Chapter 1

—CAFETERIA - KITCHEN—

Let’s Make Beef Stew #1 ~Silver ver.~

Silver: Beef stew... A stewed dish of all things, huh? I hope I don’t mess this up.

Ghost Chef: “Of all things”? Is there something you’re worried about?

Silver: Truth is, I have this bad habit of dozing off out of nowhere.

And making stew is no exception... I’ve fallen asleep midway through and botched it several times before.

Ghost Chef: I heard you mention that was your reason for applying to this class. I see it’s really true...

Riddle: It could be extremely dangerous to fall asleep while cooking. Have you ever had a fire break out?

Silver: It’s common to use magic for cooking in the Valley of Thorns. We also use mana to make fires.

Your mana gets cut off when you fall asleep, which also puts out the fire. So the risk of one breaking out is pretty much nonexistent for me.

Ghost Chef: Hahaha! You found yourself with a natural fire-preventing function there.

Silver: Back when I still couldn’t use magic, my father was in charge of the fire spell.

Whenever I nodded off, I’d make him have to—I mean, he would manage the fire and finish cooking for me.

But since I was so young, I didn’t realize he was protecting me.

So I thought I’d be fine doing it by myself...

When my father was out one day, I built a fire from some wood and tried cooking alone.

It’d been very cold since morning; I wanted to make him some pot-au-feu.

I was able to keep everything under control while I chopped ingredients, threw them in the pot, and flavored it...

But I think I got too comfortable then. I fell asleep while the pot was still over the fire.

Riddle: Ah, that’s not safe! This wasn’t fire made by magic, right?

What happened after that?

Silver: Somehow I woke up before a fire could break out. But the liquid had all cooked away by that point...

I rushed to add more water into the pot, but then the burnt food dissolved and turned the entire soup black.

The dish was a failure. The house smelled burnt. I had no idea what to do, and then my father came home.

Riddle: ...Did he reprimand you?

Silver: No. He smiled and said, “All that’s important is that you aren’t hurt.”

“You can use this failure to grow and do better next time.”

Then he started eating my charred, black pot-au-feu without even hesitating.

He told me, “My, how flavorful this is!” but... there really was no way he could eat it.

Riddle: He sounds like a very kind father.

Silver: Yeah, he’s someone I’m really proud of.

Riddle: Did you learn to cook from him?

Silver: He’s remarkable with his sword and his magic... but cooking is a different story. Everything from the ingredients to the steps is always played by ear.

And the flavor is so “unique.” His techniques weren’t really helpful.

So I taught myself to cook. Although, I used to think anything works as long as I could eat it.

I’d fry chopped meat and vegetables with salt and pepper, and sometimes make risotto with the leftovers.

Riddle: Having self-taught cooking skills is admirable on its own. I’ve never put together a meal by myself.

Ghost Chef: Hey, you two! Less talking, more working!

Silver: Oh, sorry... I was going to chop the vegetables first.

Let’s peel the carrots.

(Peeling...)

Ghost Chef: Ooh~ Look at that skill!

Silver: I’m used to working with kitchen knives.

Next I’ll do the onions.

(Peeling...)

Riddle: Silver, would you mind showing me how to peel those? I need to use onions as well.

Ghost Chef & Silver: ......?

Riddle: Wh-Why are you all giving me that strange look?! Was it that weird of a question...?

Silver: You can peel the skin off with your hands.

Riddle: It’s not the method I was asking about... I, um, can’t figure out how much of the onion is the skin.

Silver: Oh, that’s what you meant? The skin is the thin, brown outer layer. The white part is what’s edible.

Ghost Chef: If there are any brown spots in there, you can cut those off later.

Riddle: Only remove the brown areas... Making unnatural holes in the onion bothers me a little.

Ghost Chef: Mm, you’re quite the perfectionist, Riddle-kun!

Silver: Don’t worry. Worst comes to worst, you can still eat any skin that’s left by sticking it to the roof of your mouth.

Ghost Chef: And Silver-kun is not, despite his looks!

Silver: Alright, I’m done cutting all the meat and vegetables. Now I’ll melt butter in the preheated pot...

And start browning the meat.

(Sizzle...)

Silver: Time to toss in the vegetables... Normally, I would sprinkle in some salt and pepper and finish right here.

Ghost Chef: That’d be perfect if you were using steak meat. But shanks and tendons will taste much better if you stew them~

Silver: So you use different cuts of meat depending on what you’re making? I never really thought about that until now.

...Chef, the onions are all transparent. Does this mean they’re cooked enough?

