Chapter 523: Cooking?

'It can't be a coincidence,' wondered Inga, '-Aceline came to mind a few days ago. I was curious about what happened, the past seems to intrigue me more, how are things since I arrived. Amsey's indebted for sure, there's no arguing it. How can I turn this into a playable card – going to Alphia might resolve a few things. I want to know what happened to that land of dreams, the land of cinema. Well, only way I see it happening.'

"How do I remind you of her?"

"I don't know," expressed he, "-her journey in Hidros is not that well documented. She was more of a recluse despite being the Pride of an entire continent. The work there before the trip abroad showed the telling of a girl who wanted to fight for justice, to fight the world using her music as the weapon. Glitz and glamor of the cinema-world took a toll on her life, the incidents of her death, disappearances, are so foreign I can't imagine how or what was the reason. I suppose the way you go against the flow brings her spirit to shine." Joy and admiration chocked the dim interior. 

"Well," turning to Leko and Haru, "-it's only for a modeling job, right?" cautious gaze scanned about for a clearer picture. 

"No, not just that – I'm planning to have advertisement and have you break into the Alphian market as a model."

"Lady Haru, Chef Leko, what's the verdict on Mr. Amsey's proposition."

"A trip abroad might be a chance a broadening the mind," said Haru, "-if Igna agrees, I see no trouble." The fact that Amsey and the guild were close made it easier to conclude. 

"I accept," said Leko, "-the restaurant's going to go through some changes. I doubt you'll have any work here."

"Then we've reached an agreement," said Lia, "-expect us here tomorrow at six." Handshakes and words of safe-travels closed the conversation. The visitors were pleased by the result and displayed it in laughter and light-hearted gestures. Haru's head hung in doubt for a while, Leko kept glaring at the room as if it were going to vanish. "Lady Haru, Chef Leko," voiced he, "-why so quiet?"

"Nothing much," stood Haru rather strenuously, "-I got things to attend to, later." A person out of the empty room felt eerie, Leko sat for a while and didn't respond. Igna gazed in a stupor wondering what went on in the chef's mind. The quietude grew to where the buzzing of the lights spoke louder than a breathing man.

"Igna," said he.

"Yes?"

"I-" he stood to a stop, "-ah, don't mind it," the gloom flushed to delight, "-there's more out there to discover. The world is too vast for words, descriptions, and books can only but give a trailer to what is to come. Go to Alphia, make a name as a model or work as Chef, the path is open for decision. I'll be taking a break from cooking."

"A break?"

"Yes," he smiled, "-a good break to have the reality do what is due."

"Alright, see you tomorrow then," said Igna reaching for the door.

"Don't worry," said Leko, "-I'll close shop, head home, I'm sure they wait."

Enigmatic as the parting words were, Igna dashed down the stairs unknowing of what situation Haru and Leko faced. A conspiracy brewed behind the scenes, one implicating the leaders of the Academy and the investigation of Coria. 

Muddy footprints ran onto the stone paths, heavy rain had soiled the surroundings for the worse. Cleaners and attendants expressed the dismay by the sudden outburst and scream at not-so-nice students. As expected, taking the path north to a graveyard of metal and components, the little room used by Gayae waited ever so patiently. The wooden-door had '-On duty, call me later dudes,' sketched in chalk. 

*Knock, knock,*

"A moment," a loud thump followed by a feminine gasp, "-Oh shit, I'm sorry," came a mundane whisper.

"Don't worry about it," said the other, "-go check who's at the front… remember, we don't have room for more bikes!"

"Got it," the voice approached, "-sorry about that," oil on the face, grime, and grease on the fingers and hands, "-Igna?" said he in a loosely fitted mechanic's uniform.

"Am I interrupting?"

"No, no," he moved to wrap the arms around Igna, "-let's move somewhere else." 

Far away onto a plot of land on where labeled saplings laid in full, "-why did we have to go away?"

"Come on," chuckled Gayae, "-girl trouble. My partner's a bit of a psycho, she loves bikes more than her life and can get pretty scary at times."

"I'm sure she's a lovely woman," said he diplomatically, "-I came by to say thanks for paying rent until now."

"No problem, the phone call sure was abrupt. Anyway, old man Kord doesn't seem mad, payments were on time and the rooms got cleaned once a week or so."

"Thanks a million."

"No thanks needed," said he, "-tis even. I'm so close to finishing my dream bike, only a few more parts." 

"Good luck then." Over yonder came the wild gestures of a girl who'd captured the eyes of all around. Blonde hair held by a bandana and clean apparel. 

"Damn, she's pretty," complimented Igna.

"I know right," he winked, "-I'm handsome too," and so he ran off as a babe seeing his mother. The frantic clanging and frequent explosions added to the compartment's charm. Where most would abstain from engaging in conversation laid more interesting people. A hidden treasure of eccentric individuals accomplishing feats beyond imagination.

The scope through which he viewed the academy went from homely and curious to reminiscent. The prior discussion meant him leaving for an unknown amount of time. Despite not spending so much here, it was still a refuge for him. Especially the village whereupon he headed next. 

Early morning of students wanting lunch occurred as a film. The busy metropolis displayed on the Arcanum, snippets he glossed over whilst scrolling about. Many conveniently forgot the Coria incident. Those involved didn't take long to return to how things were. 

Two hoodie-wearing figures fought for a boxed lunch at Kord's eatery. The old-man tried hard to control the rowdy crowd. Orders and flailing hands cried for their meal. He certainly handled it calmly, though the figures didn't hold much of a fight.

