I Contracted a Demon, but It Turned Into My Pet

"To absorb an elemental core, you need to inject your mana into it and guide the internal magical essence into your body for circulation and refinement…" Elvira Sol patiently explained the proper technique.

While core absorption wasn't as efficient as using magic crystals, there were no magic crystals available at the moment—so elemental cores would have to do.

"You also need to make sure your body is compatible with the core's element. For example, someone with a fire-aligned body can only absorb fire-elemental cores. The core's mana is already fixed in nature. If your constitution doesn't match and you try to force it, the conflicting elements could clash inside you."

"If that happens, not only will the absorption be inefficient, but it might also cause mana disruption in your body, affecting your progress."

Lucian grinned confidently. "I don't have to worry about that—I'm compatible with all elements."

Elvira blinked, then chuckled. "True enough."

She had already examined Lucian's mana. It was non-elemental, meaning he could absorb any type of core and cultivate any type of magic. That alone made him absurdly versatile.

Lucian picked up a core, ready to inject mana and begin the process when Lysera chimed in.

"Actually, you don't need to go through all that trouble. The system's cultivation function can bypass the guiding and refining steps. Just will it, and the core will be absorbed at maximum efficiency. But you won't get any of the other useful substances inside."

"Still, you copied Nobu's Devour, right? If you use that, you can eat the cores directly. That way, you'll get the full benefit—no waste."

Lucian paused. Right, he did have that ability.

But… eating them?

A Tier 3 core was no big deal—about the size of a bean. But Tier 4s were grape-sized, and Tier 5s and 6s? That was pushing it.

How the hell was he supposed to eat something that big?

He swallowed dryly.

According to Lysera, aside from mana, elemental cores also contained valuable nutrients. Those were useful not just in cultivation, but in alchemy, forging, enchanting, and even spell formation. Absorbing those could enhance his elemental resistances, mana efficiency, and conversion rate.

The catch? A single core only offered a slight improvement. Unless the core was extremely high-quality, he'd need a lot of them to see real gains.

Still, Lucian made his choice. For speed—and flavor—he was going to devour them.

He picked up a Tier 3 core and popped it into his mouth.

Elvira's eyes widened. "Wait—you're not seriously going to eat that?! You can't digest a core! Spit it out!"

Lucian waved her off. "Relax, I copied Nobu's ability. Like a Slime—I can devour anything."

Elvira blinked. "Even poop?"

Lucian's expression darkened. "No."

Where the hell did that come from?

He activated [Devour].

Immediately, the core dissolved in his mouth, converting into pure mana that surged through his body. The leftover essence turned to liquid and slid smoothly down his throat.

The efficiency was insane. He could already feel his cultivation rising. At this rate, absorbing all the Tier 3 and 4 cores would bring him to late Tier 4.

He smacked his lips. "Huh. Sweet and tangy. Tastes really good!"

Elvira, surprisingly, swallowed hard. "It… really tastes good?"

Oh no. She was a food maniac, wasn't she?

Lucian grinned, popped another core in his mouth, and held back the final swallow, letting the leftover fluid pool in his cheeks. Then, he flashed her a seductive smile.

"Want a taste, hmm~?"

Elvira's eyes twitched. She stepped forward and flicked his forehead—hard.

Thunk!

The slap echoed off his shiny bald head.

"Ow!" Lucian yelped, nearly choking.

"Gross." Elvira scowled. "Just absorb them already."

He pouted. "You're missing out, though…"

But she ignored him.

Lucian grabbed a handful of cores and started tossing them into his mouth like candy.

"This one's wood element. Hmm… minty, kinda bitter, but refreshing aftertaste."

"This metal-type tastes like orange—sweet and sour, but heavier on the sour."

"Oh! Another wood one—rose-flavored! So sweet!"

Elvira was clearly struggling not to drool. Finally, she snapped. She snatched a core from his pile and stuffed it into her mouth.

"I'll prove you wrong. I can separate the essence with magic and—"

She paused.

"…No flavor."

Her brow furrowed.

She'd split the core with mana, extracted both energy and nutrients—but it was tasteless. Like water.

She narrowed her eyes at Lucian. "I think you're screwing with me."

Lucian looked innocent. "Why would I do that? It's true! The taste must be activated by Devour. Try this one, it's rose—"

He leaned forward, a half-dissolved core still in his mouth.

She bonked him again without hesitation.

"Ow! Again?!"

"Shut up and eat!"

Lucian pouted harder but obeyed.

"It's your loss if you miss out on these gourmet-grade mana cores. Hmph!"

Ignoring his whining, Elvira flew off, mumbling something about real food and barbecuing a beast.

Lucian kept munching. Before long, all the Tier 3 and 4 cores were gone, and his cultivation had risen to late Tier 4. His mana resistance and efficiency also saw subtle boosts.

Then he grabbed a Tier 5 core and chucked it in his mouth.

The mana was intense—equivalent to several Tier 4s. The flavor was even better.

"Top-tier magic. Gourmet-level taste. What's not to love?"

"Gujyu~!" Nobu bounced into his arms, eyes sparkling.

Lucian laughed. "You want one too? Here ya go."

He fed Nobu a core. The little Slime happily swallowed it and snuggled up to digest.

Lucian continued. Finally, he popped in the Furious Bear's Tier 5 core—and with a burst of light, he advanced.

