Starting as a Behind-the-Scenes Boss in the Honkai World Chapter 49

"I just want you to give me something, anything, to prove that I have your approval."

Shi Hen explained.

"…But, the Seraph's proof can only be given to those who carry the power of the corresponding imprint."

Sakura felt a bit troubled.

This was clearly cheating.

Shi Hen didn't even have a sliver of imprint power.

"Elysia wasn't like this."

As he said that, Shi Hen opened his palm, and a purple crystal flower immediately appeared.

"This…"

Sakura became even more troubled.

She could feel that Shi Hen had no imprint power, yet he had received a gift from Elysia.

Did the rules of the Elysian Realm change again? Why wasn't she notified?

The girl felt excluded.

"Elysia said that as long as I show this crystal flower to the Seraphs, I'll get your proof," Shi Hen said, shamelessly shifting the blame onto Elysia. "Is she lying to me?"

As he spoke, Shi Hen put on an incredibly hurt expression, as if this was something absolutely unforgivable.

"…Alright." Seeing the boy's deeply pained expression, Sakura pondered for a long time before finally nodding slowly. She decided to protect Elysia's reputation. "This is a cherry blossom. I don't know if your era still has flowers like this, but if you must choose something as your unique proof, I hope it's this."

With that, the girl handed a cherry blossom to Shi Hen.

"Mhm, a very beautiful flower. Thank you, Sakura." Shi Hen said as he examined the pink flower in his hand. At the same time, he rubbed his fingers together and conjured a flower of a similar color but noticeably more vibrant. "This is a flower from my era, called a peach blossom. It's often used to describe beautiful women, so consider it my return gift."

"…Thank you."

Sakura said softly, looking somewhat surprised.

She never expected to receive a gift from a visitor one day.

Moreover, how did he even manage it?

Extracting items from memories, this should be an ability unique to the Seraphs, as they were the ones who constituted the memories of the Elysian Realm.

Compared to the Seraphs, visitors were just passersby. All information they left behind would quickly dissipate like dew in the sun, and only the memories of the Seraphs would endure.

Feeling the peach blossom in his hand, which felt as real as any other, Sakura's doubts deepened.

"Sakura, as a Seraph, I hope you can teach me some unique techniques."

Shi Hen said.

"Of course, this is precisely why I'm here." Seeing that things were finally back on track, Sakura instantly felt relaxed. "What I'm good at is an assassination technique called [Setsuna]. I will let you experience it directly through combat next."

The assassination techniques she knew originally had no name, but when she stood here as a Seraph, the name of that set of techniques became [Setsuna].

"No, that's not what I want to learn."

Shi Hen shook his head.

Although Sakura's combat techniques were indeed formidable, he wasn't interested in them.

The reason was simple: incompatibility.

"…But, that's all I'm good at."

Sakura's expression was a little innocent.

She felt that things were gradually heading into a realm she couldn't understand again.

"I want to learn your cooking skills. You can cook, right?"

Shi Hen said.

After all, she had the same wife-like face as Mei.

Not everyone with a wife-like face was a wife, but their attributes generally wouldn't deviate too far.

Of course, a certain general was an exception.

"I do know some simple cooking…"

Sakura said modestly.

"Then let's learn that."

Shi Hen said, his tone firm.

Sakura: "……"

Who comes to the Elysian Realm to learn cooking?

Facing such an unprecedented situation, the honest Sakura was once again bewildered.

She had always taught visitors assassination techniques before, and no one had ever objected.

Even those visitors who were not suited for such combat methods mostly learned a few tricks from her.

After all, these were battle techniques she had refined through countless trials, making them highly practical.

However, this guy in front of me wasn't doing anything serious at all!

"More than your combat skills, I want to know why Sakura wields a sword," Shi Hen explained, his tone sincere and open. "If I could learn cooking from you, I think I'd understand why you chose to fight. Compared to cold, hard knowledge, I believe this is something far more important, something truly worth passing down to the Seraphim."

Meeting the young man's incredibly sincere gaze, Sakura thought for a moment before slowly nodding.

She had to admit, what he said made a lot of sense.

Besides, even Elysia had generously vouched for him, so he must have something special about him.

And so, Sakura began teaching him things she had almost completely forgotten in the Elysian Realm.

Chapter 54: Individual Expectations

Elysian Realm Hall.

"Here, try this."

Placing a plate of strangely shaped stir-fried meat slices in front of the pink-haired girl, Shi Hen urged her on.

"Sakura made this? She still cooks?"

Looking at the dish that felt so familiar, Elysia showed a hint of surprise on her face.

Although humans from two eras shared the same starting point, their subsequent development had their own unique characteristics, so what seemed peculiar to the young man was the most ordinary daily life for her.

"I used a little trick,"

Shi Hen said, looking directly into her eyes, showing no shame for throwing her under the bus.

When it came to thick skin, they were both on the same level.

"Hehe, you're quite popular, aren't you?" Elysia chuckled. "But why didn't Sakura bring it herself? Is she feeling shy?"

Shi Hen pursed his lips, not answering.

Not dwelling on the answer, the girl picked up a fork and knife, brought a slice of meat to her mouth, and then... her expression twisted uncontrollably for a moment.

"It tastes pretty good, you should try it too."

Swallowing the meat slice forcefully, Elysia managed to regain her smile and said.

"No, thank you."

Shi Hen shook his head.

"Try it, it's Sakura's effort after all. You'll make a girl sad if you act like this,"

Elysia continued to persuade him.

"Sakura is a very strong girl."

Shi Hen remained unmoved.

"..." Elysia fell silent for a moment, then spoke, "Sakura didn't make this, did she?"

This dreadful taste was definitely not at Sakura's level.

"Yes, I made it."

Shi Hen admitted frankly.

"You actually admitted it? It's basic etiquette for a chef to taste their own food after preparing it,"

She tried to make Shi Hen realize his mistake.

"I tried it, that's why I'm asking you to try it too."

Shi Hen nodded.

It had almost made him use his Revival Armor.

"..."

Elysia couldn't help but fall silent.

This was clearly even worse.

She had even swallowed that piece of meat just to play a trick on Shi Hen.

"How did you do it?"

After thinking for a moment, Elysia asked curiously.

She should let Dr. Mobius try it sometime; they were the best of friends.

"Sakura taught me the cooking from your era, and I combined the culinary methods of both eras to innovate."

Shi Hen stated concisely.

Facts proved that when two different civilizations collided, not only sparks could be produced, but also ashes.

"Mmm... you did a great job. Don't do it again next time."

Elysia said tactfully.

She felt Shi Hen and Mei would have a lot in common.

"I'll improve it. Let me have you try it again then."

Shi Hen put on a determined expression.

His belief in good food was not so easily shaken.

Elysia's face immediately paled a few shades.

"Want to try this? It's a popular drink from our era."

Shi Hen asked, flicking his fingers and conjuring a cup of bubble tea.

"You didn't add anything else, right?"

Elysia grew wary.

She was usually the one tricking others, she hadn't expected to slip up this time.

"I'm not some kind of devil."

Shi Hen shook his head.

"Fine," Elysia nodded, then puffed up and threatened, "If you trick me again, even I will get angry."

"Actually, I think you look very cute when you're angry."

Shi Hen said calmly, his words causing the girl's hand, halfway to the cup, to freeze in mid-air.

"But this time, let me see you smile."

Shi Hen proactively handed the bubble tea to the girl.

Looking at the light brown liquid in her hand, a hint of conflict flashed across Elysia's face, but after a moment's thought, she bit down on the straw.

She desperately needed other food to counteract the terrible taste in her mouth.