The soft and creamy Alchemic Pesto was enveloping all the Gnocchi in the makeshift plate he had to craft on the spot. Jacob could see the groovy surface of the Gnocchi, not smooth on purpose, sucking in the pesto.
"And now, the final touch," Jacob sprinkled five cut seeds from the Dawn Lily on top of the fuming plate.
Jacob took a wooden spoon to the Alchemic Gnocchi al Pesto and brought them to his mouth.
Epagogia was staring at the process while holding her breath.
As soon as Jacob swallowed the first bite, a strong Aura of Medicinal Energy enveloped his body.
He looked in amazement at his skin, which was already starting to change. It had become brighter in one swift bite.
In the next minute, Jacob scarfed down the rest of the Alchemic Gnocchi and then fell asleep right after into a carb-fueled coma.
…
Epagogia was staring at a sleeping Jacob with nostalgic eyes. She had met a different man, one who had to face death so many times he had become hardened and too serious for her tastes. But he could also care and hope for the best in pretty much every situation. When they met, it hadn't been on good terms. She had been stronger than him and threatened to kill him on the spot.
"I'm not here to create problems. I'm just looking for a way to kill the Black Dragon," those had been Jacob's words.
She had discovered that humanity had perished after attempting to kill every single Demonic Beast that had invaded their planets. Devils came from different dimensions, and they had all been extremely weak because their original planet had been dying. Once reaching this new abode, they had prospered and became one of the strongest races. But not even Epagogia had ever thought to challenge all the Dragons to a deathmatch.
She sat beside Jacob and put his head on her lap, gently stroking his hair.
That's where you started from? This body? This talent?
The Jacob she had met in her previous life had been powerful and possessed an unparalleled talent with the sword. Even though his cultivation had lagged behind, he could skip realms. Yes, realms with an -s at the end, as in plural, multiple realms.
Now, this little human had to embark on a different journey, even harder than the first.
But this time, you are not alone, Jaji-boy, she kept stroking his hair.
She had wept for his death. Oh, how she had wept.
She had gone and begged the Black Dragon to give her his corpse. But the audience with the Draconic Tyrant had been in vain. She had been laughed at; Jacob's body had already been eaten.
Epagogia felt a pang of anger burn in her chest like the fiercest blaze. It was unbecoming for a Devil to be this moody, instead of calm and strategic as all her kin were.
She hadn't told Jacob how she died, and she wasn't planning to…
Jaji-boy, you have me on your side in this life, and this time, it's from here to the end of our run. No splitting up and dying alone.
She saw the medicinal energy slowly getting absorbed in his body and changing his skin and hair. He saw his muscles slowly get a bit fuller, and his bones lengthen.
She eyed the sword he had used to cut up the Spiritual Herbs, and she found it lacking.
Humanity's true hero should have something better in his hands.
Jacob had wielded one of the strongest relics in existence in his past life.
And he looked so hot while he did, she bit her lower lip, tugging at his hair a bit.
Epagogia suddenly felt a human presence and turned toward the entrance of the Alchemical Garden.
Your beautiful little friend probably hates my guts, Jaji-boy. But her blood is purer than the old goat of the Phoenix's Sect, isn't it?
Such a crystalline talent to wield and make into something glorious. Epagogia observed the girl hesitate and then stroll toward the two.
Oh my, honey, she might think you fell asleep in this position!
Epagogia loved teasing people to death sometimes.
Juliet stopped a few meters from the two, and Epagogia put the finger on her plump lips.
"Shhh, little boy. Jacob created a new Alchemic concoction to improve his talent, and now he's asleep. His body is changing. This is just an inferior version, but it should be enough to raise his talent to the 2nd realm. Try and not disturb him."
Juliet nodded, trying not to get rattled by the Devil woman.
"Did he cook something else?" the girl asked.
"He called it 'Pasta al Pesto'," Epagogia explained.
"Well, good for him," Juliet was uncomfortable under the stare of the beautiful woman, "just… take care of him."
Juliet felt so embarrassed that she wanted to die. She had no idea why she had just said that, but she started going back to the entrance of the Alchemical Garden. It was better to leave the two lovers alone.
Epagogia was laughing internally so hard she almost choked on her own saliva. It was too easy!
Oh, my little sugarplum, your special partner is trying to be considerate. I almost feel bad for her almost.
Epagogia had originally decided not to stop Juliet, but then she looked at Jacob's peaceful expression and could already hear the scolding he would give her.
Oh, come on, Jaji-boy, always so soft.
"Little boy! It's better if you wait here with him," Epagogia gently put Jacob's head on the soft grass and gestured to Juliet. "I need some more information on your city since we are going to work together. Do you mind having a friendly chat while we wait for this little princess to wake up?"
Juliet froze and then slowly turned toward the Devil, who had just asked if they could have a friendly chat. She stared at the horns, the tail, and the—well, it wasn't important what she was staring at.
"Sure," Juliet answered bashfully.