Chapter 517: Black (1/2)

”They're mythical creatures, how could you have procured such an item?”

”It was no trouble,” he smiled, ”-the methodology I used is simple, I rather not get into details since what I pursue is deemed unworthy and heresy.” A bite at those who viewed from their comfortable heavenly seats, looking down onto those who made mistakes while trying things of new.

”Before I taste,” the pace slowed to have a gentle glimmer in the otherwise blank stare, ”-if this is truly the blood of an elder dragon, then my boy, I'll have no option than to bypass the whole judgment process. I will not shudder in using my wildcard to have you become a respected chef, trust me on that.”

”Wildcard?” the inquiry of Emi and the crowd turned towards Chef Agneo.

Left-right, he watched, paused, breathed, then,”-fine,” the stance relaxed.

”Could you please tell us a bit more?” wondered she, and once again, Kyle, who had put his heart and soul in the dish was ignored for the unusualness of Igna. Frustration couldn't be put in actions let alone words. Heavy sighs permeated as a result… the judges took to the stage and waited behind the Virtuoso of ingredients. 'Again,' he scanned the audience, '-he stole the spotlight again… my dish is the best this competition has ever seen. The judges were left on their knees, how is he able to garner such promotion without effort. Where's Syndra, surely my fiancé is watching me instead of him…”

”The wildcard is as the name describes. In the unfortunate moment where someone has been misjudged – Lord Amsey has the power to grant any candidate the desired collar of which he deems fit for the participant.”

”I understand,” and so did the audience.

”Igna sure knows how to make a scene,” said Julius in jest.

”I don't know,” shrugged lady Haru, ”-he's just the same old boy I found lost so many months ago.”

”Don't reminisce,” fired Courtney, ”-tis my son thou art speaking for. He's not dead.”

”Excuse me,” said a shaken tone.

”Elvira?” wondered Haru as the lady dashed out per a phone call.

Lights, audience, and critic, they glued onto a single spoon moving towards an old man's mouth. Shut in the same manner as a gate, he stared at the ceiling in awe, the spoon returned softly at the table. A white glow outlined the wrinkles on his face, ”-the blood of an elder dragon grants the user youth and reverts the clock by 40 years,” the grey hair amassed color to turn dark-red mixed with black, ”-or so said the rumors,” he smiled through pearly white teeth. The cheeks and body went from limp to straight and confident, ”-Igna,” grey pupils adorned by white flakes reverted to black and deep, ”-you're a monster.”

”Why?” he smirked.

”Don't you dare say this wasn't planned,” he approached holding an aura of prestige and fame, ”-I can see it in thine eyes, this was the moment you waited for.”

”I won't deny it,” he smiled, ”-I knew the audience would be taken aback by dungeon-style cooking, still, I had to make sure they hated me so that no one else tasted the meal before you. I did do my research, I found out the reason why Chef Leko is so alienated from the culinary world, tis the same reason why you personally came on stage. This here is a gift from me to you, Lord Amsey, a thank you for allowing unconventional cooks to shine dimly but fully.”

”No, no,” he glanced at the crowd then returned, ”-I know my history with monsters. Dragons are rare and majestical, the boon of reverting one's age doesn't come with simply drinking the blood, it's prepared using an ancient ritual none knows about.”

”Cooking,” said Igna, ”-before potions people used to mix magic into pills, sweets, or meals. The only way to extract mana in that era was through cooking and adding the touch personally. Tis taken for granted now, using potions when things get through is almost second nature. I tell you, if not for a certain alchemist and founder of a certain field of research, we would have not seen this change.”

”How were you able to do so?”

”A recipe is a chef's hidden weapon. I hope you understand. The boon of youth came at a price that I already paid for. Don't worry, Lord Amsey, the effects were meant for thine pallet only.”

”You saying anyone who tastes the dish now is?”

”Is only going to experience the taste, not the effect.”