The carriage shook up and down as Ji Hoon sat with his eyes fixed on his hands. Resting in his palm was a circular wooden board with a brass key tag hanging from it—his registration badge. Etched onto its surface were his name and group number, proof that he was officially entered in the ICC.
"Young master, we've arrived!"
The familiar voice of Haide called from outside. Ji Hoon opened the door and stepped down. Haide waited for him, smiling, though Ji Hoon had told the others not to follow him this time.
It was the preliminaries; there was no need for all of them. Still, Beatrice had insisted Haide accompany him to help if needed, but now he thought of it, it would be good to have someone drive him back.
"Good luck, Young Master," Haide said encouragingly. "There will be countless contestants today, but this preliminary round will eliminate most of them."
Ji Hoon nodded. "I see. Thanks for driving me here. Will you be returning now, or…?"
Haide shook his head. "No. The lady herself asked me to wait for you. I'll park in the back streets, but when you're finished, I'll be right here."
"Good," Ji Hoon said quietly. He turned toward the looming gates of the Ministry of Food. The structure stood tall, grand banners fluttering in the morning breeze, its polished stone walls gleaming beneath the sun.
His heart thudded in his chest.
As he approached the staircase, a man holding a parchment list stepped forward, flanked by two knights in armor.
The official eyed him skeptically, taking in his attire—an elegant noble's outfit rather than a cook's uniform. "Excuse me, sir. This is the Ministry of Food. Today we're holding an event. You can't enter without proper—"
Before he could finish, Ji Hoon raised the wooden tag.
The man's eyes widened. He leaned in, inspected the key tag, and froze. 'He's registered?' His thoughts whirled in disbelief. 'A noble cook…?'
"Um… may I enter now?" Ji Hoon asked politely.
The official blinked, then quickly handed back the tag, bowing slightly. "O-of course, sir. Please, proceed through the right hall. The waiting room is ahead."
Ji Hoon gave a curt nod and walked inside.
The interior was draped with banners displaying crests, culinary motifs, and the emblem of the ICC. Large medieval-style lettering announced this year's theme and the ministry's mission: Desserts, Pastries, Sweets and Confections.
Though he had been here once to register, he hadn't seen it like this. The halls bustled with activity.
He reached a heavy brown gate at the end of the corridor. He paused, inhaling deeply.
'Come on, don't get nervous. You placed in the top three of world competitions in your previous life. You earned a Michelin star for your restaurant. Don't get worried here. Still… I should stay sharp.'
He slapped his cheeks lightly to wake himself up, then pushed open the doors.
Light flooded the room—and so did the noise. A roaring sea of voices, hundreds of contestants filling the chamber wall-to-wall. Ji Hoon stopped in his tracks.
'So many people…'
Haide hadn't exaggerated but seeing it firsthand was overwhelming. Dozens of races, ages, and backgrounds mixed together.
He did hear that the Central Continent, the one he was in, is filled from all races across continents, but he never knew this many people existed.
'Lior did say he came from the Sand city in the neighboring kingdom. I guess all of this people came from all around too.'
They were countless, all standing shoulder to shoulder, waiting nervously or some boasting loudly. Some cast sidelong glances at Ji Hoon, whispering, judging his noble attire.
The room had a stage at the center and by the sides it was connected to multiple corridors; each topped with glowing numbers.
'20–35? 1–20? What are those for?'
Before he could figure it out, a hand clapped his back.
"Noble cook! Glad to see you here!"
Ji Hoon turned in surprise. "Lior?"
The boy grinned, full of energy. "How've you been since last time?"
"I'm fine," Ji Hoon replied, smiling faintly. "A little excited?"
"Of course! It's finally here!" Lior's enthusiasm was infectious.
Ji Hoon chuckled. "Glad to see someone, I know. Have you competed before?"
"Nope, this is my first ICC, I did hear about it even from the Sand city though, it was famous but seeing it up close really is different. I heard the judges this year are incredible. Valeria really went all out."
