Great dishes—
They rely on carefully selected ingredients, unique cooking techniques, and exceptional knife skills.
And in every one of these aspects, Zane's Reincarnation Spring Rolls excelled, leaving even Erina, with her divine palate, marveling in awe.
If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would have never believed that such a miraculous dish—a glowing dish—could exist in this world!
"This phenomenon… the dish glowing… how is it achieved?"
Trying to maintain her composure, Erina asked with forced calmness, though curiosity shone in her eyes.
"Curious?" Zane smirked.
Erina nodded.
"It's actually quite simple," he said casually. "All you need is glutinous rice flour and clear flour to make the spring roll wrappers."
"This makes the wrapper softer and shinier. Then, during the frying process, you need to carefully control the heat and oil temperature so that the surface forms a crispy layer. If you do that, you'll find—"
"That everything you just said has absolutely nothing to do with the dish glowing!"
At first, Erina listened attentively, fearing she might miss some crucial technique.
But in the end, she realized Zane was just teasing her again. Stomping her foot in frustration, she shot him a glare.
Perhaps seeking advice from him was not the wisest decision.
After all, every time they exchanged a few words, she ended up infuriated—yet somehow, she always fell right into his pace.
"Alright, alright," Zane relented. "This glowing effect—it's really just for presentation. It doesn't actually enhance the flavor of the dish."
"Since it's your first time seeing it, of course, you're amazed. But once you see it more often, you'll get used to it."
With that, he pointed to the plate of Reincarnation Spring Rolls before them.
"These are best eaten fresh out of the fryer."
"So, if you don't start eating quickly, the sea bream inside will lose its peak flavor and become unappetizing."
"And when that happens, don't blame me for not giving you the perfect dish."
"I… I understand!"
Erina knew well—any truly exquisite dish had to be tasted at its peak to fully experience its flavors.
So despite her lingering questions, she swiftly picked up her chopsticks and took a small bite.
Golden-brown pastry.
Wrapped around delicate pink sea bream and fresh vegetables!
Even though the wrapper was crispy and golden, it shimmered faintly under the light, making it almost mesmerizing.
Then—
Crunch!
The moment she bit down, the crisp pastry shattered in her mouth, unleashing the succulent flavor of the sea bream.
"Huh?"
"This taste… how can it be…?"
For the first time in a long while, Erina—blessed with the God Tongue—was left utterly stunned.
She had high expectations for Zane's cooking.
Yet deep down, she also felt uneasy.
She feared his dish would once again shatter her understanding of cuisine, leaving her at a loss.
The Reincarnation Spring Roll had a delicate, crispy wrapper that provided a stunning contrast in texture.
The sea bream inside was unbelievably tender, and its freshness made the entire dish irresistibly vibrant.
Then, the seasoning—
The savory and slightly spicy kick from soy sauce and ginger perfectly complemented the delicate sweetness of the sea bream.
The vinegar's acidity subtly elevated the dish, adding depth to the overall flavor.
In short—
From the crispy wrapper…
To the succulent sea bream…
To the fresh crunch of vegetables…
To the perfectly balanced seasoning…
This remarkable dish instantly captivated her!
The moment she swallowed, Erina's eyes widened.
"Incredible!"
"It's still… alive."
"The sea bream inside the spring roll—it's still alive!"
As if she had uncovered something unbelievable, shock flickered across her face.
Indeed—
At first, the crisp pastry dominated her senses.
But as she finished swallowing, the flavor of the sea bream seemed to linger, intensifying and unfolding even after it was gone.
It was almost as if the fish was still breathing, its essence still dancing on her tongue.
Even stranger—
She could feel her own blood surging, her body awakening to the vitality of the dish.
Erina had spent her life indulging in the world's finest cuisine, tasting the masterpieces of the most elite chefs.
Yet—
Not a single dish had ever moved her like this before.
It was beautiful.
It was fresh.
It was fragrant.
It was crispy.
Words alone couldn't capture the depth of sensation brought by the Reincarnation Spring Roll.
She couldn't help but look at Zane in disbelief.
Every time—without fail—he managed to astonish her.
It was almost infuriating.
How could someone like him—a carefree, unbothered tavern owner—possess such unparalleled skill?
"Miss, are you alright?"
Hisako's worried voice suddenly snapped Erina out of her trance.
Regaining her composure, she cleared her throat.
"I'm fine," she replied, though her voice was softer than usual.
"I was simply… lost in thought, analyzing the dish."
She hesitated for a moment—then reached for another piece.
"I didn't quite get everything from the first bite, so… I'll need another taste."
Zane watched in amusement as she picked up her chopsticks once more.
The moment it touched her tongue, that sensational flavor returned—
A taste so divine it felt as if—
She was flying!