Chapter 121: At Ansimjeong

Seeing how Noa’s lunch invitation had already been approved by Ichinose, Rohan saw no reason to refuse.

In fact, he was honestly curious about what they wanted to give him.

And right after Rohan agreed, morning classes began.

Perhaps because the exams had just ended, the classes mainly consisted of light theory lessons, unlike usual.

Even lunchtime was more generous than usual.

“So, what are we eating?”

Rohan asked as he stepped out into the hallway and met Ichinose and Noa.

Before even hearing their destination, they started walking out of the Academy.

“Taking our afternoon classes into consideration, something too heavy might not be good, so how about Mushroom Hot Pot? I know a good place.”

“Menu selection GOAT.”

“GOAT?”

“It means it’s very good.”

Just hearing the word ‘hot pot’ made his stomach rumble.

With Rohan’s positive reaction, the restaurant was decided. The three of them quickened their pace subtly as they left the Academy.

“I’m going to add ribs, duck, and pajeon too~ And what’s on the seasonal menu right now…?”

Seemingly already familiar with the restaurant, Noa smacked her lips and counted the additional dishes she wanted to order on her fingers.

Midway through, she suddenly turned her head towards Rohan.

“Oh, right! Let’s have Tigrova Cuisine next time with Clara and our Elf friend!”

“I’ll let them know.”

Shion would likely accept any meal with Noa.

He wasn’t sure about Clara, though.

They hailed a taxi and Rohan sat in the passenger seat, while the two girls sat in the back.

During the ride, his phone buzzed.

[Lete: Senior! Have a delicious lunch!]

[Clara: Oppa! It’s lunchtime, right? Are you coming to Unni’s house now? ( > ⤚ <)]

Hmm…

He informed them that he was having lunch with his Academy friends.

Even though they hadn’t made any plans, an apology was instinctively tagged along with his message.

They weren’t waiting for me, were they? I should tell them right away next time.

Shion and Clara said it was fine and told him to enjoy a good meal with his friends.

But Rohan only felt at ease after promising to have dinner with them for sure.

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“Oh…”

The restaurant the three arrived at was Ansimjeong.

Just as he had felt when listening to the two girls describe the menu, the exterior resembled a luxurious traditional Korean restaurant.

Apparently, it was a restaurant owned by a famous chef from the Three Kingdoms Union and one of Ichinose’s favorites.

“Come in.”

The staff, recognizing Ichinose and Noa, opened the main door and guided them inside politely.

The restaurant consisted of several rooms, and the interiors were clean and pleasant.

Unlike the atmosphere, he liked that it didn’t have floor seating.

“So, Nose is sitting next to me today? Hehe, it’s been a while.”

“Noa. Give up on your pranks already.”

Rohan sat down, thinking of Shion and Clara.

The two girls in front of him also drew attention, but the difference between them and the two at the mansion was that they weren’t used to the attention.

So, if he were to dine out with them, a place like this would be more comfortable.

If it’s good, should I bring them next time? Can anyone just come to this restaurant?

He hoped it wasn’t exclusive.

“I’ve already ordered the hot pot while we were on our way since it takes a little while to prepare. Order anything else you want.”

Ichinose handed Rohan a square device on the table.

It was both a menu and an ordering device.

“This is how you order.”

“That’s right. That’s why it’s convenient.”

“I’ve already ordered.”

He checked the order list after hearing Noa and saw a plethora of meat dishes listed below the hot pot.

He then returned to the menu and checked the prices, and his breath hitched.

It’s definitely expensive. Rare mushrooms are really expensive, but…

What kind of mushrooms were they putting in the hot pot?

The Mushroom Hot Pot Ichinose mentioned had a particularly hefty price tag. It was a price he could never afford if he were still working at The Flower Bookstore.

Rohan ordered a single side of dumplings and returned the device.

“Ahem…!”

Ichinose cleared her throat to catch Rohan’s attention.

And before the food arrived, she brought up the main topic.

“First, the meal is separate. I want to show you my token of gratitude from before.”

“I’ve prepared one too! I’m a Beastkin who knows gratitude, not a beast!”

The two of them each produced a box small enough to hold accessories.

“My dad said there’s nothing better than this as a reward for a man.”

Noa confidently pushed the box towards Rohan.

“Is it okay to open it here?”

“Of course.”

Click! Rohan opened the box to find a golden orb nestled inside.

