After dodging Tim, Perry quickly slipped into the crowd. Keeping his head low to avoid attention, he made his way through the bustling market toward a quieter area. To stay out of Lionel's sight, he had to hurry in finding the ingredients he needed and confirm whether his bubble had been taken.
As he passed the array of stalls, Perry realized this market didn't just sell ingredients—there were also magical tools and an assortment of handcrafted goods on display. The air buzzed with the sounds of merchants calling out their wares, haggling customers, and children's laughter, creating a lively atmosphere under the sprawling tent. However, Perry paid no attention to any of this. His eyes constantly scanned his surroundings, ensuring no one was watching him. Finally, his gaze settled on a particular area where countless bubbles of varying sizes floated in the air.
These bubbles drifted lazily, each one crystal clear and shimmering with iridescent colors that caught the attention of passersby. Inside the bubbles were an array of items: some held pieces of paper, others contained odd-shaped plants, and a few encased tantalizing cuts of meat, all creating a dazzling visual spectacle.
Standing to the side, Perry tried to appear casual, but his eyes were fixed on the bubbles. Raising his hand, he grabbed one that had drifted close. Through its delicate, transparent surface, he saw only a dried leaf inside. Frowning, he muttered under his breath, "Who would bother putting something like this in a bubble? What's the point?"
Shaking his head, he released the bubble, watching it float back into the air. He reached for another one, which this time contained a piece of unremarkable-looking meat. Leaning in to examine it closely, he sighed and set it free again.
As time ticked by, Perry grew increasingly anxious. He grabbed bubble after bubble, only to be disappointed each time. None of them contained the ingredient he was searching for.
After about twenty minutes, a thin sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead. He wiped it away with his sleeve and paused, taking a deep breath to calm the frustration and disappointment gnawing at him. Glancing around, he noted that despite the variety of items here, his desired ingredient was nowhere to be found. Speaking softly to himself, he muttered, "Looks like this isn't the right place."
Reluctantly, he abandoned the bubble area and headed toward the more traditional stalls, his pace quicker than before. He mentally adjusted his plan, thinking, Maybe I should stick to the regular stalls. Hopefully, my luck won't be too bad…
Perry wandered aimlessly through the market, his frustration mounting with every step. The stalls stretched endlessly, offering an eclectic mix of goods: from glimmering magical stones to aromatic exotic spices. But no matter how many stalls he passed, the ingredient he needed remained elusive. Before he realized it, his wandering brought him back to Mars' stall, which he had passed earlier.
Mars was busy at the stall, seated at a simple but spotless table. Wearing black rubber gloves, he was meticulously inspecting ingredients for a customer. His skilled and steady movements spoke of experience as he occasionally leaned in to sniff the items and softly explained their properties to the buyer. Each of his actions exuded confidence, and the people watching were clearly captivated.
Perry stood at a distance, quickly scanning the area for any sign of Lionel. Finding none, he allowed himself a moment to relax. Hesitating for a moment, he finally approached the stall slowly, though he avoided heading directly to Mars. Instead, he pretended to casually browse nearby, his movements deliberate and unhurried.
His steps slowed slightly as his gaze swept over Mars' workstation. Inside, however, Perry was already taking note of every detail of Mars' actions. He had always been curious about the techniques for identifying ingredient properties, but he knew asking outright might draw suspicion. That didn't stop him from observing intently.
Keeping his head lowered, Perry pretended to examine a few ordinary items laid out on the stall, occasionally picking one up as though considering it. Meanwhile, his ears were tuned to every word exchanged between Mars and the customer.
At this moment, a rotund man in a sharp suit pushed his way through the crowd. In his hands, he cradled a peculiar-looking creature——a cephalopod-like being with slightly curled tentacles and a faint blue shimmer on its surface. His face bore a polite smile, his tone tinged with both pride and a hint of pleading. "Mr. Mars, could I trouble you to take a look at this Bilawo Sea Octopus?"
Mars lifted his head at the sound of the man's voice, his gaze falling on the octopus in the man's hands. A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes. He smiled, speaking in a familiar tone. "Ah, Mr. Norman, this is quite the rare find! It's been a while. You've found another exceptional ingredient, I see."
The rotund man, Norman, grinned even more broadly, patting his round belly with evident satisfaction. His tone carried a mix of pride and resignation. "Ah, what can I do, Mr. Mars? This is all for my son. He's preparing to tackle the maze and needs to enhance his water abilities. I heard the Bilawo Sea Octopus might be a water-element ingredient, but it tends to randomly change its elemental properties, making it impossible to be sure. That's why I had to ask for your expertise."
