Chapter 463: Heons Restaurant (2/2)
Lastly came the bearded man, ”-Boy.”
”Yes?”
”Let me introduce myself first. I'm Vice-Director of the Trader's Guild in the Onela region, Carter Lonhe.”
”Suppose it's my turn. Lyoko Igna, trainee-chef.”
”I'm curious,” he held his chin, ”-where did you learn cooking?”
”From Chef Leko.”
”Chef Leko… why are you here then? Isn't studying under a man of his caliber enough?”
”No…” the head shook, ”-he decided it for me. I'm waiting on Lady Lordon as my teacher.”
”It explains it then,” nothing else uttered, the man headed out. Thus, the night of arriving at Onela ended with full stomachs and smiles.
Friday 8th of April came fast with an alarm ringing hard. The sun had yet to rise outside, '-so early,' muffled he with a yawn.
”Morning Igna,” said Konoe parting the curtains, ”-you'll start working at the kitchen today. Early start for us trainees,” the face held enthusiasm.
The minutes turned into hours, many o' chefs arrived and introduced themselves to the rookie. Igna was tasked with preparing a simple dish as means of a test. The result was delicious and the techniques displayed had taken the chefs by surprise.
”Good to have you onboard,” said a clean-shaven skinnier man. The skin around his face was shriveled and stuck to the bone. ”Call me Nole.”
”Yes, Chef Nole.”
”Impressive kid,” said a man wearing a bandana, ”-the grandmaster saw your food adequate. Be ready for an onslaught of insults if things get bad. Chef Nole might look old and soft, he's a devil by heart, trust me on that.”
”A devil by heart,” mumbled he reminiscent to Leko. '-Where's Konoe?' a scan of the kitchen showed the boy at a washing station. The others continually teased him with certain looks and actions.
”Don't get involved, Igna,” said he with the bandana, ”-those guys are from noble families based off Hidros. We can't do anything to them except watch.”
'The disparities of the two kingdoms are still here. What the hell was the story about peace and unity for. A noble being abused by other nobles. The Head-chef seems to not care about the result.'
”Don't,” said Konoe silently.
*Tssk,* '-how annoying. Part of me wants to help him and the other part doesn't want to do anything.'
”Order up people,” came a younger man with a darker complexion, ”-breakfast is as important as dinner. Work as if there's no tomorrow because there will be no tomorrow if results are lackluster.”
”That's Ola,” whispered the man again, ”-the right-hand of the head-chef. Make sure to not end up like Konoe.”
”Thanks for the heads-up. I'm Lyoko Igna by the way.”
”Call me Ki,” said he proudly, ”-now, let's get this started.”
”Order up people!” yelled Ola. The slow and easy-going kitchen divulged into a well-oiled machine of preparation. The restaurant would open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, unorthodox for the 'fine-cuisine' advertised outside. The purpose of it was to recruit potential talents for bigger places. Many stayed years on end here trying to break and make a name.
Excluding the entrance from the guild, another door rested forwards of the bar. The main-entrance as one would call it. The somber night didn't make it apparent at first. It continued till stone-pavement after which rested the road. Many decorations in the forms of plants and flowers over-looked the clean and immaculate staircase. Each step was made and crafted out of granite. It elevated the reflecting image. Heon's Restaurant was calligraphically written above the double-doors.
Soon, the restaurant filled with many o' workers and casual people. ”Let me tell you something about Heon's,” smirked Ki, ”-breakfast and lunch are simple, delicious, and affordable for the common folks. The head-chef is adamant in his belief that delicious food must be given to all. Don't let the décor fool you, we're a full-blown diner in the morning.”
”It's something I can get behind,” he smiled.
”What?” paused midway frying vegetables, ”-I thought you'd be discouraged by the thought of serving the norm.”
”Not really,” happily preparing the dough, ”-I don't care who from where is eating the food. As long as it ends up in one's mouth, it shall come out the other end devoid of the prejudice of wealthy or not.” Stone-cold glares of the other cooks froze and cut across his back, Chef Ola overheard the sentence and nodded.
Thus, trailed the day until three o'clock. ”Good job everyone,” added the head-chef, ”-go rest for now. We've prepared for tonight's meal. It's going to be harder since it's a Friday,” the empty eyes seemed to wander across the room, ”-we've gotten many compliments today from our customers,” he kept on searching, ”-be proud of what you've done.” He rested upon a single man, ”-Lyoko Igna, come with me.”
”Yes Chef,” he left after folding the apron neatly.
”I saw your techniques earlier,” said he exiting the kitchen, ”-I'm impressed.”
”Thank you, chef,” he nodded, ”-might I ask where we are headed?”
”To a meeting room, someone has come to visit.” Up the lift and towards the restricted part of the building, a room had, 'Guild Master's Office' labeled on golden sheets.
”Hello again,” smiled a lady behind the desk, ”-Igna.”
”Guild Master,” quick to bow, ”-it's a pleasure to see you.”
”Yes, the feeling is mutual,” smugly gesturing the chef to leave them alone, the room shut menacingly. ”-Take a seat.”
”Yes, ma'am,” he sat, '-why does she feel so offended today.'
”Igna.”
”Y-yes,” startled by her sharp tone, he stared emptily.
”Good job on making it here,” her voice eased, ”-I admit Lady Lordon was harsh to leave you to the wild. I guess it's her way of saying go explore the capital. I heard from the vice-director of the meal you made last night,” paused to breathe, ”-listen, this is where it gets serious. Igna, tell me right now, are you sure about becoming a chef? Once you study under the 'Viper' there will be no going back.”
”Yes,” he smiled, ”-I made Chef Leko a promise of being at his side. Besides, I'm a member of the trader's Guild, I've yet to learn a sliver of what is there in the world.”
”I see you haven't given up on wanting to visit the tower of Aria. Here, I'll make you a promise. If you manage to become renowned as a chef, I'll call onto someone who will teach you the ways of the nightwalker. What do you say?”
”What classifies as being a renowned chef?”
”Basically become an idol,” the conniving grin told of the trouble laying ahead.