"Is that so? Then go help the little kid over there with his cooking," said the prince unexpectedly, addressing the magician.
The magician seemed to have misheard and said, "Pardon your highness, my ears seem to be playing tricks on me. Could you please repeat your orders?"
"You heard correctly," confirmed the prince, motioning for the magician to approach Bowen. Luther couldn't believe it. He, a respected and skilled ice rank magician, had been called upon by the prince to assist a mere child who hadn't even mastered basic cooking skills? What a joke, he thought. He wanted to refuse outright and return, but doing so would tarnish his image in the prince's mind.
"As you wish, your highness," reluctantly replied the magician, swallowing his pride and dissatisfaction.
He approached Bowen with a resentful tone and an unpleased expression, asking, "What do you want me to help with?"
"I asked the prince for a cooling system since there wasn't a mini version available. He suggested using you, Mr. Magician. Your task is quite simple – just keep my food cool for an hour, and that will suffice," explained Bowen.
"A cooling system? Are you suggesting that I'm a replacement for a cooling system?" lamented Luther, unable to believe that a D ranker had such limited value.
"Don't be too disheartened, Mr. Magician. Consider this a learning experience," Bowen replied.
"You... child, stop talking nonsense. You know nothing about magic, which is why you don't respect D rankers. Don't speak to me any further; just give me the food that needs cooling," Luther said in frustration and anger.
Bowen placed a small bowl, about the size of a fist, containing some yellowish-white semi-solid substance. Luther had no interest in knowing what it was; all he wanted was to complete his task and leave. He began sending cool air into the bowl, and it was going well. However, within two minutes, the bowl started to freeze.
"Stop! Stop!" shouted Bowen, and Luther immediately ceased his magic, startled.
"What's the matter now?" he asked.
"I told you to cool it, not freeze it," Bowen explained.
"Huh? What's the difference?" Luther asked nonchalantly.
"The difference is that I wanted cold food, not frozen food," clarified Bowen.
The magician attempted again, this time focusing on not freezing the food. However, within four minutes, the bowl started freezing once more. Luther stopped his magic, unable to believe that he couldn't perform such a simple task. Normally, for ice magicians, they would need to release their magic to freeze things. He realized that he had never trained to avoid freezing objects. Bowen's request seemed easy on the surface, but it couldn't be achieved without precise control of the element.
"Ahh, what should I do now?" Luther wondered. If he failed at this simple task, he would be shamed for life if rumors spread. He might also lose the favor of the prince. He didn't expect to face such a challenge.
"Mr. Magician, is there a problem?" asked Bowen.
"Kid, I've never done this kind of task. It seems that my magic is not suited for your simple request," Luther admitted, bowing his head in shame.
Bowen pondered for a moment and said, "Let me guide you. If you listen and follow my instructions, I believe you can do it."
"What? You're going to guide me? That's impossible. What if my magic goes haywire following your instructions? Moreover, how can you have confidence in guiding a D ranker ice magician?" Luther questioned.
"Look here, Mr. Magician. I don't have many options, do I? We don't have enough time to bring in another ice magician. Besides, don't you want to maintain a good image in front of the prince?" Bowen asked, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Luther found himself in a dilemma, realizing he had no other choice. "Fine, go ahead and tell me your idea," he reluctantly agreed.
"The issue lies with the amount of ice elemental mana you're outputting. You don't need to expend much mana to keep the food cool. All you have to do is control the certain amount of mana that has already been discharged and circulate it around the food in various directions. If some of your elemental mana disperses into the atmosphere, simply replenish the lost amount. The key is not to try and decrease the temperature, but rather to maintain it at a low degree for an extended period," explained Bowen.
What Bowen suggested seemed straightforward, but Luther wasn't sure if it would work in reality. Nonetheless, he decided to give it a try. To his surprise, after almost 10 minutes, he was able to sustain the cooling process without much effort. Bowen was pleased to see that Luther understood what he wanted and turned his attention to his other two desserts.
Observing the interaction between Bowen and Luther, the prince was impressed by Bowen's deep knowledge of magic. He realized that Bowen couldn't be compared to and treated like other ordinary children.
As it neared 4 pm, the candidates began presenting their finished dishes. The plates for presentation were engraved with a simple magic circle to preserve the temperature of the food for at least two hours. With the ringing of a bell, the prince announced the end of the competition time.
Now it was time for the review and remarks. Everyone was asked to bring their finished dishes to the judging table, where three judges, including the prince, the count, and the baron's butler, were waiting. Initially, everyone assumed Bowen would be the first to be judged since he was seated at the first table. However, the prince decided to reverse the order and start from the last contestant, which meant Bowen would be judged last. The prince didn't show much interest in the dishes prepared by the first few candidates. After tasting the third dish, he disdainfully threw it down, exclaiming, "Absurd! It's overcooked. Do you expect me to eat charred food?" He then ordered Farah to break the contestant's legs and have the healer treat them before throwing them out of the manor.
