The air was thick with tension as the last grains of salt and flour fell into place. All around the arena, burners hissed, sauces simmered, and magic stirred the air with scent and light.
Marron stood behind her counter, her rice bowl gleaming under the judging lights.
She'd plated it with care—crispy breaded slices of duskbeast loin laid gently atop a bed of fluffy mana-infused white rice. Marron then drizzled a rich, smoky reduction across the meat. A garnish of seared duskroot and a dash of herb-infused oil brought it all together.
The judges approached and Marron's heart thundered in her chest. They carefully inspected her food, checking if it was fully cooked.
"By the forge," the dwarf judge whispered. "This meat was alive with darkness...how did she manage to clean it? There's barely any trace of shadow-aether left."
Marron was particularly proud of that.
The dryad judge saw the merrymint at her station. "Merrymint? How novel! This is a beautiful golden crust on your dish."
The dwarf with cutlery-charms braided into his beard took the first bite. He blinked. "Absolutely delicious. It feels like coming home after a hard day at work."
The dryad judge lifted a piece, holding it to the light before tasting. Her petals quivered.
"It's like campfire smoke after a long rain. Nourishing. Steady. Powerful. This dish… it doesn't roar. It hums."
The parchment-skinned judge nodded sagely after a few bites. "Balanced. Subtle layering. She understood the meat and made it her own."
Behind the scenes, a soft DING rang in Marron's ears.
[You have created: Duskbeast Comfort Bowl]
Stat Effects: +15 Strength, +10 Stamina
Flavor Tags: Soulful, Restorative, Bold
Menu Category Updated: Signature Mains
[New Feature Available – Stat Lens]
Optional Upgrade: View stat and emotional reactions from food consumers
Would you like to enable?
[YES] [NO]
She selected [YES].
A translucent pane opened beside her vision. The judges' names glowed faintly, alongside their current stat shifts and mood tags.
The dwarf: +15 Strength, Status: Deeply Moved.
The dryad: +10 Vitality, Status: Serene.
The scholar: +5 Clarity, +5 Endurance, Status: Thoughtfully Satisfied.
Whoa… this is wild. Now I can see how my food actually affected them. This'll come in handy for future competitions.
"Hey, Marron!"
She turned and saw Mokko washing the bowls and dishes. "Mise en place! You never know when the next round's going to start."
She smiled apologetically. "Sorry, sorry! I was just processing their comments. Seeing their stats rise from my food...it's such a nice feeling."
Her bear guardian grinned as he continued to clean up her station. "Ah, so you got that upgrade. It's a popular one for determining what vendors will sell for the day."
Lucy bounced excitedly beside the counter, her jiggly blue form quivering with anticipation.
"You want some?" Marron laughed, slicing a bit of leftover jelly parfait.
She offered it carefully. The slime wobbled in bliss the moment the jelly touched her membrane. A soft sparkle burst within Lucy like a sugar firework.
[Lucy – Status Boost: Happiness +25.
Affinity Upgraded: Companion Tier I.]
Marron laughed aloud. "Glad you liked it."
Cuddling Lucy made her feel a bit braver, like everything would be all right. She glanced up to see how everyone else was doing.
+
Across the arena, other dishes were being judged.
Balen's dish was a golden lattice pastry stuffed with spiced duskbeast ragu. He topped it with enchanted cheese that crackled faintly with fire mana.
When the judges tasted it, one of them gasped.
"The heat doesn't punch me all at once, it's rather hidden--clever! It's like walking into a warm hearth after a snowstorm."
On the other side of the arena, Elka had prepared a forager's duskbeast stew. Root vegetables layered in duskbeast stock, thick with herbs native to Whetvale.
It wasn't the prettiest plating, but every component was edible.
"Not as refined as the others, but I know you are very good with taste." The judge with parchment skin said before tasting.
"This is survival food," the dwarf said. "But elevated. It speaks of long winters and the joy of making it through."
After the judges continued to the next contestant, Elka breathed a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile Luma the plant mage created a duskbeast roulade wrapped in blanched leaves with spiritvine glaze. It was truly a sight to behold and even the dwarf gasped.
When they sampled the dish, they could only articulate using one word.
"Delicate."
"Artistic."
"Balanced."
Marron swallowed.
They're all so talented. It reminds me of the time I entered my first competition. I always felt so weak back then--but now things could be a little different...
She felt the old nerves creep back in and some tears started to well up in her eyes.
Then, from the crowd—
"COME ON, MARRON!"
It was the farmer from before, waving his hat in the air. A few others echoed the cheer.
Her hands unclenched.
People had tasted her food. And they believed in her.
Sweet Passion slinked across the judging stage once more. "Ooh, baby, this heat in the kitchen is giving me heart palpitations! The judges are whispering. The crowd's holding their breath. That can only mean one thing!"
The final scores were being tallied.
Marron inhaled deeply.
She thought of the first time she'd ever competed—shaky hands, uncertain heart, desperate for a win. She was still scared now. But this time… she wasn't alone.
She glanced at Mokko, who gave her a thumbs up. Lucy did a little spin.
Win or lose, she had cooked something that mattered.
And the results were coming.
She was scared, but tried to console herself by sampling her own dish again. It was delicious, flavorful, and very warm. If not a win, she would practice to win the next contest.
But even as she said that, deep in the recesses of her heart, she really wanted to win.
I really want that travel upgrade! Being in Whetvale is great, but...the world is too big to focus on one town! I want to eat EVERYTHING Savoria has to offer!