Archmage's Restaurant - Chapter 92: The Master of Ceramics (1)

When we returned from the modern world, it was already nearing the end of winter. However, the weather remained cold.

In the evenings, hot soup dishes sold well at the restaurant. Initially, many customers were hesitant about these types of broths, but they’ve now become a regular sight at our establishment.

After all, nothing beats a hot bowl of soup in cold weather. Especially spicy broths—they warm the body and become addictive during the winter months.

“Elena, here’s some vegetable and mushroom broth. It’s a little spicy, so be careful.”

The base of the broth was made with kelp and shiitake mushrooms. Instead of boiling it directly, I let it steep naturally. Then I added a variety of vegetables and mushrooms. Even without any meat, the broth had plenty of flavor.

Elena nodded repeatedly, clearly enjoying it.

“Yes, it’s mild yet refreshing, and really delicious. It’s a bit spicy, but not too much!”

“Isn’t it? I’m glad you like it. Hehe.”

Elena smiled, her expression demure and elegant. However, next to her, a red-haired dragon was anything but demure, loudly voicing her displeasure.

“How do you survive on just plants like this?”

“I-it’s delicious, though?”

“What nonsense is this?”

Serena grumpily took a spoonful of the broth. Then, her eyes widened in shock.

“Wha-wha-whaaaaat? This is good?”

“See? Making something delicious from just plants is what we do here.”

“Hmph, when’s my food coming? I’m paying for this, so why does Elena get hers first?”

“Yours will be out soon, dear paying customer.”

Since Elena ordered first, it was only fair that she got her meal first. That’s just how things work.

I gave Serena a sharp glance to keep her quiet, then returned to the kitchen.

The restaurant was bustling today, which meant there was a lot of cooking to do.

“Hey, Rurin, this is Serena’s meat dish. Take it to her. And grab this too.”

“Why is it so busy today? I’m tired!”

“You’re tired already? If you want to achieve your goals, you’d better hurry up and serve.”

“Ugh… You’re not even feeding me… But this looks tasty.”

Though she grumbled as usual, Rurin did her tasks diligently. At least, for now.

However, the fact that the dish was meant for the red dragon caused a slight… incident.

“You, why should we give something this delicious to the red dragon? Ooooh, it’s so good!”

“Hey, Black! Why are you eating *my* food? I paid for that! Do you want to die?!”

As Rurin stole a bite, Serena stormed over and snatched the plate back. But by then, half the ribs were already gone.

Rurin licked the sauce off her fingers with a grin.

“You should be grateful I left half for you! Hehe.”

“You…! You’ve got to be kidding meeeeee!”

“Serena, sit down. I’ll make you more. No causing trouble, or you’re out.”

“…You’re always like this! I’m a paying customer too, you unfair chef! She started it!”

She had a point. Even if Serena was a red dragon, she was still a paying customer.

I pinched Rurin’s temple in reprimand. Only then did Serena, grumbling, return to her seat to eat her remaining food.

“Ouch! I told you I hate that! It hurts!”

“Stop doing stupid things, geez.”

Rurin gave me an indignant glare, as if she were the victim.

“What did I say I’d do if you behaved today?”

“You said you’d cuddle me when I go to bed!”

“And is this what you call behaving?”

“I *was* behaving! But it’s fine to eat the red dragon’s food! Right?”

“A paying customer is still a customer. Now, say it with me: ‘Even a red dragon is a customer if they pay.’”

“Ugh…”

“Are you going to behave, Rurin?”

“Why are you siding with her? I demand change!”

“Stop demanding nonsense.”

Rurin furrowed her brows in protest, but I ignored her and returned to the kitchen to continue cooking.

I kneaded some noodles made from flour to add to Elena’s mushroom hotpot, then moved on to the next dish.

“Rurin! What are you doing over there? You have five seconds! Five! Take these noodles to Elena’s hotpot.”

“This restaurant is oppressive! I demand change!”

Despite her grumbling, Rurin took the noodles and headed toward Elena’s table.

Meanwhile, I began preparing a simple home-cooked dish for one of our regulars sitting at the counter.

The customer was a young man named Piner, who once mentioned that he worked as a ceramic artist.

When I placed his food in front of him, he inspected it curiously before taking a bite with great focus.

“This is really delicious. I didn’t expect such a simple home-cooked dish to taste this good. What’s in it?”

“Oh, it’s just a basic stir-fry with vegetables and uba meat, like you asked for.”

“This depth of flavor from just uba meat and vegetables… The meat is crispy on the outside, tender inside, and the vegetables are crunchy yet well-seasoned!”

“You flatter me.”

