Chapter 12 : Morning Tea
Chapter 12: Morning Tea
Lilia’s voice fell into the empty corridor, stirring a faint, almost imperceptible echo.
She maintained her full prostration, her forehead pressed tightly against the cold obsidian floor, even her breathing reduced to the lightest possible.
Her heart pounded wildly within her chest.
Would Hera be satisfied by her utterly undignified, extreme submission?
Was she truly standing behind the door, just as she had sensed with 【Temperature Perception】?
Just as she felt her knees were about to go numb from kneeling for so long—
“Creak—”
The door opened.
No footsteps could be heard.
A cold voice drifted down from directly above her head.
“Come in.”
Lilia’s body trembled violently, and an overwhelming surge of joy instantly washed away all her fear.
She had gambled correctly!
She scrambled to her feet in a panic. Because she moved too quickly, her knees weakened, and she nearly fell again.
Staggering to steady herself, she lowered her head and walked in small, hurried steps—like a frightened quail—quickly entering that familiar, luxurious yet cold bedchamber.
The door silently closed behind her.
Lilia did not dare to lift her head. All she could see was the hem of Hera’s magnificent long dress, and those battle boots stepping on the soft carpet, yet still emitting a chilling aura.
Hera did not speak. She simply turned and walked toward one side of the chamber.
Lilia immediately followed, step by step, keeping a distance of three paces behind.
Hera stopped in front of a wall adorned with a massive tapestry of magical beasts.
She raised her hand and lightly knocked on the wall three times.
That seamless-looking wall silently slid open to both sides, revealing a small hidden room.
“Tea room.”
Hera uttered those three words indifferently, then turned and walked toward the throne not far away, sitting down.
Lilia stood there, stunned.
A tea room?
There was actually a private tea room here?
At that very moment of her daze, the familiar System notification sound rang out again in her mind.
【Ding!】
【Emergency Mission Issuance: The Queen’s First Cup of Tea】
【Mission Content: Within fifteen minutes, use the materials in the tea room to present a perfect ‘Morning Dew Blood Tea’ to your master, Hera.】
【Mission Requirement: The tea temperature must be precisely controlled at 36.8°C. One degree more or less will be judged as failure.】
【Mission Reward: E-Rank Life Skill · Tea Art Mastery.】
【Mission Failure Penalty: Drink ten liters of computer components personally.】
Lilia’s pupils shrank instantly.
This devilish System!
That failure penalty… computer components? Ten liters?! Wouldn’t that mean instant death?
【Remaining Time: 00:14:52】
The blood-red countdown had already begun ticking.
Lilia jolted, not daring to delay for even a moment, and immediately rushed into the hidden tea room.
The room was not large, but the sight inside made Lilia suck in a cold breath.
The shelves along the walls were filled with all kinds of oddly shaped glass containers, each holding liquids of various colors and unknown biological tissues.
In some bottles, eyeballs were even slowly rotating.
The air was filled with a strange smell—a mixture of floral fragrance, blood, and sulfur.
Suppressing the churning in her stomach, Lilia quickly scanned the labels on the shelves.
“Shrieking Grass Roots,” “Abyss Worm Mucus,” “Wraith Crystal”…
【Absolute Senses】!
Lilia immediately activated her talent.
In an instant, an overwhelming flood of information poured into her mind.
The composition, scent, magical fluctuations of every material… all became clearly perceptible to her.
Very quickly, she found the mission target in a corner.
It was a black metal canister, labeled in ancient demon script: “Morning Dew Blood Tea.”
Inside were dark red tea leaves, intertwined like strands of blood.
Beside it was a crystal bottle containing a perfectly clear liquid that emitted an astonishing chill.
The label read: “Meltwater of the First Snow from Obsidian Peak.”
This was it!
Lilia immediately got to work.
She found a magic device resembling a kettle and poured the meltwater into it.
Then she pressed her palm against the outer wall of the device.
【Temperature Perception】!
Closing her eyes, she focused entirely on sensing the changes in temperature.
The icy liquid began to heat slowly under the device’s magic.
10 degrees… 20 degrees… 50 degrees…
Lilia’s entire mind was focused on those minute temperature changes.
Soon, the water reached 85°C.
Hiss—hot, hot, hot!
Lilia ignored the burning sensation, because 【Absolute Senses】 told her this was the optimal temperature for brewing “Morning Dew Blood Tea.”
Now!
She immediately cut off the magic supply and poured the hot water into the obsidian teapot containing the tea leaves.
A rich, peculiar floral aroma with a hint of rust spread instantly.
The tea took on a brilliant, ruby-like color.
Next came the most crucial step.
Cooling.
She had to reduce the tea from 85°C to exactly 36.8°C.
Holding the teapot, Lilia continuously activated 【Temperature Perception】 in her palm.
She could clearly feel the rate at which the tea’s temperature was dropping.
Time passed second by second.
Fine beads of sweat formed on Lilia’s forehead.
【Remaining Time: 00:03:12】
Almost there!
40°C… 39°C… 38°C…
【36.8°C】
A perfect number emerged within Lilia’s perception.
Carrying the cup of gently warm black tea, she quickly stepped out of the tea room.
Hera was still reclining lazily on the throne, her eyes closed as if resting.
Lilia walked before the throne, knelt on both knees, and raised the white jade teacup high above her head.
“Master, your black tea.”
Hera slowly opened her golden eyes.
She said nothing, only extending her hand.
Lilia hurriedly and carefully placed the teacup into her hand.
Hera took the cup but did not drink immediately.
She merely brought it close to her lips, feeling the perfectly controlled temperature.
Kneeling on the ground, Lilia’s heart rose to her throat.
After several long seconds—
Hera finally brought the rim of the cup to her lips and took a gentle sip.
【Ding!】
【Mission Completed!】
【Evaluation: S (Flawless precision—this is the first perfect offering to your master.)】
【Mission Reward: E-Rank Life Skill · Tea Art Mastery has been granted.】
【Special Reward: Loyalty +2.】
Lilia let out a wild cheer in her heart.
At that moment, Hera set down the teacup with a crisp sound.
That cold voice rang out once more.
“The temperature is precise.”
Lilia had just begun to feel joy, but instantly reacted!
She had risked being erased, gambled everything, and now she had to face this again?
Was she going to be suspected once more?
Lilia’s heart twisted in anxiety.
However, Hera’s next words made the heart she had just settled plunge once more to the edge of an abyss.
Hera’s voice carried not a trace of emotion.
“Breakfast.”
“One hour.”