Zach bled again. A cut on his forearm by his own blade as the light of Tobias’ heal showed its worth once more. The wounds mended together under the observant eyes of Tobias. This was the twenty-first time they had done this all under the pretense of pursuing the knowledge behind the mystery of arcane healing.

Tobias, a Highbrow, learned medical knowledge and procedures under the Union. Using herbs, spices, specific procedures, and deducing symptoms to heal patients. But the Heal skill he was using was a whole different dimension. At first, he couldn’t believe a person’s wound could be gone after simply hovering his hand over the injured site. It marveled him and at the same time piqued his curiosity over this strange occurrence. Yet unlike him, most weren’t intrigued by the nature he discovered from a logical standpoint. Not until he met Zach.

They spent a short time together, yet he felt like friends over the years. Albeit, he had his prejudice over a young noble with bad rumors. But it seemed the adage of don’t judge a book by its cover held true to this younger Gardwin. He even wondered why Zach wasn’t in the Highbrow Union, considering his mental work process was so far rather impressive, especially coming from a high-rank Highbrow like himself.

“So how is it?” Zach asked. “Can you tell how the mana flows into the skill?”

“So far I can faintly point that the source of the mana is from the heart…” Tobias said. Further explaining how each time he used the skill, there was a certain subtle sensation of warmth from his chest flowing towards his arms like the mana being transported through an unseen vessel.

The process was rather slow, but the findings were enough to keep them going, away from the crowd outside. Zach even suggested initiating the healing skill without the use of the skill. But so far, Tobias couldn’t. Just from the mere thought of using the skill automatically activated it, bypassing the need to manually deliver the mana from one place to another. It was like a code had been written inside of Tobias, prompting mana to be sent to the hand without any disturbance. A one-way route.

For now, they focused on the mechanism of the fuel source of the skill rather than how it works. Building an understanding from the base, and not just diving straight to the top. Well, Zach would have liked to earn it at the get-go, but he knew things didn’t come easily in life even when a game system had been implemented in his life.

By the thirtieth time, Tobias’ mana points ran out. But not without a reward. “Interesting. It says here my Heal skill has reached level two,” Tobias said. He understood well the meaning of gaining level after the brief discussion he had with Zach. So applying the same logic to his skill level, he assumed his healing skill grew more potent. Yet at the same time, something just went alight in Tobias. He sort of understood his healing skill a bit better than before as if an ingrained knowledge finally surfaced back from the hidden depth of his brain.

Zach gave the floor as Tobias explained this new knowledge he attained. The details were more refined, making it easier for Zach to understand. It wasn’t concrete, but at least he got one thing right. The heal skill was categorized under the light element, which further explored that the arcane had the possibility of being differentiated through the elements.

“It had been a great time, my lord, and apologies for draining my mana too quickly,” Tobias said. Smiling ear to ear.

“This is just the start, Highbrow,” Zach said. His reply earned him a bigger smile from the intellectual. They parted ways, and Zach was left alone in the abandoned living quarters. He had all the time he wanted, and he tried to feel the mana dormant in his heart. Imagining it traveled from his heart to his hand as if there was a separate vessel exclusively for mana. Yet no matter how hard he tried, it wouldn’t come to be. Next time, he thought.

Zach wandered around the living quarters which then led him to the kitchen. Somehow, someone was already there. Scavenging through the dusty broken cupboards with a few cast iron pans on the ground neatly organized beside her.

“That’s quite a find,” Zach said.

“Ow,” she yelped. Her head bumped against the cupboard as she rubbed her aching head.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

“What gives?” she complained. But the moment she saw who it was, her eyes quivered.

“Sorry bout that,” Zach said.

She couldn’t say a word, speechless. Her mind was probably twisting and turning, trying to come up with a good excuse for using such a rude tone to a noble. In the end, she stammered her words into incoherent blabber.

“Relax,” Zach said. Gesticulating with his hands to calm her down.

Finally, she managed to let out a few words. “Sorry . . . Milord,” she said. Her forehead was beading with sweat. It seemed her experience with nobles was traumatic judging by how she acted.

Well, Zach sort of understood her. He saw with his own two eyes how distasteful a person could be just because of the higher status one hold. It would be right to say people like him were not that common in the circle of noble houses, especially a grand house like the Gardwin.

