Chapter 11 - The Taste of Energy
Morning arrives with Leon feeling completely renewed.
He wakes before dawn as usual, sits up, and takes inventory of his body. No pain. No stiffness. Even the deep bruises on his ribs are completely gone. Two days of rest combined with his self-healing using Flow Control worked better than he expected.
*Fully recovered.*
Leon performs his morning forms in the basement room, movements flowing smoothly without any discomfort. His body responds perfectly—balanced, strong, ready. The meditation that follows is deep and centered, energy circulating naturally through his channels.
Good. He's ready to return to the Dungeon.
But first—breakfast.
Leon climbs the stairs quietly. Hestia is still asleep—he can hear her soft breathing from her room. Perfect. He'll cook something substantial. They both need a good meal.
In the kitchen, Leon gathers ingredients. Rice, eggs, vegetables, fish he bought yesterday. Standard breakfast items. But as he starts preparing, an idea occurs to him.
*Flow Control can enhance weapons and heal the body. Both are forms of matter—physical objects and living tissue. What about food?*
In his past life, he studied the flow of qi through all things. Plants, animals, even prepared meals. Everything that exists contains energy in some form. The question is whether he can consciously add more.
Leon holds an egg in his hand and focuses. He channels Flow Control into it—gentle, warm, non-destructive. Just a small amount of energy, permeating the shell, seeping into the contents within.
The egg grows warm in his palm. The energy settles, then gradually dissipates—but not completely. Maybe five percent remains, absorbed into the egg's structure somehow.
*It works. At low efficiency, but it works.*
Leon tries with other ingredients. The vegetables accept energy better—around five percent retention. The rice is similar. The fish slightly less, maybe three percent.
*Living things, or things that were recently alive, hold energy better than processed materials.*
He continues experimenting while cooking. Channeling energy into each ingredient before and during preparation. Some energy dissipates with heat—cooking reduces the retention to maybe one or two percent—but something remains.
The food itself changes subtly. The colors are more vibrant. The textures seem more alive. Even the aroma is richer, more appealing.
Leon cooks methodically, infusing every component with Flow Control. Scrambled eggs with energy-enhanced vegetables, steamed rice with energy permeating each grain, grilled fish infused until the moment it hits the pan.
By the time he's done, the breakfast looks incredible. Not fancy or complex—just simple food prepared well. But there's something different about it. A quality that goes beyond normal cooking.
The smell must have woken Hestia. Footsteps on the stairs, then she appears, rubbing her eyes.
"Morning," she mumbles. Then she stops, nose twitching. "What's that smell? That's amazing."
"Breakfast. Sit."
Hestia sits at the table, staring at the food. "This looks... different somehow. Did you do something special?"
"An experiment. Tell me how it tastes."
She picks up her chopsticks and takes a bite of the eggs. Her eyes widen immediately.
"Oh my gods." She takes another bite, chewing slowly. "Leon, this is incredible. What did you do?"
"I infused the ingredients with Flow Control while cooking. Energy seems to enhance the food's quality."
Hestia tries the rice, then the fish, then the vegetables. Each time, her expression shows genuine amazement. "This is the best breakfast I've ever had. And I've been alive for millions of years." She looks up at him. "You can make food taste better with your energy?"
"Apparently. Though the retention rate is low—only about one or two percent after cooking. But it seems to improve flavor, texture, and probably nutritional value."
"This is incredible!" Hestia bounces slightly in her seat. "Do you know what this means? You could sell this! Energy-enhanced food would be worth a fortune!"
Leon considers that. "Maybe. But more importantly, I can make portable food for dungeon dives. Something that provides both nutrition and a small energy boost. More efficient than regular field rations."
"That's... actually really smart." Hestia takes another bite, savoring it. "How much energy does it take to do this?"
"Very little per ingredient. Maybe five percent of what I'd use for weapon enhancement. The real limitation is time—I have to infuse each component individually."
"Still worth it for food this good." She grins. "You know, you're going to spoil me completely. First you cook amazing food normally, now you're making it even better with magic energy."
"Not magic. Just energy manipulation."
