The morning sun warmed the rooftops of the modest village of Alderbrook as Ken stretched in the doorway, eyes half-closed and satisfied. Today, he wasn't gathering ingredients. He wasn't testing seasonings or prepping market fare. Today was for family.
He had planned it carefully the night before—a picnic to thank his parents for their unyielding support. They had lent him their time, their tools, and their trust. Now it was time for a proper meal made not for business, but for joy.
---
Ken packed the basket himself. The menu was simple, but thoughtful:
Flatbread wraps filled with smoked rabbit and pickled crownroot
Sweet onion-stuffed dumplings with a horseroot glaze
Fresh fruit strips from his earlier preservation batch
Citrus pine tea brewed with dried tips and wild mint
A small clay jar of herbed salt nuts for snacking
As they set off toward a grassy hill overlooking the woods and the glimmer of the distant sea, Ken carried the basket while his parents trailed behind with a blanket and kettle.
---
Halfway through the meal, Ken excused himself to relieve himself. He wandered off the trail a few dozen meters—and paused.
Something caught his eye at the base of a shady slope: a cluster of bluish-green stalks, bulbous at the tips and exuding a faint anise scent. He knelt, gently parted the leaves, and tasted a pinch.
Licorice root? No, Fennel. But wilder. Slightly minty. Exotic. Unique.
---
[Ingredient Identification EXP +6% → 91%]
[Seasoning Sense EXP +4% → 95%]
New Ingredient Discovered: Wild Fennel
Effect: Adds mild sweetness and depth to meat, root vegetables, and teas
---
He chuckled to himself. He seems to find new ingredients no matter what he is doing.
When he returned, his father looked up from his cup of tea. "You always find something new, don't you?"
Ken grinned. "I think this one'll pair well with game meat or broth."
As they sat together, his father stirred the tea and stared toward the distant hills.
Ken noticed his gaze,"What are you staring at, father?"
"That ridge over there? That marks the edge of Lord Cineran's holdings. We're commoners under his banner."
Ken perked up. "Cineran… he's a noble?"
His father nodded. "Baron, specifically. Owns Alderbrook, Bramble Hollow, and the outer sections of the stone-walled city of Venmere, three days east. It's not a large domain by noble standards, but he governs with a soft hand and lets the village council do most of the real work."
Ken leaned back, absorbing this.
"So above baron... what's next?"
"Viscount, then Count, Marquess, and so on up to Duke. Most nobles earn their title from military merit or inheritance. But in practice, those with food, trade, or land hold real power."
His mother chuckled. "And if your cooking keeps turning heads, who knows? Maybe you'll feed a noble one day."
---
They returned home with light hearts and full bellies just as the shadows began to stretch. But as they neared the square, a buzz of excitement pulled them toward the center.
A notice board had gone up—decorated with ribbons and fresh parchment.
"Festival's happening!" someone cheered. "End of the week!"
It was an annual event that celebrated harvest season, the changing leaves, and the coming cold.
As Ken stood quietly reading the announcement, old Mr. Hanley, the grain merchant, hobbled over.
"Boy," the old man said, clapping Ken on the back, "your food's all anyone's talking about. So we… nominated you."
Ken blinked. "For what?"
"The festival's head cook, of course. But there's a catch—gotta get council approval. They want three sample dishes tomorrow afternoon."
Ken's eyes widened. "I—really?"
Hanley grinned. "Don't make us regret it, lad."
---
> KEN — STATUS (End of Chapter 17)
Level: 5
EXP: 20/100
Unspent Attribute Points: 0
Skills Unlocked:
Ingredient Prep (Lv. 2 – 0%)
Fire Control (Lv. 1 – 95%)
Seasoning Sense (Lv. 1 – 95%)
Ingredient Identification (Lv. 1 – 91%)
Basic Gardening (Lv. 1 – 43%)
Basic Trapping (Lv. 1 – 67%)
Butchering (Lv. 1 – 55%)
Meal Preservation (Lv. 1 – 62%)
Food Packaging (Lv. 1 – 55%)
Clay Crafting (Lv. 1 – 4%)
Basic Archery (Lv. 1 – 10%)
---
Tomorrow, he'd be back in the kitchen—not just as a food vendor, but as a candidate to lead the entire festival's culinary vision.
And Ken wouldn't just cook to impress…
He'd cook to prove he belonged.
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