The Grand Bakery Hall had emptied hours ago, yet Sanne couldn't bring herself to leave. The magical ovens had cooled, the enchanted mixers stood silent, but her mind buzzed with everything she had seen today.
She'd won — somehow. She'd survived her first Recipe Trial. But her victory felt hollow without understanding why she was here in the first place.
Flan floated lazily above her head, licking a sugar crystal.
"For a human without magic, you bake shockingly well," he said around a mouthful. "Almost… suspiciously well."
Sanne frowned. "Suspicious? My grandmother taught me everything I know."
Flan froze midair, his caramel-colored eyes widening.
"Wait. Your grandmother… what was her name?"
Sanne hesitated, confused by his sudden seriousness.
"Anneliese Vos. Why?"
Flan's wings fluttered faster.
"Anneliese Vos? You never thought to mention you're related to her?!"
Before she could demand an explanation, the massive doors of the hall creaked open. Master Crust stepped inside, his heavy boots echoing on the sugar-polished floor.
"Come with me," he said simply. "It's time you learned why the portal brought you here."
The Secret Chamber
Master Crust led them through a narrow corridor hidden behind the Hall's ovens, down a spiral staircase carved from caramel-colored stone. The air grew warm and sweet, thick with the scent of old parchment and cinnamon smoke.
At the bottom, an ancient wooden door waited, its handle shaped like a swirling whisk. He pushed it open, revealing a vast chamber lined with shelves upon shelves of cookbooks. Some were bound in leather, others in enchanted pastry skins that shimmered under the light.
In the center of the room lay a pedestal. On it rested a single, massive tome — its cover made of golden crusted leather, etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly, as though alive.
Flan let out a low whistle.
"The Grimoire of Asteria…"
Sanne tilted her head. "Grimoire?"
Master Crust nodded solemnly.
"The oldest magical recipe book in Crumora. It records every enchanted technique ever discovered… but it chooses who may read it. And it hasn't chosen anyone in over a century."
He gestured for her to approach.
The Book Awakens
Sanne hesitated, heart pounding as she stepped forward. The grimoire seemed to hum softly as she reached out, her fingertips brushing against its warm surface.
Then, suddenly, the runes flared brightly.
A gust of warm air burst from the book, swirling around her like a sugar storm. Pages flipped rapidly on their own, and strange symbols danced across the walls.
Flan yelped and ducked behind her shoulder.
"Uh… that's not normal."
The book stopped on a single glowing page. At the top was a title written in golden ink:
"The Portal's Recipe."
Sanne's breath caught.
"Portal… recipe?"
Beneath the title, a list of ingredients shimmered faintly:
Starlight Sugar
Moonflower Yeast
The Breath of Warm Ovens
One True Baker's Blood
Her stomach twisted. The last line was written in crimson ink.
Master Crust's voice was low, almost reverent.
"That recipe… it opens and sustains the bakery portals between worlds. Only a chosen baker can perform it. And your grandmother… she was the last one."
Sanne staggered back, her mind spinning.
"My grandmother… opened the portal?"
Flan's small voice piped up nervously.
"Which means, sugar crumb, it's your turn now."
A Dangerous Legacy
Before Sanne could respond, the grimoire suddenly slammed shut, sending a shockwave through the chamber. Candles flickered violently.
From somewhere deep within the hallways above, a rumbling roar echoed, shaking sugar dust from the ceiling.
Master Crust's expression hardened.
"They've found us."
"Who?" Sanne asked, clutching the pedestal for balance.
"The Devourers," Flan whispered, trembling. "Creatures that feast on magical ingredients… and they want the grimoire."
Master Crust drew a glowing whisk from his belt — no ordinary baking tool, but a weapon infused with flame.
"Go, girl. Protect the grimoire. Protect your bakery. From this moment on… you are no ordinary baker."
Sanne stared at the ancient tome, her grandmother's secrets, and the danger now clawing at her new world.
For the first time, she realized something terrifying:
This wasn't just about learning magical recipes.This was about surviving them.