I left the infirmary.

It was about mid afternoon.

Grrr. Grrr. Gurgle.

“What am I supposed to do?”

The only thing I ate today was a piece of bread that took all my money. Does being a recommended student even have any merits? I needed money.

“I need a job.”

Luckily, there were ways to make money in Beyond Phantasia through various jobs. The game included life sim factors where players could perform tasks and jobs to make a profit. Since Novian was considered relatively rich, you didn't need to pursue that route unless you needed extra cash for certain items and equipment.

I navigated my way to the main entrance of the academy, where I was provided a pass allowing me to leave the academy for a certain amount of time.

The main city, Solara, is a city that blends technology with nature. Skyscrapers with sleek, futuristic designs tower above, interspersed with lush green spaces and parks. The city boasts a vibrant marketplace with various shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Pedestrian-friendly walkways are lined with trees, and the air is filled with activity, reflecting the city's dynamic and innovative spirit.

I followed my datachron to a floating screen displaying job listings. The holographic display cycled through different jobs, but I couldn't find one that seemed favorable to student life.

"Ah, that'll do. The pay is decent enough to get something decent to eat," I said, satisfied with the find.

Scanning the job listing into my datachron, I followed the directions to the address, which led me into an alleyway.

“ This is…something.”

I continued cautiously until I arrived at a door on my left. The sign read "Firefly Inn."

“This should be it.”

I entered the door.

Surprisingly, the inn was mildly packed with various species. There were dwarves, gambials — insect people, iskars — beast folk, and a few others I couldn’t immediately recognize in this tavern.

A bunch of murmurs echoed throughout the room.

“A human? A handsome one as well!”

"Must be a noble."

“What does he want from us?”

“Tch. Are we gonna get senselessly beat again?”

“Grab the boss.”

Soon, a woman with purple hair and what appeared to be dragonfly wings entered.

"She must be the boss," I thought, recalling one of the comments.

“Can I help you human?” She greeted me.

I could detect a hint of malice in her voice. What’s more intriguing is that she was a metamorphosed gambial. In Beyond Phantasia, gambials were initially dismissed as ugly bug people, and the community largely disregarded them. However, it was later discovered that gambials possessed a unique trait called metamorph; once they reached a certain level of strength, they would undergo a metamorphosis into a more formidable form with a human-like appearance while retaining some insect-like features. I needed to be careful. I didn't know why a metamorph gambial would be here.

“Yes, I'm here for the part-time chef job listing…ma’am,” I said, putting on a business smile.

The whole room burst into laughter.

“Is he serious?”

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"A human? Work with us? Ha!"

“He’s really trying to mock us!”

“Ha! Funny human!”

Snap! The room fell silent.

“Are you making fun of us, boy?” The boss said.

“No, I’m serious ma’am. I have no money and I need a job.”

“Then why don’t you swindle it from us? The cops are nearby; they’ll believe you.”

“That’s… morally wrong. I’d rather earn my money than steal from innocent people ma’am,” I said with an assuring smile.

It was true, though. From what I’ve seen, I wish I hadn’t. People in poorer countries during wartime had it far worse, yet soldiers took that as an opportunity. It was disgusting, something I never wish to relive again.

She raised an eyebrow.

“Are you serious about the job?” She asked.

“Yes ma’am.”

“Follow me,” she said.

I was led to the kitchen.

“Cook this.”

She pointed to a picture of what appeared to be a simple fried rice recipe.

“That’s it? Am I allowed to make adjustments ma’am?”

“Feel free to do so. I’ll be outside. Let me know when you’re done.”

“Roger..ma’am.”

With that, she left.

“Hah. It’s been a while since I’ve been in the kitchen. It feels nostalgic.”

Finding the apron, I put it on and tied the straps around my waist. I then took a look around, inspecting the fridge, freezer, and pantry to get a sense of the ingredients. There was even an advanced rice cooker that could cook rice in a minute. The future really has its perks.

“Looks like all the ingredients are here.”

I started by grabbing the ingredients and appliances I needed, then set up my workstation. First, I removed the pre-cooked rice from the advanced rice cooker and scooped it into a large mixing bowl, setting it aside.

Next, I heated a splash of oil in a sizzling-hot pan. The aroma of the oil warming up was already promising. While it heated, I chopped fresh vegetables: regular onions, crisp green onions, crunchy carrots, and some peas. Their vibrant colors made my mouth water. I wondered if she’d let me take some back to the academy.

I also diced a few pieces of chicken breast and steak, seasoning them with a touch of salt and pepper. Extra protein never hurts.

Once the pan was ready, I added the chicken and steak, letting them sizzle and brown to perfection. The smell of the meat cooking was mouthwatering, filling the kitchen with a savory aroma. I tossed in the vegetables next, stirring them until they softened slightly but still retained a satisfying crunch.

Now!

It was time to combine everything. I added the rice to the pan, adding a splash of soy sauce and a hint of sesame oil for that rich, umami flavor. The mixture sizzled and popped, creating a compelling melody of sounds. I stirred everything together, ensuring the rice was well-coated with the sauce and all the ingredients were evenly distributed.

As I stirred, the aroma intensified — a perfect blend of savory chicken and steak, aromatic rice, and crispy vegetables. Finally, I cracked an egg into the pan, letting it cook and scramble into the rice, adding a tasty creaminess.

When everything was cooked, I plated the fried rice, garnishing it with a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro and a few sesame seeds. The final dish looked as vibrant as it smelled. The rice was glistening with a savory sheen, each grain coated in flavorful sauce, and the vegetables added a colorful, appetizing touch.

I took a spoonful, and the moment the rice touched my tongue, it was a burst of delicious flavors and textures.

“Man, I’m good.”

As I turned my head, I saw several heads peeking through the door.

“I’m finished,” I said.

The boss entered the room and I handed her a plate and a spoon.

“Please dig in ma’am.”

“Thank you,” she replied.

She inspected the dish carefully. Finally, she took a bite.

One bite.

Two bites.

Three bites.

She continued eating until the plate was completely empty.

“So… how is it?” I had to ask.

“Delicious,” She replied, “Really delicious. It’s…impeccable.”

“Does that mean?”

“Yes, you’re hired. You’ll start right now, and as stated in the job listing, you’ll be compensated with three hundred Beyophans today. Your pay will be seventeen Beyophans per hour, and you’re required to work at least thirty hours a week. You can schedule these hours according to your school commitments, as I assume you’re a student at Silvion from your uniform.”

“Yes, thank you, ma’am!” I exclaimed.

“And please, call me Ronya.”

“Understood Miss Ronya.”

Grr. Gurgle. Grr.

My stomach growled in desperation.

“Eat first, then you can start your job.” She laughed.

She pondered for a second.

“It’s Lucien,” I said.

She smirked.

“Get to it.”