After having some fun messing with the system, the smile on Mag"s face receded, and was replaced by a serious expression. He began to measure out ingredients according to the instructions stipulated in the beer-brewing experience bag in his mind, and then placed the ingredients in their respective slots on the machine in proper order.During his brief cooking career thus far, the most notable change that Mag had undergone was that he was now able to concentrate on something a lot more easily. Regardless of what time it was, as soon as he began cooking, he would be able to quickly get himself into the zone. That was a trait that all top chefs had to possess.
After confirming that all of the required ingredients had been added, Mag pressed a b.u.t.ton on the machine. The machine worked practically soundlessly through recycling steam. Only a small flas.h.i.+ng red light on the machine indicated that the brewing process had begun. Otherwise, one could be forgiven for thinking that the machine wasn"t working at all.
As expected, technology is the key to changing this world. In other words… this world is being transformed by the system. Mag heaved an internal sigh of emotion. The system"s technological advancement outstripped that of present-day Earth by several decades, and this gap was relentlessly increasing.
After absorbing all of the technology on Earth, the system was able to make its own improvements in order to enhance that foundation. That showed an incredible potential.
"I feel like someone is praising the system?" The system"s voice sounded.
"It"s just your imagination," Mag gave a calm reply.
The waiting time for brewing was infinitely compressed in the test field for the G.o.d of Cookery. Soon, the flas.h.i.+ng red light turned green, and a notification sound was heard from the machine. Mag placed one of the large empty wooden barrels beneath an opening before unlocking the valve.
Clear and translucent beer pa.s.sed through the transparent metallic tube, flowing directly into the empty barrel. The rich yet refres.h.i.+ng aroma of beer immediately wafted throughout the entire room, giving one a sense of entrancement.
The aroma is quite special; it"s a little like pure draft Snow Beer, but a little richer, and is also intermingled with hints of German beer undertones. Just the aroma alone makes me want to drink a gla.s.s; this really is superb beer. Mag"s eyes lit up with praise.
He had sampled all types of beer from cheap supermarket beer to prized premium beers. However, it was the first time that he had encountered a beer capable of drawing him in with its aroma alone. The intricate beer-brewing process clearly played a role in this, but the key here was clearly the superb ingredients that the system had harvested.
As expected, the system never disappointed.
"System, this beer has reached the required standard." Mag was very confident.
"Ding! This beer is not up to the required standard. The proportions of the ingredients used were minutely inaccurate—more precision is required. At the same time, you must prevent the moisture and bacteria in the air from intermingling with the beer during the packing process. Otherwise, the quality of the beer will be compromised," the system replied.
"I see." Mag furrowed his brows, but didn"t argue with the system. He was already used to being rejected, and besides, it wasn"t a bad thing that there was room for improvement.
After discarding the first batch of beer, Mag took even more care in measuring out the ingredients. He ensured that every single grain of barley was placed into the machine before beginning the brewing process again.
This cycle repeated over and over again, with the system picking out one minute issue after another, forcing Mag to make further adjustments.
Mag was thoroughly enjoying the process of improving himself through relentless trial and error. In any case, the time on the wall indicated that not even a day had pa.s.sed in the test field. In comparison to the dishes he had honed in the past, this was a far simpler process, and he only had to exercise more care and precision.
Mag poured out a large gla.s.s of translucent golden beer from the machine. He looked at beer and froth in the gla.s.s, which were at a 2:1 ratio, and asked, "How about this batch, system?"
"Ding! According to your requirements in your past life:
"1. The color must be golden and clear with no impurities, and the aroma must be rich yet not overwhelming — achieved.
"2. There must be an abundance of resilient pristine white froth taking up a third of the gla.s.s, and it can remain intact for more than five minutes — achieved.
"3. The beer must be refres.h.i.+ng and smooth, but not lacking in body. It must have a strong flavor, but leave no lasting aftertaste. The flavor must be slightly bitter but very energetic, leaving the drinker wanting more — achieved.
"All three of those requirements have been achieved, so this beer lives up to the standards that you stipulated in your past life. Its quality outstrips that of all beers on Earth!"
The system was very seemingly very proud.
"I brewed the beer, what are you sounding so smug for?" Mag took a whiff of the fragrant gla.s.s of beer with a smile on his face.
"The system planted and harvested the ingredients, and created the beer-brewing machine. You"re just a manual laborer, so why shouldn"t I feel proud?" the system retorted.
"This is the first time I"ve seen such an arrogant farmer." Mag pursed his lips.
"Do not insult the system by using the t.i.tle "farmer"!" The system was quite vexed.
"Alright, ingredients vendor." Mag nodded.
"Hmm, that"s a better term," the system replied.
"It"s just a fancy way of saying "farmer"." Mag raised an eyebrow.
"No! The term farmer gives one the impression of a hillbilly toiling away in a field all day, while the t.i.tle "ingredients vendor" is a lot more high-cla.s.s. That"s a t.i.tle that corresponds with the system"s air of dignity and professionalism," the system corrected sternly.
"But I feel like calling you farmer is less of a mouthful…" Mag murmured in reply. Before the system could say anything, he continued, "Alright, I"m going to practice my sword forms now. System, I want to rent this s.p.a.ce."
The system grumbled something unintelligibly before asking, "Would you like to drink this gla.s.s of beer?"
"No. Alcohol will impair my cognitive functions. If I ended up getting drunk and cutting myself, that would be a disaster," Mag refused.
White light flashed and the small room instantly transformed into a cavernous s.p.a.ce with a longsword plunged into the ground.
Mag strode forward and pulled the longsword out from the ground. He calmed himself down before abruptly thrusting his sword forward and performing a set of sword forms. His motions were fast and powerful, and his sword glided soundlessly through the air, but it somehow gave off a peerlessly sharp feel.
Time flew past, and Mag was completely absorbed in performing his sword forms. After purchasing his latest strength point, he had unlocked two more of the Thirteen Swordplay Forms. At the same time, his speed, power, and explosiveness had also experienced marked enhancements.
"The const.i.tution of a 1st-tier knight, the swordsmans.h.i.+p of a 4th-tier knight, and the mind of a 10th-tier knight… What a strange combination." Mag chuckled as he paused to rest momentarily.
…
In the dark night, there was a figure fully clothed in black standing in a small courtyard. He turned to Seuss, and whispered, "Master, are we going to leave Chaos City now?"
There were a few other figures clad in black in the courtyard, and they were also looking at Seuss.