Chapter 342 342 - Herbs, Nuts, Flowers, Apprentice (Alice Perspective)



Despite it already being night, Everbloom still had sources of light. Small lamps could be seen hanging along the sides of the buildings. Their flames weren't that large, but it was enough to illuminate the small space around them, letting people know which building was which. Hurriedly I make my way to Maria first, since I was unsure if she was going to close her restaurant anytime soon.

Squeezing my way through the crowds of players with Pluto stuck right behind me, I eventually make it to Maria's Restaurant. Compared to earlier in the day, the restaurant had a mini makeover as an outdoor seating area has been placed around the front. Several circular tables and stools can be seen neatly arranged in rows with a couple of Watchers nearby. 

A tall woman with a brown low ponytail, wearing a tight brown shirt and pants with a leather apron covering them, walks over to a table wiping it down as she clears the plates. Her bright smile seems to shine brighter than the lamp that illuminates her shop.

"Excuse me, you are Maria, right? The one that has the quest for Foraging?" - Alice

Speaking in a polite tone, she places a hand on her hip and directs her smile at me. 

"Yes, I am Maria, and who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?" - Maria

"My name is Phoenix and this is Pluto. Together we found a couple of items that may fulfill the quest requirements." - Alice

"I see, and you are unsure of them?" - Maria

"Yes. I'm not quite familiar with this world's food sources. If possible I would like for you to educate me on what is edible and what is inedible." - Alice

"Hmm… Well, first let's see what you bought for me. Follow me inside." - Maria

"Yes, Madam!" - Pluto

Following Maria, we head inside her restaurant, passing through a wooden door and into the kitchen. The kitchen was simple, with two copper pots on top of clay bricks over a fireplace, with a chimney that directed all the smoke up and out of the house. Several knives of different shapes and sizes were hung up as well, filling up the empty spaces along the walls. A large wooden table with a few small stools was placed in the middle of the room, with a couple of baskets of herbs, fruits, and vegetables on top. 

Maria quickly grabs the baskets, while calling over one of the Watchers to take them to Noah, before returning to us. She motions for us to sit on one side of the table while she silently sits on the other side. Her smile bathing in the soft orange hue produced by the flickering flames, as she places her hands together, eagerly eyeing my bag.

"You aren't the first person to attempt to finish the quest and you most definitely won't be the last. However, out of all the people who have shown me potential food items, you are the first to want to learn about them. Before I ask to see what you have to show, I would like to ask why?" - Maria

"There isn't anything special behind my reasoning. I am a bit of a chef myself you see, and I'm curious about the culinary nature here. I'm sure there are similarities between our two cultures, but from what I have seen, there are so many herbs, fungi, and even vegetables that I have not seen or heard of before. I want to take this opportunity to learn, even if it is only a bit." - Alice

"Interesting… What about you Pluto?" - Maria

"Oh. I'm just here because Phoenix is here. Nothing more, nothing less." - Pluto

"That is alright. Now then, shall we see what you were able to forage in the forest?" - Alice

Nodding my head, I start taking out all the things I had found that were potentially food. Fungi, herbs, nuts, seeds, and flowers were neatly arranged on the table between Maria and us. Scanning the items slowly, the corners of Maria's mouth curl up higher. She grabs a few of them and starts to sort them into a left pile and a right pile, with the majority of the food items on the right.

"Okay for starters, the left pile are items that are slightly-dangerously poisonous to humans and some demi-human races. There are a few fungi and herbs here that shouldn't be consumed by anyone just in case. You can tell they are dangerous by the color. Red, yellow, and black colors usually signify danger, but in the case of fungi, some white colors are also dangerous. The ones you have brought here today, are called Anjoshrooms and Iluzieshrooms.

The Anjoshrooms are poison upon consumption and are commonly mistaken for Engelshrooms which are edible. Their appearance is similar which is what tricks people, however, if you look closely at the Anjoshroom, there are no small 'wings' along the stem. Whereas the Engelshrooms have two distinct 'wings'. 

