Chapter 15 – Registering at the Adventurers Guild

“The meal is ready, sir!”

After some time, a small procession of servants carrying silver trays returned, led by Elias.

His duties should have ended at the reception desk, but the fear of being dismissed—or something worse—had compelled him to personally make sure the service was flawless. He did not trust any of the other staff to handle it, so he had accompanied Mark the entire time.

The moment they entered, the aroma that flooded the area was rich, a mixture of strong spices Mark had never smelled before.

The servants placed the trays on the table. As the silver lids were lifted, the fragrance spread through the restaurant, causing nobles and merchants at nearby tables to pause their conversations.

Even Alden, the treasurer, glanced away from his plate, his eyes widening slightly as he recognized what was being served.

Elias set down the first dish with almost religious care.

“To begin, Sir Vaelin. Thin cuts of Greater Sand Lizard, a Rank D beast. Our chefs performed an infusion of rare essences to stabilize the raw mana within the meat.”

Mark, who had been sitting there waiting for his meal, was slightly taken aback by the scene, but he did not mind.

Essence infusion?

Rank D?

Internally, he had no idea what the man was talking about. He could only guess. Even so, he kept his expression calm, giving a slight nod as if he were familiar with every detail.

But something caught his attention.

Sand Lizard.

The thin, translucent slices of meat, arranged symmetrically, stirred an unpleasant memory. The texture and color vaguely reminded him of the desert lizards that had visited him on his first day.

Cindralisks.

‘Ugh…’ Mark quickly pushed the thought away, afraid he might vomit on the table. Even if they were not the same species, it did nothing to help his appetite.

“As you may know.” Elias continued, unaware of Mark’s thoughts, lowering his voice with reverence. “For Rank C dishes or higher, the establishment requires the presentation of an adventurer’s identification to ensure the client can withstand the mana load. However, since we have not yet had the pleasure of registering your documents in our system, I took the liberty of selecting the finest options from our kitchen.”

Elias maintained a flawless smile as he said this.

His mind had worked quickly.

He had no idea what Mark’s rank was, and serving something too potent to a client who might simply be a wealthy but untrained visitor would be disastrous for the Haven’s reputation.

On the other hand, asking for his identification now could sound like an insult after the blunder at the entrance.

So he relied on what he had overheard earlier, learning that Mark was an adventurer, and brought the best dishes he could.

“In addition to the Greater Sand Lizard cuts, we also have Steppe Bison, both Rank D. These are delicacies that any ordinary human can safely enjoy and benefit from.”

Elias revealed the dark cut of meat. “The bison loin was sealed in thunder boar fat. It is accompanied by glass rice, cultivated under magical formations so the fiber remains pure and does not interfere with mana absorption.”

As he spoke, Elias gestured with his hands, as if he had truly memorized all of it.

Mark looked at what appeared to be a juicy steak. The grains of rice were so clear he could see the bottom of the plate through them.

On Earth, he had worried about the basics. He had never imagined that in a world like this, food like this existed.

It was truly unique.

Beneath the cloak, Pippin stirred.

The smell of the food was making the servant restless.

Neither of them had eaten for several hours. While Mark himself did not feel particularly hungry, the same could not be said for Pippin. It would be better to feed the servant before he decided to slip away in the middle of the night for a “midnight snack.”

Just imagining the monstrous figure running through the city gave him a headache.

‘Time to eat…’

Mark picked up the heavy silver utensils, preparing himself.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Elias and his entire entourage were still standing beside him, watching.

“You may leave.”

“C-certainly, sir! I wish you an excellent meal.” Elias quickly stepped back with his group after one final bow.

Once he confirmed they had left, Mark brought the first bite to his mouth, slowly chewing the bison meat. The moment he swallowed, his taste buds reacted, and the flavor filled his senses.

What he felt was simply the taste of meat.

Nothing more.

‘?’

It tasted like ordinary food.

If it were not for the faint trace of mana he could truly feel circulating, he would have thought Elias was trying to scam him.

Discreetly, Mark speared one of the thin Greater Sand Lizard slices. In a movement too fast for human eyes, he pretended to bring the fork to his mouth, but diverted the motion, dropping the piece beneath his cloak.

Pippin, already waiting, devoured the meat instantly before anyone could notice.

“Did you feel anything?” Mark whispered quietly.

Pippin’s eyes glowed in the darkness beneath the cloak. The servant let out a faint clicking sound and shook his head.

‘No?’

Mark sighed inwardly.

If even a weak servant like Pippin could not feel anything, it was obvious why he himself would not either.

This was useless at his level.

The dish was nothing more than a well-seasoned dinner. This kind of food might work for low-level individuals as a supplement. For someone strong, consuming it regularly made no sense; the effect was far too limited for the effort and cost involved.

Stolen novel; please report.

Mark continued eating indifferently, ignoring the stares around him.

If they knew his thoughts, the paranoia in the hall would likely double.

Mark finished his meal quickly.

The Greater Sand Lizard meat vanished magically from his plate, leaving a small hidden figure happy and full-bellied.

The moment he set his utensils down on the porcelain, Elias, who had been watching from a safe distance, immediately approached with a flattering smile.

“I hope everything was to your satisfaction, Sir Vaelin,” Elias commented, his eyes shining.

Mark stood, adjusting his cloak. “It was not bad,” he replied simply.

His former self had never been good with praise, and Vaelin was no different.

“Show me the way to the room.”

The short response made Elias blink, but he quickly recovered. “If you allow me, I will personally guide you to your quarters now.” He gestured forward with his hand.

The two left the hall under the attentive gazes of Alden and the others, entering a side corridor. As they walked, the sound of the restaurant was gradually replaced by the absolute silence of the thick carpets.

Elias walked a step ahead, gesturing toward the polished stone walls and the statues decorating the path, briefly mentioning information about Ivory Haven.

Mark simply nodded.

They ascended a marble staircase to the top floor, passing heavy wooden doors until they stopped before an entrance adorned with silver details.

Elias opened the doors with exaggerated courtesy, allowing Mark inside.

“Your room, Sir Vaelin!”

The interior was revealed, vast and imposing. At the center, a canopy bed with dark silk sheets dominated the space, flanked by solid wooden furniture that gleamed beneath the soft lantern light.

The floor was covered with animal pelts Mark did not recognize, but they looked soft enough to muffle any footsteps.

At the far end, wide windows displayed Luminaris beneath the night sky, revealing the contrast between the brilliance of the noble district and the darkness of the rest of the city.

There was even a sitting area with leather armchairs. Through an open door, it was also possible to see a bath chamber with a stone tub, where the water had already been prepared, releasing a faint steam.

It was the pinnacle of human luxury in that desert.

“If you need anything, simply ring the crystal bell beside the headboard. We will be entirely at your disposal.”

Elias said, remaining by the door. He kept his hands folded, with an expectant smile, his eyes shining with the hope that Mark would remember his extra efforts.

“Alright.” Mark merely gave a slight nod, his eyes occupied as he observed the room with curiosity.

…