• 78 •

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

In a kitchen, one would expect the banging of pots and wok, the sizzling sounds of food being cooked and the chefs bellowing out orders or words of acknowledgement.

It was only for this particular kitchen, the chefs were surrounding a red-haired beauty, as if clamouring for her favor.

"Little girl, would like to learn cooking from me?"

"Nonsense, your cooking is the worst among all of us! Move aside!"

"Little girl, how about me?"

"You old geezers! It's only appropriate that I take her in, I'm the only woman here!"

The chefs were bickering with one another, and Hana was at a loss.

"Stop arguing, all of you!" someone scolded. "We still have customers out there waiting for their food!"

The chefs instantly went back to work, and the person that said that immediately approached Hana. His genial, wrinkled face showed his old age, and he handed Hana a small plate of food, offering her the utensils.

It was a dish that resembled ratatouille.

Hana was fascinated by the colours of the vegetables, and how the dish was presented in a spiral, glistening in the light.

"Go on, try it and tell me what you think."

Hana took a bite, and her eyes widened in astonishment. She never knew vegetables could taste this great, and the tangy taste of the dish made her tempted to eat more.

"I...I can taste many things in here," Hana pointed to the empty dishes on the table that she cleared. "Like this dish, it had the red, juicy...fruit? And the spongy squishy texture, from this dish, the..."

"Eggplant?"

"Yes, yes!" Hana nodded. "And along with other ingredients like from here..."

Hana started to list the ingredient in every single dish that she had come across, despite only trying the food once.

This was Hana's first time using her mind so much to describe the names of the ingredients she weren't familiar with, and memorizing the appearance of the ingredients in the dishes. However, she could remember their texture and taste with just a bite.

"What about the taste?"

"Hmmm..." Hana blinked, looking down, contemplating before she blinked up at the chef. "I don't know how to explain it clearly."

"Just try the best you can."

"It tastes very good, I like it! But some of the vegetables are overcooked, I think. If...if I compare it with this dish, the vegetable was more juicier and not as...mushy. One of the vegetables in there wasn't as fresh either, compared to the one used in this dish!"

Hana proceeded to list the flaws she found in the dish, in her own terms.

The chefs were eavesdropping, and all of them looked and nudged at one particular chef. Though, their hands were still moving about swiftly and meticulously.

"She tried out the dish you were the weakest at, and she pointed out everything!"

"She only tried it once, and she isn't even a cook, but she can already tell what's missing in a dish," one chef sighed in envy. "A gifted young beauty."

"If only I had a sensitive taste buds like hers, I would have achieved so many things..."

The doors to the kitchen slammed open, and Cecil rushed in, assessing Hana from head to toe.

"Hana, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? What happened, why are they all fighting over you?"

"I'm okay!" Hana beamed before appearing confused. "Fighting over me?"

"Oh, young lady, a friend of this red-haired girl here?"

Cecil straightened herself, staring at all the chefs whose eyes were gleaming.

"Yes, I am." Cecil regarded them with a haughty look.

Xue was leaning on the doorway, his arms crossed as he observed the scene indifferently.

"You are awfully lucky to be her friend," one of the chefs complimented. "Her innate talent is simply astonishing!"

"She's going to be a great wife in the future."

The chefs continued throwing out praises, leaving Cecil stunned. Meanwhile, Hana only continued munching at the dishes offered to her.

"Can I cook this if I want to?"

"You definitely can."

"Really?! I want to learn how to cook all these dishes!"

The chefs once again crowded around her.

[ Congratulations, you have triggered and fixed another plothole!
The heroine is no longer a useless luggage to be dragged along! ]

[ Optional mission #9: The heroine's innate talent
Objective: Unlock Hana Katae's innate talent
Reward: 1000 points ]

"Innate...talent?"

[ Hana Katae, the heroine of this world is written as a heroine with a voracious appetite, and a gourmet as she has a bit of a sensitive palate. ]

"...yes, of course I know that. It's surprising how she remains so slim."

