When handling the larvae of biting cabbage, Allen found their texture far more appealing than that of mature biting cabbage—yet even this had its limits.
This softness wasn't due to moisture but stemmed from the ingredient's natural texture. Even when dried, it wouldn't become crispy.
When ingredients lack ideal qualities, the cooking method can make all the difference.
Allen pondered for a moment, then decided to coat the larvae in a crunchy rock sugar shell.
They were just the right size—perfect for creating one-bite rock sugar snacks.
However, to draw out their aroma, the larvae needed roasting before being coated in syrup.
He placed the chewy baby cabbages into the oven, then began preparing the rock sugar syrup.
He found a pot, added water and sugar, and began simmering the mixture. As it reduced and began to bubble, Allen took the roasted larvae out of the oven.
He sprinkled a little salt on the baking tray, then gently shook it so the salt coated the larvae evenly.
Meanwhile, the syrup in the pot began changing color. Allen glanced at it, squeezed in half a lemon, stirred the mixture evenly, then turned down the heat.
Next, he conjured a bamboo stick using a transformation spell—there weren't any in the kitchen—and used it to skewer one of the cabbage larvae.
He dipped it into the syrup, then placed it into the cold water he had prepared nearby, allowing the sugar shell to solidify. Finally, he placed it on a tray.
A crystal-clear rock sugar bite cabbage was born.
The technique was completely new to Tom. He watched Allen's smooth, practiced movements with wide-eyed curiosity, fascinated and itching to learn how to achieve such a gleaming, translucent effect.
Five minutes later, Allen coated the last larva in syrup and placed it on top of the stack, forming an emerald-green rock candy pyramid.
The transparent sugar glistened under the light, making the entire dish look incredibly appetizing.
Just then, the Eye of Discrimination delivered its evaluation:
[Rock Sugar Bite Cabbage] (Extreme)
Description: A dish that highlights the chewy nature of baby cabbage larvae.
Effect: Grants the status [Magic Active D], increasing magic effectiveness by 15% for 10 minutes.
Bonus: When consumed by the host, the effect is doubled and grants an additional 20 strengthening points.
This time, the dish came with more than just a new name. The label "Extreme" was attached, and the magic effect jumped from [Magic Active E] to [Magic Active D], with a clear description of the added benefits.
It even specified that Allen would receive double the effect and twenty strengthening points upon eating it himself!
Clearly, his intuition had been right—refining recipes and ingredient preparation methods truly was the key to maximizing strengthening effects.
Allen's eyes drifted toward the three cans of dragon liver sitting off to the side.
Yet, despite the promising result, using precious ingredients like dragon liver this way would be incredibly costly.
Still, perhaps ordinary ingredients could be elevated with such cooking methods to a level nearly as effective.
"Cecil, how are you planning to sell these biting cabbages?" Tom asked, eyeing the beautiful rock candy pyramid.
"Three for one galleon, take it or leave it." Allen replied casually. He packed some into a bag for himself, tossed one to Black, then popped another into his mouth.
After chewing and swallowing, he made a quick calculation—it took five of these larvae to gain one strengthening point.
"The price is a bit steep," Tom muttered, unsure whether to hope for the snacks to sell or not.
On one hand, he definitely wanted to try some himself. If they were too expensive, it would feel like taking advantage. On the other hand, if they didn't sell, it would be a blow to Allen—and what if that discouraged him from cooking in the future?
"Remember to return the unsold ones to me," Allen said casually.
"Alright, I'll give it a shot," Tom replied, then walked out of the kitchen with the dish in hand.
Selling all these cabbage bites could potentially net Allen around 200 strengthening points—a huge gain. But the hunting level required to obtain dragon liver was still a daunting 70.
In truth, Allen would prefer to sell the cabbage bites for money and use the proceeds to buy more dragon liver instead.
But he wouldn't sell them cheaply—if the price was too low, he might as well just eat them himself.
When Tom stepped out of the kitchen carrying the crystal-clear rock sugar bite cabbages, the group of wizards waiting outside went wild.
"Give me one!"
"I want two! Two!"
"Hey, don't be greedy. If you buy too many, others won't get to try!"
The crowd surged around him like it was a new release at a Quidditch supply store. Tom, who'd never experienced such enthusiasm before, felt genuinely moved.
But then… there was the price.
"Everyone, calm down first," Tom called out, trying to manage the excitement. "Remember what Mr. Cecil said—this isn't free."
"We know! It's just money, right? How much?" Hotch, the wizard who had once been bitten by a cabbage, couldn't wait. He pulled out his wallet. "How much is it?"
"Three bites per portion, one galleon per portion," Tom said, hesitating before revealing the price. He braced himself for the reaction.
The atmosphere cooled almost instantly.
"How much?" Hotch froze, still holding up his wallet. "Tom, did I hear that right?"
"Yep, that's what Mr. Cecil said." Tom sighed, as expected.
A galleon wasn't much to a wizard, but paying a whole galleon for three cabbage larvae?
Wasn't that daylight robbery?
Everyone looked at one another, clearly wavering.
Just when Tom thought Allen's venture was doomed, someone unexpectedly raised his wallet.
Everyone turned in unison to see who the fool was—
It was Quirinus Quirrell, standing stiffly with his wallet raised and a strange expression on his face.
"Whoa! Mr. Cecil's food is so good it made him cry. That's true love!" someone joked.
Quirrell looked like he really might cry.
True love, your mother! he wanted to shout.
He was being forced—if it weren't for the poisonous snake coiled around his neck, he wouldn't be caught dead spending a galleon on three stupid cabbage bugs!
But he had no choice.
And so the first sale was made.
Soon enough, curiosity and temptation began to outweigh hesitation.
"Fine, give me one."
"…Me too."
Gradually, more and more people gave in and pulled out their wallets.
Tom was stunned as the crowd quickly formed a line. The emerald-green rock candy pyramid dwindled, bite by bite, under the rush of excited wizards.
Allen had succeeded again.
This time, not just in cooking—but in business.