Kit was frustrated at not being able to use his chop skill. He was trying to decide if he should use slicing next or do something else. He glanced at the piece of meat in front of him. An idea formed in his head. ‘This test is to show off my chef skills. They didn’t say anything about only showcasing my knife skills.’

Kit decided he was going to slice the meat for the next station and for the final station he would grill the meat. Grill was a chef skill, he was sure he could use that. ‘Wait, I have grilled meat numerous times before. Why have I not unlocked this skill yet?’

Kit pondered over this situation. Should he take the risk or stick to using a knife. He made the decision to slice the meat first. Then he would decide. Kit picked up the red piece of meat and used identify.

[Shivna Bull]

A small bull found in the Shivna mountains. It has a thick white coat helping it to blend in with the snow caped mountains. The bull is notoriously aggressive.

Kit didn’t really find the information helpful. He sighed. The piece of meat was sticky and wet. Kit needed to wipe it down before he started. He glanced around to see it there was a cloth he could use. The bench tops were bare. Kit glanced down to the cupboards under the counter. He started opening the doors.

On his third try he hit the jackpot. There was a stack of dish towels in the cupboard. He pulled two out and started to wipe the excess blood off the meat. Once it was dry, he removed the excess fat. He then evenly sliced through the meat.

Fourteen evenly sliced cuts of meat sat on his chopping board. Kit smiled, he was happy with his skill in slicing. He glanced towards the tall man. The stern man was frowning at the display in front of Kit. Kit didn’t know what to make of the expression. Was he surprised at Kit’s skill level, or was he unhappy at the cuts of meat?

“Move on.”

This response from the man didn’t clear up Kit’s confusion. Kit sighed. His emotions were taking a beating today. He resigned himself to the fact that he might not be able to please a man like this. As long as he passed, Kit would be happy.

Kit decided to grill the meat. He figured he had already passed this part of the test. His dice skill was beginner, and his slicing skill was advanced beginner, so it didn’t really matter if his last attempt flopped.

He was determined to make the most out of trying the appliances in the kitchen. He hadn’t used a proper stove yet. His camping kitchen one didn’t count as far as he was concerned.

Kit rummaged through the cupboards once again and found some plates. He used one of the plates to put the raw meat on. He took the plates over to the oven. The stove on top of the oven had six light purple elements. Each element had three rings inside, going from large too small.

Kit opened the cupboard next to the oven and found a pan. The surface of the frypan was black with pink speckles scattered throughout. It was a little heavier than Kit was used to. Kit placed the frypan on one of the elements.

“One element on.”

The element started to glow a soft purple. Kit pulled out the Apelop nut oil from his pouch and drizzled some over the pan. Once he was happy with the heat, he placed three steaks into the frypan. After two minutes he turned the steaks over. The smell from the steaks was making his mouth water.

Kit was happy with the amount of time the steaks had been grilled for. He neatly placed the three steaks onto the plate layering them so half the steak was sitting on top of the previous one. He took them back to the chopping board. He then sliced into the top steak so the inside could be seen.

Blood oozed out from the cut in a tantalizing display of colour. Steam arose from the inside of the steak. Kit was very happy with what he could see. He turned towards the stern man. He eyed the steak.

“Fail. You can’t unlock grilling until you have become a chef. There is no way to accurately measure your skill level without unlocking it first.”

Kit was a little surprised at the instructor’s answer. At least this explained why he hadn’t unlocked his grilling skill yet. Kit was purposely ignoring the fail comment. He was waiting for more clarification from the tall man before he would let himself crumble.

“The other two stations pass.”

Kit let out a sigh of relief. He didn’t know how much longer he could withstand his nerves being stretched today. He was feeling good about passing the first exam. It didn’t do much towards settling his nerves for the next two.

“Thank you.”

Kit smiled at the instructor. He thought his ridged expression might have eased a bit more after he passed the first hurdle. He was disappointed, the stiff look remained on the instructor’s face. ‘Maybe that’s what he looks like even if he is happy.’

Kit didn’t quite believe that line of thought. Kit waited for the instructor to give him his next task.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. You might be smiling now. It may change if you can’t produce a stats dish. What are you going to attempt to make for me? It had better be edible. I will be tasting the dish.”

Kit felt a shiver go down his spine. He hoped the instructor was not too picky. His dish was only a plain simple three ingredient salad. Kit really couldn’t hold out any hope of a compliment from his dish.

Kit opened his inventory to retrieve the ingredients. He froze. He remembered he hadn’t restocked the pears. Kits body started to tremble. He had to work up the courage to ask the instructor for some. He had the feeling it would not go down well.

