He had left for about twenty minutes… that was just enough time for the Mountain Beast Hearty Stew to fully cook down, thicken, and let every ingredient melt together into the real stew.

During that same period, Bella had already finished steaming the rice to fluffy perfection.

As for Azel… he had somehow managed to turn those twenty waiting minutes into an impromptu lesson.

Bella, the two older sisters, even Sylus despite his bandages… he had spent the entire time teaching them how to cut properly, how to angle the knife for clean slices, how to avoid bruising vegetables, how to avoid overworking meat, and even simple timing tricks with the pan.

Everyone was excited to learn how to cook suddenly, well except Sybil.

Now, as Azel returned to the stove while Sybil and her mother were behind the counter with their hands clasped together.

They were looking to see the end result.

"It's the moment of truth…" Sybil muttered.

Azel lifted the lid.

A wave of steam billowed upward, carrying an aroma so thick and sweet that even Sylus, who had been leaning against the wall with crossed arms, straightened immediately.

Sybil nearly drooled on herself and Bella staggered back like she'd been struck by divine revelation.

The scent was… heavenly.

Azel inhaled slightly then he reached out, and Bella scrambled to hand him a wide shallow plate, nearly tripping over her own feet as she added a cup for the rice.

During the lecture, he had told her that a simple spoon would not do for the rice.

He nodded, then opened the pot of cooked rice.

A puff of fragrant steam escaped, and he scooped it out neatly… packing the rice quickly before turning the cup upside down onto the plate.

A perfect dome of rice fell onto the dish.

Next came the stew. Azel ladled it carefully, spooning in a generous helping of meat cubes, vegetables, and the broth.

The mixture settled beautifully over the rice and it made him sigh. It was even better than the last time he had cooked it.

When he finished, Azel gently placed the finished dish on the counter in front of her and set a spoon beside it.

"Here's the food, Mother-in-law," he said with a smile, he looked like a craftsman proud of his work.

Layla nodded and reached for the spoon.

The kitchen fell silent.

She scooped a bit of the rice, dabbed it into the stew, caught a meat cube in the spoon, and raised it to her mouth.

Haji, Sylus, Sybil, Bella, the sisters, and their husbands held their breath like their lives depended on her reaction.

Layla placed the spoon in her mouth.

She chewed.

Her eyes widened just slightly.

She continued chewing, and the emotions on her face softened warmly.

She removed the spoon and said…

"I…"

Then she went back to chewing.

Haji's eyes darkened instantly.

His wife speaking mid-meal especially mid-chew was against etiquette. But Layla Astra was a woman who complied with etiquette only when she personally felt like it.

"This is the best dish I've ever tasted…" she declared.

Azel let out a small internal sigh of relief. 'Nice.'

Layla, not wasting a second, turned toward Sybil. She scooped another spoonful… this time dripping with stew and lifted it toward her daughter.

Sybil tilted her head, opened her mouth obediently, and accepted the spoon. Her entire expression lit up, her eyes sparkling like stars as she chewed.

"It's really good~" Sybil hummed, practically melting.

Layla smirked triumphantly, then began her rounds like a general feeding troops.

She approached Sylus first. He opened his mouth to protest…

"Mom… we're—"

She slammed the spoon between his lips.

His eyes widened as the flavor hit him. He swallowed hard.

"…Good," he muttered under his breath.

She repeated the same process with both daughters, ignoring their dignity entirely. Each one reacted the same way: shock, awe, and a deeply humbling realization that Azel could cook circles around them.

Finally, she approached Haji. He straightened his posture and she stopped right in front of him.

He prepared to accept the spoon then she turned away.

"Hmph."

Layla returned to the counter without feeding him.

Haji lowered his face, the offensive aura radiating from every pore.

Layla lifted her chin.

"I have decided to give you an S-rank, which means I will do as much as possible to have your engagement with my daughter finalized as quickly as possible." She turned her head toward Haji with a smile that was somehow both adorable and terrifying. "Won't we?"

Haji sighed from the depths of his soul.

"Fine…"

He turned his gaze toward Bella, who stiffened like a soldier called to the front lines.

"You. Bring some of that to my office."

Bella nodded frantically. Haji floated up the staircase, the sisters and their husbands following shortly after… some still holding their stomachs in bliss.

"Thank you, Mother-in-law," Azel said with a respectful bow.

Layla beamed at him like he had just handed her the secret to eternal youth. She immediately refilled her plate from the pot before leaving the kitchen.

The moment the last elder left, the atmosphere relaxed.

Only Sybil, Sylus, and Azel remained.

Azel turned toward the sink, ready to clean bowls, but Bella rushed forward.

"My Lord… you shouldn't bother yourself with the work of servants," she said quickly, bowing deeply. "Thank you for teaching me your special recipe. I'll do the cleaning now."

Azel nodded and removed his apron. When he handed it to her, Bella caught it gently, her eyes widening as she sniffed without meaning to.

'He smells so good…'

Azel stepped past the counter, heading toward Sybil only for Sylus to suddenly block his path.

"Brother…" Sylus clicked his tongue. "Brother-in-law."

Azel blinked and even Sybil blinked.

Sylus continued with his arms crossed as his expression grew serious. "Mother said she was attacked by a Rank 3 at the base of the mountains. Even if Father grounds her, he'll still let her go eventually and I doubt she will learn her lesson. Let's go and kill this Rank 3."

Azel considered it.

'That's a valid concern…' He didn't want more people to be hurt because of something that should have been dealt with already.

"Sure," Azel said. "Let's go."

"Oi, bring me along," Sybil said immediately, stepping forward without hesitation.

Of course she would.

The three left through the mansion's front doors, stepping into the expansive yard where maids trimmed hedges and butlers polished stone tiles.

Some looked up as the trio passed and greeted them properly.

"How are you going to fly there?" Sylus asked Azel as he lifted off using wind magic. "You don't have wind"

Azel raised a brow.

A pair of holy wings burst from his back, gleaming gold-white. With a single flap, he shot into the sky with enough force to send a ripple through the surrounding air.

Sylus' jaw dropped slightly.

'Just like an angel…'

He, too, soared upward, and Sybil followed right behind him, wind spiraling around her feet.

"Alright," Sylus said as he cracked his neck. "Let us go… to Sky Mountain."

With that, all three shot forward in unison… three streaks cutting through the sky toward the looming mountain range in the distance.

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