— Lunaria's PoV —
My conjecture was right. I am indeed capable of searching for anything on this computer.
Just as I had searched for Flying Magic and discovered the grimoire containing it, I pressed each keyboard button carefully, afraid of misspelling my searches.
E-x-p-l-o-o-s-i-o-n-M-a-g-i-c
As I pressed the enter button, my heart raced with anticipation as the search results appeared before me.
As I skimmed through the list, I came across numerous grimoires with powerful-sounding names.
Introduction to Explosion Magic.
Nuclear Explosion Magic.
Meteor Explosion Magic.
World Destroying Explosion Magic.
Scrolling down, my face grew pale as each grimoire seemed to possess even greater destructive power than the previous one.
My heart nearly stopped from this discovery.
I dismissed these thoughts, realizing that explosion magic is far more dangerous than I initially thought.
I don't wish to learn such destructive magic, as it doesn't align with my image as the Spirit Goddess.
Furthermore, I need to prioritize my study of Flying Magic. I had already made significant progress in learning its secrets and was determined to continue this path.
With a great sense of purpose, I clicked on the tab that contained the Flying Magic grimoire, ready to delve back into its pages and continue my quest for mastery.
As I absorbed and comprehended each line, my perception shifted. The contents were highly innovative compared to the standard grimoires one could purchase from any magic shop nowadays.
The detailed instructions, from how to circulate mana within the body, up to the precise amount of magic power needed to be discharged, were thorough. The grimoire also outlined the challenges I might encounter and provided detailed solutions.
However, despite being a genius magician of high standing, I found myself unable to grasp some of the details in the grimoire. It proved to be too advanced even for someone like me.
Once again, I experienced a sense of helplessness in the face of the unknown.
Undeterred, I persevered and started reading the Flying Grimoire from the beginning.
Suddenly, after a few hours of deep contemplation, a delectable aroma filled the air, interrupting my thoughts.
My mouth watered uncontrollably as my appetite took hold.
*Growl
My stomach rumbled loudly, and I checked the timer in the coin box. It indicated that I had exactly 6 hours left before my time expired.
That meant it was already lunchtime.
I followed the enticing scent in the air until I finally discovered its source.
'Well, I can't work on an empty stomach.'
With a sense of justification for my involuntary actions, I stood up and made my way towards Boss.
•••
Luke was excited about lunch. He had chosen a three-meal combo of Chinese cuisine as today's food theme.
His breakfast had been nothing short of perfection. He recalled the soup dumpling he had devoured. Each delicate steamed dumpling, filled with flavorful broth and various fillings, looked like a work of art. The aroma alone was enough to tease his appetite.
The accompanying green tea allowed him to fully appreciate the subtle flavors of the dumplings.
Luke gulped as he retrieved his lunch from the system storage. However, he was taken aback when the counter table suddenly became filled with objects.
What lay before him was different from the usual fare.
A variety of ingredients and a simmering pot of broth occupied the counter table.
"Isn't this a Hotpot?"
Luke beamed with delight as he had wanted to try it for a long time.
"Let's see... a variety of thinly sliced meat, vegetables, noodles, and broth. Wow."
Seeing the table filled with ingredients, he felt that he wouldn't be able to finish it all.
Upon beholding the sight of the magically simmering pot of broth, perfectly heated to the ideal temperature, Luke remained unfazed by the unusual occurrence, as he had grown accustomed to the peculiar phenomena brought forth by the system.
The pot emitted an appetizing aroma that permeated the air, and the fragrant steam filled the room. Eager to satisfy his curiosity, Luke tasted the broth, finding it pleasantly spicy. He couldn't help but appreciate the system for its understanding of his taste preferences.
Clueless about the art of hotpot cooking, Luke appeared rather inexperienced as he haphazardly added random ingredients to the simmering broth.
However, as soon as he completed this impromptu culinary experiment, a wave of delightful aromas wafted from the pot, captivating his senses and leaving him momentarily entranced.
"How could it smell so good? System, what are you feeding me? Is it some kind of divine ingredients? Haha" he jokingly remarked, though the truth behind his words was not far off.
Suddenly, amidst the billowing smoke emanating from the broth, Luke's gaze caught something beyond it. It was the elf, whose mouth watered profusely, saliva dripping like a faucet as she gazed longingly at the tantalizing hotpot.
Ku-hum
Luke gave a fake coughed, breaking the elf out of her daze.
"U-um Boss? Can you sell me some?" she asked, her hunger outweighing any concerns about the price.
Luke turned his gaze to her, and their eyes locked for a few seconds.
In that moment, Luke's thoughts wandered.
'This is it!' Luke, seizing the opportunity, saw a chance to earn a few credits.
