A few days had passed since we departed the silver city of Techne Prime.
The Sperm Whale glided smoothly into its assigned dock at the commercial colony Freeport Nova, our designated waypoint.
"We’ve arrived. Lucia, what’s the status of the cargo?"
"All green-lit. Five cases of data slates and two small containers of research samples; everything is undamaged and ready for handover to the consignees."
This voyage wasn’t being made with an empty hold. Just before we left Techne Prime, I had managed to pick up several delivery requests thanks to Professor Stein’s influence.
While we didn't have enough freight to fill the Sperm Whale’s massive cargo bay, the prestige of being an "Academy-affiliated vessel" carried a lot of weight. It had opened doors to lucrative contracts—high-priority data transfers and express shipping for delicate samples that paid far better than standard hauls.
The credits were decent, but more importantly, these jobs boosted our Credit Score with the Mercenary Management Organization and the local administrative agencies. The rewards would serve as our shopping budget for the day, as well as our immediate operating capital.
"Alright, let's get these deliveries done and hit the town!"
◇
Freeport Nova.
The colony, true to its name, was a city of heat and noise—a polar opposite to the sterile tranquility of Techne Prime. The massive arcades were overflowing with goods gathered from every corner of the galaxy.
"...What a smell. There's so much going on," Mina said, her nose twitching the moment we stepped off the ramp.
The pungent sting of spices, the savory scent of roasting meat, and the sweet fragrance of exotic fruits all blended together, thick in the market air. As expected of a freeport, the food culture seemed remarkably developed. Unlike the flavorless colonies dominated by 'Tasty Cubes,' there was a palpable energy here centered on the joy of eating.
"Olfactory sensors, sensitivity optimal... It is a deluge of information," Lucia remarked. Her eyes seemed to sparkle as she scanned the market. Smells she would have once filtered out as useless noise were now being processed as rich, vibrant streams of data.
"Now then, let's split up to be efficient. The Professor and I will be the 'Equipment Team.' We’ll look for cooking appliances and ship supplies."
"Then we’ll be the 'Ingredients Team,'" Mina declared.
"Umu. Emulgand, you shall serve as their guide," the Professor added. "You will also be in charge of the Self-Propelled Lifter—and serve as the designated luggage carrier."
"Y-Yes, sir..." Emulgand stammered.
The Professor pointed toward a follow-type self-propelled carrier waiting nearby. It was a convenient machine, but if it was going to be piled high with delicate ingredients, a human would ultimately need to balance the load. I could already see the hardships in the poor assistant's future.
With our roles assigned, we scattered into the market crowds in search of our respective prizes.
◇
The Professor and I headed toward a district of specialty shops handling commercial kitchen equipment. The storefronts were lined with massive mixers and heating units of shapes I had never even seen before.
However, I already had a specific target in mind.
"Found it...!"
It sat enthroned in the back of a specialty store—a gleaming silver chassis with a sturdy handle and a digital control panel.
A commercial-grade steam convection oven.
By precisely controlling hot air and steam, it was the "sacred treasure" of modern cooking, capable of perfectly handling roasting, simmering, steaming, and frying all in a single unit.
"Ho. That is quite a magnificent piece of equipment, isn't it?"
"Yeah. With this, my repertoire will expand dramatically. Roast beef, stews—everything from proofing bread to baking it will be at my fingertips."
I stroked the chassis affectionately, then looked at the price tag.
...It was expensive. Much higher than the market price I remembered. In a galaxy where 'Tasty Cubes' were the standard, traditional cooking gear was likely treated as a luxury for eccentrics or the obscenely wealthy. The lack of demand was clearly reflected in the price. It was an amount that would blow through nearly all the rewards we'd earned at Techne Prime.
However, the Professor called over the shopkeeper with a perfectly calm expression.
"I'll take this. Also, that vacuum sealer over there, and the immersion circulator for low-temperature cooking." He continued pointing at the shelves. "Additionally, make sure to get the basic tools. It makes me feel uneasy watching you try to handle everything with a single wok."
"I'll take you up on that!"
I began tossing items into the cart without hesitation: frying pans, thick stockpots, saucepans, ladles, spatulas, a professional knife set, and high-quality cutting boards. Each and every one was an indispensable partner for the kitchen.
"Charge the total to the Academy's expense account."
"Y-Yes, sir! Thank you for your business!" the shopkeeper squealed, rubbing his hands together.
The power of a patron’s bank account was truly a force of nature. With this, I would finally have a proper kitchen. Eventually, I’d install a full Kitchen Module, but this was a massive step up.
◇
Meanwhile, the Ingredients Team was busy.
"Look, Lucia. These red fruits have a very sweet smell."
"Scan complete. Sugar content: 18%. Origin: Planet Belenus. Predicted taste pattern indicates an excellent balance of acidity and sweetness. Recommended as an accent for salads."
As she scanned the market shelves, Lucia tossed vegetables and fruits into the lifter's containers one after another. In the past, she would have chosen based solely on nutritional value and shelf life, but her criteria had shifted. Now, she was looking for a "harmony of flavors."
"U-Um... Lucia-san, aren't you buying too much? The lifter's load limit is already at the breaking point...!" Emulgand pleaded. She was already clutching overflowing bags in both arms as the lifter's sensors began beeping an overload warning.
"There is no problem," Lucia replied. "If we factor in the capacity and freshness preservation capabilities of the new freezer, this amount is within acceptable limits. Furthermore..."
Lucia stopped, her gaze fixed on the showcase of a butcher shop. Inside were synthetic blocks of meat with magnificent, lab-grown marbling. They were light-years ahead of the bottom-tier paste-molded meat I’d seen before. These were high-end products where the direction of the fibers and the distribution of fat were meticulously calculated to mimic the real thing.
"I have heard that the Professor is particular about the way his vegetables are simmered. However, what are his preferences regarding meat?"
"Eh? Ah, yes. The Professor... well, he loves meat. Especially the soft, juicy kind."
"Recorded."
At that moment, a faint light flickered deep within Lucia's eyes. It seemed she had received the purchase data from our side via the link.
"It appears the Master has completed the purchase of the steam oven. Therefore, I shall select the optimal cut to test its performance."
Without hesitation, Lucia pointed to the highest-grade synthetic loin.
"Three kilograms of this, please. Vacuum-packed."
◇
A few hours later, the Sperm Whale’s cargo bay was filled with a mountain of spoils. Fresh vegetables, meat, seafood, and a dizzying variety of spices and seasonings.
And in the kitchen, the brand-new steam oven sat ready for action.
"...It's a grand sight," I muttered, crossing my arms as I surveyed my new domain. The refrigerator was packed, and the tools were professional-grade. I could make anything now.
"President! Hurry up and make something! I'm hungry!" Mina shouted.
"Affirmative," Lucia added. "The ingredients are at peak freshness. My taste sensors are also prepared for a trial run."
Mina and Lucia were practically vibrating with anticipation. Even Emulgand, though exhausted from the manual labor, had an expectant look in her eyes. As for the Professor, he was already waiting with a bottle of wine open. "Shall we see what you can do?"
"Alright. Then let's have the inaugural run."
I reached out and flipped the power switch on the oven. Tonight’s menu would be a feast designed to push this machine to its absolute limits.
I was worried about whether it was okay to spend so much on high-end equipment, but the Professor wouldn't hear of any compromises. He just completely ignores budget constraints...
Also, Mina started calling me "President," and it actually stuck. It seems to suit me better than just "Akito" anyway.