Chapter 25: The Banquet

Leo arrived at the Crimson Flame Team as usual.

“Everyone is here, ready to start the banquet.”

Hela dragged Leo inside.

“What banquet?” Leo asked as he walked.

“Of course, it’s a welcome party for the new students; this is a tradition of our Crimson Flame Team.”

“A banquet in the room?”

When Leo entered, he saw that the room was clean and tidy, with a table set up. Yuris was sitting on a chair, but he didn’t see Michelle’s figure.

“Of course, our Crimson Flame Team’s base is a standalone building. Although it’s not as luxurious as the top-ranked teams, it has a kitchen and accommodation rooms, so holding a small banquet is completely fine.”

I can’t believe there are dormitories and a kitchen; the facilities are quite complete.

“Nathan and Mona went to buy ingredients; why don’t you take a rest for a while?”

Hela then sat down on a chair.

“I’ll just take a look around.”

“By the way, if you want to stay here, that’s fine too; there are spare rooms.”

Hela didn’t know that Leo didn’t have a dormitory; she just said it casually, after all, living in the team is more convenient.

“No, I’m fine where I am.”

Although the small villa is simple, it suits him well; he won’t be disturbed, and he has the conditions to train at night without worrying about disturbing others.

The kitchen is on the first floor, and Jin is busy inside wearing an apron.

Next to him, Michelle is also wearing an apron, helping him.

I never expected it would be Senior Jin cooking; as a man, doesn’t he have too many skills?

“Leo is here; tonight, eat and drink to your heart’s content.”

Soon, Nathan and Mona returned with a large pile of ingredients.

It’s Leo’s first time attending a banquet with so many people; he felt a bit out of place.

“Jin, you’re still so capable; I have to trouble you again today.”

Nathan delivered the ingredients to the kitchen and patted Jin on the shoulder.

“I can’t accept it; as a girl, I actually lost to Jin in cooking.” Mona muttered softly.

“Is that losing? You can’t even cook at all.” Hela retorted.

“What! Senior Hela, you’re no different.”

“Not the same; I know my limitations and just eat.” Hela said proudly.

“I really don’t know what there is to be proud of.”

“That’s right; we just need to eat; finishing the food is the greatest respect for the cook.” Nathan said grandly.

“Since there’s nothing else to do, I’ll help out too.” Leo approached the kitchen.

“Leo, can you cook too?”

Hela asked in surprise.

“Of course; after all, it’s an essential skill for survival!”

Leo learned to cook when he was just a few years old. At the sword dojo, even though it was just him and the old man, he took care of all three meals.

“I’ve completely lost; although I’m not willing, why does it feel so heavy?”

Mona became dejected; in the end, among the three girls in the team, only Michelle could cook.

Wait!

As a candidate saintess of the church, does Michelle really have a chance to cook?

Mona suddenly realized a blind spot.

Leo was about to enter when Jin stood at the kitchen door with a serious expression.

“The kitchen is the battlefield of chefs, Leo. Are you sure you want to challenge me in a battle that will determine our future?! Whoever wins gets to decide tonight’s dinner.”

Killing intent!

Leo actually saw killing intent on Jin’s face at that moment!

What an incredible man!

To be so deeply invested in one thing, Leo felt humbled.

“Since Senior Jin is so motivated, I’ll leave it to you, but…”

Can a man not do it, but a woman can?

Leo didn’t say this out loud.

“I’m just preparing the ingredients, but Senior Jin promised me that I could make a dish, so please look forward to it; I will give it my all.”

Michelle seemed to read his mind and clenched her small fist, full of determination.

“Leo actually got kicked out; Jin is too much.” When Leo returned, Mona complained.

“Don’t mind it; let us taste your cooking next time.” Nathan patted his shoulder to comfort him.

No, no! He wasn’t disappointed at all; this was actually better; he didn’t want to prepare food for so many people alone.

One by one, the dishes were brought out.

Once all the dishes were served, everyone sat in a circle.

Nathan stood up with a drink in hand, “To celebrate Leo, Michelle, and Yuris joining us, cheers!”

“Cheers!”

The seniors raised their drinks in response.

“We’re still underage; drinking alcohol isn’t good.”

Michelle held her drink, feeling at a loss.

“How could this possibly be alcohol? It doesn’t smell like alcohol at all.” Yuris raised his cup and sniffed.

“Really?” Michelle felt relieved.

“I actually want to drink some alcohol.” Leo raised his drink and downed it in one go.

“Not bad! You know, adventurers can’t do without alcohol, but this is your welcome party; let’s save the drinking for next time.” Nathan gave him a thumbs up.

“Okay! Let’s do it again, cheers!”

“Cheers!”

The whole team was harmonious; whether new members or seniors, everyone became more amicable because of this gathering.

They are all companions who need to trust each other with their lives, creating an adventurer’s atmosphere.

“Jin’s cooking is still so great!” Nathan praised without reservation.

“Indeed impressive!” Leo also marveled; it was already on par with restaurant standards.

“I’m still far from it; my goal is to become a qualified househusband.” Jin said with a simple smile.

A lofty ideal; keep it up!

Across from Leo, Michelle was eating delicately, her movements still elegant.

“By the way, which dish did Michelle make?”

Hela tasted every dish on the table; being familiar with Jin’s cooking, she naturally knew it was all made by him.

“I made the dessert; I’ll serve it once everyone is done eating.”

Michelle smiled slightly.

“There’s dessert too; that’s awesome!”

Leo actually felt a little excited.

After finishing all the food on the table, it was finally time for the dessert everyone was looking forward to.

Michelle brought out a steamer of soup dumplings.

“Wow, soup dumplings! A very traditional snack; I’ll have one first.”

Hela quickly picked up a soup dumpling and put it in her mouth.

The dumplings were small, just right for one bite.

But the moment she took a bite, Hela froze.

“How does it taste?” Mona asked.

After swallowing, Hela gave a thumbs up.

“Then I’ll have one too.” Mona picked one up, and her reaction was the same.

“I’ll have one too.”

Nathan was completely stunned.

“You’re acting so weird.”

Yuris coolly picked one up, put it in his mouth, and swallowed it directly, eating too fast, then had another.

“It has a very unique flavor.” He wiped his mouth and commented.

“Michelle’s cooking is quite good; I watched the whole process, so it shouldn’t be bad.”

Jin also picked one up, then looked incredulous.

“How is it?” Michelle asked nervously.

“A bunch of people acting strangely.”

Looking at everyone’s reactions, Leo felt a bit confused; it can’t be that delicious, can it?

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