A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special - Chapter 40

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 40. Dinner Service (2)

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Dezir Armang’s party was making their way toward the Shadow Gate. Azest had naturally inserted herself into their group.
The party now numbered four in total.
A palpable tension hung between Azest and Romantica. Romantica was deeply unhappy about Azest’s addition to the team. Thinking back on what her party had done recently, Romantica found herself unable to welcome the woman’s participation.
“You’ve completely left the Blue Moon Party, then?”
Fram asked the question of Azest.
“I have.”
Hearing this exchange, Romantica puffed out her lower lip in a sulk.
Dezir sighed. It was clear that considerable effort would be required to make Romantica understand and accept Azest’s joining them.
Unlike Romantica, Dezir was genuinely pleased by Azest’s arrival. He had needed one more party member to attempt the Shadow World that was his target, and having that additional member be someone of Azest’s caliber was more than he could have hoped for.
‘She showed up at just the right time.’
With her addition, he could finally attempt the Shadow World of the Orlangne Region.
The Shadow World of the Orlangne Region. Dezir had been planning to conquer this particular Shadow World for a long time. The reward obtainable from clearing it was not merely Mana Stones, but an Artifact.
An Artifact.
It was an object that could only be obtained through clearing the Shadow World, and each one possessed an enormous power that defied all conventional understanding.
Artifacts were classified from Grade A to Grade D based on the strength of their respective abilities, and even the lowest grade, Grade D, was at a level impossible to replicate with modern technology, despite it reaching the peak of the Age of Magic.
‘I’ve heard the Seal of Toa was obtained from this Shadow World.’
The Seal of Toa was an Artifact that increased its owner’s Mana capacity, enabling them to achieve their ambitions.
During the conquest of the Shadow Labyrinth, Dezir had been the owner of the Seal of Toa.
The Seal of Toa had not belonged to Dezir from the start. After its previous user’s death, it had been granted to him in accordance with the expedition’s protocol of assigning Artifacts to the most suitable individuals.
‘To reach the heights of my previous life again, I must absolutely obtain it.’
The Seal of Toa was classified as a Grade C Artifact. It possessed the seemingly impossible function of increasing its owner’s Mana capacity, more precisely raising the absolute ceiling of that capacity.
While this ceiling increase proved almost useless for High-Circle Mages, it was a tremendously valuable Artifact for Low-Circle Mages.
Knowing that his sole limitation in his previous life had been Mana capacity, Dezir had gathered information on Artifacts related to that issue, and he already possessed considerable knowledge about the Seal of Toa before he ever obtained it.
In his previous life, the Seal of Toa had come to him naturally when its previous user died, but this time, he was planning from the beginning to obtain the Seal of Toa based on the information he had gathered back then.
Step.
His footsteps ceased. Lost in thought, he had arrived at their destination—the Shadow Gate.
“Dezir Armang, Romantica, Fram Schneider, and Azest. These are the four who will attempt to clear the Shadow World in the northern Orlangne Region. Is this correct?”
The Gate Keeper spoke in a businesslike tone.
Dezir, leading the party, answered on behalf of them all.
“That is correct.”
“Do you agree to all terms and conditions regarding Shadow World participation?”
“We do.”
“Then I will open the Shadow Gate. Your destination is the Orlangne Region. Please be advised that brief dizziness may accompany spatial transition.”
As the confirmation procedure concluded, the Shadow Gate’s keeper opened the door.
At the same moment, blinding light engulfed the party.
They had entered the Shadow World.

* * *

—Entrance to Shadow World confirmed.

Dezir opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings. What greeted him was walls and floors constructed of stone.
The room was spacious. And hot.
Crackle, crackle.
In a massive cauldron suspended above roaring flames, soup bubbled and churned. Cooking implements—knives, ladles, and the like—lay scattered about.
Bread with a lustrous sheen on its surface.
Fresh vegetables and the sharp smell of sauce.
‘A kitchen, it seems.’
He looked around, but there was no additional information to be gleaned.
There was no one else present.
Azest, Fram, and Romantica—who had entered the Shadow World with him—were nowhere to be seen.
‘So this is what they meant by assigning different roles.’
Click.
At the sound of the door opening, Dezir turned around.
The man had an extraordinarily warm impression about him. He was furious, and Dezir discovered for the first time that someone could achieve such a devastatingly fierce expression despite such an amiable appearance.

-You have encountered Jephran, a seasoned chef.
He is an extremely stubborn cook with a strong pride and sense of dignity.

