After putting on his uniform, he joined the rest of the chefs. One of them looked up and said, "Hey, you, you're new here, right? Do you have any experience with cooking?"
Laniakea answered, "I used to help out in the kitchen at the orphanage. I also know some sword techniques, so I figured a knife shouldn't be that different, right?"
"You want to be a swordsman, huh?" the chef chuckled. "I wanted to be one once too. Everybody did. Ah, how time flies! Well, just watch me for now. I'll show you around."
The chef guided Laniakea through the kitchen, pointing out where everything was located. "In case you ever forget where something is, don't worry," he reassured him. "Even experienced chefs who've been working here for years forget from time to time. Now, let's get to cooking."
The chef pulled out a knife and several ingredients. He began expertly slicing onions into paper-thin slices, frying them in butter until they were perfectly caramelized, and then simmering them in a thick chicken broth thickened with roasted breadcrumbs. Laniakea fought through his hunger as he watched, focusing intently on how the chef moved the knife so he could replicate the movements exactly.
"Hey, why don't you try now?" the chef said, handing him the knife.
Laniakea replicated the movements perfectly, following each step until the dish was finished. Proud of himself, he showed it to the chef.
"It seems like you only copied what I did," the chef noted. "But that's not enough. Here, how about you taste my dish and then yours?" He held both plates out.
Laniakea took a bite from the chef's food first, then his own. "How come these taste so different, even though I cooked it exactly like you did? Please tell me!" he asked, bewildered.
"The answer is simple," the chef answered. "There is no trick. The reason mine tastes better isn't just because I have more experience; it's because I respect the food. You cannot just throw ingredients together in the right order. That may look like cooking, but it isn't. True cooking is when you feel what you are preparing, not just what you are seeing. You have to think of the ingredients, the person who will eat it, and what feelings you want to awaken in them. That is cooking."
Laniakea was shocked by the depth and passion in the chef's words. With a determined expression, he bowed. "I'm sorry for disrespecting the food. Please allow me to cook again. This time, I will not disappoint you!"
The chef gave a warm, proud smile. "You are truly a good child. I hope you understand how beautiful cooking really is. Who knows? If you do become a knight, you can cook for yourself! Now, get back to it. I'll be watching."
Laniakea tried the dish again, but this time, he didn't just copy the chef's movements. He held the knife and sliced the onions himself, they weren't perfectly thin this time as some were rough and uneven, but he didn't mind. As he watched them fry in the pan, a joyful smile crept across his face.
"I never knew cooking could feel so amazing," he thought."Oh! I should stir them now". He watched as the onions turned a slightly uneven caramel color. He mixed them with the broth and added the roasted breadcrumbs, watching the textures meld together. The chef watched Laniakea's focused, joyful expression and felt a surge of happiness himself.
"Chef! I'm finished. Please, taste it," Laniakea said, his face a mix of focus and anticipation.
The chef took a bite and smiled. "Here, compare it again."
Laniakea tasted all three dishes. "It's still pretty bad..." he admitted, "but I don't feel bad about it. Chef! Can I continue to learn from you?"
The chef agreed with an even wider smile and began showing him how to improve his technique even further.