"Close enough!" Hestia finishes her plate and leans back contentedly. "Okay, I'm convinced. Make energy food for your dungeon dives. And also make it for me because I'm your goddess and I deserve good food."
Leon almost smiles. "Noted."
After breakfast, Hestia helps clean up while chattering about her plans for the day. "I'm going to visit Hephaestus this afternoon. You need better weapons, right? Your sword and dagger broke."
"Yes. I was planning to buy replacements at the market."
"Don't. Not yet anyway." Hestia's expression becomes serious. "Hephaestus owes me a favor. A big one from back in heaven. I'm going to ask if she can provide you with proper equipment. Not the cheap stuff—something that'll actually last against tough monsters."
"That's generous of you. But won't that be expensive?"
"Let me worry about that." She pokes his chest. "You're my first child, my only child. I want you to have the best equipment I can get you. Even if it means cashing in favors."
Leon looks at his goddess. The determination in her eyes is absolute. She's been worried about him since the floor five incident, and this is her way of protecting him—making sure he has the tools to survive.
"Thank you, Hestia."
"You're welcome." She smiles. "But you should still go to the market. Get a basic sword and dagger as backup. Just in case the Hephaestus thing takes time to arrange."
"I will."
"Good. Now go get ready. I want you properly armed before you even think about going back into that dungeon."
---
Midday finds Leon in the market district.
The blacksmith area is busy as always, but Leon heads to a different shop this time—a smaller establishment he noticed before. The sign reads "Second Chances"—a shop specializing in used and refurbished equipment.
Inside, a young dwarf woman stands behind the counter, polishing a helmet. She looks up when Leon enters.
"Welcome. Looking for something specific?"
"One-handed sword and dagger. Simple, functional, inexpensive."
"Budget equipment. Got it." She moves to a rack of weapons. "These are all refurbished—used by adventurers who upgraded or..." She doesn't finish that sentence. "But they're in good condition. Tested and sharpened."
She pulls down a straight-bladed sword. "This one's twenty-five hundred valis. Simple steel, balanced weight, no fancy features. Previous owner was a Level 2 who upgraded to better gear."
Leon takes the sword and tests it. Good balance, solid construction, some wear but nothing structural. Adequate.
"And for daggers?" he asks.
"These start at eight hundred." She shows him several options. Leon selects one with a six-inch blade and a comfortable grip. Simple but well-made.
"Three thousand three hundred total," the dwarf says. "I can do three thousand even if you're buying both."
"Deal."
She wraps the weapons and Leon pays. Not as good as his previous equipment, but serviceable. And if Hestia's plan with Hephaestus works out, these will be backups anyway.
*Good enough for floor four practice.*
Leon leaves the shop and heads back toward the church. He has the afternoon free before Hestia returns from her visit. Time to prepare properly for tomorrow's dive.
---
Back at the church, Leon sets up his workspace.
He's got equipment now. New sword, new dagger, his bow that survived the floor five incident. But before diving again, he wants to experiment more with Flow Control applications.
The food enhancement worked. What else can energy do?
Leon sits in meditation, circulating energy through his channels. The flow is smoother now after days of practice. Less forced, more natural. Like water finding its course.
He tries different applications:
*Body enhancement*—channeling energy to specific muscles for increased strength. Works well, but drains quickly. Good for burst movements, not sustained combat.
*Weapon enhancement*—infusing energy into his new sword. The blade glows faintly, becomes more durable, cuts deeper. More sustainable than body enhancement. This should be his primary combat application.
*Healing*—directing energy to minor cuts and scrapes. Works slowly but effectively. Better for post-combat recovery than mid-fight healing.
*Sensory enhancement*—an experiment. Can he channel energy to improve his senses? Leon tries directing flow to his eyes, ears, nose.
His vision sharpens slightly. Colors become more vivid, details clearer. Interesting, but not dramatically useful. Maybe with more practice.
Hours pass. The afternoon sun tracks across the sky. Leon practices continuously, refining his understanding of Flow Control's capabilities and limitations.