What happened next was abrupt. The man who had been alternating his gaze between Dezir and the ingredients suddenly slapped him across the back.
“What in blazes do you think you’re doing, you sluggish pig!”
Most would be flustered by such a sudden blow, but Dezir was already a veteran—he’d cleared the Shadow World dozens of times over. Without a trace of anger, he lowered his head.
“My apologies.”
“Get out of my way! You’re nothing but a useless hindrance!”
Dezir’s demeanor proved quite effective. Rather than continue his reproach, Jephran shoved past him and moved on.
Jephran approached the cutting board swiftly and began slicing vegetables.
Thack-thack-thack-thack!
Each stroke rang with barely contained fury. It was chilling just to hear it.
Dezir had no idea what was happening and stood watching blankly. Then the man’s sharp command fell upon him.
“What are you standing there gawking for! Do you plan to become a statue? I said we’re short on time! Damn it! You should be helping me cook, you simpleton!”
‘Cook?’
Noticing the shift in Dezir’s expression, the head chef seemed to burst with exasperation and struck his forehead with his fist.
“You stubborn mule! Didn’t I tell you we’re preparing a meal for distinguished guests! You haven’t forgotten the menu too, have you?”

-The ‘Dinner Service’ Quest has appeared.
-You are the chef’s assistant. Today you must prepare a meal for thirteen distinguished guests visiting the castle. The list of dishes you must prepare in the kitchen is as follows:
-Appetizers: Black Olive Salad, two plates; Herb-Marinated Scallops and Shrimp, four plates; Mushroom Cream Soup, seven plates.
Main Course: Beef Tenderloin roasted with potatoes, carrots, and eggplant, thirteen plates. The steaks are to be cooked as follows: well-done, three; medium, five; medium-rare, three; rare, two.
Dessert: Chocolate Cake
-Complete today’s service successfully by assisting the head chef. The outcome of this quest will influence subsequent quests.

Dezir answered in an even tone.
“Of course I haven’t forgotten, Chef.”
“Then tell me.”
“Black Olive Salad, two plates; Herb-Marinated Scallops and Shrimp, four plates; Mushroom Cream Soup, seven plates—those are the appetizers.”
“Good, you wretch. Have you finally come to your senses? Now go prep the vegetables!”
“Yes!”

-Witnessing your disciplined demeanor, Jephran’s Favorability toward you has risen to ‘Positive’.
Your Favorability with him may influence the progression of future quests.

“How many times must I say this! Always end with ‘Chef’!”
“Yes, Chef!”
In the tub lay carrots caked with soil, onions still in their skins, and lettuce that slugs had been lazily crawling over. Dezir brushed the dirt from the vegetables, then rinsed them thoroughly in water.
‘So his name was Jephran.’
The sound of Jephran’s knife echoed through the kitchen without pause. Dezir observed him from the corner of his eye.
Shhh-shhh-shhh!
‘That man….’
He pried open the tightly sealed scallop with the knife’s tip and scraped away the meat so thoroughly that nothing remained inside the shell.
Four scallops were dismantled in mere moments. His speed was like a flash of light.
‘His manner may be harsh, but he truly possesses extraordinary skill!’
The shrimp had already been cleaned. He placed the scallops and shrimp in an oiled skillet and began to cook them.
‘This isn’t a particularly difficult quest. All I need to do is assist him properly and we’ll be done.’
Dezir finished preparing the olives and brought over the vegetables for the salad. After shaking off the excess water and making them ready to use, he brought them to Jephran, who pointed toward the hearth.
“Keep stirring the soup so it doesn’t stick!”
“Yes, Chef.”
Above the hearth, the mushroom soup was bubbling vigorously. Dezir seized a wooden ladle and plunged it into the pot with urgency.
“Ugh!”
The moment he began to stir, Dezir let out an involuntary groan. The soup was remarkably thick, and stirring it required considerable strength.
He gripped the ladle with both hands and exerted all his might.
‘It’s so hot!’
Moreover, the hearth’s fire was intense, so Dezir felt as though his entire body was being consumed by flames. Hot and grueling. Yet he endured silently, never ceasing his stirring.
It seemed Jephran had noticed Dezir’s dedication.

—Jephran holds your diligence in high regard; even in this sweltering heat, you stir the soup without faltering.
Moments later, Jephran finished the salad, herb-marinated scallops, and shrimp.
“Plate the soup. You remember the count, don’t you?”
“Yes, Chef.”
Once Jephran rang the bell in the kitchen to signal completion, several helpers entered and began carrying the dishes out.
The appetizers were done; now came the main course—thirteen plates of beef tenderloin, roasted with potato purée, carrots, and eggplant.
As Jephran began trimming the eggplant and carrots, he turned to Dezir.
“Get those potatoes roasting. They take time.”
“I’m already roasting them, Chef.”
“……What? Since when?”
Crackle-crackle.
The potatoes burst into flame over the hearth fire, their savory aroma filling the kitchen.
“I gauged the pace of the work and figured they’d need to start soon, so I put them in ahead of time. I’m a capable assistant, after all.”
Dezir had adapted to kitchen life with remarkable speed.
“Damn brat. Always showing off.”
For all his gruffness, Jephran seemed pleased with him.

—Jephran finds you useful; your foresight in thinking one step ahead has earned his respect.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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