Barbecue Restaurant Development Plan (Seeking Recommendation Tickets!)

Inside the tidied-up laboratory.

"So, it is the side effect of this plant that increased your meditation efficiency, allowing you to break through to a Tier 4 Mage?" Professor Hicks sat in his chair, staring intently at the purple flower on the table as he asked.

"Yes." Mason, standing to the side, nodded repeatedly. "At first, I didn't believe it either, but that shop has imperial backing, and I was essentially at my wit's end, so I bought the flower to give it a try. I never expected the results to be so surprisingly good."

"Incredible... I have never heard of such a plant before..." Professor Hicks pondered for a moment, still visibly astonished.

However, the floral scent gradually permeating the office made Hicks's mind feel clearer and more lucid, and the concentration of elements in the office was indeed slowly increasing.

Everything seemed to suggest that Mason was not lying.

Moreover, Mason had truly advanced to Tier 4, which was something that could not be faked.

However, Professor Hicks was clearly a very rigorous man. He pondered for a moment, still feeling uncertain: "A shop with imperial backing... could it have been researched by those people at the Imperial Magic Academy?"

Since there was a royal background and a suspected connection to Andre III, a flurry of suspicions arose in Hicks's mind.

This matter also involved the Glorious Mercenary Group, but he was not familiar with their leader, Webster, and could not uncover any inside information.

The Dean was on good terms with Webster, but this matter was not significant enough to disturb the Dean.

Hicks thought for a while, then said to Mason: "Since a plant with such effects has appeared, we must study it in depth. Mason, go back to that flower shop today and buy five Nether Orchids. Bring them to the laboratory, and all expenses will be reimbursed from my budget."

Since the other party had the backing of the empire, they could only follow the standard procedures.

If the Nether Orchid had such effects just from its scent, could they create even more potent potions if combined with other materials?

If so, perhaps the Magic Academy could try to establish a partnership with that flower shop and purchase Nether Orchids in bulk; that would be a good option.

Of course, the foundation for all of this rested on whether the Nether Orchid could be used as a material in potion-making.

All of this would take time to verify.

"I understand, Professor." Mason replied immediately.

Professor Hicks looked at Harper, who was standing to the side, and ordered with a stern face: "And you, Harper! Once the Nether Orchids are delivered to the lab, you will take charge of the relevant research and attempt to create a meditation potion. Keep yourself out of trouble for these next few days!"

Harper opened his mouth to refuse, but Hicks immediately added: "Let Edith be your assistant."

Upon hearing the name Edith, two massive snow-capped peaks instantly appeared in Harper's mind. His eyes glowed with golden light, and he nodded while patting his chest repeatedly: "No problem, no problem! Leave it to me!"

Eckley Street, Ruby District.

The time was nearing four in the afternoon.

Ron, sitting on a recliner behind the counter, checked the time and set down his copy of A Brief History of the Elven Race. An unexpurgated book of elven illustrations tucked inside fell to the floor, causing him to scramble in a panic.

Ron put the book away, glanced guiltily outside the shop, and then breathed a sigh of relief.

"I should just read in my room next time..." Ron muttered. He got up from the chair, hung the "Closed" sign on the shop door, and headed to the barbecue shop next door.

Because he had promised Lyle yesterday that he would come for a taste test, Ron had closed the shop an hour early today.

In any case, there hadn't been many customers all afternoon, and they were all just commoners. They would come in wanting to buy a regular bouquet, but upon seeing the only type of flower in the shop and its price of 20 gold coins, they would turn around and leave with dark expressions.

A few with bad tempers would even curse out loud, but Ron ignored them and continued studying his history books.

It seemed the dwarf from yesterday hadn't publicized the Nether Orchid at the academy yet, so no mages had come knocking today.

Could he be a particularly selfish guy? Ron thought to himself.

If that dwarf Mason didn't want others to know about the existence of the Nether Orchid and kept it all to himself, that would be a bit troublesome.

Would he be forced to "beg on the streets" himself?

Ron shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it.

He wasn't in a hurry anyway.

He had been living quite comfortably these days, and the lack of business at the flower shop didn't affect his enjoyment of life.

Practicing the Bright Sword Canon kept his body full of vitality.

Daily meditation kept his spirit constantly refreshed.

The back pain and fatigue he used to suffer as a shut-in were things of the past.

Plus, with his handsome appearance and his substantial "assets," he was practically a winner in life!

He wondered which girl would be lucky enough to have him?

Ron indulged in some self-admiration before walking into Lyle's barbecue shop.

Lyle had clearly been waiting for a long time and quickly ushered Ron into the courtyard behind the shop.

After learning how to make various seasonings last night, Lyle had invited Ron over this evening to try the barbecue paired with the new seasonings and offer some advice.

With free barbecue on the table, Ron naturally accepted with pleasure.

Besides, in his previous world, having a barbecue and beer with classmates and friends at night was one of life's great enjoyments.

After coming to this world, he had lacked that kind of fun.

So, Ron was consciously helping Lyle improve his barbecue shop, which was equivalent to indirectly improving his own diet.

After all, it was quite tiring to cook for himself every day.

"Ron, I've prepared the black pepper sauce, cumin powder, and pepper powder just like you said. I tried a portion myself earlier, and it tasted amazing!" Lyle greeted Ron with an excited look on his face, pulling him over to sit at the wooden table in the courtyard.

"Did you prepare the wooden skewers I suggested yesterday?" Ron asked after sitting down.

Lyle's grilled meat was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, full of savory aroma, but it had always been served in large, thick chunks.

For Ron, a piece of grilled meat the size of a palm was enough to fill him up, and it was easy to get tired of it.

That was why Ron had thought of the preparation style used in barbecue shops: using wooden skewers to thread small pieces of meat together. The portions would be small, easy to finish in one bite, and would allow people to taste various types of meat at the same time.

Furthermore, after finishing a meal, a table full of wooden skewers would also provide a great sense of satisfaction.

"I've already gotten a batch as you requested, and the two youngsters working for me are currently skewering the meat." Lyle said immediately, then laughed, "I don't know where you come up with so many novel ideas. If you hadn't brought it up, I wouldn't have even thought there was anything wrong with my large chunks of grilled meat."

"I only provided a line of thought; as for whether it will be popular, that still depends on your customers." Ron smiled modestly.

The two of them chatted and laughed in the courtyard, and soon, the barbecue shop's employees had finished preparing the meat skewers and began grilling.

What Ron didn't know was that at this moment, Mason had already left the Magic Academy and was heading toward his Flower Shop.

Sob sob sob, you guys know what's up~ (/w＼)