"You're gonna get bored of these things sooner or later, Ghost," Elder Martin said, enjoying his baked silk fish. A 5-star chef could improve the taste of any food or drink, even alcohol by 100%. In addition, food and drink made by them improved cultivation speed by 30% for the next week. Some dishes were even able to improve physical strength, defense, and concentration/focus by 5% for the next 24 hours. Of course, these were only some of the benefits in the long list. Effects or benefits varied from dish to dish.
"I assure you, Elder Martin. I won't get bored. What's the point of living for hundred years if we don't enjoy everything this world has to offer"
"I agree with Master Ghost," Lord Malan who was sitting on the other side of Michael's table said. Currently, several men and women were occupying Michael's long glass table. There was Elder Martin from the Kane family, Lord Malan of Bradley, the elders of Sunrise sect except for Elder Sandra who apparently hates gatherings, Reginald, Claire, Gaya, Olivia, and lastly, Ella the new branch leader of Sunrise sect in Broad River previously known as Broad River sect in Kingdom Kethen.
She was eternally grateful for healing her burned skin and making her good and beautiful again.
"I'd choose this over dealing with inner family bitching" Lord Malan rolled his eyes thinking about everything he had to deal with since becoming the family head.
"Welcome to the club, Lord Malan" Ella chuckled.
"You know we're here to help anytime you want, Ella" Claire said, taking a sip from her wine glass.
"Miss Aelia, here's your Seared moon boar" As they were speaking, a young waitress came carrying a smoking delicious dish. The entire restaurant was full and there were countless nobles waiting in line to get into the restaurant. The restaurant had fifty tables in different sizes. Almost a hundred people could comfortably dine here. Regardless of the crowd, the waiters and waitresses trained by Gloria were doing a great job. All the twenty waiters and waitresses moved in perfect rhythm to keep the tables filled and diners happy. Gloria was training them for three months. Michael was thinking about raising Gloria's wage because of her talent. He never expected this kind of talent in managing a restaurant and training people from a girl who worked as a waitress in a small tavern.
Cooking hundreds of dishes back to back didn't slow down Raylene even for a bit. With the tools, machines, and the help of a few sous chefs, Raylene kept pumping out delicious food as fast as the nobles finishing their meals, which was fast, extremely fast.
"How's preparing for the tournament going Ghost? Has anyone else besides you two competing from your sect?"
"Sect Leader Claire" Even Ghost didnt know the answer to that question. He looked at Claire as did everyone else.
"They are growing stronger fast but they are not ready yet. So, these two have to win the tournaments in their respective championship" Claire raised her cup towards Michael and Gaya.
"No biggie" Gaya shrugged.
"Can we bet on you two winning?" Lord Malan asked with a wide grin on his face.
"I can't stop you if you want. I know I'm betting on ourselves" Although he said like he was joking, they could sense the confidence in his voice.
In their eyes, Gaya didn't even look like she gives a damn about the tournament.
"Where's Nightmare by the way?"
Lord Malan asked, looking around the restaurant. He thought the dragon would follow Ghost anywhere he goes.
"Master Ghost" Suddenly Ricky came running to Michael. Those at the table saw Ricky whisper something into Ghost's ears.
"What is it?" Claire asked,
"Apparently a newswoman from something called Royal times is asking to meet me"
Only Elder Martin remained calm continuing to enjoy the food, the others, however, raised their brows realizing Ghost has no idea what a Royal Time is. Gaya didn't even bother to look at Michael as she knew he had no clue because she never told him anything about Royal times or the other newspapers in the continent.
"You seriously don't know anything about Royal times?" Lord Malan asked as Michael shook his head.
"They are one of the leading newspapers in the Continent. If you want to get famous overnight, they can get it done" Lord Malan said with a serious face.
"It's better you stay on their good side. There's a saying among big families, the newspapers are spells that do more damage than any spells" After seeing Elder Malan offering him a piece of advice, Michael nodded, deciding to meet this newspaperwoman.