The wafting scent was bittersweet, reminiscent of herbal medicine.

Rohan’s eyes widened.

“Could it be… an elixir?”

“That’s right. I had one when I was little. It doesn’t increase your mana immediately, but it raises the efficiency of your mana cultivation. The name… the name is… Gol… Gol… What was it again? Anyway, it’s good stuff!”

“It sounds tempting, so I won’t refuse. Thanks.”

Rohan expressed his gratitude and accepted the box Noa offered.

Just being here felt like he had already leveled up.

“Oh! And Dad said it’s really good for men’s stamina!”

“…”

Rohan was completely speechless.

So that’s what she meant by good for men.

An aphrodisiac recognized by the Grand Emperor of Snow himself… it reminded him of the incident he had barely managed to cover up recently.

“Cough! Cough!”

Ichinose, who had been drinking water, started coughing uncontrollably, seemingly choking.

As if she had anticipated it, Noa laughed heartily and patted Ichinose’s back.

Thump! Thump!

“Noa… Really!”

“What? I have to explain the elixir’s effects properly.”

Although she was being playful, she wasn’t wrong.

Ichinose sighed, cleared her throat, and presented the box in front of her.

“A-hem…! I also prepared an elixir with my father’s help.”

“Thanks. Can I open this one too?”

“Yes.”

This box contained a crimson flower.

Just the delicate bud, without roots, was nestled in the box. Despite that, a vibrant energy emanated from it.

“This flower is called Yeonghwasim. It’s related to both physical strength and mana, but it’s particularly good for those who manipulate fire. To consume it, you simply eat the entire flower, petals and all.”

“Isn’t it bad to take two elixirs at once?”

“If possible, it’s best to give your body time to absorb and adapt. Eat Noa’s elixir first, and then take mine a week later.”

“You can eat the Gol… that thing now! I ate mine suddenly before a meal.”

At her words, Rohan immediately popped Noa’s elixir into his mouth and swallowed.

The moment he swallowed it, the elixir melted smoothly, leaving a warm trail in his stomach like strong alcohol.

The elixir’s energy spread throughout his entire body, not just downwards.

It subtly permeated his mana, which held sway over his entire being.

“Phew, that was good.”

As Rohan bowed his head while seated, the two girls chuckled.

“The food hasn’t even come out yet.”

Knock. Knock. Knock.

A staff member knocked on the closed door politely.

Perhaps because there was a tiger in the room, speak of the devil and he shall appear, the food had arrived.

The Mushroom Hot Pot exceeded expectations. It even contained high-quality beef.

Noa placed her order in the center of the table, suggesting they share, so there was plenty for everyone.

The three recounted their experiences on the uninhabited island, and speculated about the academy’s curriculum, which was undergoing a major overhaul, as they filled their stomachs.

Strange.

Something caught Rohan’s eye during their meal.

Ichinose didn’t open her eyes, even while eating.

Yet her chopsticks never missed their target, which was surprising even knowing she had a skill.

Noa, seeming to read Rohan’s gaze, wagged her tail and shared a story from her past with Ichinose.

“Nose’s sense of taste is incredibly sensitive. Once, I made her a wrap, and she knew everything that was in it!”

“Anyone could have figured that out. Noa put raw garlic and chili peppers in the perilla leaves.”

“Hehe… And Nose can tell what kind of meat it is just from eating a tiny piece! She could easily identify all the types of mushrooms here, too!”

Noa excitedly shared trivial anecdotes, partly to cover up her past prank.

These stories clearly indicated that Ichinose was honing and developing her Unique Skill, Mind’s Eye, by keeping her eyes closed.

However, Rohan had to maintain the facade of not knowing about Ichinose’s Unique Skill.

“Oh, she can do that?”

“If you don’t believe me, feed her yourself. She’ll figure it out.”

“N-Noa…!”

Feed her himself? Even if they were the only three in the room, wouldn’t that be too bold of an action to do in public?

Noa was being unusually mischievous today.

They’re close.

Rohan was content just watching the two bicker.

His curiosity wasn’t piqued by what Noa said. He already knew about Ichinose’s senses.

He was simply curious about how the food on the table felt to her while her eyes were closed.

“Really… since Noa keeps asking me to show you… j-just once…”

“Huh?”

Rohan, finished with his contemplation, lifted his head with a foolish sound.

Ichinose, her face flushed, was slightly parting her lips like a baby bird waiting to be fed.