[ After consuming the Widerlich, and going through the same experience of having bitter food for 72 hours, her sensitive palate developed further. ]

[ The heroine has now gained an interest in cooking.
Her innate talent, cooking, has been completely unlocked. ]

[ Congratulations, once again~ ]

The manager hissed at the chefs to resume their work, before escorting the three valued customers back to their table.

He apologised profusely, constantly bowing and it was only until Cecil and Hana convinced him, he finally left.

"Hana, you are interested in...cooking?" Cecil asked

Hana nodded happily

"Can I learn?" Hana glanced at Cecil and Xue. "Can I really learn?"

"Sure."

"Do what you want, Hana."

Hana glowed so brightly at their response, Cecil found herself almost laughing at her cuteness.

[ Optional mission #8: The heroine's innate talent
Objective completed!
Reward: 1000 points
Remaining points: 19,000 points ]

Cecil never expected the heroine, Hana Katae, to develop until what she is now.

She unlocked her element, and she was even in her second form now.

She learnt to fight.

She even picked up a new hobby.

She was beginning to become her own person now, a new identity.

She was still an airhead, and still as gullible, but she wasn't a damsel-in-distress whose only purpose was a being a burden.

Cecil rubbed Hana's head gently, smiling. "You have changed a lot, Hana."

"Hmm?" Hana blinked innocently at Cecil, beaming.

"Nothing, I'm just feeling happy for you."

"I'm happy too!"

Xue watched the two ladies, his expression warm.

***

A man in his forties donning a slight beard was currently inspecting a jade pendant in his hands with a small magnifying glass. His careful inspection and admiration was interrupted by the light footsteps, and from the footsteps, he could tell it was a lady.

He brought his head up, looking up at his prospective customer.

It was a raven-haired beauty in a half-sleeved maroon dress, carrying a delicate sling bag.

The man was momentarily taken aback by the woman's beauty, plastering an amiable smile on his face.

"Welcome, young miss, what can I help you with?"

Cecil came alone to the shop as Hana had a different destination in mind after getting interested in cooking. Cecil suggested Hana to head to the bookstore to read up about cooking or even explore the town, since Indigo was a famous trading hub after all.

Once again, knowing Hana was a trouble magnet, Cecil told Xue accompany Hana.

Despite his reluctance, Xue accompanied Hana, since he himself knew leaving Hana alone for long wasn't a good idea.

Cecil approached the shopkeeper, opening her sling bag as she procured a broken flute with her gloved hands. She slid it across the wooden counter, displaying the broken flute to the shopkeeper.

"Many of the shop owners here recommended me to come to you." Cecil stated, her voice lukewarm.

"Ah, you must want me to fix this."

"Yes, if it's possible."

"I'll give you my verdict after inspecting it," the shopkeeper said politely. "Give me a moment."

Cecil browsed the shop, noticing how it was filled to the brim with wooden antiques. Most of them was restored to their original form with careful attention, and Cecil could understand why many shop owners recommended this man.

"Young miss, this...this is a soulbound weapon, is it not?"

Cecil spun around, remembering how Leonaut transmuted the flute into an ice sword, and the sound it made when he played with the flute.

"...yes." Cecil admitted reluctantly.

"Did you know, the only way to break a soulbound weapon is for the owner to break it?"

Cecil widened her eyes. "I didn't know that."

The man sighed, shaking his head. "I can fix it, but it will be a useless flute without its previous properties."

"Thank you, that will be more than sufficient." Cecil thanked him politely, bowing her head.

Meeting such a courteous and gorgeous customer, the shopkeeper found himself making some idle chat.

"I believe this isn't a weapon of yours."

"Definitely not, I am simply bringing it here to fix it for a friend."

"Your friend is rather strange," the shopkeeper observed the flute. "No one in their right mind would break their soul weapon."

Cecil remembered the scene of Leonaut and Xue fighting, with Xue breaking Leonaut's flute.

They are the same person after all...

Cecil smiled half-heartedly. "My friend is...unique."

The shopkeeper chuckled at Cecil's choice of word.

"How much will it cost? And how long will it be?"

"It will take a week and a half, and the cost..." the shopkeeper trailed off, before grinning happily.

