CHAPTER 30: TALENTED LILY

When I returned from the bath with my hair still slightly damp, Lily already had everything perfectly prepared — ingredients sorted neatly, knife cleaned, plates lined to the side. She stood at attention like a soldier awaiting orders.

Good. At least the people I invested in weren’t dead weight.

I tied the apron and motioned toward the counter.

"Alright, today’s dish — omurice."

Lily blinked, clearly thrown off by the name.

"Omurice? I’ve... never heard of such a dish."

"Of course you haven’t," I smirked. "It’s from my personal archive."

She leaned in slightly, more curious than confused.

"Then... what kind of dish is it?"

"It’s simple. Fried rice — wrapped in an omelette."

Lily looked genuinely stunned. The idea was so absurdly simple that her brain momentarily refused to accept it. Then, slowly — wonder crept into her expression.

"You can... wrap rice with eggs...?"

"Exactly," I said, tapping the ladle. "And if you do it right, it melts in the mouth perfectly."

Her eyes lit — not with hunger this time, but with the spark of a cook discovering a novel technique.

I began cooking, and she observed silently, like a disciple watching a master demonstrate a legendary technique.

"See this? The eggs — whisk them fully. Air means fluff. Too slow, and you get clumps. Too fast, and you ruin the texture."

"Yes, Boss," she murmured, eyes following every movement.

"Heat the pan first — patience. Don’t pour immediately. Oil must shimmer first."

"Yes."

She didn’t even blink.

"And rice — loosen it before tossing. Each grain should get coated individually. Never mash the rice. That’s the mistake amateurs make."

"I understand."

She did understand — easily. Her cooking base was already good. I didn’t need to explain fundamentals — she filled in gaps herself. She wasn’t a scrub. She had talent — just lacked exposure to the right inspiration.

I finished one portion.

The fried rice glistened lightly, every grain separate, rich brown color perfect. Then I slid the fluffy omelette over — folded it — sealed it — and placed it on the plate.

I lightly cut its top — the omelette slowly parted, melting over the rice beneath like golden silk.

Lily inhaled sharply.

"...Beautiful."

"Your turn," I said, stepping back. "Make one."

She swallowed — then immediately grabbed the bowl. She imitated my motions — and while her knife skills were sharp and her heat control solid — it wasn’t perfect. But it didn’t need to be perfect on the first try.

"Not bad," I nodded as she plated it. "You’re catching on faster than I expected. Keep that pace and I might not need to cook in a month."

I took a bite. Trying to act like a cooking show judge.

"It’s fine," I said, and I meant it. "What you made is more than good enough to run a restaurant. Anyone in the city would be impressed."

Her fingers trembled slightly — not with fear — but excitement. Joy. Her eyes glimmered with the kind of emotion cooks only feel when they realize they’ve just witnessed a level they want to reach.

I had hit the jackpot. Not just with a cook — but someone who could grow into something far more.

"But as for the house," I added lightly, taking another bite. Even if her cooking was good but that was for layman. For me it was far from satisfactory. But not to sound discouraging I twisted my words, "I’ll continue cooking. It’s... relaxing for me."

She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, I said:

"Go wake up Alicia. Breakfast is almost ready — I’ll handle the rest."

Lily nodded with energy that didn’t exist yesterday. "At once, Boss."

As she hurried toward the corridor, I turned back to the stove, cracking fresh eggs, the scent rising again — rich and warm.

*****

All three of us sat around the table. The omurice disappeared fast. Even Alicia — who barely reacted to anything — slowly finished every grain of rice, her movements mechanical but steady.

Between bites I glanced at her.

"You feeling alright today?"

Alicia paused, then nodded once. "...Yes."

After a moment of silence, she set her spoon down.

"...Boss," she said quietly, "what exactly do you want me to do?"

I blinked. "Hm?"

Her gaze dropped to her lap. "You... didn’t assign me anything. You bought Lily to help with housework. But me... I have no tasks. Don’t tell me you bought me because you pitied me."

I snorted at that and almost laughed.

"Do you think I’m the type to waste money on pity?"

That startled her — she looked up fast, as if expecting mockery. Instead, I leaned back in my chair and tapped the table softly.

"I gave Lily housework because she’s good at housework. Cleaning, cooking, chores — that’s her strength."

Then I pointed my spoon at her.

"You, Alicia — were born in a palace. You lived with etiquette tutors, royal mages, knights, scholars. You’re a girl raised in silk. You’ve never scrubbed a floor in your life. Even if you tried — you’d break your wrists before you scrubbed half a corridor."

Her expression subtly dimmed again — as if I was calling her useless.

I shook my head.

"Don’t misunderstand. I’m not belittling you. Everyone has areas they shine in."

Then I leaned forward — tone turning serious.

"And I already know your role."

She blinked. "...you do?"

"Yes."

"You are not here to clean dishes or sweep floors. Doing that would be a crime against talent."

I paused, then continued slowly and clearly.

"You will become a mage."

Alicia froze.

Her scarred cheek, her pale fingers — her gaze — everything stopped still.

"A... mage?"

"Not just a mage," I corrected. "With your affinity and comprehension, reaching Archmage isn’t fantasy. It’s entirely possible."

Her breath hitched — barely audible.

I lowered my voice.

"Don’t you want power? Don’t you want to burn those monsters that destroyed your kingdom? Don’t you want the strength to make the world regret ever touching your family?"

Her pupils trembled — then focused — like a spark finally found its oxygen.

"...I... do."

The words escaped like a confession she’d been holding for years.

I smiled faintly — not mockingly — but like a general acknowledging a soldier’s resolve.

"Good. Then from today — your purpose isn’t to fetch plates or sweep floors."

I placed my hand lightly on the table — resolute.

"Your job is simple — grow stronger. Train. Study magic. I’ll provide resources. I’ll guide the direction."

She stared at me — breathing quietly — but something had undeniably changed.

No dead eyes now.

Determination.

Faint — fragile — but it was there.

Lily also paused her dish drying midway — watching Alicia with surprise. Even she could see it — the difference in Alicia’s expression.

I nodded with satisfaction.