Mars nodded with interest, taking the Bilawo Sea Octopus from Norman's hands. He observed it carefully, its slippery tentacles faintly glowing as the creature lay seemingly asleep with its eyes shut. Perry stood nearby, pretending to browse the items on display but keeping a close watch on Mars's every move.
Mars skillfully retrieved a small syringe from beneath the table and gently inserted it into the octopus's abdomen, drawing out a small amount of clear liquid. He then transferred the liquid into a small dish, leaned in to sniff it, and furrowed his brows slightly, his expression thoughtful. Perry held his breath, straining his ears to catch every word. He knew that witnessing the analysis of such a rare ingredient could provide invaluable insights.
Mars lifted his head, a slight smile playing on his lips. His tone was light as he addressed Norman. "You're absolutely right. The most fascinating thing about the Bilawo Sea Octopus is its ability to randomly switch elemental properties. That's what makes it so rare and sought after. But rest assured, my nose has been through countless trials—I'll definitely identify its element for you."
With that, Mars brought the dish closer, steadying it with both hands as he lowered his head. Closing his eyes, he took slow, deliberate sniffs, as though savoring a fine vintage, carefully discerning every trace of aroma. His relaxed expression gradually gave way to seriousness as his brows furrowed, hinting at a subtle clue he seemed to have uncovered.
Perry, standing at a distance, kept his eyes fixed on Mars, deeply intrigued by the ability to identify an ingredient's properties through scent alone. He couldn't help but wonder: Was this purely a skill honed through experience, or was there some special method or pattern behind it? The mystery made him even more eager to know the octopus's true element. Yet, to avoid drawing attention, he forced himself to feign indifference, casually browsing the wares while his ears remained keenly attuned.
Mars paused briefly after sniffing, his eyes still closed, as though recalling or comparing something in his mind. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, his brows relaxing. He looked at Norman, a hint of excitement in his confident tone. "This aroma… it's unique. While it initially carries a scent reminiscent of the sea, its core tells a different story. The liquid lacks the salty, briny smell typical of the ocean. Instead—" he hesitated for effect, choosing his words carefully, "it has a faintly foul odor, nothing unusual combined with hints of sweetness and a subtle bitterness. Most importantly," his tone lifted, his gaze resolute, "it carries a faint trace of wind energy."
He paused briefly, his expression shifting to one of astonishment before adding, "Mr. Norman, this Bilawo Sea Octopus isn't just water-element—it also possesses wind-element properties. This is an exceptionally rare dual-element specimen. The combination of wind and water is almost unheard of in the market."
Norman's expression grew complex upon hearing this. Stroking his chin, he furrowed his brows, deep in thought. With a sigh, he spoke with a mix of regret and helplessness. "Dual-element… That's undoubtedly rare and valuable. Its worth far exceeds my expectations and would surely fetch a high price. But…" He sighed again, shaking his head. "Unfortunately, it's not purely water-element. I had hoped to surprise my son with this before he sets out for the maze, to boost his water abilities. But now, it seems my plan is ruined."
Noticing Norman's disappointment, Mars offered a comforting smile and said, "Mr. Norman, you might not realize this, but dual-element ingredients are valued not just for their rarity but also for their power. If handled correctly, this octopus could do more than just help your son level up, it might even grant him an entirely new element."
Norman furrowed his brow and carefully recalled the information before nodding, "Tomson and Kyra have indeed been making quite a name for themselves lately. Their magical element have greatly enhanced, and even their academy has been talking about it. I also heard that their speed in improving their attributes is astounding, but I never imagined it was due to a new method of handling ingredients!" He paused, his gaze sharp as he turned to Mars, "So, you're saying that if the Bilawo Sea Octopus is processed properly, there's a chance my son could gain wind element in addition to his existing water element?"
Mars solemnly nodded, "Exactly. The Bilawo Sea Octopus itself is extremely rare, and its dual element make its energy more complex and rich. If you find the right method, it's entirely possible to help your son increase his water abilities while unlocking the potential for wind element. If you're interested, I can recommend some highly skilled magical chefs who have experience with this kind of work."
Upon hearing this, Norman's previously disappointed expression was instantly replaced with excitement. He clapped his thighs and eagerly said, "Wonderful! Mr. Mars, thank you so much. This Bilawo Sea Octopus is just perfect for my son. I'll go find those chefs you mentioned right away and learn how to properly handle this ingredient."
