Chapter 133 : Eclipsed Eden
Felix couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as he observed Quill's transformation.
His gaze flickered between the shimmering Dragon Soul and Quill, whose eyes sparkled with newfound vigor.
Instead of rushing to action, Felix casually crossed his legs and took a sip of his wine, intrigued by the sight of the trembling knight before him.
As if responding to some unseen force, Mana began swirling in the room, coiling around Quill like a living entity.
The air crackled with energy as Quill's aura surged dramatically.
BOOM!
A thunderous shockwave erupted from Quill's body, sending ripples through the air.
A small cyclone formed above his head, an ethereal dance of pure Mana.
Moments later, all that energy was absorbed into him as he slowly opened his eyes, excitement radiating from every pore.
"Big bro! I did it! I broke through, I'm now a Tier 6 Epic Knight! Hahaha! This feels incredible!" Quill exclaimed, his joy contagious.
"Congratulations!" Felix raised his wine glass in celebration, grinning at his friend's enthusiasm.
Quill's grin widened even more; it had been ages since he'd been stuck at the peak of Tier 5 Grandmaster Knight.
Who would have thought that a mere whiff of aroma from a dish could catalyze such a breakthrough?
His gaze fell on the delicate white bowl on the table, heat and surprise mingling in his eyes.
"What is this dish?" he asked eagerly, licking his lips.
Felix chuckled softly. "This is our new signature dish: Dragon Soul. Impressive, right?"
"Impressive? This is practically a divine elixir! I dare say it surpasses even the 5-Star Mana Blood Pill!" Quill declared passionately.
"Really?" Felix raised an eyebrow in surprise; while he knew Dragon Soul was potent, he hadn't anticipated its value being so immense.
"Yes!" Quill nodded vigorously. "I've consumed countless Mana Blood Pills over time without much progress, but just one wisp of this Dragon Soul has propelled me forward instantly! In fact, I feel like I could advance another Tier if I eat more!"
Felix stared at the Dragon Soul, his eyes flickering with surprise and contemplation.
"What If the blood of the Drake isn't diluted over a hundred times?" he mused.
What if it wasn't diluted at all? What if it was just the pure blood used to prepare the Dragon Soul?.
He shook his head, pushing aside the thought of the chaos that could ensue from such power.
Then another idea struck him: what if this was not merely blood but blood essence, the very lifeforce infused with concentrated Mana from the Drake?.
The mere thought sent a shiver down his spine.
Although he and the others had previously used diluted blood essence to strengthen their bodies, diluted over a thousand times to avoid overwhelming their weak bodies, but this diluted blood essence hanewt them make remarkable progress.
"Looks like I need to add blood essence to the menu," Felix muttered inwardly.
Quill chimed in, curiosity piqued. "I don't know what kind of ingredients are in this dish, but it must be expensive, right?"
"It costs 100,000 Gold Coins per serving," Felix replied casually.
"What?! That's practically giving it away! Big bro, you should definitely raise the price!" Quill exclaimed in disbelief. "Do you have any idea how much a single Mana Blood Pill costs? One million Gold Coins for just one! And this Dragon Soul is way more potent!"
Felix simply smiled and shook his head. "I have my reasons for setting the price that way."
Quill looked at him with pity in his eyes, convinced that Felix was undervaluing this divine dish.
"And it's not like there won't be an upgraded version," Felix added suddenly.
"Oh! You mean there's going to be an even more powerful version of this Dragon Soul?" Quill's surprise was palpable.
"Yes," Felix nodded confidently. "And it won't come cheap."
"That's fantastic! If an upgraded version comes out, you better let me know so I can taste it!" Quill said eagerly.
"No worries; it won't take long," Felix assured him.
With that settled, Quill dove into the food on the table with gusto while Felix joined him in savoring the delicious dishes they had prepared together.
They chatted and laughed as they enjoyed their meal.
About an hour later, every plate had been cleared; although Felix hadn't eaten much, Quill certainly made up for it!
Leaning back on the sofa with satisfaction, Quill patted his full belly and said, "Big bro, I have to hand it to you, your restaurant's dishes are on another level! I've dined at many renowned places throughout Astheria, but none compare to what you've created here."
"Are you saying that to flatter me, or what?" Felix rolled his eyes at Quill.
"No, I'm serious! Your restaurant's dishes are truly delicious. The only places that can rival your culinary creations could be counted on one hand. But I have to admit, they might just compete with the offerings from the Eclipsed Eden," Quill replied enthusiastically.
