"Master! Fubara greets the legendary Master Kenji-san! Please, take me in as your disciple!"
Kenji blinked. What? Did the arrogant master just bow down to him?!
"Master, I was blind to your greatness! Please forgive my ignorance!" Master Fubara's voice was filled with desperation.
Kenji took a step back, completely baffled. "Uh... what exactly are you asking forgiveness for?"
Fubara, still on his knees, refused to rise. It seemed like until Kenji acknowledged his mistake—whatever it was—he wouldn't budge.
Kenji sighed. "Fine. I forgive you. Now, get up."
At those words, Master Fubara immediately stood up, his posture stiff yet respectful.
Truthfully, Fubara had originally assumed Kenji was just another clueless fool who didn't understand the vastness of the culinary world. After all, as a culinary arts master, he had sampled the rarest of dishes, ones that only the elite had the privilege of tasting.
This so-called "disciple trial" had been a mere formality—no one was ever meant to win. The ingredients provided were far too basic for anyone to create a meal worthy of impressing him. It was just a game to amuse himself.
But then Kenji happened.
The moment he tasted Kenji's dish, his entire worldview shattered. The flavor, the technique, the sheer mastery—it was beyond anything he had ever encountered. And then, as if the humiliation wasn't enough, Kenji had even threatened to take away his lifespan.
Fubara had played the role of an untouchable culinary master for so long that he had forgotten the fear of being overshadowed. But now, before him stood a true legend.
And if a legend like Kenji desired, he could erase Fubara's entire existence in a single night.
If Kenji had any idea what kind of terrifying thoughts were running through Fubara's mind, he would have died of secondhand embarrassment. All he did was make a regular dish from Earth. How could he have known that such a simple meal would be considered divine in this world?
"Master, please accept me as your disciple!"
Fubara's voice was laced with desperation, his eyes filled with a reverence Kenji had never seen before.
Fubara had always been a man who had already reached his limits. As a B-rank Spiriter, he had no future in combat and had settled into a life of luxury. He had stopped trying to improve long ago, like many others who believed that once they had a class and rank, growth was impossible.
But now…
Kenji's cooking had proven that belief wrong.
Just by eating his dish, Fubara's rank had increased by four levels. A feat he had once thought was impossible.
If Kenji could do this with ordinary ingredients, then following him could lead to infinite improvement.
Kenji, meanwhile, was rubbing his temples, trying to process the situation. A few minutes ago, I was the one trying to become his disciple. Now, that same master was kneeling before him, begging to be taught.
What kind of twisted irony was this?!
"Please, Master," Fubara pleaded. "I promise to serve you well! I will grant you luxury, wealth, fame, women, respect—anything you desire! Just allow me to follow you!"
Kenji paused. Luxury? Wealth? Free housing?
That… actually didn't sound too bad.
Kenji coughed, putting on the air of a wise master. "Ahem. I have no interest in women. But if you can provide me with free ren—uh, I mean, good accommodation and respect, then I accept."
Inside, he was screaming with laughter.
Hahaha! I was planning to rent a small inn or buy a cheap house, but if this guy wants to throw money at me and treat me like royalty, then who am I to refuse?!
Fubara's face lit up. Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee. "Disciple Fubara greets Master Kenji!"
Kenji, barely holding in his amusement, raised a hand dramatically. "Rise."
Fubara stood up, his expression deadly serious. "From today onward, you are my master, and I am your disciple. I shall serve only you and heed only your commands!"
Kenji barely kept a straight face. Wow. I, Makoto Kenji, went from being kicked out of the Hero's Party to becoming the master of a revered culinary legend. What a glow-up.
The moment Fubara stepped outside, he immediately gathered the townspeople. Standing before the crowd, he declared that Kenji was his master.
Gasps filled the air.
The townspeople stared at Kenji in awe, whispering among themselves.
"Master Fubara's master?!"
"Does that mean he's even stronger than Master Fubara?!"
"He must be using an age-concealing spell to hide his true form!"
Kenji stood there awkwardly. Age-concealing spell? Where do these people even get these ideas?
Meanwhile, Raphael, who had witnessed the entire thing, was left speechless. Just a few minutes ago, Kenji was the one trying to become a disciple.
And now…
Kenji had somehow flipped the entire situation and became the master instead.
Raphael ran a hand through his hair. "Crazy."
That was the only word that escaped his lips.
Little brother Kenji, it seems you really know how to surprise people.