The five members of the Soaring Seven exchanged glances. They were clearly confused by what Ashe had just suggested. Cook...? Why would she have Finn cook in a place as dangerous as this? They weren't here to feast—and besides, the trial wasn't over. Everyone still needed to rest after the exhausting ordeal.
Finn narrowed his eyes at Ashe and spoke coldly.
"Miss Ashe, I am not your personal cook."
"I know," Ashe replied firmly, her gaze unwavering. "But… they need your food to recover faster. And besides… I can't deny how delicious it is. I just… want to taste it again."
After tasting Finn's cooking once, she could never forget the flavor. She'd been thinking about it ever since—without realizing she'd grown so attached to it.
"You can prepare elixir cuisine? Don't tell me… you're also a Soul Chef?!" Lore suddenly interjected, disbelief etched across his face.
Lore couldn't believe what he was hearing—that Finn's food could restore vitality the way an Alchemist's pills did. Did this mean he really was a Soul Chef too?!
Just how many professions did Finn Doria possess?!
Finn merely nodded at Lore without elaborating further.
Though Soul Chefs were not held in quite the same esteem as Alchemists or Blacksmiths, their reputation across the Sacred Dragon Kingdom was still prestigious. Most Soul Chefs served directly in the palace as personal cooks for the king, ministers, and high officials.
Like pills, a Soul Chef's dishes possessed extraordinary effects. Some were even comparable to Rank 5 pills—and their taste was simply unparalleled.
Finn shot Ashe a flat look before lifting his hand to his interspatial ring. Instantly, various cooking implements appeared before him, along with the remaining portion of the Supreme Mantis Shrimp.
Because of how large and conspicuous these tools were, other young adventurers quickly noticed them. They glanced over in puzzlement, unable to understand what he was doing.
"Did Finn Doria… just take out cooking tools? Is he seriously planning to cook in this place?" some of them whispered, incredulous.
"Cooking? That's insane. He'll only draw more Vicious Beasts to us," another muttered nervously.
"Hmph! And when that happens, he better be the one to protect everyone. He's making decisions that endanger us all," someone from the Royal Clan sneered.
"Why are you like this?" a youth from the Burning Heaven Sect retorted sharply. "He saved you—and Princess Diana—from those horrific creatures. Instead of gratitude, you act as if you're wiser than Finn Doria himself. Hmph! You can't even compare to a fraction of him. If you're so capable, why couldn't you fulfill your duties as a noble?"
Diana paid no heed to their squabbling. Her eyes were locked solely on Finn as he deftly sliced the massive shrimp with his High-Tier Excellent Armament blade. To her, it was a mesmerizing sight—he seemed to glow, brighter than any star.
Though Finn could feel all the gazes fixed upon him, he never let his concentration waver. Calmly, he placed ingredients into the large pot already set above the flame.
These were no ordinary components: among them were Rank 6 medicinal herbs that would certainly enhance the restorative effects of the dish.
He infused the fire with his soulforce, precisely controlling its heat. Then, gently, he stirred the pot. Soon, a mouthwatering fragrance spread across the clearing.
The scent alone was enough to make many of the young Adventurers' stomachs rumble. Some of them hadn't eaten in days, sustaining themselves purely on the ambient natural energy—and they'd come to disdain ordinary food. But this aroma… it was saturated with rich natural energy and an irresistible warmth.
They swallowed hard, unable to help themselves. Several even took hesitant steps closer—but before they could reach the pot, a figure slipped past them.
Moments later, they saw Diana standing at Finn's side.
"Sir Finn… may I have some?" she asked, her cheeks flushed. "I couldn't stop myself from coming over to taste it. The aroma and energy in your cooking… far surpass anything prepared by the palace's Soul Chefs."
Finn smiled faintly, about to reply—when a girl appeared at his other side.
"Princess Diana," Ashe interrupted coldly, "if you wish to eat this, you'll have to wait your turn. This meal was prepared especially for our group."
Without further ceremony, she snatched the bowl from Finn's hands and marched back to her place.
Finn could only force a smile. He truly couldn't comprehend what went through that girl's mind to make her speak to a princess that way.
"Hmph! I am a princess—I don't need to queue up," Diana declared, turning to the Soaring Seven. "Isn't that right?"
Leo, Ezekias, Lore, Lan, and Juvia all nodded meekly, averting their eyes. Why would they pick a fight with the princess over food? It might well make their lives miserable later. Besides, they had no desire to get caught between these two fearsome girls.
