Transcendence Rules

Lucian was just about to start preparing his breakfast when the ringing of bells interrupted him. Quickly, he reigned in his murderous aura and indifferently looked at the person who entered through the door. 

It was an Orc with a battle ax slung over his broad shoulders. He had green skin, not even a single hair on his body, arms, legs, or head, which was common among the Orc Race. They were a Race of warriors, and were all tall and muscular. 

However, what was not common among Orcs were black tattoos on their arms.

Lucian wondered if those vein-like black lines that ran across the surface of his arms to the tips of his fingers were there from birth or just tattoos.

Lucian walked out of the kitchen, and instead of walking towards the Orc, he went behind the counter and grabbed his restaurant's menu.

Then, with a gentle smile, Lucian walked to the table where the Orc was sitting.

"Welcome, dear customer! Is there something that bothers you about my restaurant?" Lucian asked after noticing the vigilance in the Orc's eyes. His body was taut as if he was ready to face an impending crisis. He had noticed the Orc's earlier demeanor but saw no reason to comment, but now he felt it would be rude not to.

Smiling bitterly, Garrett scratched his head, now that the topic had been broached, he could not help but ask, "Wasn't it rumored that this restaurant… or rather, the building before it was haunted by a Ghost?"

Even after hearing Garrett's words, Lucian's smile did not falter. Ghosts were just another one of the Races in the vast Universe. Unlike most Races who were born with their Race, Ghosts, or rather, people who have died with overwhelming negative emotions turn into a Ghost, rather than entering Heaven or Hell.

As for a Ghost haunting his restaurant? Lucian was unsure of that. At the very least, last night, he had slept like a baby. And even without being a mage, he would be able to tell if he was being spied on. 

Last night, Lucian had only woken up once, and that was when he had sensed the connection between him and the assassin had been severed. The assassin dying had been a foregone conclusion. It was a death that did not impact him in the slightest.

Without skipping a heartbeat, Lucian explained with a gentle smile, "Before buying the rights to the property I entrusted an exorcist with dealing with the problem. You can rest assured that the Ghost has been dealt with."

Exorcists were simply mages who were born with the holy element. A simple cleanse spell and Ghosts who were weak to the holy element would finally pass on to where they belong - Heaven or Hell.

'If a Ghost truly does exist, I wonder if I can charm him or her?' Instead of being scared, Lucian wondered if he could get a Ghost as security for his restaurant. Ghosts had a special skill that allowed them to enter a separate dimension, which they could use to attack from and view the real world from. 

If a Ghost decided to stay in its separate dimension, unless you were at least an Immortal Mage, nothing could be done to it.

The more Lucian thought about having a Ghost as security, the more he found the idea likable.

If Garrett knew that Lucian was lying and he even planned on charming the Ghost into being his security... if it existed, he would have run away in fear.

Instead, Garrett, who did not know that Lucian was lying, ate it up like dragon meat.

"Haah." Garrett sighed in relief, and his vigilance disappeared. Calmly, he picked up the menu after shaking his head. Even the menu was extravagant. After touching the entirely white menu with Transcendence carved into the top of the menu in gold, he was pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately, with his limited knowledge, he did not know what material the menu was made from, but at the very least, it was not plastic or cheap beast hide.

Even the Dragon's Feast Restaurant in Harmony City, which he used to frequently patronize, did not have pleasantly feeling menus.

Garrett had to admit that Lucian truly had a taste for style.

His restaurant was beautiful.

The ambiance and the faint aroma of jasmine were soothing and comforting. 

The decorations were elegant, yet not gaudy. 

The table and chairs were neatly arranged with enough room.

The menu was extravagant.

The entire restaurant was perfect!

With the restaurant being perfect, Garrett knew that the price of the dishes would be sky-high, but today… just for today, he decided to splurge on himself.

With great expectation and a stomach rumbling in anticipation, Garrett opened the cover and looked inside, only for his expression to falter.

—----------------

Transcendence Rules:

First Rule:

Please be advised that consumption of any food or beverage at Transcendence without meeting the Mage Rank requirement for each dish will result in adverse effects. Any injuries or harm incurred as a result of disregarding the requirements cannot be attributed to the owner or employees of the restaurant.

