The Food Sage 11 Competition Among Students

The door is adorned with black skulls, emitting a metallic l.u.s.ter, glowing crimson inside of the eye sockets.

Not knowing whether the door contains the secrets that they have been searching for, the kids hesitate. Looking at each other, they come to a mutual understanding through eye contact.

Breaking the built-up silence, Jacob steps forward. Gritting his teeth, Jacob opens the door, his eyes showing an unforeseen tenacity, preparing for the worst.

"Creaaak! Thump!"

Gazing at the door, Amelia looks onward with bated breath. Knowing full well about the consequences that they could undergo, she walks toward Jacob, helping him open the door.

Surprised by her appearance, Jacob shows a surprised expression but changes into a smile of appreciation soon-after.

With a steadfast gaze, Jacob says, "I am glad that we are friends, aren't you also glad? What I'm about to say may sound weird... but, I feel that we were destined, since the beginning of time. Oh, how cruel fate is, the agony..."

Slowly breaking down, Jacob begins his soap opera.

"…"

Confused, Amelia tilts her head, watching his performance.

Eight minutes pa.s.s by, just like that...

As Amelia watches his performances, she starts to yawn. Knowing that enough was enough, she steps forward to stop Jacob from embarra.s.sing himself further; however, before she could get close enough, she hears a sound from the other side of the door.

"Let go of me, you scoundrel."

"I'm a scoundrel? Okay, I'll show you what a scoundrel is made of..."

"Ziiiiip."

"Put that away! I am not into men, and I have a wife and kids. One of them is in the Sage Sect right now!"

"…"

"So, can you get off of me!?!"

"No."

A series of sounds were uttered, resembling a conversation.

Not knowing whether the sounds were from a human or not, they both sneak in shortly after Amelia knocks Jacob out of his reverie and explains what she heard.

Going past the door, they tiptoe and sneak towards the source of the commotion. Entering a completely dark room, the kids notice a bright beam of light focusing on a bench with two people on it.

One of them is sporting a green jacket and purple hair, wearing heels. Sitting on top of the other one, presumably an old man, judging by the large number of gray strands on his head, and the old-fashioned look in his eyes.

Naturally, the old man is grandpa Galen, and the green-clad man is his acquaintance.

Noticing the scene in front of them, both Jacob and Amelia look back at each other, their facial expressions couldn't be any more colorful. as-if witnessing the birth of something beautiful, Jacob's eyes shine, twinkling with confusion and curiosity in the dim-lit room.

Blocked only by the distance, darkness, and the chairs, Jacob stands up, pulling Amelia up. Not knowing why he had a sudden urge to pull out his phone and take a picture of the duo in the spotlight, Jacob follows his heart and silently takes a short video and a photo of the 'couple.'