot to offer them, from ingredients to products from the «Trade» function. In turn, we could even learn cooking techniques from them if they have their own system." Idan continued.
"Indeed," — Arabel agreed.
"Dan, let me handle this matter," Arabel offered.
"I'll take care of this issue while you decide on others," Arabel said, meaning that so far Idan has taken on most of the issues, and she has simply followed him, helping and offering her opinion from time to time.
"Are you sure about this?" asked Idan, not hiding his smile, looking at the worried Arabel.
"Yes, I'm sure," Arabel replied, clenching her fists firmly. She had no doubt that she would be able to cope with the task.
"Good, good. Do as you see fit," Idan agreed. "If anything, I will always be there for you and, if necessary, I will help you in any way I can."
"Well, that goes without saying," Arabel said with a smile.
By this time, Hailey had finished eating and, without hesitation, began stroking her stomach.
"Ah, I'm full," she blurted out. "I've never tried anything like this. Even in Junonia."
Idan and Arabel smiled, pleased to hear her praise.
"Okay, Hailey," — Arabel called. "Let's get down to business. Are you ready to join our guild?"
"Of course I'm ready," Hailey said without a shadow of doubt.
She was already bound to them by the oath of Systems. Besides, she found out how skilled her masters are at cooking. It was enough for her to follow them just for the sake of enjoying their cooking.
"Okay, from this day on, you will officially join our Kingdom guild. And we will be happy to give you the title of "The Dragon Duchess", just as you dreamed," Arabel said with a solemn look.
"Hehehe, thank you, Mistress," Hailey couldn't help but smile, overflowing with joy.