The key limitation is energy capacity. He can only channel so much before depleting his reserves completely. Then he needs time to recover—rest, food, meditation. Using it efficiently means choosing when and how to apply it for maximum effect.
*In the dungeon, I should focus on weapon enhancement primarily. Save body enhancement for critical moments. Use healing only after combat ends.*
Leon stands and practices combat forms with his new sword, channeling energy through the blade during specific strikes. Testing how long he can maintain enhancement, how much it drains, how effective it is against imaginary opponents.
By the time evening approaches, he's developed a basic combat strategy:
1. **Continuous low-level weapon enhancement** - Sustainable for extended periods
2. **Burst body enhancement** for dodging or critical strikes
3. **Healing** between fights during rest periods
4. **Energy food** for maintaining reserves during long dives
*A complete system. Offense, defense, recovery, and sustainability.*
The front door opens. Hestia returns, looking excited.
"Leon! Where are you?"
"Kitchen!" Leon calls back.
Hestia rushes in, practically bouncing. "I talked to Hephaestus!"
"And?"
"She agreed!" Hestia grabs his hands. "She'll provide you with proper weapons! A sword and dagger from Hephaestus Familia—not the super expensive stuff, but quality equipment that'll actually last!"
"That's generous. What did you have to promise in return?"
"Just... a favor. To be determined later." Hestia waves dismissively. "Don't worry about it. The point is, you'll have real gear within a week!"
Leon squeezes her hands gently. "Thank you, Hestia. That means a lot."
"You're welcome!" She beams. "Hephaestus also said if you keep growing this fast, she might offer you a deal on armor too. She's impressed that you're already diving floor five after less than two weeks as an adventurer."
"Word is spreading about me?"
"Well... I might have bragged a little." Hestia looks sheepish. "But in my defense, you ARE amazing! My first child is already diving deeper than adventurers who've been at it for months!"
Leon shakes his head, but he's not upset. Hestia's pride is genuine, and her enthusiasm is endearing.
"I made dinner," he says. "Energy-enhanced again. Want to try?"
"Always!"
They sit together for the meal—rice bowls with vegetables and meat, each component infused with Flow Control. Hestia enjoys every bite, praising the food between mouthfuls.
"You know what?" she says. "When you get famous as a high-level adventurer, people are going to wonder how you got so strong so fast. And the answer is going to be 'my goddess fed me magical energy food.'"
"That's not entirely inaccurate."
"Right?!" She laughs. "The secret to Leon Fury's power: really good cooking."
After dinner, they sit in comfortable silence. The evening settles around them peacefully—the old church quiet except for their presence, the stained-glass windows glowing with the last light of day.
"Tomorrow you're diving again?" Hestia asks quietly.
"Yes. Floor four, to practice Flow Control in actual combat."
"Be careful."
"I will. I have better understanding now, and I won't push too deep." Leon looks at her. "I learned my lesson from floor five."
"Good." She leans against his shoulder. "I know I can't stop you from being an adventurer. And I don't want to—it's what you came here for. But please, just... come back safe every time."
"I promise."
They sit like that for a while, goddess and adventurer, family in a way that transcends the Falna system's formality. Eventually Hestia yawns and announces she's going to bed.
Leon retreats to his basement room and lies down, but his mind is active.
*Tomorrow: floor four. Test Flow Control applications. Build combat experience with the new skill. Prepare for eventually returning to floor five—properly equipped this time.*
*One week until Hephaestus equipment arrives. Use that time to master the basics.*
*Foundation first. Always foundation first.*
In his past life, he spent decades building fundamentals before attempting advanced techniques. That patience, that discipline, is what allowed him to reach the peak of mortal capability.
In this life, with Falna amplifying growth, it's tempting to rush. But rushing leads to weakness in the foundation. Better to be patient, thorough, perfect.
Leon closes his eyes and enters meditative circulation. Energy flows through his channels naturally now, almost autonomous. His body is healing, strengthening, adapting.
Tomorrow will bring new challenges. He'll meet them with discipline, skill, and careful application of his new abilities.
The journey continues, one methodical step at a time, building toward something greater than he achieved before.
Leon sleeps deeply, peacefully, ready for whatever comes next.