THE NEXT DAY
ISABELLA
The next morning, sunlight spilled across the café like gold liquid, glinting off polished counters and steaming cups. I arrived early, eager and slightly jittery. Today was… different. Mama Mia had permitted me to cook my own dish in the kitchen, under her watchful eyes of course, but still, a chance to create something entirely on my own.
"Good morning, Isabella." Syr greeted her soft smile warming me instantly. "Mama Mia has approved your request for the kitchen today. You may prepare your own meal, but remember: cleanliness, precision, and timing."
"Yes! Thank you!" I squeaked, nearly bouncing on my heels. "I'll be careful!"
Mama Mia appeared shortly after, towering presence unmistakable, her piercing gaze already assessing my readiness.
"You will handle this carefully. I want no mistakes, no waste, no undercooked meals. Do you understand?" Her tone was sharp, but not unkind.
"Y-yes, ma'am. I'll… do my best." I replied, chest tightening with a mix of nerves and excitement.
"Good. Begin."She said.
I stepped into the kitchen, heart hammering. Today, I would cook curry. Not a fancy dish I had practiced hundreds of times, but something I remembered from home. Something simple, yet rich in flavor. The ingredients were neatly laid out: chunks of meat, diced potatoes, carrots, onions, and a carefully measured spice blend. My claws flexed, ready, and my system hummed quietly.
"System check: potential skill activation - high. Optional objective: self-directed cooking - initiated."System said.
I washed my hands, tied the apron tighter, and began. First came chopping the vegetables. My knife moved steadily, slicing onions into even crescents, dicing carrots precisely, and cubing potatoes with careful attention. My heart raced as Mama Mia observed silently from across the room, her gaze sharp but patient.
"You… have a steady hand" She finally commented, voice low. "Not many beginners manage such uniformity without error. Impressive."
I blinked, cheeks heating.
"Th-thank you, ma'am! I… I just… I like things neat."I said.
"System ping: emotional spike - pride. Optional objective - impress kitchen supervisor - progressing."System said.
Next, the meat. I browned it evenly, careful to render the fat without burning. Stirring, mixing, adjusting the heat… my senses were heightened, everything focusing on timing, scent, color, texture. Mama Mia hovered closer.
"Timing… you're faster than expected. You anticipate rather than react. That is rare."She said.
I swallowed hard, nodding, trying not to grin too broadly.
Then came the sauce. I combined water, stock, and the spice blend, letting it simmer slowly. Steam curled up, carrying the rich, earthy scent of curry. My heart skipped a beat as I ladled the thick, golden sauce over the vegetables and meat.
"System alert: Skill acquired - Food Boost unlocked."System said.
I blinked, startled.
"Food Boost…?"I asked.
"Yes." The system confirmed. "All dishes prepared by host now grant beneficial effects to consumers. Skill is fully active. Emotional spike: extreme exhilaration."
I felt a thrill as I plated the curry, garnishing it simply, carefully. Each plate seemed to glow subtly in the warm kitchen light.
"Ready." I whispered, sliding a plate toward Syr first.
She raised an eyebrow, curiosity and delight mingling in her expression.
"Isabella… you made this yourself?"She asked.
"Yes! I… I wanted to try."I said.
Syr lifted a spoon, tasting a morsel. Her eyes widened, a soft gasp escaping.
"Oh… it's… wonderful…!" She murmured, cheeks faintly pink. "The balance… the warmth… the flavor… it's perfect."
I could hardly contain my grin. Mama Mia stepped forward, arms crossed, expression calculating. She tasted a bite carefully, silence hanging in the air. Then… a slow smile spread across her face.
"You… you might have a secret skill." She said, tilting her head. "What Familia are you from?"
"I… I don't have one." I admitted, voice quiet.
She's eyes twinkled as she touched my shoulder lightly, leaving a small mark of approval.
"Then we shall see what you can truly do. This… Food Boost… you should cultivate it. Few have such potential."Mama Mia said.
"System log. Social influence rising. Emotional spike: utter delight. Optional objective - signature dish creation - fully active."System said.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out from the café door.
"Wow… this smells amazing!"I heard a voice.
Just then, the cafe door chimed. A young man entered hesitantly, adjusting his worn tunic nervously. His eyes immediately widened at the smell.
"Uh… excuse me?" He said, voice trembling slightly. "I… I didn't mean to bother you, but… what is that smell?"
I felt my heart leap.
"It… it's curry… I made it." I said softly, sliding a plate toward him.
He stared, as if the plate itself was glowing.
"You… you made this?" His voice barely above a whisper. "It… smells… magical…"
I swallowed.
"I… I tried my best." I said quietly.
He took a cautious bite. The moment it touched his tongue, his eyes went wide, and a small shiver ran down his spine.
"Oh… oh my gods…" He whispered, his voice trembling. "This… this is… incredible… I've never… never tasted anything like this…"
"System ping. Food Boost effect activated. Emotional spike: extreme delight. Optional objective: influence local patron - success."System said.
He eagerly scooped up another bite, eyes sparkling.
"Who… who taught you to cook like this? It's… perfect… every flavor… it's alive!"He said.
I blushed, barely able to respond.
"I… I just wanted it to be… comforting." I murmured.
Syr, standing behind the counter, smiled quietly, watching the interaction. Mama Mia's gaze lingered on me, her expression sharp but intrigued. The young man swallowed another mouthful, his hands trembling.