Ji Hoon's eyes scanned the massive crowd. "That also means the competition will be just as fierce."
Before Lior could reply, a booming voice echoed across the hall, silencing the chatter.
Everyone turned toward the stage. A tall man in formal robes strode out. Whispers rippled instantly through the crowd.
"It's Third-Rank Minister Dorian!"
"The famous owner of The Crimson Chalice! I didn't think he'd come personally!"
"This year really is different… so many big names."
Minister Dorian smiled, raising a small silver cylinder to his lips. His voice magnified through the device, resonant and commanding.
"Welcome to the 34th Imperial Culinary Certification!"
The hall erupted in cheers. Ji Hoon felt the sound vibrate in his chest.
"Thank you for being here," Dorian continued, his words deliberate, his tone almost theatrical. "I see many new faces, many hopefuls. Perhaps the next generation of Valeria's greatest cooks is standing here among you!"
The crowd roared back in response.
"As you know," his gaze swept over the hall, "this year we have accepted three hundred and thirty-six contestants."
Gasps spread through the room. Ji Hoon's own eyes widened. 'Over three hundred…?'
"But not everyone is destined to shine in the kitchen. Among the masses, there are only a few gems. And that is the purpose of this preliminary round. To sift through stone and find brilliance."
The murmurs died down, every ear focused on him.
"This round will not be about dazzling tricks or flamboyant techniques," Dorian declared. "It will be about fundamentals. About the foundation of every cook."
Ji Hoon straightened unconsciously.
"You will be divided into groups of six. Each group will face a test in basic skill and adaptability."
He paused, his voice dropping to a more serious note. "If your group fails to meet the standard… then no one in it will advance."
Shock rippled through the contestants.
"What?! They'll eliminate the whole group?"
"That's insane!"
"Not even the best one passes? That's brutal!"
"That's the ICC for you," someone muttered darkly.
Dorian raised his hand for silence. "We are not here simply to hand out certificates. This year, we are gem-hunting. We are searching for those who can stand on the world stage, not just fill kitchens."
He lifted a single finger. "And your theme for this round is…"
The hall held its breath.
"Eggs."
Confused murmurs broke out.
"Eggs?"
"But you can make hundreds of things from eggs!"
"Which dish are they even expecting…?"
Ji Hoon's lips curved slightly. 'Eggs, huh? The most ordinary ingredient… but also the most revealing. You can't fake fundamentals when it comes to eggs.'
"The number on your key tag will determine your group," Dorian continued, pointing to the numbered corridors. "Go now and find your stations. May the true cook shine!"
A final cheer rang out, shaking the walls.
Ji Hoon glanced at his tag. Group 53. He spotted the corridor marked 45–56 and turned to Lior.
"I'm Group 24. What about you?" Lior asked eagerly.
"Group 53," Ji Hoon answered.
They both sighed, disappointed.
"Don't worry," Lior grinned, pumping his fist. "Let's meet in the next round. I'll be waiting here after we pass."
Ji Hoon chuckled softly. 'Speaking like he already knows we'll pass? So confident… maybe that's exactly what I need.'
"Sure. I'll see you then."
They parted ways, heading into their respective corridors.
Ji Hoon joined the line for Group 53. A clerk seated at a desk collected his key tag, cross-referenced it with a thick ledger, then stamped a blue slip and handed it to him.
"Please wait at the blue seats," she instructed. "You will be called when the time comes."
Ji Hoon followed her directions; he reached the seating area of the chamber. Six figures already waited near the blue seats.
A hulking man, broader than even Malak or Isaac. Three younger boys clustered together, whispering nervously. A single girl stood apart, arms crossed, sharp eyes scanning everyone. And in the center, a fancy-looking youth dressed in extravagant clothes.
Ji Hoon stepped forward. His grip tightened on his tag.
'I guess this is it.'