The dish was a simple stir-fry of napa cabbage and pork belly. It wasn’t anything to get this excited over.

“It may look simple, but the taste is anything but ordinary.”

“When you’re running a restaurant, even simple home-cooked meals need a special touch.”

“I see… Would you be willing to teach me how to make this? Please! I beg you!”

“The recipe? I don’t mind sharing it, but why the sudden interest?”

“It’s about my girlfriend. I want to cook for her. I’d like to show her that I can cook, even if we get married.”

Piner scratched his head awkwardly as he explained his reason.

“Alright, it’s a simple dish. I’ll teach you.”

“Really? Thank you! This is an honor!”

“No need to treat it like an honor—it’s just stir-fry.”

I smiled at the enthusiastic young man and walked him through the recipe. The key was how you cook the pork. First, you marinate the pork in soy sauce and salt, then deep-fry it lightly to make the outside crispy.

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Overjoyed, Piner practically inhaled the rest of his food before leaving. After a while, only Elena and Serena remained in the restaurant.

“So, what are you doing over there, Rurin?”

I had asked her to deliver noodles to Elena, but instead, she was sitting with Serena, slurping noodles together.

“See? I told you it’s good! You were so doubtful, you silly red dragon.”

“Ugh… but it really is good.”

“Hehe, so, will you dye your hair black if you find it tasty?”

“I never agreed to that! Ahh! My stomach hurts! Bathroom, bathroom!”

Apparently, Serena had made a silly bet involving her hair color, but now she clutched her stomach and dashed out of the restaurant.

Elena watched the fleeing Serena and the triumphant Rurin with a troubled expression.

Despite her initial fear of dragons, she seemed to be getting used to having both Serena and Rurin around her more often.

—

Later, we had a special visitor—Benen, the orchard owner. He was also a late-blooming groom-to-be.

“Come on in! This is the best restaurant in Grayke City!”

“This place, huh?”

“With that dull expression again. You artisans never recognize a true gem. Still judging things by appearances, huh?”

“That’s not true!”

Benen waved at me as he entered with a well-dressed friend. The man had numerous small scars on his hands—likely from his craft.

“Anyway, I’ve heard endless stories about how much you’ve helped him.”

“Of course! Sit down, sit down.”

Benen seated his friend and introduced him.

“This guy here is the master of the largest ceramics workshop in Grayke. He makes everything from fine dining ware to everyday dishes. People come from other cities just to learn from him.”

The man gave me a polite nod.

“Ah, I see. So you’re a master ceramist?”

“Yes, and many of the dishes from my workshop are sold not only in Grayke but also in other cities.”

“Impressive. My name’s Hone. I’ve heard about your help, and I wanted to personally thank you. I knew about his silly one-sided crush, but…”

“That’s enough of that!” Benen interrupted, laughing.

The two men continued their conversation while I started preparing their meal.

It’s always a joy when customers bring their friends to the restaurant, especially when it’s someone as respected as Hone.

As I plated the food, I made sure to use one of the ceramics from Hone’s workshop. I knew it would be a nice touch.

“This dish… The plate—it’s one of mine.”

“Yes, I like your work a lot. Many of our plates come from your workshop.”

“And the food complements the dish perfectly. The colors of the ingredients really stand out. It might be the most beautiful dish I’ve ever seen served on one of my plates.”

Benen grinned. “See? Now stop admiring it and start eating!”

The dish I served was *gujeolpan*, a colorful platter of vegetables and meats, carefully arranged to shine against the ceramic plate.

Hone looked genuinely pleased, and that made me happy too.

A satisfied customer and a happy chef—that’s the essence of good service.

—

“By the way, why did you want to meet up?” Benen asked as he poured Hone a drink.

Hone hesitated for a moment before answering.

“It’s about my daughter’s marriage. She’s been begging me to let her marry.”

“So? If she’s found someone, why not just let them marry?”

“The problem is… the one she wants to marry is one of my apprentices. He’s diligent but has nothing to his name—an orphan, no less. While he’s a good apprentice, I’m not sure I can entrust him with my daughter’s future. Meanwhile, another apprentice from a wealthy family has also proposed. His family owns a large workshop in Melk City. It’s a more suitable match for my daughter, and she wouldn’t have to struggle if she married him. After all, my son will inherit my workshop.”

“I see… But if the two love each other, isn’t that enough reason to let them marry?”

“Even if they love each other now, how can I guarantee that love will last a lifetime? Feelings fade, and when they do, everything becomes clear. It’s better to marry someone suitable from the start.”

“So you’re leaning toward the wealthy apprentice?”

“But… my daughter is being so stubborn about it. It’s giving me a headache.”

“Hah…”