“A-ah, c-could I have a p-pear p-please.”

The instructor gave Kit an incredulous look.

“What did you just say? Did you really come here without the ingredients for your test?” The instructor’s face was turning red. Kit thought he might explode.

“I-I’m s-sorry s-sir. I-I was too excited.”

Kit could not get anymore words out. His eyes were starting to blur from the tears pooling in his eyes. Kit bowed his head to hide his tears. He heard a loud sigh come from the instructor. He heard the refrigerator open and close. He then heard a bang on top of the counter. Kit jumped in fright.

He felt his nerves were on the verge of snapping. If he couldn’t continue, he wanted to leave.

“Well hurry up I do not have all day.”

Kit lifted his blurry eyes. He wiped the tears from his eyes with the sleave of his shirt. Once he regained his vision. He saw a single pear sitting on the counter. Kit gave a shaky smile to the instructor. He didn’t try to attempt talking.

Kit went over to the sink to wash his hands, he didn’t want to get snot on the food. Once he was done, he collected the pear and pulled the pink crunchy loaf from his inventory. He washed them under the sink, he didn’t want to be criticized for a speck of dirt.

Kit then sliced the pear into thin slices. He pulled the leaves off the pink crunchy loaf, he placed them neatly on the plate. He then retrieved one Apelop steak from his pouch and went to the stove to begin grilling.

Once the Apelop meat was cooked to Kit’s liking, he sliced it into even slivers. A delicious meaty smell filled the air. He then neatly arranged the meat over the salad. Kit pulled the Apelop monkey brain oil out and drizzled it over the meal. The familiar soft blue swirl started to emerge around the dish. Kit took out a purple heart and crushed the stalk over the meal.

The pink speckles glittered under the light. Kit thought this dish really was a nice visual display. The soft blue light was still spreading over the meal. Once it had finished Kit turned to the instructor. He was satisfied with his result.

Kit was proud of his creation. No matter what the instructor said it wouldn’t diminish his pride in the Apelop brain salad. The instructor moved over to the plate. Kit noticed the plate had changed from a white colour to a gold. Kit didn’t know what to make of this. His focus couldn’t stay on the plate long. The instructor had a fork in his hand and was about to eat his meal.

Kit watched the instructor face, he was not going to miss even a minute twitch of an eyelash. The instructor placed a piece of the Apelop meat into his mouth. His eyes widened a fraction as the meat hit his tastebuds. If Kit had not been staring so intensely, he would have missed it. A smile blossomed on Kit face.

The instructor turned towards him as if he knew what Kit was thinking. He frowned and pointed his fork at the meal.

“Don’t get too excited. You used an oil to create this meal. Unless you made the oil yourself it’s a fail.” The instructor had a smug look. To the instructor’s surprise Kit’s smile grew even bigger. ‘Ahh I can slap this hairy goat cheese man in the face with my oil.’

“I did make the oil myself.”

“Prove it. If you can’t, make it right now, then it means you brought it from somewhere.” Kit didn’t think the instructor could look more frightening than he already did. Kit was proven wrong.

Kit had had enough of this instructor’s attitude. He would prove that he was meant to become a chef. Kit clenched his fist in determination. He took out the monkey brain nuts from his bag. He started to deshell the nuts. ‘What a flaming festering fungus! This man is too much.’

Kit kept his head down to hide his anger. He concentrated on his task, so he didn’t make a mistake. Once he had gone through all the steps to make his oil. He slammed a fresh jar of the oil on top of the counter. ‘Kit! Get a hold of yourself! What would you have done if the glass broke?’

Kit eyed the jar to make sure there were no cracks. He took some breaths to calm down.

The instructor didn’t even bat an eyelash over his behaviour. He pulled out a white plate and placed the glass bottle on top. The white plate once again turned gold. Kit had an idea of why it changed colour now. He thought it might have something to do with him creating the dishes on his own.

The instructor took out a spoon and poured a small amount of the oil. After he tasted the oil, he started muttering under his breath. If it hadn’t been so quiet Kit might not have overheard what he was saying.

“Created two dishes from scratch by himself. Not bad.”

Kits heart exploded at the comment. Giggles escaped his mouth without his knowledge. He could feel his heart thumping. He could feel a warm sensation pumping around his body. He had done it. He had passed the second test. Kit’s smile hurt his face it was that large.

“Why are you acting like that. You only have two dishes in your skill set. Do you think that is something to celebrate? Do you have a drink to accompany the meals?” The instructor spoke with a sharp tone.

