Lily's Tears

Lucian carried the heavy container of Low-Grade Mana Water to the counter where the sous vide machine was and poured the Mana Water into the sous vide machine's container, filling it up. 

When Lucian remembered the next step, he frowned. The next step required him to submerge his hand into the Mana Water, which would allow the System to infuse Celestial Mana into the Mana Water. 

Normally, he would not mind because he had thoroughly washed his hands, and the water would not penetrate the vacuum-sealed bag. However, since he just learned that the Mana within the Mana Water would penetrate the bag, he was worried the faint amount of germs that were still on his hands would enter the bag.

'Washing my hands again would be useless.'

After all, even soap and water cannot eliminate all germs.

After pondering for a few seconds and not finding a good solution, Lucian decided to ask the System.

[System, do you have another method to infuse Celestial Mana into the Mana Water, or can you provide food safety gloves?]

The System did not answer immediately. After a few seconds, it responded:

[The System can only coat the Host's hands and body in Celestial Mana. As for food safety gloves, the System can provide them.]

Immediately after speaking, the System summoned black food safety gloves on top of the counter.

Lucian smiled and wore them on his hands. From the texture and the lack of aura, he realized they were ordinary gloves. However, they were more than enough for what he needed them for.

But that did not mean he would let the System go. With a chuckle, he said, "Cheapskate."

Before the System could retort, Lucian dipped his hand into the Mana Water. Since the Mana Water just came out of the fridge, it was cool to the touch, even through his gloves.

Now that he was a Mage he could sense the Mana in the Mana Water, causing him to want to absorb it. 

'There's probably a couple of dozen Low-Grade Mana Stones' worth in there.' 

It was more than enough to help him break through to the next Rank — Blood Tempering Realm. 

Even though the System could not hear Lucian's thoughts, it understood from his gaze. And although it would have gladly allowed Lucian to absorb the Mana from the Mana Water, it could not allow it.

Sighing lightly, the System said:

[The Host is not allowed to absorb-]

But before the System could finish its words, Lucian said:

[I know, you will cripple me, right?]

While the System became speechless at his words, Lucian indifferently continued:

[Alright, begin the process of infusion.]

The System sighed to itself. It then used the Celestial Mana from the storage space it was given to coat Lucian's hands.

Suddenly, Lucian's black gloves were coated in beautiful, shimmering stars.

[The host can now place his hands into the Mana Water.] The System said.

Lucian nodded and placed his hands into the Mana Water.

Soon, the milky white water began radiating a multicolored glow.

Immediately after, the System said:

[The infusion is complete, Host. The Mana Water is now rich with Celestial Mana and ready for use.]

If before Lucian was tempted to absorb the Mana Water, now he was more tempted than ever. However, temptation and actually going through the action were two different things. Lucian would not risk being crippled over Celestial Mana-infused Mana Water, when he would be able to produce Celestial Mana soon.

A few moments later, Lucian withdrew his hands and removed the gloves. Just as he was placing them on the counter, they disappeared.

"Cheapskate," Lucian muttered as he placed the immersion circulator into the container and set the temperature to 130 degrees Fahrenheit for a perfect medium-rare steak. 

Medium rare was Lucian's preferred doneness of the steak. 

If Lucian was using regular water, he would have preheated the water first; however, the Mana Water was infused with Celestial Mana, which dissipated too quickly. By the time the Mana Water heated up, the Celestial Mana would have disappeared.

Without wasting a second longer, Lucian carefully placed the vacuum-sealed filet mignon into the water bath before setting the timer to two hours.

After doing so and making sure the sous vide machine was working, Lucian said:

[System, give me one portion of Siren's Melody Poache Egg ingredients.]

The System did not respond. After a moment, the precise ingredients were placed in their respective places.

Only then did the System speak:

[Done.] 

[Thanks.] Lucian said and then got busy cooking his breakfast.

—------------

Meanwhile, in the Southern District of Thunderfall City, within a one-story building, a pink-haired young woman sat with her head resting on a bed, fast asleep. On the bed slept an old and frail, hairless woman. Without an ounce of skin on her body, she looked no different from a skeleton.

"M-mother!" Lily's voice choked in her sleep.

Suddenly, her red and puffy eyes opened wide. She quickly checked her mother with her Mana Sense.

A moment later, seeing her mother was still breathing, albeit shallowly, Lily sighed in relief.

'It was only a dream.'

However, soon Lily was filled with anxiety and dread as she recalled what she saw in her dream.

Lily knew it was just a dream, but after watching her mother's condition worsening each day for the past five years, she could not help but cry.

Soon, her beautiful, doll-like face was marred with tears, and her already red, puffy eyes became redder and puffier.

After a few minutes of silently crying, afraid she would wake up her mother, Lily reached out her trembling hands and placed them on her mother's wrists.

Slowly, like Lily had done for the past five years, she transferred Mana into her mother's body.

The clock on the wall ticked by, and soon, minutes turned into a little over an hour. Only then did some color return to her mother's once gorgeous face. A face that once made all men in Harmony City and anyone who was lucky to view it, gaze at her in desire and lust.