Second Rule:

Each dish can only be ordered once a day by each customer.

—----------------

"There's a Mage Rank requirement just to eat!?"

Garrett's eyes flashed with incredulity, not believing his eyes had seen correctly. Firmly believing that he had misread, he re-read the menu.

…Yet, it was the same.

'Since when did food and drinks have a Mage Rank requirement?' 

Not even the number one restaurant in Harmony City had a Mage Rank requirement to eat.

Slowly, Garrett lifted his head and looked at Lucian.

The handsome-looking white-haired, blue-eyed chef who looked the same age as him continued looking at him with a smile on his face.

Lucian continued to smile, not flustered by Garrett's expression one bit. He had expected that to be his expression. 

'I wonder what his expression will be when he flips the page.' 

Garrett could not decipher anything from Lucian's expression. 

With a sigh, he turned his attention back to the menu. Garrett had to admit that he was curious and slightly excited by the prospect of eating a dish that required a Mage Rank. 

After all, there should be a reason why the owner would put a requirement. Otherwise, he would only be losing potential customers and thus earning less money.

With even more expectation, Garrett flipped the page, only to feel as if the world was crashing down on him.

"WHAT THE FUCK!?"

—----------------

< Appetizers > 

Dish Name: 

Siren's Melody Poached Egg 

Description: 

A Siren's Melody Egg delicately poached in Mana Water; tender egg whites accompanied by a rich, runny egg yolk within, and hints of Starlight Vinegar, Dragon Fly Flake Salt, and Netherbane Chives. Each bite will cause a symphony of flavor within your mouth.

Requirement: 

To indulge in the Siren's Melody Poached Egg, a Mage Rank of Tendon Tempering Realm is required. 

Price: 

Five Low-Grade Mana Stones 

Ingredients:

Main Ingredient:

One Siren's Melody Egg

Ingredient Grade:

Grade 3

Origin:

- The first laid egg from a female Siren. It is only harvested after the female Siren has finished singing the Nine Seas Melody to the egg.

- Special Note: To the lucky bastard who obtains the Siren's Melody Inheritance… fuck you!

Poaching Water: 

One And A Half Liters Of Low-Grade Mana Water. 

Origin: 

- From my fridge… Do you really need an origin for Mana Water!?

Seasoning:

One Tablespoon Of Starlight Vinegar.

Ingredient Grade: 

Grade 2

Origin:

- Regular vinegar bathed under starlight for a year. 

One Pinch Of Dragon Fly Flake Salt.

Ingredient Grade:

Grade 2

Origin:

- Wings from a Dragon Fly crushed into powder.

One Twist From Frostfire Black Pepper Grinder.

Ingredient Grade:

Grade 1

Origin:

- Planet Pyrofrostia; from the planet where the elements of fire and ice perfectly meld together, creating the Frostfire Black Pepper.

One Pinch Of Chopped Netherbane Chives.

Ingredient Grade:

Grade 2

Origin:

- Mortal Hell; grown underneath the Crying Ember Tree.

—----------------

Silence… The restaurant became eerily quiet. 

Garrett had even forgotten to breathe.

Garrett stared at the menu, trying to convince himself that maybe he was just seeing things.

Surely, a single dish of poached egg would not be priced in Low-Grade Mana Stones! Let alone cost five Low-Grade Mana Stones!

He was convinced.

Absolutely convinced he had gone senile. 

He lifted his big hand and slapped it across his face.

'Ouch…' Lucian took a step back, not expecting Garrett to slap himself across the cheek. 

As comical as it was, Lucian's heart was bleeding. Garrett might believe the Siren's Melody Poached Egg was overpriced. However, only Lucian knew that was not the case. The Siren's Melody Poached Egg should be priced way higher.

[System, can we change the price? I feel this is daylight robbery. Don't you know how rare the ingredients are? Don't we want to make a profit? Don't you want to fatten me up as much as possible? Please have a bit of mercy on your host!] Lucian sorrowfully complained to the System.