Now Bowen understood why the female knight had warned him about losing a limb or two. The third prince had zero tolerance for mistakes in cooking. One by one, the contestants received feedback on their dishes. Most of them were trembling in fear. Some were spared, while others had one or both of their limbs broken. The count's healer would then restore them to their previous state before they were expelled from the manor. The prince tasted every dish except for Eega's and Bowen's.
"Your Highness, this dish of mine is called Cream Sacombo. It's made with garlic, Seda wheat... and finally, if you bake it in the oven, you get a hot and delicious dessert," Eega explained.
"Wow, this is great! It's really delicious. You've prepared it well," praised the prince with a smile. Eega beamed with pride until she heard the prince's next words. "Break all of her limbs, and only heal three of them halfway," he ordered, causing a tremor of shock in both the father and daughter.
"Your Highness, may I inquire about the reason for this?" the butler asked, puzzled. "Just a moment ago, you praised my daughter's dishes. What does this mean?"
The prince took a deep breath before responding. "The recipe for this dish is plagiarized. Do you think I wouldn't recognize it if it came from outside the Yuria continent? Not only did you change its name strategically, but this dish's original recipe hails from the Carman Forest of the Vikings. Its true name is Volletio, an ancient dish passed down in the royal Viking family. Other Vikings are not allowed to taste it. I praised your daughter for making a dish that was nearly identical to the original. However, the punishment is for claiming a plagiarized dish as your own invention. Farah, take her away," the prince ordered impatiently.
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"Oh, Your Highness, please forgive me! I was blind. I promise I won't make this mistake again," Eega pleaded desperately.
"There will be no next time," declared the prince firmly.
"Your Highness, she is young. Please forgive her. I beg you, for the sake of my reputation, Your Highness," the butler pleaded, feeling ashamed of his daughter's actions.
"For your reputation? Who are you to me? Just because you were a co-judge doesn't mean we are close or equal. If you keep pleading for your daughter, you too will face punishment for encouraging her wrongdoing. Ensure you maintain your position at the baron's.” the prince warned without Mercy.
No one expected this turn of events. Most of them were confident in Eega's victory, unaware of whether these allegations were true or not.
Finally, it was Bowen's turn. The butler's anger toward the prince now shifted to Bowen. He was determined to find fault in Bowen's dishes and make him fail.
"This is the first dish," Bowen announced, opening the lid to reveal a circular dessert made of flour and fruits with pleated corners. "It's called a Juniper Pie," Bowen explained. The prince took a piece and placed it in his mouth.
"Hurrah! This is a new taste with juniper fruit and spices, and a sweet bread base. Very good, such a simple yet refreshing flavor. But I cannot consider it a classic dish that requires extensive preparation. I can give you full marks, but it's not a dish necessary for this competition," commented the prince.
"Then, how about this?" Bowen asked, presenting the second dish, shaped like an inverted bowl. It was also the cold dessert that the magician had been assisting with. Luther anticipated that this dish could win the competition, as he had put a lot of effort into it and hoped it would be delicious.
The prince was struck by the beauty of the dessert's shape. He flicked it with his spoon, and it jiggled like a jelly, making him eager to taste it. Before Bowen could explain what it was, the prince began digging his spoon into the dessert.
As the dessert touched the prince's tongue, a bewildered expression crossed his face. "Ummm... vuhaaah! What on earth is this? I have never experienced anything like this in my entire life," he exclaimed. The count and the butler assumed the prince was overreacting and decided to take a bite themselves. Instantly, they felt as if they were transported to a dessert island, bathing in a unique blend of milk and sugar. The taste was familiar yet unlike anything they had ever encountered. The butler couldn't find a flaw even if he tried, remaining silent as he pondered the remarkable flavor.
"This is the dish in which I used eggs. It's best served cold and is called Custard Caramel Pudding," Bowen explained.
"Wow, this is exceptional! Kid, this dish deserves recognition and could even win an award. It is undoubtedly the best dish of the competition. With the addition of eggs and an unconventional cooling system, you have created a truly remarkable dish today. You will be the winner of this competition, as you've invented the first cold dessert in Grimesphere. Now, tell me, which reward would you like? A martial art skill or a magic skill?" the prince declared with enthusiasm.
"Yeah, I never expected you to create such an outstanding dish. I will also offer you my reward," the count added, bringing a smile to Bowen's face.
"As the count and the prince have given their approval, the baron's gift also goes to you," the butler chimed in, although he didn't show much emotion. He was still resentful, unable to find fault in Bowen's dish.
The happiest person among them all was Luther. "We did it!" he exclaimed, throwing his fist in the air with joy.
However, Bowen interrupted the celebrations with an unexpected revelation. "Sorry, but this isn't the dish I intended to present as my signature dish," he admitted, surprising everyone.
"What do you mean? Are you rejecting the award?" asked the count, taken aback.
"Well, all I want to say is that this isn't my best dish. Nevertheless, since you've all decided to reward me for it, I will accept it. The mana stone, I will take that. And as for the magic skill book, Your Highness, please reward Mr. Magician for his invaluable assistance. I couldn't have achieved this without him," Bowen stated, once again shocking everyone.
"Wow, look at him! Did he just give his reward to the magician?" murmured the crowd in astonishment.