Ghost Chef: Oh, looks good! You can pour the water in and start stewing.

Silver: Finally at the dreaded stewing part... I’m worried about falling asleep.

Ghost Chef: Hehe... I’ve got just the thing that will solve this dilemma of yours.

Silver: You do?!

Chapter 2

—CAFETERIA - KITCHEN—

Let’s Make Beef Stew #2 ~Silver ver.~

Ghost Chef: Allow me to present to you... tada! An electric pressure cooker!

Silver: An electric pressure cooker...!

I see. Using this would save me a lot of stewing time.

Plus an electric appliance means it has a timer feature too. If I were to fall asleep, everything would finish up without burning the food.

Ghost Chef: Well... Yes, you’re right. You covered everything before I could start explaining.

Silver: This is my first time using an electrical appliance for cooking.

Riddle: What? Your first time?! I don’t cook on a daily basis, but even I have at least used a microwave.

Silver: Of course I know they exist...

But I’ve just gone to the cafeteria ever since I came to this school, so I never had a chance to use one.

In the Valley of Thorns, most homes don’t even have electrical outlets, much less microwaves.

Riddle: Life there really is based on the premise that everyone can use magic... It’s hard for me to imagine.

If I lived there, my magic would undoubtedly grow much stronger than it is now.

Silver: I’m sure someone with mana and abilities like yours could get by problem-free in my hometown.

Ghost Chef: Now, Silver-kun. Put your ingredients in the pressure cooker.

Choose the “Beef stew” option from the menu displayed on the control panel. Then hit the switch to start cooking!

(Beep!)

Silver: It says... 20 minutes left.

Ghost Chef: Now you can rest. Take it easy while you wait for it to cook.

Silver: I don’t need to be checking on the pot? Shouldn’t I stir it every once in a while?

Ghost Chef: Not at all, it’ll do all the work for you. Messing with it might actually ruin it.

Let’s leave the pressure cooker and start making the demi-glace sauce!

Silver: I finished making the sauce sooner than I thought. Should I go wash the pot and knives I used?

...Wash... the..... pot.........

Ghost Chef: Ah! Hey, Silver-kun!

Silver: Ah...! That was close; I almost fell asleep. This always happens the second I let my guard down.

Was there something you needed?

Ghost Chef: You took my chance earlier, so let me tell you how you can use an electric pressure cooker.

Silver: Oh, absolutely.

Ghost Chef: There are a lot of cooking options listed on the cooker, but you don’t necessarily have to make a dish according to the recipe.

You can alter it however you’d like by substituting the ingredients and flavorings.

Take what’s currently stewing in your pot for example.

If you were to add in tomato juice instead of demi-glace sauce, you’d come out with a tomato stew.

Silver: ...Tomato juice is my father’s favorite.

Using tomato juice instead of the sauce... Maybe Father would like it.

~~♪

Silver: What’s that sound...? Oh, it’s done cooking.

Ghost Chef: Go ahead and take off the lid of the cooker. Be careful not to burn yourself.

Silver: Okay.

(Clink!)

Silver: Look at that...

The meat and vegetables are cooked all the way through. I can’t believe they could get so soft in just 20 minutes.

Ghost Chef: Alright now, you can get this finished up.

Silver: For the flavoring, I’ll use the demi-glace sauce I made, and a little ketchup. Maybe this much?

Yeah, it’s good!

Now I’ll plate it and garnish it with boiled broccoli.

...Okay, it’s finished.

Ghost Chef: You pulled this off quite well! Let’s bring your dish to the judges.

Silver: No matter how tough of an opponent I have to face, I’m going to be the one taking home this win...!

Ghost Chef: Hold on, you aren’t running off to a fight.

—CAFETERIA - JUDGING VENUE—

???: So you’ll be serving me your food, Silver?

Silver: Jamil... I always hear from Kalim about how good of a cook you are.

One of the most talented people at this school... Agh, is there a chance he could defeat me?

Jamil: What are you making a fight out of this for? Nevermind, I’ll just sample it now.

(Eats)

Jamil: It tastes... yeah, nothing special.

Silver: Nothing special, huh...?

Jamil: But...

I have to compliment you on how well everything was stewed. The meat is so tender, it melts in your mouth.

It must’ve taken you a long time. And I’m sure you probably almost fell asleep midway through.

Silver: Yeah, I was worried about that too. I actually did get really drowsy while I was stewing.

It only turned out well because the chef let me use an electric pressure cooker.

With the stewing time shortened, I managed to get through without falling asleep.