The Iluzieshrooms are hallucinogenic fungi, which will create both visual and audible illusions after an hour of consuming them. The effect only lasts for another hour, but I have heard from the unfortunate few that had ingested them, that the nightmares they experienced were terrifying. These can be easily spotted by the black dots on the cap which resemble a spiral.

As for the 'herbs', you found a couple of different variations of poisonous plants instead of herbs. At least you have a bigger edible pile of food, and I'm quite surprised that you found some of these." - Alice

[Viridian Victuals

A lush green herb that can be found surrounded by weeds. Its vibrant shade of green gently switches color to mimic the surrounding weeds to protect itself. The tender brown shoots can be placed in a soup broth, enriching the broth with its earthy taste, whilst the leaves can be used as a garnish, alleviating minor headaches.]

[Jade Jewels

Small jade-colored nuts which give off a minty taste and smell the moment they crack. They can be commonly found at the tops of certain trees, however, every so often they will fall to the ground.]

[Ferny Fares

Creeping along the forest floor, their sharp razor-like leaves protect it from predators, however, the same leaves can be used to enhance the taste of food. Adding a myriad of herbal tastes to most foods, the Ferny Fares are one of this world's delicacies. Unfortunately, there aren't many of this plant left.]

[Whisper Wind

+1 Agility for 5 minutes

A small purple flower similar to a lilac that grows where the wind blows. Consuming the flower will give anyone a small boost in speed.]

[Earth Root

+5% Earth Resistance for 5 minutes

Dug out from the ground, this root that resembles ginger is imbued with the power of the earth. Consuming it will give anyone a small defensive boost toward Earth-element attacks]

[Verdant Vine

Wrapping around trees as they grow, these vines are strong and can substitute for rope. Their thick bodies are made up of layers of fiber with a thin tube that contains water, allowing it to continue to grow even when it is a drought.]

[Star Daisy

A small bundle of yellow joy is found within a star-shaped flower. It will wilt quickly after it is plucked from the earth, however during that time, pheromones are emitted from the flower, heightening any sense of joy one may have.]

"I'm quite impressed with this collection, and I feel that you have satisfied the quest. In fact, you went above and beyond. 5 Viridian Victuals, 3 Jade Jewels, 1 Ferny Fares, 3 Whisper Wind, 4 Earth Roots, and a Star Daisy. The quest was only to being back 10 food items, but you went and brought me 17 things. I will give you the reward stated in the quest, but for the remaining, I would like to buy them off of you." - Maria

"No, Instead of buying them off me. How about I continue to search for more potential ingredients, and bring them back to you? In exchange, you allow me and my friend, Pluto, to dine in your restaurant, free of charge. I would also like to learn from you the applications of the ingredients, and how they can be used to enhance simple dishes." - Alice

"Ah, I see. Alright… Let's do it this way. Here is the reward I promised first." - Maria

Reaching into the small sack beside her waist, Maria brings out 5 small low-quality Mana Stones, placing them on the table. She also proceeds to take away the quest paper, folding it up and sliding it into the sack.

"Now, I want to ask you something. Would you like to become my apprentice?" - Maria

"Apprentice?!" - Alice

[Chef Maria of Everbloom has taken a high interest in you and has asked you to become her apprentice. Upon accepting you will receive the skill: Apprentice Chef (Upgradeable). Yes/No]

Apprentice Chef (Upgradeable) (Passive) - Food created by this individual will have a small chance to produce a bonus effect. All bonus effects will last for 1 hour and cannot be stacked or reactivated again for 24 hours.

"Yes, Phoenix. I would for you to become my apprentice. I will share with you my skill and at the same time take care of both you and your friend whilst you dine in my restaurant." - Maria

"Yo, just say yes." - Pluto

Patting my shoulder while giving me a big smile, Pluto encourages me to make the decision, but I know even without him telling me my answer to Maria's question.

"Yes. I would love to be your apprentice." - Aliceh