Kit’s smile didn’t move from his face. He was happy he could give a positive answer to his question. ‘Haha you old fox. I can slap you on the face again.’

“I know fluffy head dragon tea and Sweet Meadow beer.” Kit was beaming with his reply.

“Fluffy head dragon tea is not something to brag about. Almost everyone knows how to make that. What was the beer again?”

Kit was sure he saw a look of recognition when he mentioned both the drinks. He wondered why the instructor was playing dumb.

“I learnt Sweet Meadow beer from a lady called Iris.”

Kit had already learned to answer truthfully towards the man.

“Iris from the Inn at Sweet Meadow?”

“Yes.”

“Show me.”

Kit was a little shocked at the instructor’s request. His tone was quite forceful towards Kit.

“Sorry I can’t.”

Kit didn’t want to show someone else the recipe Iris had intrusted him with. He remembered her telling him that she had a tough time coming up with all her recipes. He didn’t think Iris would want him parting with the recipe she had worked so hard to create.

“Then tell me what ingredients are in the beer so I can see if you are telling the truth.”

“I’m sorry I can’t do that either.”

Kit started to get a little uneasy at the line of questioning. He was starting to regret antagonising the man just because his pride had been poked. This was his dream he should have sucked up his anger, he would only have had to see this man for the test.

“Then I can’t pass you.”

The instructor gave him an intense stare, Kit could see from his look that he was deadly serious. If he didn’t reveal the secret to the ingredients he would not pass. Kit felt intimidated by the look. He could feel the pressure mounting to just spill the secrets of the beer.

Kit had a moment of indecision he really wanted to pass the exam. But if it was at the expense of betraying a friend, he couldn’t do it. Kit felt his mood plummet. He tried to think of a way to convince the instructor he wasn’t lying. Regret left a foul aftertaste in his mouth, why could he have not held onto his temper.

“I could get Iris to write you a letter stating I know the recipe.”

“No. If you can’t show me then you fail.”

“I’m sorry I really can’t show you. I would be breaking the trust Iris put in me if I share her recipe.”

Tears started to pool in Kit’s eyes once again. He was so frustrated by this arrogant man. His dream was slipping away from him. He felt lost. He didn’t know what to do now. Why did he have to poke the bear?

The instructor walked away from Kit over to one of the counter tops. He pulled out a drawer and was looking inside. Kit felt dismissed. Kit’s heart started to ache. A tear slid down his cheek. The emotional rollercoaster left him drained.

He turned to leave. He didn’t want to stay inside this room anymore. Kit walked over to the door. Before he could take a step outside the door the instructor spoke.

“Integrity.”

Kit glanced over at the instructor. His appearance was blurred due to the tears in his eyes.

“It is not often I come across someone with integrity anymore. Were you really going to give up your dream?”

Kit decided to remain honest.

“Yes. Iris is my friend. I would never betray a friend.”

Kit knew what it felt like to be betrayed. He would never make someone feel like that even if it meant he had to give up his dreams for now. He would find another way to reach his goal.

“Good. You can call me Instructor Phi. Take this, it is the last part of your qualification test.”

Kit was confused. Just a moment ago he had failed. How was he now continuing to the last part of the exam. Instructor Phi must have seen his confusion.

“I value integrity. In this field people will do horrendous things to steal a recipe. Be mindful of this and guard your recipes. Never show someone how to make a recipe without a contract. Understand!”

“Yes. Thank you for your advice.” Kit still didn’t know what to feel. Should he be happy or continue to be sad.

“Your skills are quite adequate for a beginner.”

Kit felt his mood swing a different direction once again. The rapid change in his emotions was starting to make him feel dizzy. Even though he was happy he wanted to leave Instructor Phi’s presence as soon as possible. This man made him too confused.

Instructor Phi handed Kit an envelope. On the back of the envelop was a red wax seal with the symbol of CAL holding a knife with a chef’s hat. Kit took out his knife and slid it under the wax seal.

Ding!

[CAL]

[Qualification Chef Quest]

Morrigan is a Master chef. Convince him to part with some knowledge.

Reward: Chef sub class profession.

Kit held the paper with trembling hands. This was proof he had passed the first two rounds of exams. Kit wished Mars was with him right now so he could share his joy with someone. He couldn’t wait to tell him all he had gone through today.

“You can find him at the Large Fuzzy Chicken. If that is the knife you use for cooking, throw it away.” Instructor Phi had a disgusted look on his face. After he finished speaking, he turned his back on Kit.

“Thank you for taking the time to give me the exam.”

Kit heard a grunt in reply. Kit guessed he was finally able to leave. He headed out the door to find Mars.