Jamil: I’m surprised. I thought Master Chef was a program focused on honing one’s cooking skills...

But they seem to stay better safe than sorry for students who aren’t fully equipped or have trouble with certain skills. I’ll remember that.

Silver: Yeah, this taught me a good way to make up for my shortcomings.

If I were to fall asleep, the food won’t burn as long as I set a timer.

And it plays a tune once the time’s up. I could wake up to that... possibly.

Jamil: Why are you thinking of using a pressure cooker as an alarm clock...?

Silver: I know I can’t always be relying on tools, but... I need them right now.

Jamil: I’m finished.

I can’t say how far your skills will take you, but it didn’t taste that bad.

Silver: So I didn’t get a perfect victory, but I also avoided a humiliating defeat... I’ll keep working hard.

Ghost Chef: Nice work! You managed to finish up everything without conking out.

Silver: Oh, now that you mention it...

I want to make the tomato stew and cabbage rolls you taught me for my father...

Maybe because I was thinking about that this whole time, I forgot about feeling sleepy.

Ghost Chef: Thinking about the delight on others’ faces as they eat our food is what gives us the drive to do our best each day too.

Silver: Really? I guess your mentality is the most important thing when you’re cooking.

Chapter 1

—CAFETERIA - KITCHEN—

Let’s Make Cabbage Rolls #1 ~Riddle ver.~

Riddle: Peel the cabbage’s outer leaves and core it... Good, so far my progress has been perfect.

Next you boil them... Once that’s finished, I can use them to roll up the meat filling.

The recipe didn’t mention anything about the size of the leaves...

Should I cut them with scissors into rectangles, around the size of a handkerchief?

No, let me think. Considering that the thickness of the leaves isn’t even, if I made them all weigh the same, then their strength would be leveled...

Ghost Chef: Are you stuck on something, Riddle-kun?

Riddle: Chef, perfect timing. There’s something I’d like to ask you.

Do the shape and weight of each leaf need to be even?

Ghost Chef: You don’t need to make them the same size. Any necessary adjustments can be made when you’re rolling them.

Riddle: I see. So the cabbages are fine as they are. May I ask you another question?

Ghost Chef: Of course! What is it?

Riddle: I’d like to know how much water to use for boiling. It isn’t written in the recipe.

Ghost Chef: Just enough to submerge the cabbage leaves. There’s no need for any exact measurements.

Now, while that’s boiling, let’s move onto the next step!

Riddle: Okay.

Ghost Chef: We’ll begin making the meat filling now. First, mince the onions!

Riddle: Mince... If I remember correctly, that means cut them into 1-to-2 millimetre cubes. Alright, I’ll measure them with a ruler...

Ghost Chef: STOOOP!

Riddle: ? What’s wrong, Chef?

Ghost Chef: You just need to make them tiny! There’s no need for a ruler. They’re going to change shape while they’re simmering anyway.

Riddle: O-Oh, is that right? But I’m trying to make them as even in size as possible...

Ghost Chef: Riddle-kun, you’re one of the extra cautious ones, eh? I noticed that you measured the water down to the millilitre too.

By the way, what made you decide to join Master Chef?

Riddle: I believe the dorm leader should not only be the best at academics, but at cooking as well.

On top of that...

I want to get experience with making money while I can, to prepare for when I’m on my own in the future.

Ghost Chef: Mm-hmm, working towards the future is a wonderful motive to have!

Now, what about you from the counter next over? Silver-kun?

Silver: The reason I thought about joining Master Chef? Riddle invited me.

He told me: “Cooking requires a lot of focus. Wouldn’t that be good practice for you, who’s always dozing off?”

And I agreed with him. Plus I’ve always wanted to brush up on my cooking skills.

Ghost Chef: But from the looks of things, you already seem a little familiar with this. You were completely unfazed when using the kitchenware.

Silver: I’m not sure I would say “familiar.”

My cooking experience is pretty much limited to grilling and seasoning with salt and pepper. That’s why I want to broaden my skillset.

That way I can make more delicious food for my father, who raised me.

But, like Riddle, the payment was also one of the appeals.

If I save up little by little, then I won’t have to cause trouble for my father in the future.

Ghost Chef: Aww... Silver-kun, you’re such a good son!

Riddle: ...... ...Ahh...

Silver: Huh? What’s the matter, Riddle?

Riddle: Kgh... Aghh!! I-I can’t stop crying...

Ghost Chef: Ah! Riddle-kun... Did listening to Silver-kun just now bring you to tears?!

Oh, I feel you! I know exactly how you feel!! It moved me so deeply that I almost shed a tear myself...

