Supreme Warlock System : From Zero to Ultimate With My Wives

Chapter 73: Behemoth Steak Slabs?

Warlock Ch 73. Behemoth Steak Slabs?

Damian's knees buckled, and he began to fall, his body already resigning to a face-plant on the floor But just as his balance gave out, Cassius snapped his fingers. Two shadowy figures materialized beside him in an instant, catching him mid-fall. Damian blinked, stunned by the shadows' presence. They were dense but soft, almost like they were made of something between smoke and cushion. It was surreal.

The shadows shifted beneath him, and with a swift, graceful motion, they threw him gently up and transformed into a makeshift beanbag, letting him land with a soft poof. "Whoa!" Damian gasped, wide-eyed as he sank into the comfort. It was softer than anything he'd felt in a long time, like the world's comfiest chair mixed with a cloud.

Without a word, the shadows lifted him again, now gliding along behind Cassius, carrying him like a levitating bean bag with a shadow hoverboard. Damian let himself lean back, exhaustion making him appreciate every bit of comfort he could get.

"Thanks," he mumbled to Cassius, his voice laced with gratitude as he relaxed into the strange, comfortable shadows.

Cassius, as always, didn't answer. He kept walking at a steady pace, his expression perfectly controlled. But Damian had seen it—a flicker, barely a hint, like a crack in the armor. For a split second, Cassius's composed mask had faltered, something unspoken surfacing in his eyes. It was the only confirmation Damian needed.

He took a deep breath, repeating the strange words he'd heard echo in his mind.

"Well, in case you need a weapon for close combat or to fight a combat mage, just grab it! And voila! You've got a nice weapon in a snap! It's temporary, but it works. Easy, right, Cas?"

For a moment, Damian thought he'd finally struck a nerve. He watched Cassius closely, waiting for some kind of response, hoping to pry an answer out of his mentor. But Cassius didn't stop, didn't turn around. He just kept moving toward the kitchen with that smooth, purposeful stride, his face unreadable once again.

But Damian didn't miss the way his shoulders tensed ever so slightly.

"I heard it inside my head," Damian continued, his voice a mix of curiosity and something heavier, something closer to accusation. "And whoever it was… he called you by name. Can you tell me something about it? About this voice?"

Cassius finally glanced over his shoulder, but his expression was as impassive as ever. "I told you," he said evenly, "it's something you need to figure out yourself. I can't interfere with that."

Damian's shoulders slumped. He'd expected Cassius to brush him off, sure, but a small part of him had hoped—just a sliver—that maybe this time he'd get more. Some hint, a breadcrumb, something that could help him piece things together. But as always, Cassius gave nothing away, guarding his secrets as tightly as ever.

Cassius led them inside, his expression unreadable as he made his way through the corridor and into a warmly lit dining area adjacent to the kitchen. The room was homey, filled with the faint aroma of herbs and something savory.

"I'll make something nutritious for you," Cassius said, his tone so matter-of-fact that it took Damian a moment to register what he'd just said.

Damian blinked, watching in surprise as a kitchen apron floated from a nearby hook and settled around Cassius, tying itself securely around his waist. He even gave it a little pat as if to check it was snug. Cassius was actually going to cook for him?

Before Damian could question it, Cassius opened his palm, and a vial with a rich, amber liquid appeared out of thin air. He tossed it over to Damian with a quick flick of his wrist. "Drink this," Cassius said, his tone as commanding as ever.

Damian caught the potion, studying it as he tried to steady his breath. This wasn't a Mana Potion—that much was obvious. The color was different, a warm amber instead of the usual cool blue. Based on what he'd read in his books, this was likely a Stamina Potion. Its color was rich and warm, giving off a faint, honeyed aroma that smelled almost like sunlight in a bottle.

With a small nod to himself, Damian popped the cap and downed the potion in a single gulp. The effect was instant. A surge of energy spread through him, warm and steady, filling his veins with a sense of rejuvenation that went beyond just physical stamina. It was as if every muscle, every sore joint, had been gently soothed, the exhaustion fading into a pleasant hum.

[Your Stamina has been fully recovered!]

"Whoa…" Damian muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He stretched his arms and felt the tension melt away, his body relaxing completely.

Cassius turned, his expression neutral as he started preparing ingredients, pulling out vegetables, herbs, and a slab of meat that had a strange, purplish tint. With precise, almost ritualistic movements, he chopped and seasoned, adding pinches of herbs and sprinkling spices like someone who'd done this a thousand times. Despite his usual cold and stony demeanor, Cassius moved with a calm confidence in the kitchen that Damian hadn't expected.

Damian leaned back in his shadowy, bean bag-like seat, his gaze locked on Cassius as he worked. 'So he's a master at cooking too?' he thought, a bit impressed. Watching him, Damian's mind began to wander, and curiosity pricked at him. Cassius was more than capable of summoning one of his shadowy servants to handle the cooking, and yet he'd chosen to make this meal himself. Why go through the trouble?

Then it hit him.

"Are you making… Behemoth Steak Slabs?" Damian asked, his voice hopeful and a little amazed. He realized this from the ingredients.

Cassius looked over his shoulder with a small, almost imperceptible smirk. "Yes."

A surge of excitement mixed with surprise ran through Damian. Behemoth Steak Slabs were practically legendary among the warrior and mage circles. Thick, tenderized slices of behemoth meat marinated in enchanted herbs, these steaks were a dense source of protein, brimming with essential nutrients for rebuilding muscle after intense training sessions. It was a meal built to restore strength after a brutal day, the perfect dish for someone who'd just endured what Damian had. But still…