CH.171 Mystik Wok and Ria’s first test

CH.171 Mystik Wok and Ria’s first test

“I don’t mind, but as I said last time, there are no cooking tools here.” Agatha said after I offered to put some food on the table.

“And who said I needed them?” I asked. “I have my own way of cooking.” Assuming it works. “Do you think they will be ok with fish?”

“Fish? Would you really cook something like that? Fish gets expensive quickly.”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t exactly buy it.”

“Did you go fishing?”

“Well, give a man a fish and he will eat once, but teach a man to fish and he will eat forever. ... Okay, that made no sense in this context. Anyway. Don’t worry about the cost. I got it covered.”

“And why fish when you can just hunt down a beast?”

“... good point. I guess because you prefer fish? Anyway, how did things go with the blood pudding? I heard you made some.”

“Well, you can take a look. It is on the table.” Agatha said as she pointed at a few ceramic trays that were filled with black ... stuff. Yeah, not exactly what I had in mind, but for a prototype, it might work.

“Did you taste it?”

“Yes. It is ... better than some other things, but I wouldn’t call it good.”

“I guess I’ll give it a taste later as well. First though, I’ll test this thing out.” I pulled out two cards. “I activate Mystik Wok and I tribute Terrorking Salmon for it.”

Spoiler[collapse]

First, a huge wok pan appeared and above it, my giant fish. And when I say giant, I meant it. This thing is big. Probably 8 meters in length. A freaking dragon sized fish.

“Er? Mr. Brian? What is that? Is it alive?” Agatha asked.

“A fish. A big fish. And I think that pan is about to cook it.” I said.

I looked as a knife appeared. And calling it a knife might be an understatement. That thing was basically a sword. It sliced the fish into nice clean filets, while also extracting all of the roe from the fish. Doesn’t roe make caviar? Like you clean and salt roe and that is caviar? Or am I completely wrong?

Anyway, as the non edible parts were being cut from the fish, they would just disappear, so I can’t have easy access to fishbones with this. I’m not sure what they could be used for, but I think there are uses for them. I know shark bones, well they aren't technically bones but some other stuff, were used to make corsets, but I have no clue about fish bones. Sure they can be used for soup stock, but other than that, I have no clue.

As the spell didn’t have any place to place the roe, the roe just ended up dropping onto the table and some of the fish eggs burst open before they disappeared, like the other non edible parts did. I guess I won’t be making any caviar from this batch. I need to make some cooking tools first, then I can really make caviar. And if it comes out well, that is another gift I can give to nobles. But then again, I think caviar was a delicacy because it was difficult to obtain, not because it tastes great. Or maybe it does taste great. Terrorking Salmon does say “Its roe is the best delicacy in the World of Darkness.” so it might be amazing.

As the wok pan got to work cooking the fish that had been cut into more manageable pieces, I asked dhampirs to bring a board or anything that I could place the finished fish on. Luckily, they made it in time and some ... not so food grade boards were brought in and the cooked fish was now resting on top of them.

“... so, does anyone want to test out some fish?”

“It’s yummy!” The first brave, well after I took a bite, was Anika. This girl really isn’t afraid of anything.

And I do have to agree with her. Other than losing the roe because I had no idea what I was doing, this is a huge success. The dhampirs did enjoy the black pudding Agatha brought, but for me, the fish was easily the better dish.

Next time, I’ll be sure to have a container for the roe so I can catch it. And I’ll also have to check my collection for all other monsters I can possibly cook. Maybe just cook up Big Koala and eat that. ... yeah. I’d need an army to eat something that big.

The fish itself had a flavor I would compare to a swordfish. At least that is the closest thing I’ve ever tasted before. But this was slightly more ... filling. And as an added bonus, it would heal you when you ate it. Thank you Mystik Wok. The crackers from Emergency Provisions are still better for healing per amount eaten, but that is because there is no way you could eat the entire fish by yourself. And I guess you could also combine both. Get some Emergency Provisions crackers and top it off with some Leogun meat cooked with the Mystik Wok.

Spoiler[collapse]

Our meal came to an end when everyone had stuffed themselves to the point of almost bursting. But as I didn’t want the meal to go to waste, I ended up summoning a few of my monsters to partake in the leftovers. Well, a few might be putting it lightly, considering that I ended up summoning 10 vampires in total. Not at the same time, but 7 first and the other three after them. Why vampires you might ask? Well, that is because the village elder asked if I could summon my vampire to join us. And after I summoned Cain, he asked that I summon all of the others as well.