"Since you are so polite, I'll give you a discount. It will be 300 aupi, and can pay once I'm done repairing your friend's flute."

Cecil knew this price was a good bargain, since she had learned about the market prices from reading the novel repeatedly. She was surprised at her luck, wondering if the heroine had unintentionally passed it to her.

"Thank you very much, you are too nice."

"Don't mention it, don't mention it!"

Cecil knew she should come back for the flute when it was close to the sword mound expedition.

She bowed, smiling. "I'll be back here in a week and a half."

"See you soon, young miss."

***

"Miss Eri."

Cecil knocked on the door, greeting her teacher. She went to the lounge area meant for the teachers, relieved that she managed to catch the person she was searching for.

"Cecil, how are you feeling now?"

"I am completely fine, the two weeks break given by the principal was more than sufficient."

"Knowing you, I'm sure a day would have sufficed."

Cecil nodded.

"Are you looking for me?"

"I passed a gate, and I want to begin training once again."

"That's quick! You are the first to surpass the gate in the earth division!" Eri widened her eyes, flabbergasted. "You aren't even close to becoming a sophomore yet!"

"I'm sure Linqin at the water division is advancing even quicker."

"Linqin? The girl you fought at the tournament? Ah, you weren't here at that time..."

"...?"

"Linqin withdrew from the academy."

Cecil blinked, there was yet another deviation. Albeit, Linqin was just meant to be another cannon fodder villain, she still mattered in the plotline in the academy.

"...I see, she quitted," Cecil nodded, her expression calm. "May I join in during the afternoon session?"

"That..."

Eri sighed, patting Cecil on the shoulder.

"Why are you in such a rush to train and become stronger? If you were given two weeks to rest, you should treasure it well."

"I really am fine, Miss Eri."

"Not that," Eri raised her eyebrows at Cecil. "It's something completely different, isn't it?"

"..."

"...I feel restless."

Eri sighed, leaning down and looking Cecil in the eyes.

"The entire time in this academy, do you know what I see you doing?"

"What is it?"

"Training, training and training! Other than that, during your spare time, you visit your friends instead!" Eri chided, her tone concerned. "You are in your youth, spend your youth having fun, experiencing life and finding out more about yourself instead of others!"

Cecil blinked, ducking her head down.

I cannot deny that I have been spending the entire time training, and spending the remaining time on seeing the others.

Eri continued to lecture her.

"You feel restless because it has become a habit of yours to train and train! This isn't how you should be spending your youth, you should be falling in and out of love, especially with handsome strangers--"

"Okay, okay, I understand, Miss Eri," Cecil smiled helplessly. "The feeling of restlessness doesn't sit well with me, and somehow, I know it will only go away if I resume my normal schedule when I was in the academy."

"You feel restless because it has become a habit to train when you are in the academy," Eri sighed, patting her treasured student's head. "Poor thing...sometimes, I wonder why you are working so hard to become stronger."

"I...I have people that I want to protect," Cecil answered truthfully, "Even though I know they will still be safe in the end, I still don't want to see them get hurt."

"You are so loyal," Eri complimented, smiling. "They must be so lucky to have you."

Cecil thought of Xue and Hana, smiling softly. "Actually, it's the other way around. I'm lucky to have met them and have them."

Eri shook her head, wondering if this student of hers would ever put herself first. "I'm still not letting you attend lessons."

"Can I at least...attend the lessons to check for any improvements in my abilities?"

Eri contemplated at her question.

"It would be better to have a sparring partner if you want to check it, but I'm afraid...no one among the freshman cohort is at your current level--ah."

Eri clapped her hands together. "There is Xue! Though he may be...unique in his abilities, and on another caliber from you, he is still the best sparring partner available for you now."

The moment Cecil heard this suggestion from her teacher, she swore her soul could have flown out from her body.

***

《 start 》

Cooking...cooking is interesting!

I never knew cooking can look so fun!

Now, I can make my own food and eat delicious food everyday!

But first I need to understand the cooking terms.

Frying, steaming, stewing...

Chopping, slicing, dicing...

...

...my head hurts.

But...but for the sake of eating good food, I...I will do it!

《 stop 》

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net