The Chef Wizard, Medelien

"Let's go! We'll eat at Medelien's food stall tonight," Gilgamel said, despite knowing it was always night in this city.

"Woof!" Dodo responded eagerly, trotting after his master.

Before long, the young man and his dog reached a lively street glowing with the twinkling lights of magical lamps. Food stalls lined both sides of the road, each one alive with colorful banners, enchanted cookware, and fragrant steam that floated lazily in the cool air. Pedestrians in robes, armor, tunics, and enchanted threads meandered between them, sampling dishes from every corner of the continent.

Gilgamel glanced around. Many chefs were preparing meals using magic: flames hovering midair, spices flying from containers, ingredients levitating and folding into ornate pans without a single touch. It was a visual feast, and judging by the look on Dodo's face—tongue hanging, eyes wide—it might as well have been heaven.

Eventually, Gilgamel stopped at a stall with a particularly long line. Despite being acquainted with the owner, he had no intention of cutting in. Besides, as a wizard, standing for a while didn't trouble him. A bit of waiting was nothing.

Half an hour later, his turn arrived.

The owner of this food stall was a young woman clad in an elegant, deep violet witch's dress adorned with golden embroidery. Her long, dark brown hair cascaded in soft waves down her back, partially veiled by a wide-brimmed pointed hat with a red ribbon and star-shaped ornament. A crescent moon charm dangled from the tip of the hat, glinting faintly in the lanternlight.

Her sharp violet eyes carried a lively gleam as she stirred a floating pan with casual grace. She looked every bit the spell-casting chef she was known to be: a mix of charm, mystery, and culinary sorcery.

She is young, beautiful, and knows how to cook. It's no surprise that many bachelors frequent this place. Some come to enjoy her food, while others come just to catch a glimpse of her.

"Gilgamel!" She exclaimed the moment she spotted him.

"Medelien. Still drawing a crowd, I see," Gilgamel replied with a smile.

"You shouldn't be waiting in line," Medelien sighed, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

"How could I not? I don't want people thinking I have no manners," Gilgamel said with a helpless shrug.

"Who would dare? I'll blacklist anyone who does!" Medelien said, loud enough for the surrounding customers to hear.

"Oh my, how domineering of you, Medelien. You sound like a fearsome CEO," Gilgamel teased as he clapped slowly. He noticed a few nearby customers grumble under their breath—but none dared say anything.

"Hmph!" Medelien snorted, "My stall, my rules. Besides, you helped me start this place. If we're using your weird dictionary, that makes you an investor. I can't treat you like the rest of the customers."

Gilgamel chuckled softly at the memory.

Medelien had joined Owl the same year he did. Her magic talent—considered superior to his—was classified as Medium. She had affinities with fire, wind, and earth. While that seemed impressive, it still placed her at the bottom rung, just above those with Chaos Talent.

Unlike Gilgamel, who had his unique Goldfinger ability and a flourishing appraisal business, Medelien relied on completing missions from Owl to afford magical resources. Most low-level missions weren't life-threatening, but they were taxing and had to be done under the scrutiny of strict senior wizards. Some were harsh, stingy with advice, and quick to cut commissions at the smallest mistake.

Gilgamel had never been subjected to that, but he'd heard all about it—from Medelien, mostly. She'd complain until his ears were sore.

In desperation, he'd decided to help this walking headache of a friend.

Honestly, nothing about Medelien struck him as special. Even her beauty—while attractive by this world's standards—wasn't extraordinary to Gilgamel, who'd seen prettier women in his previous life.

But her cooking?

That was different.

Medelien's food made everything he'd ever tasted feel bland by comparison. Flavor, texture, magic—it wasn't just food. It was an experience. It was memory.

That's what inspired him to support her food stall dream.

She didn't disappoint. In just over a year, her stall became the best on the street. Long lines, full bellies, enchanted satisfaction.

And as her "investor," Gilgamel now received a sizable mana crystal every month—more than he earned from appraisals.

As usual, Gilgamel showed up just as Medelien was closing. The lingering customers were used to this by now—though a few still looked displeased. They could only sigh and regret not coming earlier.

