Amber looked towards Lionel thinking he was acting rather strange, but she dismissed it, going her way, drinking her smoothie.
A while later Lionel arrived at the cafeteria. Well calling it that was rather inaccurate. It was more accurate for one to call it a food joint. There were many stalls selling all sorts of food and snacks, but nothing he had never seen before. One must recall he grew up as the son of a chef.
He picked a stall at random, which seemed to sell seafood. It didn't take long since most others had already gotten their meal, so the line wasn't too long. Not long after he got his meal.
Looking for a free table he sat down and said his word of thanks before opening the bag. As soon as he did he was hit with a pungent smell of fish that could only be described as rotten. Taking a look to see the meal his expression darkened.
Had culinary work devolved to the point that they could not even prepare fish properly? Why did it look like somebody ate the food only to throw it back up? Were they targeting him?
What kind of fool used Freetail to make a fish soup? He was really pissed.
Peter the man behind the 'Heavenly Seafood' stall was in a rather good mood. He had sold more than he expected today. Especially this new type of fish he found apparently was a rather common and delicate dish in the Southern Quadrant.
Anyways these people would eat whatever they were given, and he would slowly find a way to refine his skills on this dish at a later date.
"Yes! Hello again customer, may I help you?" Peter looked towards the young man in front of him. He was sure he had just served this man, he couldn't possibly have finished it already and come to ask for more right?
Lionel let the bag fall unto the counter, his expression dark to the extreme. He could take any insult but nothing of this sort. His father had once said, "A man's face can be slapped, a man's pride can be diminished, but a man should always receive a dish worthy of respect."
"Wh-what is the matter sir?" Peter was rather nervous, did this man happen to be a native where they ate this fish? What was he planning to do? But then he remembered where they were. This was the Academy, wat he dare do? Immediately his mood calmed down.
"Step aside." Lionel lifted his gaze slightly but that was all he needed to scare the youth, he looked like he would kill someone if he was insulted once again.
"Where did you learn to cook you foolish brat! To think you actually made Soup with Fishtail. I fear for the future generation of chefs." Lionel sighed and sounded like he would release tears at any moment.
Sigh, alas he calmed down, taking the knife he entered the store room at the side, coming out with one frozen fish around the length of an arm.
Peter on the other hand showed an amused expression. Was he really planning to cook? He sneered. Trying to show off your mediocre cooking skills in front of a master? Wasn't that a plain insult?
"Pass the vegetables." Lionel said
Peter of course ignored him, or that was his plan until Lionel glared at him causing him to freeze up before he obeyed.
Cutting the vegetables into fine, delicate, bite size pieces. Putting aside the vegetables, he spread out the dough that had already been kneaded at the side, only to shake his head in dissatisfaction, re-kneading it with the roller at the side.
Causing Peter's expression to darken. What did he mean by this? Was his saying that even his ability to knead was inferior? Of course Lionel was not thinking about this, he was much more focused on the task at hand.
If he didn't like something he would not use it. And since he didn't think the though was kneaded properly he would knead it again. The thoughts of a side character was obviously irrelevant.
He had set the pan on the fire earlier, after a little bit more waiting he deemed it hot enough to start. Those watching were amazed his rhythm and sequence leading from one thing to the next as if a beautiful seamstress on the verge of finishing off a new silk garment.
He threw in the vegetables after having oiled the pan. They were left to sauté as he gutted and prepared the fish, somehow making even that process look beautiful in its own way.
At this point most of the ingredients were ready and adding the filling into the dough he placed them into the oven leaving it to cook, as he cleaned his table almost as if on cue, when he had finished cleaning the oven clicked, indicating it was ready.
All of this took no less than 30 minutes but throughout the whole process from those waiting in line to passerby's, everyone was entranced.
The only person whose mood seemed foul was Peter himself. He of course knew that Lionel was superior to him. And it irritated him, out of anxiety he could not stop himself from blurting out.
"So what if you can look nice while cooking? If the food tastes like trash you are naturally trash." He had expected some sort of response but all he got in return was a scene of Lionel taking out the Pies from the oven, having clearly ignored him.
As soon as he took it out, the aroma wafted out. Causing everyone to involuntarily breathe in, some taking in more than one. Unable to take it, a youth in the crowd called out.
"This brother with the raven hair, do you think that you could maybe let us have a taste of this pie?" Though he spoke rather dignified he was already salivating. The lot of them looking like hungry wolves.
There were only about 20 pies and it definitely wouldn't go around. All of a sudden Peter shouted out. "It's mine! None of you can take it. It is naturally my ingredients and therefore my food…" He was about to continue ranting before he felt something slap his face.
Looking unto the floor he saw a stack of bills laying. Seeing the amount he couldn't help but open his mouth in shock. This was at least worth his monthly income right? Who was the rich tycoon?
Looking up he saw Lionel with a smile, breaking the pies into even pieces making sure everyone got a taste. He seemed to genuinely care more about the fact that people would enjoy his food than whether or not he could get something out of it.
Peter's eyes sparkled, before shame washed over him. They were both chefs, so why were they so different… He was dejected from having been embarrassed and losing his pride as a chef. After all not everyone was interested in strength, he wanted to cook. He was a chef at heart.
Lionel seeing this smiled, and outside all expectations, actually handed him a pie. "Next time do not serve to others what you yourself are not familiar with."
Lionel felt a bit nostalgic. His dad had said these exact words to him some years ago. It was one of the core principles that built up his person.
"Thank you?" Peter was about to thank him but remembered he didn't know his name.
"Lionel Kage." Lionel laughed aloud.
As soon as Peter heard the name he was enlightened. No wonder. Who would know how to prepare a meal if not a Kage? Hearing the name he even let out a self-mocking laughter.
The others didn't hear their conversation and were purely focused on their food, savoring every small bite.
"This brother, your food is too amazing! It is like the milk of the gods bathing in my mouth!"
"Yes, this brother are you going to make more of this? Are you opening a shop?"
"This handsome brother are you in a relationship? If not we can always explore hidden secrets together!"
Men and women all alike, flattered him to no end causing him to blush slightly. This was one of the few things that made him truly happy, cooking for others. And although the ingredients were a bit subpar at least he was able to make something out of it.
If Peter could read his thought one would wonder what he would think.
Soon enough Lionel managed to get away, making it back to his dorm. He of course wouldn't mind cooking for others but opening a restaurant maybe not.