Chapter-13: Palace of Heaven, Culinary Culture, and Pure Heart.

“It’s truly the heaven of culinary culture.”

Agun muttered after seeing the main kitchen’s map. No, it shouldn’t be called the main kitchen its numbers of restaurants in a package. And there were too many students that were coming and going like, here is a festival of gourmets.

“Of course. After all, this academy is one of the strongest academy of the continent so culinary culture must be heavenly compared to outside.”

Anne said.

“Oh, I guess foods of here are delicious and healthy?”

Agun asked.

“Yes, number 2 chef of this country works here.”

Anne replied.

“Is that so?”

Agun asked with surprised voice but not because he is number two because as he was thinking in his mind, ‘Isn’t that old man’s brother?’

“There is no profit to stand here let’s go to see the Chief Chef.”

As she urged Agun came to his sense and started to follow Anne the bossy maid.

They reach in front of a white building. There was a big tag, ‘Main Kitchen’ was written there.

When they were about to open the door they heard an angry voice,

“You what are you doing, why did you take flour 5-gram less?”

“And it looks like there is need 10mg salt, you moron!”

“Why did you take out the pot 1.50 second earlier, Are you having death wish?”

“It is taste like dog shit, go and cook again.”

“Why are you moving like the newly shy bride? Work faster before I give you a royal slap.”

Agun was terrified after hearing that voice.

‘Will I be alright?’

Anne opens the door and Agun can see the owner of the voice. It was a middle-aged handsome man in his late thirties. There was a black angry line on his forehead, his eyes were bloodshot, and his mouth was ruthlessly twitching.

After noticing them he asked,

“You? Who are you? You are disturbing us in work time… you got balls.”

Anne’s eyes were twitching when she heard his sentence but she replied like that,

“Sorry to disappoint you, I have got no balls. And for this guy, who is my master, he might have got one and a half ball.”

“I have full and healthy two balls! And what am I even saying!!?”

Agun retorted. Then he calmly said with polite bow,

“I am sorry for the sudden intrusion, sir. My name is Agun Dragun. Miss Headmaster appointed me as a cook to work here. So I want to cook here from today on. Please take care of me.”

After hearing this, all the people of the kitchen had stopped and been staring at him like they were seeing a joker. Every person thought that ‘who the hell that arrogant guy? He said he was appointed by Miss Headmaster, even if he is chosen by god how dare he said that he can work anytime he wants. ’

All of them look at him with disdain. If it was outside they would have said, ‘look there is a clown.’ and some of them even beat him to his sense.

Agun noticed that everyone’s face has changed after hearing him. But he didn’t know where he was in wrong.

The owner of terrifying voice in front of him said,

“And why do you think that you can cook here? And all of you why did your hands stopped? Move your ass!!”

After hearing his voice everyone trembled and started to run their hand again.

Agun got confused.

Anne told him with low voice,

“He’s your number two chef of the continent as well as Chief Chef of the academy, Shin Lee.”

But there was no need to tell him because Shin Lee’s face is very similar to his(Shin Lee) big brother. Nevertheless, he nodded at her. He said with cleared throat,

“I am sorry, sir. But I didn’t understand your meaning behind of those words.”

“Then here is an explanation for you that easy to understand. The cooks you are seeing behind me they are all chosen by the hardest test. They climbed the long ladder to reach here. If they were outside of this academy they might be the Chief Chef of the three to five-star restaurants of the country or even international level. Now then, here is a question for you, why do you think, you can cook here just because you were recommended by Miss Headmaster?”

Shin Lee asked him with sharp eyes.

Agun was speechless. And he understands that he had chosen the wrong word if he said want work here instead want to cook here the situation might not have occurred. Nevertheless, it’s true. Why he would be the cook of this academy who even didn’t show what he can do. It will unjust to all of the cooks of this academy who came here by there hard work. In truth, he came here for Combat education, but you have to give a certain amount of money for tuition fee. But no worries, if you are poor, in this academy have plenty of workplaces. Work and pay, simple.

And that opportunity was grabbed by Agun. But what is meant to be a cook? Those who are cooks are the heart of culinary culture. In this world they have another name, ‘White Fantasy Knight’. They have their own pride. And that’s the reason all of the cooks behind Shin Lee look at him with disdain.

Understanding that Agun apologized with deep bow,

“I am sorry, sir. But no matter what I want to work here and become a cook after attending tests.”

“Hmm? You have so much courage huh! I will ask you another question but before that let me explain you something again. Food is meant to be filled the belly, and also it meant to be delicious. But its only for the ordinary mortals but it is entirely different for us, Fantasy Knight. We eat food for our good health, we eat food for our nourishment, and we eat food for the establishment of our cultivation and rapid growth. Food is not all about boring ordinary deliciousness, for Fantasy Knight it’s too valuable medicine even if it is sweet, bitter, sour, spicy or even uneatable. In this world stronger your culinary society is stronger your academy. But who made foods? The answer is the cook. Millions of Fantasy Knight relied on the cook like us, so you can understand become a cook isn’t playing the game of tag. And become a successful cook is like you have to pass throw the hell.”

Shin Lee’s eyes become more fierce and deep, “Then here is the question for you, what you need to become a successful cook? Or at least answer me how to become a cook who is acknowledged by man?”

Agun thought for a single moment and replied too ordinary answer,

“Pure heart.”

By seeing Shin Lee is frowning Agun explained himself,

“You need to have a pure heart for becoming a good cook. But not the pure heart of noble son, its pure heart of a man who cooks his food wholeheartedly. If someone doesn’t have a pure heart of making food no matter how delicious his food is, he won’t be acknowledged by the man.”

Shin Lee was watching him without blinking. Then he turns back and said,

“Follow me.”

Even though he didn’t tell that Agun’s answer was right or wrong everyone except Agun and Anne in this kitchen was utterly surprised.

Because it was Chief Chef’s extreme rare satisfying voice.

Following Shin Lee Agun and Anne went into the corner of the huge kitchen where an empty stove is.

Shin Lee then said with demonic voice,

“I am giving you an only chance of giving the face to Miss Headmistress; make a single breakfast that I can be satisfied with. If you do that, I Shin Lee will accept you as an official cook of this Palace of Heaven, which is heaven for every Fantasy Knight of the country.”