Before even entering, Cyril could hear the melodious piano music and the chatter coming from inside.
He walked into the brightly lit dining hall and saw some young boys and girls around his age.
Upon noticing his arrival, they merely glanced in his direction.
Seeing this, Cyril inexplicably sighed in relief.
He had previously found this Rose Manor to be excessively secluded, unlike Count Abraham's mansion where you could spot a maid every now and then. Here, he hadn't seen anyone else from upstairs to this point.
Only the bright magical flames illuminated the opulent surroundings, creating an eerie atmosphere for no apparent reason.
After sensing the presence of living beings, Cyril finally paid attention to the scene inside the dining hall.
The entire dining hall was spacious and grand, adorned with equal luxury.
On the right side of the entrance was a grand piano, even though no one was playing it, the lively and melodic music continued to flow.
In the center of the dining hall were four long tables covered in deep red velvet tablecloths.
The tables were adorned with a plethora of delicious food, and the enticing sweet fragrance wafted through the air.
On the side of the long table closest to the entrance were neatly arranged tableware like clean napkins, porcelain plates, knives, and forks.
On both sides of the four long tables, there were numerous round small dining tables paired with soft chairs.
It was a buffet!
Cyril's gaze swept over the golden-brown fried cod fillets, meat pies that looked generously filled, grilled cheese covered with tomatoes, cucumber slices, and onion rings, glistening sausages, smoked salmon, cream-filled baguettes, and plump seafood fried rice...
These foods were emitting a faint heat due to the magic.
On the other side of this long table, there was a towering chocolate fountain that caught everyone's attention.
Smooth and rich chocolate sauce cascaded down from the top of the tower like a fountain, but it didn't splash onto the table.
Cyril looked towards the end of the adjacent long table.
It was a towering champagne pyramid filled with crystal-clear champagne flutes.
Beside the champagne tower were fresh rose flowers with dewdrops.
Cyril saw a boy taking a champagne flute filled with champagne from the tower, yet the entire champagne tower remained miraculously balanced.
This was undoubtedly a very luxurious and comfortable dining environment.
Cyril picked up a clean white porcelain plate, carefully selected his choices from the dazzling array of food, and filled his plate.
He found an empty small round table, sat down, and also got himself a glass of oat milk.
With anticipation, Cyril began to taste the food on his plate.
The tender and delicious lamb chops were exquisite, and their temperature was just right!
Next, a mouthful of fragrant seafood fried rice!
The grains of rice were soaked in abundant juices, plump and tender, as if countless lively fish were leaping in his mouth, making it feel like he was in a mysterious ocean.
It was so delicious!
Tears welled up at the corners of Cyril's eyes!
While savoring his meal, Cyril could hear conversations from nearby.
It seemed to be two girls chatting softly.
"I heard that one of the new students on the third floor found a wand yesterday!"
"Is it that Philip, who always looks so fierce and eager?"
"Hahaha! That description is spot on! Yes, it's him."
"A wand! That's a great find! But won't Alees and his gang be tempted? He's robbed several people before! It's shameless to guard the stairs like that."
The girl's voice had a hint of resentment.
"But if Alees's actions weren't stopped, it means Rose Manor tacitly approves of this. There have been several conflicts before, so if you find something valuable, you have to hide it carefully from now on."
Cyril listened with lowered eyelashes, lost in thought.
He finished his dinner while listening to conversations from all around, then carefully wiped his mouth with a clean napkin, picked up a brass oil lamp, and entered the night-filled Rose Manor.
The night was hazy.
A distant and faint floral fragrance was carried by the slightly cool evening breeze.
It was easy to get lost while navigating through the Rose Manor at night.
Cyril noticed that the map in his hand became blank once he stepped out of the main building of the estate.
Holding an oil lamp in front of him, he surveyed his surroundings while simultaneously engaging in a mental conversation with the system.
Cyril: "Do you sense anything unusual here?"
System: "Of course! I'm a professional at this! Although the entire estate is filled with stable magic, there are some areas with abnormal magic fluctuations!"
The system's voice carried a hint of pride.
Rose Manor had abundant magical energy, and it could draw quite a bit of power from it. Now, it was finally time for it to shine!
Cyril: "Great! Let's go one by one."
Cyril immediately felt the long-lost happiness of having a 'golden finger.'
System: "Walk thirty meters to your right."
Cyril obediently followed the system's instructions and ended up under a blooming rosebush.
He looked around but didn't see anything conspicuous.
Cyril: "Is it here?"
System: "Yes! It must be somewhere near that rosebush. Look carefully!"
Cyril wished he had a magnifying glass to search meticulously, but he still couldn't spot anything unusual.
Finally, his gaze rested on an unopened rosebud.
Among the blooming roses, this tightly closed bud appeared somewhat unique.
Cyril cautiously touched the closed bud, waiting for any potential danger. Seeing that there was no immediate threat, he carefully peeled back the petals.
There was nothing special about it; it was just the first encounter he had with the temperamental demon lily flower that had helped him practice magic precision for a long time.
As if sensing the intention of the visitor, the rosebud stopped hiding.
It seemed to stretch lazily and shook its body.
In that instant, Cyril swiftly retracted his hand and took a step back.
The rosebud seemed a bit aggrieved. It stopped rubbing against him and gracefully unfolded its layers of delicate petals, emitting a tempting fragrance.
Cyril then noticed a small, jelly-like, translucent object lying where the flower's stamen should be.
System: "Yes, that's it!"
The system said joyfully.
Cyril looked at the information on his screen:
Name: Powerburst Fruit
Usage: It's quite obvious from the name, isn't it?
How to use: Consume directly. If conditions allow, you can also make juice from it, which tastes even better! (Unfortunately, it seems you won't be able to taste it.)
Description: A favorite snack of fire sprites. If you want to befriend them, this is the best gift. However, based on your current power level, tsk tsk, it's better to keep it for yourself.
"Powerburst Fruit..."
Cyril raised an eyebrow as he read the system's information with its cheeky style.
Cyril: "I think you're repeatedly testing the edge of losing your host."
System: "Am I that kind of system?"
The system quickly retorted.
Cyril: "Yes, you are, you really are."
Cyril shrugged and stopped bickering with the system. He reached out and gently picked up the Powerburst Fruit.
The fruit, pinched between Cyril's thumb and index finger, felt tender and elastic to the touch.
With a gentle squeeze from his fingers, the transparent Powerburst Fruit slightly indented at both ends, and its middle section expanded slightly.
Cyril didn't hesitate any longer and put it into his mouth.
Upon entering his mouth, the fruit was soft and tender, and the slightly cool flesh unfolded a hint of sweetness on his tongue.
Even after finishing it, Cyril still felt a bit unsatisfied, and he sensed warmth spreading from his abdomen to his limbs.
He checked his own data and saw that his strength value had suddenly increased from "7" to "9."
The effect was immediate.
Cyril's mind was now racing, and he wanted another one!
Cyril: "Let's go, quickly to the next place!"