Considering the abundance of food spread out before him, Luke entertained the idea of selling some of his lunch to the starving elf. After all, there was an excess of meat on the table that he couldn't consume alone.
Actually, Luke felt a pang of discomfort upon witnessing the elf's hunger. Luke's discomfort at witnessing someone in a state of hunger stemmed from his own fortunate upbringing. Thanks to his caring guardians at the orphanage, he had never experienced starvation firsthand. This had instilled in him a deep desire to help those in need and emulate the kindness he had received.
But.
Luke knew the elf before him was wealthy, given her extravagant spending on computers. To expedite his quest and earn some extra credits, he decided to slightly overcharge her.
"Alright, it's just 2 gold coins. Go grab a chair from the corner, and let's start eating."
Lunaria hesitated, feeling the price was steep, but her hunger got the better of her. She quickly fetched a chair and returned, paying without further ado.
Luke found her reaction amusing, realizing that no one could truly resist delicious food.
As Luke taught her how to eat from the hotpot, Lunaria found herself in a whole new world of culinary experiences. She had never known such a dining style existed.
However, she struggled with using chopsticks, so Luke handed her a pair designed for children.
Carefully wielding the chopsticks, she picked up thinly sliced meat and submerged it in the simmering broth, eagerly anticipating the burst of flavors.
The meat gradually changed color, indicating it was cooked to perfection.
As the meat simmered and cooked in the broth, it released an irresistible aroma that wafted through the air. The tantalizing scent filled the room, captivating the senses of anyone in its proximity. The rich and savory aroma was enough to make anyone's mouth water and stir a primal desire for a taste of the delectable fare.
Assuming the meat had reached the perfect level of doneness, Lunaria eagerly picked it up with her chopsticks and placed the entire piece into her mouth.
Despite the heat, she chewed with fervor, devouring the succulent meat as if her very existence depended on it. The intensity of her hunger seemed to override any discomfort from the temperature, as she savored every bite with an insatiable appetite.
The spiciness nearly brought her to tears, yet she couldn't stop savoring each bite. The myriad of flavors danced on her taste buds, and the juiciness of the meat compelled her to continue despite the spice.
"Hey, haha, there's plenty more. No need to hold back. And try this sauce too, it's delicious," Luke suggested, his laughter filling the air.
It was the first time Lunaria had seen him smile like that, and she unconsciously swallowed the meat.
Observing Luke's apparent good mood, Lunaria couldn't help but come to a realization. She understood that no matter how much she might have wanted to remain in a sour mood, the irresistible deliciousness of the food before her wouldn't allow it. The delectable flavors and satisfying taste were enough to uplift her spirits and replace any negative emotions with a sense of contentment.
In truth, Luke was just pleased with the extra 2 gold coins he earned, though she had no way of knowing that.
As they shared the meal, the sound of Luke's laughter filled the air, and Lunaria couldn't help but be captivated by his joyful presence. With each passing glance, she found him even more handsome than usual. There was an enchanting allure to his carefree demeanor, and she found herself drawn to his infectious happiness. Their eyes met occasionally, creating fleeting moments of connection amidst the shared enjoyment of the meal.
Meanwhile, Luke relished the opportunity to share a hearty meal with someone, finding the experience both enjoyable and... profitable.
To accompany their food, Luke offered Lunaria a non-alcoholic beer. Despite her dislike for beer, she found the one Luke gave her surprisingly delightful.
As they devoured the ingredients at a rapid pace, they could feel their stomach bulge.
Lunaria no longer cared about maintaining her dignity; she simply wanted to eat as much as she could and indulge in the beer Luke had provided.
As their lunch drew to a close, Luke and Lunaria clunked their glasses together, celebrating the satisfying meal they had shared.
'Cheers to you, my credit machine,' Luke silently mused, his gaze fixed on Lunaria with an intriguing expression.
Once they had finished eating, the dishes and utensils, including the bowl, plate, and pot, vanished without a trace through some magical means.
Both Luke and Lunaria were accustomed to such magical occurrences, so they remained silent, accepting the whimsical nature of their surroundings.
Finally, Luke decided to speak out.
"Hey, your timer is still counting down. We spent an hour eating, so you still have five hours left."
If Lunaria had not placed the coins in the coin box simultaneously earlier, she would have been able to save a gold coin from her allotted time. The missed opportunity left her with a twinge of regret, but she remained focused on the task at hand, determined to make the most of the time remaining on her timer.
"Ah!"
A sudden realization struck Lunaria, prompting her to hastily return to the computer.
As she took her seat, a tremor ran through her soul, leaving her curious and anxious about what awaited her next.