"I… I… I think… I… I'm in love with this… with you, chef… it's… perfect!"He said.
I felt a thrill I had never experienced before, warmth spreading through me. Food wasn't just about ingredients anymore, it was about connecting with people, making them happy… and maybe leaving a lasting mark.
"System log. Food Boost effect confirmed on independent patron. Emotional spike: exhilaration + social recognition. Optional objective: expand influence through signature dish - ongoing."System said.
I blinked, heart hammering. Maybe this… maybe this was what I was meant to do. Cooking wasn't just about survival anymore. It was a way to reach people, to make them feel joy, even awe… all from a single dish of curry. The young man looked up at me one more time, eyes glistening.
"I… I have to come here every day… every day… I've never… I've never eaten anything like this…"He said.
I nodded, barely breathing, hands shaking with excitement.
"I… I'll do my best… every day."I said.
The cafe felt alive. The air was filled with warmth, aroma, and anticipation. For the first time, I realized that I had the power to influence the world, not through combat or dungeons, but through cooking, flavor, and a simple act of care. The young man finally sat back, finishing the last bite of curry, a dazed, blissful smile on his face. The cafe was quiet, but the air seemed heavier somehow, warmer, richer, alive with energy. Mama Mia's sharp eyes swept across the room, noting every detail. The way the patron's shoulders relaxed, the faint flush of delight on his cheeks, the almost reverent way he handled the empty plate. She turned to me, her tone low but commanding.
"Isabella." She said, folding her arms. "This… this works. The effect of your cooking, this Food Boost is genuine. Patrons don't just enjoy it they respond physically and emotionally. It's… remarkable."She said.
I blinked, caught off guard.
"R-really? It… it works?"I asked.
Mama Mia nodded once, approvingly.
"Yes. And if it continues, it could become one of the signature attractions of this cafe. Effective immediately, your dish is added to the menu."She said.
I froze, heart hammering.
"On… on the menu? Really?"I asked.
"Yes." She said. "Your curry, prepared by you, will be listed as a specialty. Patrons will come for it, and you will learn to maintain this effect consistently. This is an opportunity… not just to cook, but to grow your skill, your influence, and your reputation."Mama Mia added.
From behind the counter, Syr's grin widened, the kind of knowing, quiet smile that carried a little mischief and a lot of pride.
"I knew it." She murmured, leaning closer. "I could see it the moment you plated it. Food Boost… it's strong in you. People can't help but be drawn to it. You've got a gift, Isabella."
I felt my cheeks heat.
"I… I don't know what to say… I just… I wanted to make something people enjoy."I said happily.
Mama Mia's gaze softened fractionally.
"And that, child, is the key. The skill itself is powerful, yes, but the intent behind it… that's what amplifies the effect. Remember this when preparing any dish. The boost doesn't just come from talent it comes from care, from focus, from the desire to give joy."Mama Mia said.
I nodded, gripping my apron tightly. The weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders, but it was a warm weight, not a crushing one. Mama Mia gestured toward the small menu board behind the counter.
"Add your curry here. Make it visible. Patrons need to know that this is a new, special offering. And monitor the reactions closely. The Food Boost is subtle at first, but powerful. Watch for signs patrons may linger longer, smile more, even linger after finishing their meals."She said.
I scurried forward, hands shaking slightly with excitement, and carefully wrote the dish on the board in neat script.
"Just wait… the moment people taste it, you'll see exactly what Mama Mia meant."Syr added with a grin.
Within minutes, the cafe door chimed again. A pair of local adventurers wandered in, drawn by the aroma of simmering curry. They paused, sniffing the air, eyes widening.
"What… is that smell?" One of them whispered, leaning closer. "It… it's… incredible…"
I swallowed, heart hammering.
"It… it's my curry. I… I made it."I explained.
They glanced at me skeptically at first, but when they tasted a bite, their eyes nearly popped out of their heads. They stared at each other in stunned silence, then laughed with unrestrained delight, shoveling forkful after forkful into their mouths. Mama Mia watched with sharp approval, arms crossed, noting the subtle changes in their expressions the relaxed posture, the little sighs of contentment, the way their eyes sparkled as they savored the flavors.
"System ping. Food Boost skill confirmed in multiple patrons. Emotional spike: widespread delight. Optional objective: menu item influence tracking - active."System said.
Syr leaned against the counter, grinning like she'd just won a private victory.
"See? Told you. The effect… it's real. And you're only getting started."She said.
I glanced down at my plate, my hands still trembling slightly.
"I… I can feel it… people… they really enjoy it…"I whispered.
Mama Mia nodded, a rare approving smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Yes. And now, Isabella, your task is to maintain it, refine it, and expand it. Each dish you create, each patron you serve, strengthens your skill… and your place in this cafe."Mama Mia said.
I felt a rush of pride and exhilaration, my chest tight with anticipation. The Food Boost wasn't just a trick, it was a bridge. A way to connect, to impress, to leave a mark and now it was official. My curry was on the menu, my skill visible to anyone who came through the door, and my journey as a chef in Orario had truly begun.
Even as the cafe filled with laughter, murmurs of delight, and the intoxicating aroma of curry, I realized something else, something deeper. This wasn't just about cooking anymore. This was about influence, connection, and the power to make people feel joy… and maybe, just maybe, one day, someone would notice me beyond the taste of my food.