"Rena, Lampard."

"Igna?" 

"Yeah, come here," he gestured.

"This better be for a good reason," said Lampard, "-lost my chance at the famed lunch."

Rena stared emptily; her intentions were more on letting Lampard do the talking.

"How about I cook you guys something."

"Now?" 

"Obviously." Along the back alley where the scent of garbage rose, Kord's back door conveniently opened to a simple push. The chaos of the front seemed naught at the back.

"Old man Kord," cried Igna,"-I'll use the kitchen for a while, is that cool?"

"Yeah, sure," preoccupied with the increasing horde, "-welcome back by the way. Guests are visiting the young lass upstairs. Take the ingredients and head on to her side."

"Sure." 

Cole, Ila, and Frost spoke and laughed; the door opened to silence the apartment. Rena and Lampard soon headed on to meet the others in the living room, Igna contented to falling back inside the kitchen. The familiarity of the utensils gave a touch of comfort before going on a spontaneous trip. 

"Hello people," said Lampard confidently.

"Hey there," returned the others, "-how's it been?" wondered Frost reaching for a hug.

"Pretty good," said Rena, "-how are you feeling, Anna?" 

"Good," smiled she resting onto a comfortable couch, "-you didn't have to wake up so early to greet us."

"What do you mean us?" wondered Ila, "-didn't you come alone?"

"No," she refused, "-Igna's here too. He dropped me off and left for the academy."

Sizzling brought on a mix of spices, "-he's here," said Cole. The five exchanged pleasantries and tried not to touch on what happened. Frost and Ila had a lot to say, they recounted funny tales about stories others missed. A catch-up of the soap opera hosted by the Academy's romantic life. 

Skipping to when he finished the dishes, everyone gathered around the modest counter and ate. "Thanks for coming by," said Igna at Frost and the rest. They did do a lot when he was absent. If not for them, the hospital might not have tried so hard at treatment. 

"Don't mention it," said Frost nicely, "-you've gone and become a celebrity."

"Oh yeah," wondered Ila, "-how's the life of stardom?"

"What stardom?" he frowned, "-I only did Cle and headed for Rotherham." 

"Seriously?" facepalmed Anna, "-check your social media."

"Why there's nothing," showing the phone, "-see?"

"Why are you logged out?" inquired Rena through judging eyes.

"Oh," the mouth made an embarrassed oval shape, "-my bad." Éclair inputted the login details and bam, an onslaught of notification deafened the room. Likes follows, the Hwan accounted – linked and quoted by the Weekly Digest, had pictures from the interview breaking the 20 thousand likes. As for him, the follower count read 10 thousand.

"See?" smiled Anna, "-you're popular."

"Not really…" fingers hastened to a certain profile, "-look," he showed Jen and Rena's account, "-they both have 20 thousand followers."

"Oh," stared Rena, "-social media's less of my worry."

"See, it doesn't mean much," concluded Igna.

"Dumbass," cried Lampard, "-the show's been broadcasted all over the world. High-profiled people know who you are. Kyle Darker's getting bigger and his rival, Igna Haggard's nowhere to be found, interest is only growing."

"And how do you know that?"

"I like to stalk people online," smiled he proudly. 

"Look at that," exclaimed Frost, "-we ought to go. Thanks for breakfast, Igna."

"Here's boxed lunch for later," he made enough.

Back to the living room, silence loomed as the television played. Neither wanted to speak and preferred the quietness. They sat there and waited for a few minutes till a sudden phone call. 

"Who was it?" wondered Anna.

"Lady Haru," returned Igna, "-can I ask something?"

"Sure."

"What's the plan now?" wondered he.

"I'll get back to adventuring as soon as possible. Imagine conquering the tower of monsters."

"Nice," said he, "-Frost and the others are friendly, you'll be fine."

"Why the tone of dejected, are you not going to stay?"

"No," said he frankly, "-I'm leaving for Alphia tomorrow morning. Was offered a good opportunity to grow. Honestly speaking, after the whole incident with Cle and Lordon's, I'm starting to question if I really enjoy cooking that much. Who the hell knows – being compared to Kyle is definitely a pain." 

"Answer me this," the visage froze.

He gulped, "-what are the things you like?"

"Don't know…"

"Forget the now and present, think deep, what is it you regret?"

'Regrets…'

"Dying early," said he, "-I had so much planned and it ended so quickly."

"Are you sure?" her brows lifted in suggestion, "-what's thy name?"

"Igna Haggard?"

"Haggard… linked to the royal family. Unofficial rulers of Phantom, a monstrous powerhouse under whom controls armies and weapons. Don't you think," she smirked, "-getting back what you lose would be simple?"

"I see," he nodded, "-I get it now."

"Good."

'Origin, the quest bestowed by Scifer. My life as Staxius ended; not the aspirations and dreams. Where once I was a mage and alchemist – the role's been changed to being a chef. Whatever the title does not matter. The side-quest of looking for a purpose has outstayed its welcome. I can't fight it now, my memories and personality from long ago are stronger than those I made now. Familiar faces, familiar names, the links all but strengthen. Time to face the truth Igna, I was running away from my responsibilities. I understand what to do now – this rebirth is a clean slate. Those who did me wrong in the past will suffer. Being lost and without a goal, trying to be a chef, and challenging the Lordon wasn't thought out or anything. What I feel is anger, rage… forgetting was a mistake.'