"Is this the Healing Town? The atmosphere here feels so safe!" Mirajane marveled, echoing Erina and Hisako's first impressions. As they arrived, Healing Butterflies fluttered near them but quickly dispersed—no injuries lingered, not even Mirajane's old wounds, erased by her awakened Gourmet Cells.
"Correct. The Healing Town—headquarters of the Saiseiya Bureau," Zed confirmed. His next destination was the Heavy Hole, but first, a detour to Mount Melk to craft exclusive Caloric Utensils for Erina and Hisako. High-tier materials from the Gourmet World were essential, prompting a visit to Yosaku, whose vault overflowed with rare resources.
For Zed and Mirajane, weapons were redundant. Their Gourmet Demon receptions amplified their bodies into living armaments, and Zed's Leader Slime fusion could conjure spectral cutlery.
"I say… why don't you teach Teppei? It's already the third one!" Yosaku blurted, eyeing Mirajane. He'd assumed Zed had parted ways with Erina and Hisako, not added a third partner—all harmoniously coexisting. His own apprentice's romantic woes paled in comparison.
Zed rolled his eyes. Mirajane flushed, fully aware of "partner's" implications.
"That idiot's hopeless. You should call Granny Setsuno for advice," Zed retorted.
"Granny Setsuno?!" Yosaku slammed the table, paling. The mere name triggered visceral dread, though none present knew why.
"Enough jokes. I'm here for materials. I plan to head to the Heavy Hole via Mount Melk, And since it is close to Mount Melk, I might as well request Melk to forge Caloric Utensils for the girls."
"Kitchenware for them? But why the Heavy Hole?"
"Master Jiro's orders. Met him in the Beach Cave—said I should train there to refine my Food Honor (Shokugi). Once mastered, I'll seek him again."
Zed didn't hide his plans. "That's right. Seems Master Jiro recognized my talent. The Heavy Hole's gravity will help refine my Food Honor (Shokugi)."
"If you say so… You're lucky. Master Jiro rarely takes an interest in anyone. Take whatever materials you need—you have full access." Yosaku granted permission, though he marveled inwardly. Master Jiro, who'd only ever taught Teppei, is now mentoring Zed? It spoke volumes about the looming Gourmet Solar Eclipse and the need to cultivate new talent.
Yosaku's Warehouse
Guided by authority, Zed and Mirajane descended into Yosaku's subterranean vault. The door hissed open, unleashing a wave of primal pressure—remnants of Gourmet World beasts preserved in bone and hide.
"So many relics… and such oppressive energy!" Mirajane grimaced, though her Takeover Magic-honed resilience quickly adjusted.
"These are remains of Capture Level 1000+ creatures. Their aura lingers even in death," Zed explained, weaving through towering shelves.
He halted at a shimmering ore veined with bioluminescent threads—Resurrection Material, a Gourmet World exclusive. "This'll forge Melk Knives with regenerative properties. Paired with apex beast metals, they'll heal as they cut."
"Healing… kitchen knives?" Mirajane blinked.
"Not just heal—resurrect. These blades can restore near-dead ingredients to peak freshness. A chef's ultimate tool."