Above The Sky
Chapter 350 - 350 322 Post-War Feast 33

350: Chapter 322 Post-War Feast (3/3) 350: Chapter 322 Post-War Feast (3/3) To tell the truth, when Ian heard Elan say those words, he felt that Elan’s Spirit Energy talent might even be better than his own.

He awakened his Innate Wisdom and Spirit Energy at the brink of death, activating this gift only under the horror of approaching death—perhaps also with the joy and anticipation of coming to the Otherworld.

After all, such intense emotional turmoil, comparable to a mountain collapse and tsunami, if others experienced these things, awakening Spirit Energy wouldn’t be strange.

But Elan merely wanted to know his own condition, and that stimulated his Spirit Energy Potential.

As he grows, there is a very high probability of awakening Spirit Energy.

Comparing the two, there’s no need to say whose talent is higher, right?

But feelings, these things, they just don’t follow any logic.

Ian knew that his own feelings weren’t intense; he could even be considered among the more apathetic, indifferent to the fates of most people except for the few he truly cared about.

Or to say, he didn’t care.

But Elan…

cared a lot about himself.

Maybe he cared about himself even more than Ian cared about Elan.

“…Really…”

Squatting down, Ian gave his younger brother a big hug, making Elan also burst into happy laughter.

On the side, Elder Prude saw the conversation between Ian and Elan and knew his guess was certainly correct.

He took a long breath, not a sigh, but a kind of joy that was hard to let go.

Though Elan’s awakened Spirit Energy wasn’t directly combat-related, having Spirit Energy…

was just that, having it.

In the world of Terra, having was always better than not having.

“Let’s go have a meal.”

He didn’t mean to interrupt the brothers’ emotional exchange.

He just knew that now was the best time to sit down at the table and eat together.

The meal Elder Prude prepared was very sumptuous and had the distinctive characteristics of Harrison Port.

Honey roasted meat, clam chowder, sea anemone and potato stewed chicken, sweet berry braised vegetables, and simmered white fir needles.

“What a feast!”

Though it sounded like only five dishes, Ian was shocked when he actually saw them.

The honey roasted meat was about as big as Ian’s waist, a whole cut of the choicest part of beef tenderloin roasted to perfection.

Elder Prude personally sliced off a piece, still sizzling and dripping with oil, mixed with the sweet aroma of caramelized meat, the fat and juice spilling from the surface of the roast.

The old man placed the sliced roast on the plate in front of Ian, also giving him two bottles of condiments, and then cut a piece for Elan as well.

It wasn’t that Elan didn’t eat meat, but he preferred fish — not to mention that Elan wasn’t an elf.

Even if he were, elves don’t just eat plants.

It was because they settled around the forest, and the wide grasslands suitable for pastures nearby were mostly occupied by the Azure Sky Royal Court, so it was not possible to raise a large number of livestock.

Therefore, protein was mostly provided by plant proteins like beans, along with a variety of fish.

This long-standing dietary habit has also led to the subsequent trend in all elf diets.

But the roast beef before him was simply too tempting.

For the little boy, who was still in his developmental stage with his Iron Bone taking shape within, this roast full of fats, proteins, and sugars was an irresistible lure.

Therefore, after glancing at his brother and the Elder and receiving a ‘go ahead and eat’ look, he immediately picked up his knife and fork and began to enjoy his meal with delight.

“Mmm~ so fragrant!”

As for Ian, he surveyed the spread before him and then turned to Elder Prude with uncertainty, “Can we finish all this?”

“How can a Sublimator not finish their food?” the old man sneered, “Stop pretending among family.

It’s not strange for someone with your heritage to eat a lot, right?”

The reasoning was indeed sound, so Ian didn’t hold back and started eating immediately after sprinkling some seasoning.

It must be said that after refraining from real food for a while and only consuming Stamina Potions, the joy of tasting flavorful food again was simply too wonderful.

The beef was incredibly tender and succulent.

Although it couldn’t be described as melt-in-your-mouth, it was certainly delicious and easy to keep eating bite after bite without exerting any effort at all.

The clam chowder with cream was even richer and more robust, completely ungreasy and with a hint of sweet flavor from the tender clam meat mixed with the warm cream soup; drinking it felt like driving away the chilly gloom deep in the South Sea Relic Cluster from one’s marrow, spreading warmth throughout the body.

And then there was the chicken stew with sea anemone and potatoes, a specialty of Harrison Port.

First, the chicken bones were thoroughly cleaned and boiled to make the stock, then the tender chicken thigh meat was marinated in a sauce to infuse it with flavor, pan-fried until fragrant on both sides, and then simmered in the prepared chicken stock and chopped potatoes until it reached a boil before reducing to a low heat to stew slowly.

Next, the plump and thick sea anemones were selected, cleaned, and cut at the base to make small openings, infused with spices and berry juice to remove any fishiness and enhance their flavor, and then stir-fried with lard.

Once they were fragrant, they were also stewed in the chicken stock.

When the broth began to turn white, it was time to transfer them into the chicken meat pot to continue simmering for half an hour; thickening the soup until it was ready, fully filling the house with its fresh and aromatic scent.

Ian served Elan a piece of chicken, ladled a small bowl of stewed sea anemone, and then poured a drink for Elder Prude before continuing to savor the delicious meal himself.

It was very tasty; both the chicken and the sea anemone were incredibly tender.

Especially the sea anemones, which had been simmered for so long that they were as smooth as jelly, truly an enjoyment to taste.

One could take a piece in the mouth and let it slowly melt with body heat, the fresh and savory taste infiltrating every part of the mouth, and then slowly swallowing to let the flavor seep into every corner of the body.

But perhaps the true joy lay in this warm and peaceful atmosphere, being together with family.

Elder Prude had been watching Ian all along, noting that the sharp and imposing quality about Ian was gradually softening—not dissipating but being reined in, a kind of inner sharpness.

He felt both pride and a sigh of resignation for Ian.

Ian was a very proud individual, even arrogant, something the elder had long been aware of and had grown accustomed to.

In Ian’s heart surged a power so potent it could pierce anyone.

This strong desire was so unbelievable and inexplicable to most people—not everyone believes that pursuing distant stars and skies single-mindedly is romantic or essential.

This is not an incorrect notion, for when some gaze at the stars, indeed, others must look upon the earth.

Yet Ian’s will was so sharp it bordered on absurdity to many.

—How could someone be so unwavering and resolute in holding such a seemingly romantic yet impractical idea?

The mere existence of individuals like Ian made some people uncomfortable; they found such ideas to be excessively ambitious, bewildering, irrational, and ‘impractical.’

But dreams are just that.

Moreover, how could Spirit Energy Users be considered ‘normal people’?