Mars smiled and tapped the table, his tone lighthearted as he spoke to Norman, "I actually have a perfect candidate in mind for you. Do you know Rona? She is Master Chef Dyram's most valued apprentice and was recently officially recognized as a chef, making her an official graduate. She's no slouch. She's currently nearby participating in a cooking competition, so if you want to find her, this is actually the perfect time."
Norman's eyes lit up, and his expression grew even more excited. "Really? Chef Rona? She's the legendary genius apprentice! But…" He paused slightly, furrowing his brow. "Since it's a competition, will she have time to help with cooking?"
Mars burst into hearty laughter and waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about that! I actually ran into Chef Rona this morning, and she was in a bit of a dilemma. She said she was looking for the perfect ingredient to practice with, especially rare dual-element ingredients, which would be just right for her competition. It's safe to say you're incredibly lucky today! The Bilawo Sea Octopus can serve as both practice material for her and a chance to experiment with a new dish. And the best part is, Chef Rona was complaining that she couldn't find a suitable taster, and you just happen to need ingredients to make a great meal for your son. It's a perfect match!"
Norman's smile became even brighter, and he nodded repeatedly. "I see! This really is a case of everything falling into place! And Master Chef Dyram is the world's second-ranked chef; any apprentice he values must be truly exceptional. I've heard he's incredibly strict with his apprentices, so someone like Chef Rona, who has officially graduated from his tutelage, must be top-tier! With that in mind, I'm more than happy to have her cook for my son. But as for the cost…"
Mars put on a "you don't need to worry about this" expression and shook his head. "Don't worry about that. Chef Rona is just starting her career and is eager to showcase her skills. Especially with such a rare dual-element ingredient, how could she possibly miss this opportunity? If you're willing to give her the Bilawo Sea Octopus for free, I can guarantee she'll cook for you at no cost."
Norman froze for a moment, then broke into a hearty grin, waving his hand. "That's no problem at all! I'm more than happy to give her the ingredient, especially to ensure my son gets a top-tier meal! This is truly a win-win situation!"
Mars nodded with satisfaction, smiling as he said, "Great, it's settled then. I'll contact Chef Rona; she should be near the competition venue. When everything's ready, you can bring the Bilawo Sea Octopus to her. And who knows, this meal might just make you and your son remember it for the rest of your lives."
Norman pulled out a small bead the size of a bean from his pocket and handed it to Mars, his face full of anticipation as he spoke. "This is my contact bead, so it's easier to reach me. Once Chef Rona is ready to prepare the meal, I'll bring the Bilawo Sea Octopus. If she needs any other ingredients, just let me know. I can provide them for free, as long as it helps my son level up."
Mars took the bead and nodded. "No problem, I'll take care of it." He pocketed the bead, a glint of amusement flashing in his eyes, clearly excited about the dish that would soon be created.
Norman, in high spirits, lifted the Bilawo Sea Octopus and handed Mars a large bag filled with gold coins. After thanking him repeatedly, he turned and walked away from the stall. His back grew distant as he walked through the crowd, his steps light and confident, clearly full of assurance about his plan.
Mars watched him go, his smile still in place. Slowly, he turned his attention to Perry, narrowing his eyes slightly. With a teasing tone, he said, "You've been eavesdropping, haven't you?"
The words struck Perry like a bolt of lightning, and he froze. He had been pretending to casually glance at other items at the stall, but it was now obvious that he had been caught. His head shot up, his face a mixture of surprise and panic, and he stammered, "I… I wasn't…"
Before he could finish his sentence, Mars chuckled and waved his hand. "Relax, relax. I wasn't planning to blame you. But you, my little friend, have been staring at me this whole time with a look of curiosity. Are you more interested in the dual-element ingredients or in Chef Rona's cooking?"
Perry was instantly speechless, his throat constricting, and his face flushed. He quietly lowered his head, trying to hide his unease. He stammered, "I… I was just looking around… uh, just passing by."
Mars smiled even more deeply, leaning on the table as he slowly spoke. "Kid, don't pretend. Your eyes don't lie. Since the moment you got here, your attention has been on us. So, tell me, what caught your interest? The dual element? The cooking competition?"
Perry's heart raced, and he instinctively took a step back, feeling like his every move had been exposed. Yet, he refused to give up so easily. He tried to stay calm and weakly responded, "I'm… interested in all of it."
Mars raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile on his face, as if he had seen through Perry's facade, but he didn't press further. Instead, he thoughtfully said, "Curiosity is a good thing. But remember, if you want to learn or understand something, it's best to ask openly instead of sneaking around. Got it?"
Perry hesitated, sensing the sincerity in Mars' voice. He relaxed slightly, nodding in response. "I understand…"