[Art of Cooking can be acquired!]
What do you mean by "can be acquired?"
Grey was shocked by the notification panel in front of him.
He knew nothing about his Art of Creation, but this was much different than before. The last time something like this happened, the notification had notified him with:
[Art of Iron has been acquired!]
He thought he understood the process. The last time, old man Kaiden had told him everything he needed before acquiring the Art of Iron.
Again, information was one of the three most important steps before one could acquire the specific Art, even when it was taught by someone else.
So, Kaiden had taught him about "iron" first. Then, he had taught them to "bend the iron to their own wills." Only after those two steps could Ray receive the actual Art, while Grey's Art of Creation directly acquired the Art for him.
This time, though, the notification said [Art of Cooking can be acquired!]
This was much different. He understood that he had acquired the information necessary while listening to Viola.
But did he bend it to his will?
No, maybe that is only correct for the iron and similar Arts. For cooking, is it perhaps training? Or just making food?
What he didn't know was why he didn't acquire it at once, like the last time. He had cooked before, so he wasn't missing training.
If it wasn't related to the second step, maybe it was the third step.
Maybe it was possible for him to learn the Art of Iron because it was a part of the cumulative Art of Source.
And since Art of Cooking was an Art by itself, it couldn't be learned via the Art of Creation like the parts of cumulative Arts.
Aghh! There are too many variables.
There were too many things he didn't know, so he needed to test more. But, he couldn't test with Art of Cooking.
Unfortunately, even though it was counted as a weak Art, no one would teach it for free. First of all, teaching it for free would create competition for the one teaching.
Unlike blacksmithing, everyone needed food, so it was too great to teach it simply. So, Grey couldn't ask Viola to teach him the Art.
He didn't really care about the Art of Cooking anyway. If his power were to be halved after learning a non-cumulative Art, he didn't want it to be the Art of Cooking.
He still hadn't solved the issue of learning multiple Arts with certainty. Still, he would have various opportunities in the future.
At that moment, Viola's whole body shook as she realized she had forgotten about Grey sitting there.
---
"David, I hope you will give me a better share this time."
"Don't worry. You hit the bullseye with this. We can even close the season."
Two men and a woman were sitting around a round table, talking to another man standing in front of the door.
The room they were in seemed like an office. But at the same time, it reminded an underground hideout.
The cobbled walls had green patches of moss here and there. One of the men, David, was holding a pouch with more than 30 gold coins in it.
"Who did you steal it from? Anyone with this kind of money could easily cause problems for us," the woman chimed in.
"Don't worry, there are no nobles in the village this year. I made sure to check," the third sitting man talked.
"I will be holding onto this money. Even though we have enough for the year, let's continue with the plan. This year's festival will be memorable."
The other two nodded while the man standing only thought about his share of the money he stole.
---
"Once again, I am sorry. I am not used to having a guest in my kitchen," Viola said as she put a plate filled with pastry in front of Grey.
"Don't worry about it. You were so focused that I didn't want to interrupt it."
Grey was actually happy that he got the chance to learn something new about his Art of Creation.
Even though he still didn't know what kind of information it was, he was sure that he would understand it as he tested more.
In the meantime, he took a bite from one of the pastries. It was no different than bread.
Viola didn't miss the loon on his face. "What is missing?"
"I don't know. Originality? This is just like bread."
"Sigh... If I could add originality just like that, I would do it. I tried more seasoning with this one."
"Why are you only changing the amount of seasoning? I thought you wanted to create a new dish."
"Do you think it is that easy? Can you think of a color you haven't seen before?" Viola's answer was a bit harsher than she intended.
But Grey had to ask, "Why don't you use your Art of Cooking?"
Viola's eyes opened wide. "How do you know about that?"
"Does it matter? Don't worry, I don't have my eyes on your Art."
Viola frowned, looking at Grey for a while, then thought that if he were to try something, he would have done it by now.
"I don't want to use my Art. It becomes a different food when I use it. I want to cook my own food."
Grey understood what she meant. Kaiden also didn't use his Art when he was doing his job. He only used it when it was necessary.
But Grey was different. Maybe because he didn't see cutting wood as something special, he never had any issues with using his Art.
Well, if I had always had the Art of Wood, my body wouldn't be in as good condition as it is now.
If he always saw the weakness of the wood, he wouldn't need to hit the trunk again and again. He would be much weaker.
But now that he was good, he could use it any time he wanted to. He thought the same was true for Viola.
"I tried your pasta and it was good. I think you are already a good cook. Instead of using the Art of Cooking to replace you, you can use it to support you."
Viola didn't gain a revelation or anything. She was also well aware of this fact. She was just being stubborn since his father didn't use his Art of Cooking.
But it was really true that she probably wouldn't be able to create her own original dish only two months after becoming a cook.
"How about this?" Grey started. "If you answer all my questions, I will give you an idea."
"N-no way! If you have an idea, use it for yourself. Why would I ever use your idea? How is it different from my father's?"
"It is different because if you don't take it, this dish will forever be forgotten since I won't make it. Also... Don't you need it for something?"
"W-what makes you think I need it?"
"You are in a hurry to create an original, even though you rejected your father's idea. You must need it for something."
Grey was actually blackmailing her emotionally. Viola thought about it for a bit and then came to a decision.
"Two more dishes! I will try two more while I answer your questions. If you don't like them both, I will accept your idea."
She had already accepted the offer in her mind, but she couldn't bring herself to take it without trying.
Grey also accepted. She would probably use her Art of Cooking, and he wanted to try it. So, he welcomed the idea.
But he had no idea what Art of Cooking was.
When he tried the next dish, his eyes opened wide with the notification for the second time in less than one hour.
[Your digestion is enhanced for the next two hours.]