Is it really such a big deal who goes first…? We're just serving soup, Finn thought in quiet exasperation.
He simply sighed, handed Diana a bowl anyway, then set out more bowls beside the pot. Taking one for himself, he returned to sit down. But as he lowered himself, he realized that Leo was no longer at his side.
Instead, Diana had moved to sit beside him.
"I can't believe it," she whispered in awe, tasting the broth. "This dish… it's comparable to a Rank 6 pill! I can feel the rich energy flowing through my soulforce pathways… it's truly incredible."
Finn looked at her but she pretended not to notice, absorbed in her meal. Ashe scowled at the princess.
Everyone else felt the tension radiating from the three sitting side by side. They only snapped out of it when Diana and Ashe turned their frosty glares on them.
When they heard that Finn's cooking rivaled a Rank 6 pill, shock and disbelief rippled through the crowd. The moment he gave his permission, many rushed forward—arguing over who would get served first.
Soon, nearly everyone was clamoring for a taste.
With the exception of the Royal Clan and the Ice Feather Sect. Those from the Royal Clan had spent all day sneering at Finn and couldn't bring themselves to ask. Only the quiet Eighth Prince approached to politely request a portion.
As for the Ice Feather Sect, they would never dare—after all, Finn was Tiffanya's sworn enemy.
Finn simply let them be and declared that anyone was welcome to share in the meal. Gratitude filled the young Adventurers' faces.
As they ate, they could feel the thick, nourishing energy flooding their bodies, restoring their strength and soothing their fatigue.
Night deepened around them. One by one, they finished and settled into quiet meditation across the grass, absorbing the lingering energy.
Finn was collecting his cooking tools when something in the distance caught his eye. He froze, staring intently.
He saw a lone boy sitting silently in the grass, gazing up at the sky.
After packing away everything into his interspatial ring, Finn walked over and sat beside him.
The boy felt his presence and turned, meeting Finn's gaze. Gratitude filled his eyes.
"Thank you… for everything you've done," Lore said quietly. "If it weren't for you, I would have perished here."
Finn smiled. "I'm glad you've managed to reach the next level."
"It's all because of your food," Lore admitted with a strained smile. "Thanks to that meal, I've stepped into the 6th Level Scarlet Gold Rank. I… I don't even know how I'll ever repay you."
Finn shook his head, looking up at the moon. "You don't need to concern yourself with that… Oh—there's something I'd like to give you."
He took out an interspatial ring and held it out.
Lore blinked in confusion, hesitating. "What's inside?"
"The things you asked for," Finn said with a faint grin. "And a little extra. With these treasures, you'll surpass Azur in no time."
"T-things I asked for…?" Lore's whole body trembled as he slowly accepted the ring.
He swallowed, then dared to probe its contents.
His eyes went wide. For a moment, he nearly dropped it—then he snatched it back into his grip, shaking all over.
Inside were over a hundred Advance Scarlet Pills.
And more than that—there was a strange, ancient-looking sword manual.
His heart thundered. He could feel the power radiating from that technique… Stronger than even the Immortal Sword Art.
The Sword Saint Art. Six skills in total—far beyond the four skills of the Immortal Sword Pavilion's legacy.
Lore lifted his gaze to Finn, voice trembling. "But… the value of these things—"
"You don't have to worry about that," Finn said softly, his eyes still on the sky. "I only ask three things in return."
"Three…? As long as it doesn't mean betraying my family, I swear I'll do anything." Lore stood and bowed deeply.
Finn turned to meet his gaze. "As I said before, I'd never ask that to you. First—swear you will tell no one about what I've given you, not even your family. Second—never pass the Sword Art on to anyone, except your future student. And when you do, tell them exactly what I've told you. Third—I'll let you know when I think of it."
Lore was silent for a heartbeat—then he bowed again.
"Finn…I swear on my life that I will never reveal these gifts without your permission. Should I break this oath, I will accept the harshest punishment the Heavens can deliver."
Finn nodded. He was helping Lore because he understood how it felt—to love one's family more than anything.
But then—
Finn stiffened, feeling a sudden, oppressive change in the air.
He rose at once, eyes narrowing, gripping his High-tier Excellent Armament. A killing aura erupted from his body.
Lore recoiled, startled. He had never seen Finn so grim. "W-what's wrong…?"
"Go," Finn said hoarsely. "Gather everyone. You must all leave this place—now."
Lore's heart began to race. He looked out over the darkness but saw nothing. "But… why—"
"Don't ask questions! Just do it! Get them out of here—immediately!"