"That kid! He seems to have no idea about the value of a magic skill," someone whispered.
"I bet he could easily sell it for one gold in the market," another person chimed in.
"Did any of you notice that he mentioned this cold dish not being his best one?" someone else pointed out.
"Hey, kid, if you don't need it, can you give me the skill book? I'll pay you for it," a person offered.
"This kid is both talented and kindhearted. I'm envious," remarked another.
Whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd. Bowen's actions had left them astounded. However, the most deeply affected by this turn of events was Luther, who now found himself shedding tears of gratitude. Bowen had not only guided him in controlling his element but also selflessly sacrificed his own reward. Luther was overwhelmed with shame for his earlier rude behavior. He had no idea that Bowen was such a remarkable and generous individual. He was so touched that he cannot find words to thank Bowen.
"Very well, I will provide the magician with an ice elemental beginner technique, just as you requested. But are you absolutely sure you don't want it for yourself? Let me remind you that a skill book is not something you can easily find," the prince stated.
"For Bowen, skill books from Grimesphere hold little value. He already has Solaris to acquire martial arts books and Gia to teach him magic. Furthermore, he can obtain divine skills from the system. The beginner skill books seem quite basic to him, so he's content with the mana stone for now," it was explained.
"I will just take the mana stone. As for the tax redemption by the barons, I don't plan to reside in Aswalt for long, and since I don't have a family, could you provide the tax redemption money in coins?" Bowen requested from the butler.
"I will have to discuss that with the baron," the butler responded and fell silent, avoiding further comment.
Curiosity piqued, the prince inquired, "So, what is this third dish that you boast so much about? You seem quite confident about it."
"Here it is, my best dish of the day, what I call the 'Queen of Desserts,'" Bowen answered, unveiling the lid to reveal black square pieces that appeared to be roughly cut. It lacked the visual appeal of the pudding, and the use of ruberry seeds made the count flinch.
"The Queen of Desserts? You claim this surpasses your pudding dish? Kid, are you certain about that?" the prince questioned skeptically.
"Yes, this dish made from ruberry seeds is my favorite, and I believe it is the best. Your Highness, please don't judge it solely by its appearance. Why don't you try one?" Bowen suggested.
"Prince, doesn't it look black and unappetizing? Even though everything this kid has made so far was good and delicious, ruberry seeds are typically used as animal feed and not suitable for consumption. Please, Your Highness, don't eat it. What if it upsets your stomach?" the count warned.
The prince shared same doubts, but he had tasted dishes that looked far worse than this. Summoning his courage, he picked up a piece and put it in his mouth.
Immediately, his expression turned astonished, his eyes widening in disbelief. He stared at Bowen as if he were an alien, frozen in place.
"Your Highness, what happened? Are you alright? Please say something," the count anxiously inquired.
"What? What is this?" the prince exclaimed, shocked. "It's not just delicious, it's out of this world! I have never tasted anything like this in my life. Kid, did you put any magical concoction in this? I'm absolutely enchanted by it," the prince praised without pause. Witnessing this, the count hesitantly took a piece, savoring the unexpected blend of flavors and textures. He reached for two more pieces and indulged in their exquisite taste, rendered speechless. The butler followed suit, astounded that Bowen could create such a delectable dessert using seeds considered waste.
"Tell me, kid, what reward do you desire? I will grant you anything you ask," the prince offered. Everyone present couldn't help but feel envious of Bowen, and their curiosity grew about the dessert he had made, which had the power to compel the prince to grant any wish.
"What? What is this?" exclaimed the astonished prince. "It's absolutely delightful, out of this world! I have never tasted anything like this in my entire life. Kid, did you put some kind of magical potion in this? I feel like I'm melting, melting!" The prince continued to shower the dessert with unending praise. Witnessing this, the count hesitantly took a piece and savored it. The taste, texture, and overall experience surpassed his expectations. He couldn't help but wonder, "How is it possible for someone to create such a delectable dessert using seeds that are typically considered waste?"
"Tell me, kid, what reward do you desire? I will grant you anything you ask for," promised the prince. All those around them couldn't help but feel envious of Bowen. Moreover, they were consumed by curiosity about the dessert Bowen had prepared, which had convinced the prince to fulfill any of Bowen's wishes.
As everyone eagerly anticipated Bowen's request, he unexpectedly suggested, "Your Highness, it is nearly time for the feast. Perhaps we can discuss the rest afterward." The prince understood that Bowen wanted to have a private conversation. "Ah, of course! Look at the time, Count. We nearly forgot ourselves in the midst of these delightful treats. We should make our way there," he said, giving Bowen a playful wink. After taking a few steps, he paused and turned back to Bowen. "Kid, how about joining us for the feast?" inquired the prince.
Bowen responded with a subtle smile and nodded. Finally, he had achieved his intended purpose. For a fleeting moment, his eyes flashed with a dangerous glint as he recalled the system message he had received the previous day:
Ting # Main mission 1 triggered- kill the supposed 33 sinners that threaten this world. Progress -(1/33)
Target 2 info -BARONESS OF TOWN OF ASWALT