Chapter 29 : Mistake and Move On

As Max stepped out of the wagon, his face displayed a clear shock, not because of the grandeur of the manor but due to the fact that it was about a mile away from the gate.

The wagon hadn't dropped him off at his intended destination, and he had to traverse the entire distance on foot.

'This fucking people, you motherfucker' Frustration bubbled up within him as he cursed aloud.

"Sorry, kid, but those are the rules. Only VIPs are allowed in wagons up to the manor," Nois explained nonchalantly, seemingly unaffected by Max's displeasure. Even the head butler himself had to make the journey on foot.

Max seethed inwardly, envisioning the count as a pompous figure reveling in his display of power. The long walk seemed like an unjust punishment.

'You just wait, you'll line up for my food someday, you arrogant bastard,' Max muttered under his breath. He was determined to rise above such circumstances.

Max decided to seek a shortcut to enhance his cooking abilities. He called out to the system in frustration, "System, how can I cook food above 1st tier? Don't tell me nonsense like needing to be above 1st circle. Please, tell me if there's any shortcut."

However, the system's response plunged Max into a dark abyss of disbelief. His jaw dropped open in shock.

The system responded, [You possess the ability to prepare mana-infused food at any tier without the need for shortcuts, but achieving a higher grade will require dedicated effort.]

"What!" Max exclaimed loudly, his voice echoing through the empty roads. He was a mix of anger and shock.

He berated himself for not asking the system about his abilities earlier. The revelation left him feeling both frustrated and incredulous.

  He had been suffering unnecessarily, preparing elaborate meals for the count when he could have cooked any tier of food. People could have lined up at his doorstep to taste his creations.

Max chastised himself for his foolishness and vowed to change his approach. In this new world, power was the only law, and he needed to adapt.

He understood that he needed to be cunning, reflecting on his past behavior and attitude. He resolved to embrace the changes, learning from his mistakes and moving forward.

But Max was taken aback by the revelation. He couldn't believe that he had the ability to cook higher-tier mana-infused food all along. The frustration of the past two days boiled up inside him. "System, you should have told me this before! You know I'm the host, I have the right to know!" He couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, and the system's response was as straightforward as ever.

[Host, you didn't ask, and one suggestion is that the host needs to depend on himself. You're not a baby anymore that I have to feed with a spoon.]

Max didn't take offense at the system's response. In fact, it made him realize how naive he had been in the past two days. He nodded in understanding and then continued with his questions.

"If I understand correctly, it's best not to reveal my skills until I'm strong enough, right, System?"

[Affirmative. The system didn't tell the host because the host wasn't strong enough to defend himself. What would happen if people found out about a golden egg-laying hen?]

Max couldn't help but smile at the system's analogy. "People would fight for the hen, and you're telling me that if they find out I can cook higher-tier food, they'll fight even more or even kidnap me. I know, but thanks for the reminder. I'll definitely keep that in mind."

With this newfound knowledge, Max felt a sense of empowerment. He realized that he needed to be cautious and strategic in his actions.

  The world he was in was vastly different from his previous life, and he needed to adapt to survive.

'Yeah, Max, everyone makes mistakes, and you have to learn from them and move on,' he assured himself, As he walked towards Count Francisco's mansion in Moonshadow City, Max's thoughts were filled with determination.

He was determined to become stronger, and to protect himself and those he cared about. He knew that his cooking skills were a valuable asset, but he also understood that they came with risks.

The journey ahead was uncertain, but Max was ready to face the challenges head-on. With his newfound awareness and the guidance of the system, he would carve his path in this new world, one step at a time.

And when the time was right, he would reveal the true extent of his culinary prowess to the world, but only when he was strong enough to protect himself and his precious skills.

--

Max took five minutes to walk and found himself standing in front of Count Francisco's mansion. The grandeur of the mansion was awe-inspiring, with its European-style architecture towering to a height of approximately 50 meters and a width that was simply enormous. It was a mansion that exuded opulence and sophistication.

What caught Max's eye, even more, was the stunning decoration on the left side of the mansion, which was being prepared for the upcoming marriage.

The intricate and beautiful decorations hinted at the significant amount of money Count Francisco had invested in his son's wedding. The mansion and its surroundings were a testament to the count's wealth and social standing.

Max couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and nervousness as he stood before the mansion's imposing entrance. He was about to enter a world completely different from the inn where he had spent the past few days. His journey into the upper echelons of society was about to begin, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Max drifted into his thoughts, he was abruptly brought back to reality by a stern butler standing at the mansion's gate.

The butler was impeccably dressed in a dark suit, his demeanor rigid and unwelcoming, setting the tone for Max's entrance into the grandeur of the count's mansion.

"Are you the new mana chef?" the butler asked with a hint of condescension in his tone.

Max nodded, choosing to keep his reply curt. He had no desire to engage in pleasantries with the haughty butler.

"Follow me," the butler instructed, leading Max through the grand entrance and into the opulent interior of the mansion. The interior was adorned with extravagant decorations, from chandeliers that glittered like stars to intricate paintings that lined the walls. It was a stark contrast to Max's modest upbringing.

As he followed the butler through the labyrinthine halls of the mansion, Max couldn't help but feel like a small fish swimming in a vast ocean. He was acutely aware of his status as an outsider, a chef from a humble inn who had been thrust into a world of opulence and extravagance.

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[Author Here: Guys I make sure you always feel the growth of the characters with power, It was fun to watch someone growing in power as well as in character-wise. So I hope you see our MC was sometimes dumb but I can tell you it was needed. I appreciate all of your suggestions in the comment, and I take them all positively, So I request if you have any doubts or suggestions, mention them in the comment.]