Tier 5, achieved!

He whooped with joy and reached for a six-tier core the size of an egg—

Hic!

He paused. A full feeling settled in his stomach, and he burped—a magical, core-flavored burp.

"…Huh?"

Not full from food—just full of energy. Lysera explained he'd reached his body's absorption limit. He'd need a few hours to digest before he could keep going.

"Guess I'll rest."

Just then, Elvira returned—carrying a massive boar in a claw of conjured flame.

Lucian ran [Analyze].

[Aquamire Boar: Tier 7 Water Elemental Beast. A powerful wild boar species from deep within The Savage Wilds. Known for its physical strength, water resistance, and firm, springy meat. A prized cooking ingredient.]

She landed and dropped the beast. "Forget your fancy little cores. I'll show you what real food tastes like—grilled wild boar!"

With a casual flick of her wrist, a dazzling array of high-grade seasonings materialized around Elvira Sol—Heavenly Spirit Oil, Signature Glaze, Firecloud Chilies, Lightning Peppercorns, Red Crystal Salt, and more.

Lucian stared in disbelief.

That's a spatial ring on her finger, right? So why the hell is it stuffed full of cooking spices?

Before he could ask, Elvira waved her hand again. The earth split open, forming a fire pit. The Aquamire Boar was instantly lifted into the air by her magic. Then, with breathtaking precision, she executed a series of actions—slaughtering the beast, removing the hair and organs, butchering it, carving it, marinating it—each step smooth and seamless like the choreography of a master chef.

In no time, the entire boar was skewered over open flame, roasting to perfection.

A brush of spirit oil… a swirl of crushed chilies and peppercorns blending midair… and a sprinkle of crystal salt—all rained down over the meat. The roast began to sizzle, sending waves of tantalizing aroma across the clearing.

Then came the glaze. As Elvira gently brushed it over the skin, the scent became utterly mouthwatering. Lucian's stomach growled on reflex as drool began pooling at the corners of his mouth.

This woman was absolutely lethal.

She was gorgeous, powerful, and now—apparently—a top-tier chef?

He was doomed. He'd fallen for her all over again.

Soon, the roast was done.

Before Elvira could even call him over, Lucian had already arrived at her side, conjuring a knife and fork from metal magic with practiced ease, ready for action.

Elvira smirked. With a flick of her finger, the roast floated just out of Lucian's reach.

"What are you doing?" he asked, eyes wide with betrayal.

"This is mine," Elvira said, lips curled in an amused smile. "I cooked it. For me."

Lucian gave her the saddest eyes he could muster. "Don't be like that… I didn't mean to tease you earlier. Those cores really were delicious…"

Elvira waved a hand dismissively. "Then go eat your cores."

She snapped her fingers, and a chunk of roast pork sliced off mid-air, the skin golden and crispy, cracking softly with each movement. Beneath it, the meat gleamed tender and juicy, the aroma intensified by the sizzling fats.

She brought the piece to her lips, took a bite—and her eyes fluttered shut in sheer ecstasy. Then, as if to torture him further, she moaned softly.

"Mmm… cooked to perfection. The skin crisps apart effortlessly, not too charred. The fat rendered beautifully and soaked into the tender layers beneath. Thanks to the Aquamire Boar's mana-rich meat, it's smooth as silk—luxuriously soft, but not greasy. Like biting into a cloud of meat-flavored milk."

"So good… what a shame someone here only likes eating elemental cores."

Lucian's mouth hung open. His body might have been full of energy, but his stomach was still painfully empty—and now it roared with hunger. The scent alone was enough to drive him mad, but combined with Elvira's devastating commentary?

His belly growled loud enough to echo.

"Elvira Sol…" Lucian shuffled forward with an awkward smile. "I fought hard today. I'm starving, and—"

She pressed a finger to his forehead. "Didn't you say you loved your minty rose-flavored cores?"

"Go chew on those. Don't bother me while I'm eating."

With a casual flick, she launched him backward like a pebble.

Lucian crashed to the ground, groaning. But he quickly climbed to his feet and puffed out his chest.

"Hmph! Fine! I, Lucian, would rather be chased by Furious Bears, mauled by Sabertail Beasts, or drown in a river than beg for a bite of your meat!"

Elvira raised an eyebrow at his dramatics, then calmly waved her hand.

[Unranked Magic – Flavor Surge]!

A surge of magic expanded through the air. In an instant, the scent of the roasted pork intensified by tenfold.

Lucian froze mid-sentence as his mouth filled with saliva.

"…You've gotta be kidding me."

You're a fire mage—why the hell do you know this kind of magic?!

Lucian immediately scanned the spell with [Analyze], then shuffled back toward her with an ingratiating grin.

"Elvira Sol~?"

"What?"

"Could I… maybe… have a little taste?"

"Where's all that pride from just now?"

"I cooked it into soup."

"…"

Elvira ignored him, but Lucian didn't give up. He began acting pitiful.

"Elvira Sol~"

"Elvira Sol~~"

"Elvira～Soooooool~~"

Elvira stared at him in horror, visibly disturbed. "Alright! Alright! Just stop doing that!"

"Yes!" Lucian whooped, rushing forward. He tore a chunk of meat off the boar and popped it into his mouth, sighing in bliss.

"This… this is divine! Absolute heaven!"