"The Eclipsed Eden, huh?" Felix muttered under his breath, intrigued.
"I figured you'd know all about the top restaurants in Astheria since you're in this industry. You've heard of Eclipsed Eden, right?" Quill asked.
"Yeah," Felix nodded. When they first arrived in the Royal Capital, he made it a point to gather information about everything important, especially the top dining spots.
After all, he is also in the restaurant business. He knew not just about Eclipsed Eden but also its reputation.
"Eclipsed Eden is the most stunning, luxurious, and expensive restaurant in all of Astheria," Quill said with admiration sparkling in his eyes.
"Even though there's only one Eclipsed Eden in the entire Kingdom, it's undoubtedly the best. Its fame has spread far and wide, people from different races and walks of life flock to Astheria just to dine there once!" Quill shook his head incredulously as he spoke to Felix.
"Have you eaten there before?" Felix asked curiously.
"Yeah, just once! I was lucky because my father took me there for a banquet. That experience changed everything for me; after tasting their dishes, I could never look at food the same way again!" Quill exclaimed.
"Why don't you go back and dine there?" Felix suggested. Given Quill's background, he thought it wouldn't be an issue for him.
Quill shook his head with a bittersweet smile. "You think it's that easy? Even with my background, I can't just waltz in there whenever I want. There are plenty of people more terrifying than my Maywraith Noble Family who can't get a table either."
He paused for effect before continuing, "Eclipsed Eden only serves a thousand guests each day! Imagine how many eager diners are vying for those spots, it's not open to just anyone; they cater exclusively to those with distinguished backgrounds and significant power."
"But with your status, you should be able to eat there anytime," Felix pointed out.
"True enough," Quill admitted. "But I'm not my father."
"What do you mean by that?" Felix asked, confused.
"In the Maywraith Noble Family, who holds the most power?" Quill smiled knowingly.
"Of course it's your father... Ohhh! So that's how it is!" Felix finally realized.
"You get it now!" Quill grinned back at him.
Felix nodded thoughtfully and added, "But isn't it a bit arrogant of them? They could easily offend people by acting like this."
Felix raised an eyebrow and asked, "But isn't it a bit arrogant for them to act this way? I mean, they're bound to offend a lot of people with that attitude."
Quill scratched his head thoughtfully before replying, "You've got a point there. But here's the thing, they have the power and background to back it up. Anyone who dares to cross them usually ends up six feet under."
He paused for dramatic effect, then continued, "The owner of Eclipsed Eden is not just any chef; he's the only 5-Star Spirit Chef in the entire Kingdom! And his wife? She hails from one of the most prestigious Noble Families amilies in the Royal Capital, even my Maywraith Noble Family can't compare to her family at all. With that kind of influence and power, do you really think just anyone would dare to challenge them?"
Felix's eyes widened as he felt a wave of realization wash over him.
He had done his homework but never anticipated how formidable Eclipsed Eden truly was.
Comparing his own Morningstar Restaurant to Eclipsed Eden felt like trying to crack a stone with an egg, there was simply no contest.
One was hailed as the top restaurant in the Kingdom, complete with an impressive legacy; the other was merely a small restaurant tucked away in a quiet corner of the Royal Capital, lacking both fame and powerful connections.
They were worlds apart.
Felix was lost in thought, his mind racing with the challenges ahead.
He knew that sooner or later, his Morningstar Restaurant would have to face off against the formidable Eclipsed Eden.
After all, they were both players in the bustling restaurant business.
But right now, he felt woefully unprepared; challenging them head-on would be like a tiny bug daring to take on a giant, he'd be crushed without a second thought.
For now, Felix knows that he needs to grow slowly and strategically.
The last thing he wanted was to confront the Eclipsed Eden prematurely and suffer the consequences of such a reckless move.
"Hey big bro," Quill chimed in as he noticed Felix's furrowed brow. "Don't worry! With how delicious your dishes are, I believe it won't be long before you surpass them! All you need is the right opportunity."
Quill's words were meant to lift Felix's spirits; he thought that Felix might have been shaken by the sheer power of the Eclipsed Eden.
Felix shook his head gently and met Quill's gaze.
He appreciated his brother's encouragement but understood that it wasn't fear holding him back, it was the realization that his foundation wasn't as solid as that of Eclipsed Eden.
They had strength and connections that he simply didn't possess yet.
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