Chapter 460: Future Goals (2/2)
”Well yeah,” he turned blankly, ”-I'm from a Duke's family…”
”DUKE!”
”Quiet,” sighed Lampard.
”Yeah, I belong to the Goldberg's,” upon saying so, the upstairs door opened to a fine establishment of dim lighting. Candles atop tables, people dressed in fancier clothes murmured to one another.
”Dude, I'm scared,” whispered Lampard, ”-don't we stand out?”
”Don't worry,” said Leonard, ”-there's nothing to fear when it comes to fine dining. I'm confused how Igna managed to get us here…”
”Yeah, who's paying?”
”Gentlemen and ladies, please, have a seat,” their table stood at the better area. A place with direct sight into the kitchen.
”Hello,” came a charming man with gelled black-hair, ”-are you master Igna's guests?”
”Yes,” nodded Leonard.
”Might I ask why everyone has been referring to Igna as master?” wondered Jen.
”Oh,” the sharp brows ease into a gentle smile, ”-everything will be apparent soon. Please, have a look at the menu and order.”
”Pretty weird…” mumbled they slowly seeping into a debate over the food. Luckily, Leonard was present to answer their questions.
Inside the kitchen, things heated. The orders began to come in one by one. Glancing over the shoulder, the manager whispered something inside Leko's ears to which he said, ”-Igna, the guests are here. I'll let you handle their orders.”
”No sir, I shall help the same as I've done for the past few months. I invited them to show instead of telling,” a spark of fire flashed across the face, the chef could but hold back tears. The question of how someone developed into a seasoned chef did cross the mind more than a few times. Lady Haru answered with, '-Igna is special. He can learn and remaster anything you teach him. Things that take years to master take him more than a few months. Trust me, a boy like him is unique – we can only guide his want of learning.' The symphony of food preparation filled the kitchen, orders came one after the other, and dishes left one after the other.
”Igna, take care of table 4's order.”
”On it, chef,” focused on bringing his best, the hands moved at an astounding speed all the while being gentle.
”There's so much pressure,” said Lampard resting against the table.
”Don't do that.”
”Wait…” he rose with a shock, ”-were we not told he worked in a kitchen?”
”Who?” wondered Rena.
”Igna, who else,” to which he pointed, ”-look, that's him!”
”Hold on…” squinted the others, ”-it is him!” everything fell into place and soon their food arrived. The plating was appetizing and the aroma ravenous.
”Compliments from Master Igna,” said the manager gently checking the other guests.
*Gulp,* ”-this is food made by him…”
'Igna,' paused Leonard, '-I'm used to fine dining. Our friends might not know how to judge the food, I'll be the critic instead.' *crunch,* an explosion of flavors balanced each other. The bites followed without stopping as the plates whispered, 'eat me'.
”Wow,” an hour passed, ”-I've never had food like this.”
”Leonard, why do you look so confused?”
”Rena, this isn't normal food… this is something I'd expect at a noble home or expensive restaurants. Not a restaurant in a gymnasium, I don't buy it, who the hell prepared this?”
”That would be me,” said Igna with his apron folded and over the shoulder. ”I've been meaning to say this but time wasn't a luxury.”
”Out with it already,” snarled Rena.
”Chef Leko took me in as his apprentice. An opportunity came to learn more about cooking from a certain chef, her nickname is Viper of Lordon. No idea why or how it came so. Long story short, I'm going away for six months.”
”Six months…” silence loomed over the table, ”-man, we never really got to know you. You always came to the room late and sometimes not at all. The mornings were the same; I sort of figured you wanted to avoid us.”
”I know,” interjected Jen, ”-Lampard is right. I'm glad it was work that took your time, and not you ignoring us.”
”Igna, are you sure you said Viper?”
”Yeah, why?”
”Idiot,” a heavy facepalm shook the table, ”-she's the first-ever to introduce the meat of exotic creatures in fine-dining. Every disciple she teaches ultimately becomes one of the best in the world. I heard only the best are chosen. How did you manage?”
”I owe it to Chef Leko, he brought them to taste, and here we are a few months later. Now, how was it, did you enjoy the meal?”
”Obviously,” they laughed.
”Master Igna,” came a man in suit, ”-transport has come to fetch thee.”
”Transport?” inquired Jen softly.
”Yeah. I guess I wanted to say my good-byes with actions as opposed to words. See you next semester,” on that, the boy vanished into the doorway.
”He made us proud,” smiled Lampard, ”-Igna's found his calling. We need to do our best too!”
”Guys… It's not that simple. The Viper isn't her nickname for nothing. She'll devour just about anything, and that includes her disciple. The Lordon's are shady, I hope he'll be ok.”
Thus, the journey of a Kinless boy took to the vast capital of Rosespire. A luxurious car came to fetch with lady Lordon personally waiting inside. She sat seductively.
”Welcome, dear Igna.”
”Thank you for the opportunity, Lady Lordon,” he eased into the big leather seats.
”We'll see if you're thankful after I'm done with you.”
”Excuse me?”
”Nothing, driver, please.”
'Learning cooking from a legend. I guess this is better than staying in the academy.' The streetlights reflected along with the shiny car. The ride went smoothly, '-let the adventure begin.'