'A grade three vita core, a vita ranked weapon and… a grade two vial of Vitaeon.'
The rewards made Malakai feel as though he had just eaten a full meal, even though he was currently starving.
'I wonder when he'll be done cookin–'
Malakai shook his head, catching himself.
Somehow, Renlo's cooking had just flashed through his mind. The steamy and tasty soup, the well cooked and seasoned steak, even down to his bread, and somehow, he found his mouth watering.
'What's wrong with me?' Malakai wondered. Why was he craving the boy's food so much?
"Isn't it obvious? You love it!" Valentine looked at him with a smile far too wide for his liking.
"That can't be it." Malakai shook his head. It was simply food. Why would he feel such a pull toward it?
"Oh, Malakai, now you're making me feel bad for you. So many years of eating crap must have dulled your taste buds."
Valentine looked at Malakai with a gaze full of pity. Like he was staring at a lost puppy.
"Not to be mean, but cooking truly isn't Nyx's talent."
Malakai fell silent. Nyx had been preparing his meals for so long now that he had gotten used to the same monotonous taste.
It never changed. It was as though she used the same ingredients and recipe every single time.
Still, Malakai refused to believe Renlo's food alone could make him feel this way.
'He must have added something to this morning's batch of food. A poison? Yes, that's why I'm craving his next one so badly,' Malakai convinced himself.
'He's impossible,' Valentine had heard his thoughts and could only shake his head, resigned. The Ninth Vein of the Sanguine family was a hopeless case.
'I'll add you to my prayers.'
"Alright, that's enough of that."
Malakai turned his focus back to the rewards from the hunt. A smile appeared on his face before he even realized it.
'A grade three vita core.'
The first reward was something he already had, but he would always welcome another.
'My training will be more efficient.'
With a grade three vita core, he could increase the vita density in a room to incredible levels. It would make his training far more effective, especially given his high density absorption rate.
His focus moved on, shifting to the second reward.
'A Vita-ranked weapon.'
Weapons inside the dome were classified by ranks. Unlike evolved beings, ranked from Genesis to Zenith, weaponry ranged from grade one to five, based on the level of darkness creatures they were best suited to handle.
A grade one weapon was what Malakai and most of the veins had been using until now.
Forged from the bones of mutated beasts mixed with darkness creatures, they could withstand the might of a grade one darkness beast and slay it with ease.
However, weapons from grade two onward were called Vita-ranked weapons. Instead of being forged from bones, compressed vita energy replaced the blades entirely.
The prospect of getting a Vita-ranked weapon excited Malakai greatly.
'I won't have trouble with grade twos. I was lucky then.'
He had gotten off easy during the life essence trial. If Malakai had faced a grade two enhancer instead of a summoner, his weapon wouldn't have pierced through its defense.
But that limitation would change with this reward.
'I should customize the specifications.'
Malakai loved the scythe, but recent fights had exposed how easily its weaknesses could be exploited.
While he had no plans to change the weapon entirely, he had a few specifications in mind to improve his fighting style and reduce its vulnerabilities.
'Lastly, a grade two vial of Vitaeon.'
Another reward that sent excitement surging through him. Vitaeon could be considered an energy potion, but in simpler terms, it was pure vita, compressed and liquified.
Depending on the grade, a single vial could trigger a significant surge in one's vita reserves.
Malakai inhaled deeply and exhaled.
'Everything's been going smoothly.'
He knew it would only get harder from here, but he allowed himself to enjoy this brief moment of accomplishment.
A few seconds passed, then a knock from the door broke his focus.
"Ninth—ah, sorry… Malakai, food is ready."
Before Renlo could finish speaking, Malakai was already on his feet. He took a few swift steps toward the door, then paused.
'What?' He frowned. Had he just rushed to the door at the mention of food?
Malakai shook his head. Something was seriously wrong with him.
'I need to question him about what he added to this morning's meal.'
He resolved, ignoring the sight of Valentine shaking his head behind him, and opened the door to see Renlo smiling brightly.
"We should go eat before the food gets cold!" Renlo urged.
Malakai cleared his throat. "Calm down. The food isn't going anywhere."
"Yes, I know… but food is better eaten warm and fresh. It tastes better and does wonders for your stomach."
'Tastes better…' Those words affected Malakai more than he would've liked. Why did he feel the sudden urge to run to the kitchen before the food lost any more warmth?
"Hm." Malakai muttered. "You're right. I plan on training afterward. I wouldn't want an upset stomach from eating cold food. Let's go."
He was already moving toward the kitchen before Renlo even processed what he'd said.
Too excited at the thought of eating together, Renlo rushed to catch up, completely unaware of how absurd Malakai's words had sounded.
Valentine, however, had heard every single one. And he could only gape.
A node formation evolver… worried about getting an upset stomach?
"You've been smiling more often these days, my sovereign."
The Blood Sovereign's lips abruptly lowered, returning to their neutral state as though he had just been caught doing something he wasn't supposed to be.
"Refrain from saying such nonsense, Darke."
Darke, the head butler of the Crimson Hold, smiled. It was the same man Malakai had met months back when he had been forced to select more servants for his manor.
He was currently on one knee, bowing toward the sovereign who stood at the highest balcony of the main building, his back turned.
From here, one could see the entire city of Vitaemora, but Darke knew the sovereign only had eyes for one place: where the boy who had shocked the West today resided. The same place that had unknowingly made him smile.