Soon, the street emptied, leaving just Gilgamel, Medelien, and a happily munching Dodo seated on the ground beside them. The dog was served a massive portion, bigger than either of theirs.

Medelien raised an eyebrow, "Don't you think Dodo's appetite keeps getting bigger?"

Gilgamel, holding a drumstick, shrugged, "Of course, I've noticed. It's growing, so naturally its appetite grows too."

Medelien bent down and patted Dodo's fluffy head, "You're so lucky, Dodo. You've got a considerate daddy."

Gilgamel smirked, nudging Dodo gently with his knee, "You hear that? So stop barking at me every morning."

Medelien rolled her eyes, "You just want an excuse to sleep in."

"Woof, woof!" Dodo barked—clearly siding with her.

"Traitor," Gilgamel grumbled, glaring at the dog.

"I'm on the side that eats most of my food," Medelien said with a wink.

"Sorry for having a limited stomach capacity," Gilgamel muttered, annoyed.

"Woof!"

Gilgamel shot Dodo a deadpan look.

"My dog is not cute at all."

But even he couldn't help but smile.

Eventually, they cleared the table. Gilgamel and Dodo both leaned back, their stomachs full and round. Movement suddenly felt like a chore.

"I'm glad you still enjoy my cooking," Medelien said, looking between them.

"Still the best in the world!" Gilgamel proclaimed, giving a lazy thumbs-up.

"Woof!" Dodo barked, tail thumping the ground.

Medelien laughed but didn't take their compliments too seriously. There were other chefs in Owl, many with skills like hers. The only real difference?

She had a friend who believed in her.

In that sense, she was just a lucky girl.

"Gil, how are your preparations for the first trial?" Medelien asked.

The First Trial is held every five years by Owl and is aimed at members still in the First Circle Wizard stage. Specifically, it is for those who joined five years ago.

As members of a top organization like Owl, they enjoy many privileges that other wizards cannot. However, they must prove their worthiness to maintain these privileges.

For this reason, Owl has set up several trials, and the First Trial is one of them. Those who pass will stay and receive rewards, while those who fail will be expelled from the organization.

Gilgamel rubbed his belly and replied lazily, "I have prepared everything except a team." 

"A team?" Medelien raised her eyebrows in bewilderment.

"Ah?" Gilgamel just realized that he'd slip up.

"Hey, spill it out!" Medelien banged her hands on the table and asked impatiently, "I knew you knew something about the First Trial this time!"

The First Trial's content varied each time it took place, so it was fruitless for participants to seek hints from older members. Only the organization's higher-ups, who were involved with the trial, were privy to the details. Regular members couldn't access them or extract any information.

"Calm down, girl!"

Gilgamel straightened his back and explained, "Honestly, I don't know much about the contents of the First Trial. Not too long ago, I visited Senior Raiden and had a drink together. He got drunk and accidentally let slip some information about the First Trial."

"You got Senior Raiden, a Seventh Circle Wizard, drunk? Is that even possible?" Medelien exclaimed in disbelief.

Wizards have extraordinary immunity. Let alone drunkenness; even the most incurable mortal diseases cannot penetrate their skin.

She couldn't imagine a powerful expert like Senior Raiden would get drunk on ordinary wine.

Gilgamel rolled his eyes as he responded, "Am I that naive? Of course, I knew that Senior Raiden was only pretending to be drunk and deliberately leaked me information about the First Trial."

Medelien asked in confusion, "Why would he do that?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Gilgamel said matter-of-factly. "He didn't want Owl accidentally to lose a treasure like me because of this trial."

"Ooh~" Medelien groaned in realization and blurted out, "In other words, he just has no confidence in you."

"..." Gilgamel was speechless.

"Good for you, Gil. Senior Raiden truly values you. I envy you," Medelien said, not bothering to cover up her envious expression.

"Heh, you should!" Gilgamel said with a sneer.

Medelien, "..."

She just remembered that even though her friend was loyal and generous, he was still petty as ever.