CHAPTER 252: NEW CHEF IN TOWN (1)

The Canteen’s interior was even more impressive than from outside. The space was a marvel. One entire wall was lined with Heaters and Coolers, all perfectly suspended to allow for an open view from the outside.

Polished, easy-to-clean counters ran the length of the vehicle, with cleverly designed storage compartments and even a small sink built in.

At the far end, two simple chairs were folded against the wall, ready for a moment of rest. It was a perfect, mobile kitchen, a concept Adrian had brought with him from his past life.

Nyra opened one of the Cooler units, and a wave of cool, fresh air washed over her. Inside, she saw the glorious fruits of their labor. Vibrant crops freshly harvested from the Genesis Garden.

"I am not a Sovereign today, Nyra," Adrian explained with a rare, excited energy in his voice. "Today, we are chefs! We will cook the best food this sector has ever tasted."

Nyra’s lips curved into a beautiful, mischievous smile. "Hmm, sounds nice. In that case, let’s get to work..." She paused, giving him a playful, appraising look. "...Chef Adrian."

"Aye, aye, Chef Nyra."

Outside, the small crowd of Normat was growing restless. Their initial curiosity was giving way to the skepticism born from disappointment.

Aunt Mia, her arms crossed, looked at Mex with a pointed glare after watching the two strange newcomers walk into their metal box and then do nothing.

"Well, Mex? Is this ’special event’ of yours going to happen today, or are we all just going to stare at a metal box until our legs give out?"

Mex was starting to sweat as his own faith beginning to waver. Just as he was about to offer an apology, a voice, warm andcalm echoed from the speakers mounted on the roof of the strange vehicle.

"Greetings, people of the Normat," Adrian’s voice declared. "We are the Sparkborns. And we have come to offer you something new."

The massive, open side of the food truck became a stage. Adrian appeared in the window, holding up a single, perfect ear of golden maize. He shucked it with practiced hands, revealing the plump, beautiful kernels.

He then turned to his co-chef. "Some flame on the plate, if you please."

Nyra, now understanding her role, smiled. She didn’t use her own magic. She deftly navigated the Heater’s control panel, and the metallic plate in the center of the prep station began to glow with a controlled, even heat in seconds.

Adrian placed the ear of corn on the hot plate.

~Tssssssss...~

The sound was completely alien to the Normats. The smell that followed was even more so. The rich, sweet, and intoxicating aroma of the corn roasting, of its natural sugars caramelizing under the heat, wafted through the streets.

It was the smell of real food, something none of them had ever experienced. They had only ever known the odorless and tasteless grey paste of the Concordat’s Nutritional Packs. The crowd, which had been murmuring skeptically, fell completely silent, their senses now captivated by this new, wonderful sensation.

Adrian turned the corn until it was a perfect, golden-brown, its aroma now a powerful, irresistible lure.

He leaned out of the service window and offered the roasted ear of corn to the most skeptical person in the crowd: Aunt Mia.

"A free sample," he said with a knowing smile.

She took it hesitantly, the warmth of it a strange sensation in her hands. She looked at the other Normat, then back at Adrian, and finally, after analyzing its make up, took a small, cautious bite.

Her eyes went wide.

It wasn’t just the taste; the explosion of sweet, savory, and smoky flavor on a palate that had only ever known blandness.

It was the feeling. The moment the food entered her system, a jolt of mana also rushed through her body.

For a race that had been slowly stagnating for generations, this was like a bolt of lightning to a dead battery.

"This..." she whispered in awe. "This is better than the Ice Colas. This is amazing!"

The crowd saw her reaction. Mex, who was closest to her, was the fastest to react. "Aunt Mia! Please! Just a small piece!" he begged.

Others caught on, and soon the entire crowd was surging forward with pleas;

"Please, just a taste!"

"What is that smell? I’ve never smelled anything like it!"

"Let me try! Let me try!"

Aunt Mia, of course, chose not to be generous. She clutched the roasted corn to her chest like a priceless treasure, shook her head vehemently, and said, "No! I am not sharing! It’s mine!"

They could only salivate and watch in an agony of desire as she ate the rest of the corn, savoring every last bite with a look of pure passion on her face.

"You want more?" Adrian asked from the Canteen, his amplified voice drawing their attention back to him.

There was a hopeful silence. Opening the cooler, he pulled out two more large ears of corn. A glance at Nyra was all it took for her to expertly heat the plate via the controls, and like before, the corn was roasted to a perfect, golden brown in seconds.

Adrian held them up for the gathered group to see. "Hold up," he said, and the crowd could barely contain their desperation.

They might not have tasted it themselves, but the incredible smell and Mia’s reaction had made them curious.

Adrian continued. "This time, everyone has to get a share. Okay?"

That was a compromise they were all willing to make. They nodded their heads vigorously in approval.

Adrian proceeded to hand the two large ears of corn to Mex, who easily broke them into small pieces, ensuring every single one of the dozens of gathered Normat got a piece.

Adrian simply watched with a calm smile as they gobbled them down, leaving behind only the cob. After they had all finished they all turned back to him, their eyes filled with a shared, desperate hunger.

It was clear they were not satisfied.

Soon, one of them voiced the thought on everyone’s mind. "Can we have some more, please?"

"Even a small piece would do!"

"Take my credits! I don’t mind paying if the price is fair!"

Adrian smiled at the expected reaction. "There is definitely more," he said. "And I won’t be providing you with just corn this time. I’ll be giving you something even better."

They didn’t understand what he meant; they only wanted more of that delicious food. Adrian understood that. With a final, enigmatic smile, he pressed a button, and a sleek, metallic shutter slid down over the massive service window, blocking their view of the inside.

"This next one is a little secret." his voice echoed through the speakers.