“So you can cook?” Zach asked.

“Yes,” she said. Standing up with her hands frantically trying to flatten the crease of her clothes.

“So your class is a chef?” Zach asked. There wasn’t any as he just tried to jest, lightening up the mood.

“Yes . . . I mean, no, milord,” she said. “I’m a . . . knight.” She sounded timid. Her eyes wandered across the floor before landing on the sword and shield close to the door.

It was as he expected. The charm of a knight could hardly be contested as even a girl would choose it over everything else on the list. From how it looked, things were going to be pretty bad if the majorities of Brittania were knights.

“So what did you do before coming to this dastard place?” Zach asked. His eyes roamed across the kitchen, noticing empty shelves bolted on the stone walls.

“I . . . I found myself with Lord Cyrus, milord. He gathered and led us here. To a safe place,” she said. Her eyes twinkled after mentioning Zach’s older brother.

She was definitely enthralled by Cyrus, thought Zach. It was hard not to be, considering how handsome that justice-freak brother of his. He remembered a time when there was a party held at White Fort of Kingshill, all the noble ladies were swooning over Cyrus’ impeccable facial features. That included married women also. Of course, it was hidden from their spouses as it would be pretty bad if they knew of such things.

“Yea, alright. But what I meant is, before coming into this strange land. Back on Brittania. What did you do?” Zach asked.

She grew timider after that question. Her head was down and her eyes scattering on the floor. It took her a bit of time before her feeble voice was finally heard. “A cook, milord,” she said.

“Oh, so did my brother task you to do this?” Zach asked.

She nodded and then found her strength to look Zach in the eye. Again, there were stars in her eyes as the mention of his brother really did wondrous to this homely lass. “It’s my honor to serve Lord Cyrus, and I’ll do my utmost to cook for him the best of dishes,” she said.

There was vigor in her voice as she looked determined for the sake of his brother. He eyed her up and down, and noticed something peeking between her dark green kirtle and her white chemise.

“Is that a book?” Zach asked. Pointing at her chest.

“Oh,” she took the thin book out and handed it over to Zach. “I found it on the kitchen shelf, and I thought of giving it to Lord Cyrus.” She fiddled with her fingers as Zach skimmed through the thin book.

“You know how to read?” Zach asked.

“No, milord,” she replied.

“Then would you…” Zach cut himself short. His eyes fell upon a page at the back of the book. He read through it, and it wasn’t like the recipes from earlier. He frowned, and the mere act of it frightened the poor lass who stood across him.

She worried that perhaps she might make a grave mistake as the thought of her head rolling couldn’t leave her mind.

“Can I have this?” Zach said. Staring at the girl with a strong set of eyes.

“Of… of… of course, milord,” she replied. It was a pity though as she thought this book might be the bridge between her and Lord Cyrus.

“So name your price,” Zach said.

“Eh?” the lass looked confused.

“You found this book first, so it’s yours to begin with, and thus I propose a transaction,” Zach said. “What will it be, Miss… on second thought, I still don’t know your name. May I know your name, miss?”

“Milly, milord,” Milly said.

“So, what’s the price, Miss Milly?”

“Um…” Milly was in dilemma. This sudden interaction with Zach was making her head turn as this wasn’t how her usual interaction with a noble. Usually, it was taken by force, or a few coins being thrown. So Milly didn’t know what to do.

“How about this? I’ll tell you all the favorite food that Cyrus like, and their recipes, and you will give me this book,” Zach proposed.

Almost immediately, she answered with the most vibrant voice she could muster. “Yes!” Embarrassment followed soon, but not without glee in her heart. Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes returned back to the floor.

Zach told her a few recipes and repeated them a few times as Milly did her best to memorize them all. He even assured her that she was open to visit, and ask with no more price tag attached.

In the end, Zach had his book, and Milly had her recipes. Rather than leaving, Zach found an intact stool and sat in a corner. He grinned as he read the last page again. He couldn’t believe it at first, but now he was sure of it. This book was not your typical recipe book.

‘I guess my luck hasn’t run out,’ Zach thought. ‘Who would have thought I’ll find a book that details the method of infusing mana into cooking.’