I also loved how confused Anika and Kody got when they saw Vampire Fascinator sitting next to Lua. I know those two look similar, but it isn’t bad enough where you have to look back and forth to figure out who is who.

And I made sure to ask the villagers if it would be fine if I brought a friend over next time I came here. Obviously, said friend would be Alice. Rosemary immediately gave the permission and as no one said no, I had now gotten permission for Alice to come here.

“Overdrive.” After the meal, I unsummoned the vampires that were still summoned, just hanging out with the villagers, before I summoned our ride. As said, we couldn’t fly Gradius, as it cannot fit three people, so we were on the ground.

“Don’t worry even if you fail. We will always accept you back here.” Rosemary said to Ria. I’m not sure if that is encouragement or just making fun of her.

“Big sis Ria. I’ll miss you.” Anika said.

The knight that had been questioning her entered the cage with us and the door was locked behind him. He then got out a small lidded container, placed it on the ground, opened it and took a few steps back. The blood that was contained in it was now out for Ria to see.

This was the main part of the test. There are a few things that could happen. The first was that Ria goes for the blood and drinks it. If this happens, it is my job to either stop her before she reaches it, or pry her off if she does reach it.

The second possibility would be Ria going into a blood frenzy and attacking either the knight or myself. In this case, the knight would help me subdue her and she would win her one way ticket back to the village.

The third, and the most optimal, outcome would be that Ria does nothing and just sits next to me. And to surprising no one, well, it did actually surprise the knight and the scrivener, even Mateo seemed to expect Ria to do something, but she just calmly sat next to me. Even when the knight picked up the blood and brought it right up to Ria, she stayed calm and didn’t move. I don’t know how difficult it actually is, but it might be challenging even without the curse. Maybe I could use DNA Surgery and turn myself into a dhampir and try it out. Or would it have to be a vampire, as there are no dhampirs in Yugioh. No, actually I think there was one. A vampire XYZ monster that was a dhampir. Well, anyway.

(Do you want me to look into it?) Laura asked.

(Sure, if you have the time. But it isn’t a high priority. Find out first how we can replace Agatha’s arm.) I answered.

(As you wish.)

“No reaction, huh.” Mateo said after a few moments. “Marcus, do it.” He commanded the knight.

... do what? Agatha didn’t tell us there would be more. The next part should have been me showing that I can hold Ria down even if she struggles.

Instead, the knight removed the gauntlet on his left arm, before he took out a knife and made a small cut into his left wrist. It wasn’t too large, but it was clearly bleeding and he was showing it to Ria.

I took the Spellbinding Circle that I had stored in my pocket temporarily into my hand, just in case, before I took a look at how Ria was handling the new stimulus. But she looked fine. Like the blood in front of her was nothing. I also took a look at Agatha and she had gotten up from the chair that she had been sitting on this far. So even she didn’t know this part was coming.

About 30 seconds after the knight had made the cut, Mateo spoke again. “That’s enough. You can come out and heal yourself.”

The knight did as instructed, using light magic, based on the chant, to heal himself, before picking up his gauntlet and walking to the door. There, the scrivener opened the door for the knight and let him outside.

“Now then, Brian, I need you to show that you can bring the dhampir under your control even if she resists. Rhianna, you need to resist him with all of your power, do you both understand?” Mateo asked.

“Yes.” I answered.

“Yes.” Ria repeated after me.

“Good.” Mateo said. “Brian, hold her down now.”

I got up and held the trap card that was already in my hand firmly.

“Ria, remember that this held you down when you were in a frenzy, don’t hold back at all and struggle as much as you can.” I reminded her that I had held her back before.

I saw her nod lightly, so I activated the card.

“Spellbinding Circle.”

Spoiler

[collapse]

Like last time, the magic circle appeared around the midsection of her body and made sure she couldn’t escape from it. I then used it to raise her up from the bench she had been sitting on, just to prove to the people looking at us that I could, while Ria seemed to be flailing around. Not that it really mattered. If she couldn’t escape while in a frenzy, I don’t think she can now.

“... how long can you keep her like that?” Mateo asked.

“With one cast, two hours. Then I can just cast the spell again if necessary.” I answered.

“That long? With a quick cast spell?” The knight seemed to doubt my words, not that I really blame him. Sure for him it looks like I just quick casted a spell, but for me, I just activated a card.

“I see. Thank you. You can let her go now.” Mateo said.

I did as ordered. Well, first I lowered Ria so that her feet were on the ground, so she wouldn't fall when she regained full control.

After I did, Mateo ordered the scrivener: “Write her permission papers. She has passed the first test.”

And with that, Ria could walk freely around the city. Well, as long as I was with her.