Chapter 503: Lekos Gift (2/2)
”That plebian?” he scowled, ”-how dare Chef Leko refuse to acknowledge me,” the fingers laid between hair and scalp, visible irritation per the breathing, the anger boiling inside, and the disrespect felt, ”-I'm going to destroy him!”
”Chill on the anger issues,” laughed the girl, ”-come on, let's go. We need to buy ingredients for the graduation.”
”Yes,” he stood to sort his tie, ”-the student council has a few words to speak to administration. Come on,” upfront, three others followed.
”Chef,” ambling around the empty halls, ”-was it wise to provoke them like that?”
”Provoke?” they stopped at a grey-colored intersection, ”-I only said what is true. How is that provoking, I suppose, if they feel offended, one option remains, get better.”
”You're cruder than usual,” the walk resumed after a window giving to a lovely garden.
”Well,” they stopped at the entrance, ”-I have things to attend to. Igna, you a few days until Cle. Do whatever, sleeping arrangements have been made, or are you going to sleep somewhere else?”
”I get the feeling I'm not invited,” the piercing gaze of the exiting students had him gulped, ”-I'll probably head for Sunfall and look around. I'll be back by the 29th.”
”Sure,” he smiled, ”-don't leave yet though. In an hour, some magazines are going to come for an interview about Cle. Better stick around since they're important in the world of fine-dining. The academy has a lot to do, just wander around. Better yet, head to the trial restaurant, you'll get to taste what the students are making.”
”You even have live-practice, talk about being grand.” The parts split towards the office and the other, unknown. Igna stayed a little to watch Leko disappear into the crowd, the faculty office felt so far away, almost out of reach.
'Can't believe the size of this place,' the path went right whereupon rested a massive olden style manor. The latter being the actual school area. The size was apparent only when having a top-down look or going around the perimeter. Aside from that, the beige color and pillars added a hint of homeliness. A feeling that soon flushed as the judging gazes of the students traveled from all around. 'Éclair,' he headed for the building mentioned earlier, '-can you quickly check the student's name and affiliation?'
”Sure thing,” a scan came in form of blue lines highlighting each face.
”Oh,” opposed to names, the display changed to net worth and what company or family they were tied to. ”-We got a lot of rich people here,” said he looking about, ”-most are north of five million Exa.”
”Yes, reaching 500,000 Exa, by all means, is an impressive achievement. One enters the realm of richness. The 1 million exa you see are the people's whole net worth – including assets, houses, and other various connections.” The amount fluctuated rapidly, those with one million or higher had a different air about them, an air of superiority. Those at the five-million were pompous and surrounded by others worth in the same range. Those below 1 million were ostracized into forming packs. The ladies who held money were sought after and the men who were pretty enough were prey. The reality here wasn't far off how nobility and society worked. It became apparent that the majority were shy of 1 million, small businesses and smaller fortune.
'Is it worth speaking to them?' the walk carried until the hotel. Crossing the road into well-maintained grass, the training area was very much active. '-Why are they sitting outside?' thought he as the net worth showed below average.
”Don't go in there,” hailed a student.
”Excuse me?” he stopped, ”-is there something the matter?”
”No, no,” said he apprehensive about speaking, ”-the kitchen is being used by the student council. Going there now might bring about a problem.”
”How so?” he shrugged; ”-I fail to see how it may hurt.” Ignoring the words of warning, Igna opened the tall heavy elder-wooden door. The immediate whiff of delicious food blasted the visage. Those outside cowered at the opening of said portal for they disappeared moments after. The particular situation had him weirdly intrigued, a hierarchy was about, one that was based on monetary and social status. Merit didn't help either, as good as a chef as they could have been, there was no denying the intangible upper hand the gifted had.
'What mystery does the trial-kitchen have.' Inside was a beautiful exhibition of fine arts. For an academy, it was a bit much. Still, not inclined on judging, Igna followed the sweet scent of cuisine.
”Excuse me,” said a taller man, ”-we've said the student council has taken the kitchen for the hour.”
”I do apologize,” he glanced inside, ”-I'm new here. The Director said to come here if I wanted to taste good food.”
”Who is it?” came from the kitchen.
”No one, sir.”
”Kick him out then, what are you waiting for?”
”As you wish.”