Riddle: N-No, not that! I mean, yes, it was a very nice story, but these tears aren’t because I’m emotional...

The...

Silver & Ghost Chef: The?

Riddle: The onions are stinging my eyes!!!

Ghost Chef: What? That’s what made you cry?! That was so misleading!!

Silver: That’s happened to me dozens of times before. Are you okay, Riddle?

Riddle: I-I’m not! How do you ease these symptoms?!

Silver: Ah, hold on, Riddle! Rubbing your eyes will only—

Riddle: AGH! Rubbing them made it worse... I-It stings~!!!

Ghost Chef: Ooh, Riddle-kun! That meat filling has a nice stickiness to it.

Goodness~ I was so worried about what would happen when you started crying earlier, but I’m glad you made it to this point all right.

Okay! Now let’s switch gears and start stuffing the cabbages.

Riddle: No, I divided the filling into four parts, but they aren’t equal yet! I need to keep adjusting them...

Ghost Chef: Don’t worry! You won’t care about them once they get rolled up.

Besides, your ingredients will lose their freshness if you waste too much time.

Riddle: Hmm... I still feel dissatisfied, but alright. I’ll follow your instructions, Chef.

Now I’ll wrap the meat filling with the cabbage I boiled. The recipe said to “tightly roll” them...

Crack!

Riddle: Ah! I used too much pressure—the cabbage tore!

Ghost Chef: Oh, dear. Your filling is only going to gush out of that tear.

Well, start over with one of your spares.

Riddle: Kgh...! The next one will be perfect!

Chapter 2

—CAFETERIA - KITCHEN—

Let’s Make Cabbage Rolls #2 ~Riddle ver.~

Riddle: The next step is to... “Simmer the cabbage rolls for 20 minutes.”

Line them up in the pot, add water and consommé, salt and pepper it, and turn on the heat... There.

Good, I did it.

Ghost Chef: As long as you don’t forget to skim the fat every once in a while, the rest shouldn’t be that hard.

Okay, Riddle-kun. Why don’t you reflect on today while you’re keeping an eye on that pot?

How has your experience been with Master Chef?

Riddle: Let’s see... Compared to Silver, who was working next to me, I think my skills still have a long way to go.

Even though I memorized the entire recipe, when doing it in person I still had trouble with some areas...

Ghost Chef: Ahh, it’s true there are a few surprisingly specific steps and measurements that aren’t spelt out for you~

Riddle: Right. That’s what made me realize I need to build up experience and get a stronger feel of this.

Silver: Does that mean even a straight-A student like you needs to put in some work to succeed in Master Chef?

Riddle: That’s right. There are many things besides cooking that I don’t know, and things I can’t do.

Today made that clear to me once more. This has been a good experience.

Ghost Chef: Ohhh~!! It never gets old to see young people so eager to improve!

Riddle-kun, I can’t wait to see how you progress in the future!

Now then, your cabbage rolls are just about done. Let’s go ask the judges to sample them.

Riddle: Right!

—CAFETERIA - JUDGING VENUE—

Riddle: Alright, I’ll bring my cabbage rolls to the tasting area...

The judge that will be trying my dish is...

Wait, Malleus-senpai?!

Malleus: Rosehearts. So you are the chef this time around?

Riddle: Y-Yes.

These are cabbage rolls I made. I’ll await your judgment.

Malleus: ...Well, this is certainly something. Your cabbage rolls are so different in size.

Put next to each other, the contrast is so glaring that they almost look like parent and child.

Riddle: Ggh... Well, I... N-No, you’re right.

Malleus: Now, I will go ahead and sample it.

(Eats...)

Riddle: (I measured out everything according to the recipe. The way they look is one thing, but there shouldn’t be any major issues with the taste...)

...How is it?

Malleus: It’s not that I can’t eat it. It’s just...

This was made by the student who always achieves the highest grades out of the second-year class.

I was eager to see what sort of wonderful dish you would produce...

However, the taste and presentation are mediocre at most. I suppose I overestimated you a little.

Riddle: ......!

...Thank you for the helpful feedback.

Riddle: ......

Ghost Chef: My goodness! You did so well for your first Master Chef!

Riddle-kun, I’ll always be happy to teach you if you want to improve even more.

You absolutely must give it another go!

Riddle: ...Yes, Chef. Thank you for everything you taught me today.

...I would say I still have a long way to go before I can be proud of my cooking skills.

But I’m not going to give up simply because this was difficult.

One day I, Riddle Rosehearts, will be the best chef at this academy!