"I think you made it into the Elon prodigy rankings," everyone agreed with Ella with a nod. Michael didn't need any explanations on the rankings because it was pretty obvious. When he was an assassin, the dark world always used to bribe journalists to cover their tracks. The dark world manipulated everything in the newspaper related to them. That was how they remained hidden for centuries. Therefore, Michael had little to no trust in these so-called newspapers to print the truth or the rankings precisely. He guessed there are noble families that have already paid the newspaper to get the prodigies of their family a higher ranking.
"Alright, that's my cue" Gaya stood up from the table with her plate.
"Where are you going?" Michael asked,
"Trust me, it's better I stay away from these bitches. I have a bad tendency to break their noses. See ya ladies and gentlemen" she waved at the guests before running back into the kitchen.
"Shall we?" Claire gestured at Ella to leave the table but Michael stopped them,
"No need for you guys to leave, she's gonna interview me, not you. Let me take care of this" Michael wanted the newspaperwoman to see him with the people at this table, especially Elder Martin from Kane Family. If she were to write he has a good relationship with the Kane family, it would pave the way for new opportunities with other noble families as well as keep the rogue and hostile cultivators away from him.
"Ricky, bring her to me" Michael wiped off the corners of his mouth with the white cloth.
"Winnie" Michael called out to the waiter who served his table. The guy was still flabbergasted at the fact Michael remembered his name from the start he met him. The other prodigies wouldn't even acknowledge the existence of waiters like Winnie yet Michael treated each and every worker with the respect they deserve.
"Does Master Ghost need anything else?"
"Glass of grape juice is enough for me, what about you ladies and gentlemen?"
"Bring that menu of yours kid" Elder Martin didn't hold back filling his belly. Since everything was so delicious, everyone started to order food yet again while Michael was waiting for the newswoman.
A few minutes after Ricky left the table, he bought a woman wearing a large hat to Michael. Standing 5' 2" tall, this dark-skinned woman had a charismatic feel about her. She had a triangular face, a straight nose, small lips, and her dark brown eyes were heavy-lidded.
Her black hair, dyed completely peach, was short, shiny. She wore an obvious foundation, glittery lipstick, natural-colored blush, complimentary eyeliner, and artistic eyeshadow.
"Take a seat, Miss"
"Nadia, Nadia Hall from the Royal Times" Michael stood up, shaking her hand then sat back. When she noticed the faces at the table, she was slightly surprised, especially when she met Elder Martin devouring the chicken.
"Winnie"
"Oh no no no Master Ghost. I'm filled" she said with a smile that was neither too friendly nor too cold.
"As you wish" Michael did not force her as he waved off Winnie, letting him take care of the other tables.
"Thank you for agreeing to me on such short notice, Master Ghost. Do you know why I'm here?" She spoke in a thick British accent. The fact this world has accents similar to those on earth surprised Michael.
"No sorry. I don't quite follow the newspapers"
"So no. Let me enlighten you then. As you may or may not know, the Royal times have been watching the young talents very closely. We wanted to do a piece of the new rising start of Elon, you. What better time than now, a week before the big tournament. I know you have guests to take care of, so shall we start the interview, Master Ghost?" She placed a parchment and a quill on the table. She then closed her eyes, casting a spell on the parchment and the quill. The quill started to write itself.
"Let's start with your name Ghost. Is there a reason behind your rather uncommon name?"
Michael relaxedly took a short sip from the grape juice.
"People called me Ghost for some reason when I was little. It stuck with me ever since"
"People? What about your parents, Master Ghost?"
Only after this question, Elder Martin raised his head to look at Michael. Everyone was interested in knowing the answer,
"I don't have any. I'm an orphan"
Many people who heard Michael's answer were surprised. They never imagined an orphan reaching the stage where Ghost is.
Hiding her surprise, Nadia moved on to her next question.
"It's difficult to make a name for oneself in the world of cultivation with a family backing you. So how did you reach this point without any family support?"
"Hard work" He simply said. On earth or on this world, Michael worked his ass off. He might have a system, but he needed to work mentally and physically to get to this point. Without hard work, no one could use the system to its full potential.
"Hard work? That's it?"
"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard, Miss Hall. I had to pay in blood and sweat to get everything in my life"