Vampire's Slice of Life

As the realization hit everybody, Dennis clicked his tongue and said, "Fuck you, old man. We'll make better ramen than yours."

The old man's lips curved up in a sly grin. What he wanted to achieve had been achieved.

The old man just hit these people's ego with those comments. Even though it was a 50/50 chance, he took it and made them feel worthless for a split second.

He made the four understand that they weren't shit and that he was disappointed in himself by keeping his hopes high, thinking that these kids may cook better.

It was all for naught and he should just call it a day, was what he conveyed.

Despite knowing what the old man was doing, Lith and the rest went with his tactics.

Part of the reason was their pride. They were from extremely revered clans and not being able to do such a small mission would make everybody look down on them and bring shame.

From academy to this point, there was not a single thing they weren't capable of doing. They definitely didn't want to break their success streak with this stupid mission.

They knew their parents would not scold them for it even if they were to know, but these guys wanted to keep their heads high, at all times.

Miwa, although not a noble, had a similar case. She had not failed in anything yet and with how her training was, she didn't want to lose out today.

Now, since the four wanted to do this, the problem they faced was…

None of them knew how to cook, much less cook ramen.

Lith knew some basics but that was that. They were just basics.

They all felt a headache with this, but were fired up to kick this old man's ass.

The old man turned around and asked with a smile, "When will you be starting?"

Lith stepped up at this point and asked back, "There's no time limit, is there? You simply want better food than yours, yes?"

The old man nodded slightly. "That's correct. But this old master's days are numbered, so whatever you do, don't make this old master wait too long."

Lith nodded. "Understandable. We do not know how to cook, we'll come back soon after learning and give you something even better than what you make."

The old man clasped his hands behind his back and said, "I shall be waiting then."

Lith nodded and with the rest, left the area.

…..

Royal Castle, Nightingale.

Lith teleported in the outer ring of the castle with the rest.

Miwa immediately shivered upon noticing this environment while Dennis and Ralph were slightly surprised.

'The Royal Castle!' Dennis thought.

'The Royal Castle.' Ralph thought.

It was a great honour to be invited to the Vampire Royal Castle and it was a really big thing in the world.

There had been only a select few who had ever had the chance to come in here and all of them were mostly the Vampire Nobles.

Other than them, it was said that just the Elven Queen, the Demon Queen, and the Dragon Empress Mayzin were able to enter this castle.

No other Supreme Ranks were ever invited and that said a lot.

Even though Dennis had visited this place once, it still made him really happy and amazed by seeing this place again.

Ralph was coming here for the first time and despite having heard tales about how luxurious and grand it was, by looking at the castle himself, he realized those comments were severely understated.

The Royal Castle was really mighty and grand. It lacked just a bit of luxury, but that brought about another unique charm to it as everything was gothic themed with shades of red, black, and gray.

As for Miwa, since she wasn't a person suited for night or darkness like Dennis and Ralph, she was feeling really uncomfortable in this place.

It seemed really scary and something straight out of a horror movie.

Even the grass here was black!

While the three basked in the castle's landscape, two Royal Servants arrived at the scene, holding two trays.

One servant held blood and orange juice in one tray and hot towels in the other while the second servant had pastries on one tray and hot food on the other.

"Don't be shy, help yourselves." Lith said to the three.

"Damn…" Dennis exclaimed, looking at the blood filled glass. He could feel the sweet aroma coming from it even from a distance!

Ralph felt tempted by the sweet pastries as well while Miwa, who was feeling really cold here, was really relieved to see the hot towels and the hot food.

Everything was tailor made for these guys. It was as if the servants knew the preferences of them.

The servants actually did. They all always kept a close eye on their Prince and it was only natural for them to know about Miwa, Ralph, and Dennis.

Miwa did not know anything about Lith, but judging from the castle and the servants, she could tell that he was really very wealthy!

Like super ultra wealthy, damn!

The food being served alone was worth more than what Miwa could even make in a year. She was well aware about it.

However, despite knowing the wealth gap, she didn't hesitate and took a hot towel and warmed her face and hands.

Miwa was not like the typical girl, who would feel really awkward by being in such situations. She was quite comfortable with whatever she had and knew that there were both rich and poor people.

Rich people showed hospitality by serving rich stuff while poor people showed hospitality by serving whatever good things they could.

At the end, what mattered was good will and Miwa could feel it from the person she was around.

Lith was not trying to put anybody down. He was simply looking out for his friends and being hospitable.

Part of the reason was his attitude itself that made Miwa not feel awkward.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness." Dennis said and helped himself with a blood glass.

"Thank you—"

"Don't mention it. It's only natural for me to do this." Lith said and got himself a cup of hot tea from the hot food tray.

Lith then turned to the Royal Servant, a tall whitish-blonde hair guy that seemed like a model, and said, "Sergei, tell Miguel and Juan that I want to see them. I'll be there in the Chrysanthemum courtyard."

The servant nodded his head and placed one tray on his forearm while the other on his palm. Next, he formed a green magic circle in mid aur and out appeared two fluffy birds with thin limbs and small wings.

Sergei put the trays on these birds and bowing, said, "Please excuse me, Your Highness," then left.

"Damn…" Miwa commented. Summoning a few birds just for holding trays? Now this was another level of lavishness!

Ralph and Dennis felt impressed too, but didn't say it out loud because of noble etiquette.

Lith was slightly impressed by this too. He was looking at this for the first time as well. He wouldn't lie, even he did not know the depths of luxury his own house possessed.

In any case, Lith walked inside and passing through many hallways that amazed the trio beside him further, they reached a courtyard full of Chrysanthemum.

There were magic circles around this courtyard and it was one of the few places having no darkness.

The ceiling had a sun and it was a warm temperature, fit for the growth of the flowers.

The uneasy, uncomfortable, and chilly feeling was gone and Miwa finally felt better.

The four walked into a pavilion in the middle of the courtyard and sat around a round table.

The cute birds placed the trays on the table and vanished while the other servant stood at the side, on standby for any instructions Lith may have for him.

While being seated, Lith looked at his three friends and said with a smirk, "You guys wanna see something cool?"

The three looked at him with a curious look, wondering what more cool thing could he possibly show?

The whole castle, the whole servant experience, the whole ambience… It was extremely cool as is. What more was there?

Having the three's attention, Lith pointed at the table, over at the magic circle in front and said, "Tea."

He then tapped on it, sneakily injecting some spiritual power of his, and there appeared a teacup full of hot tea magically in front.

"Woaaahhhh!" Dennis exclaimed.

"Waaaooo!" Miwa exclaimed as well.

"Damn." Ralph said softly.

This thing was so damn cool!

Lith laughed as he saw their reactions and remembered that day when he had first been amazed as well by such a cool thing.

He had forgotten it over time and got numb to it, but with these guys here, the nostalgia was back.

"Go ahead, get whatever you want from there." Lith said.

"Whatever?" Miwa asked.

Lith nodded. "Whatever."

Hearing that, Dennis and Miwa both looked at each other, a shiny glint forming in their eyes.

Ralph, noticing this, did a light cough and said, "Manners. This is the Royal Clan."

The glint in Dennis's eyes dimmed down as he heard that while Miwa was left confused.

She looked at Ralph and leaning towards him, whispered, "Royal Clan? Which one?"