Chapter 17 ： The Exam

Perry watched as the flames licked the edges of the fish, signaling that it was almost ready to start grilling. He carefully placed the fish, which had been marinated with Lanla grass, onto the rack. As soon as he unwrapped the fish, a wave of fragrant herbs filled the air, completely overpowering the smell of the fish itself. As the fish sizzled over the hot coals, the combined aroma of the Lanla grass and the fish slowly permeated the camp, enveloping the area in the mouthwatering scent of a delectable meal.

"Smells amazing!" Toto couldn't help but take a deep breath, his eyes lighting up as he stared at the fish roasting over the fire.

"Indeed! Lanla grass is usually used for soups, sometimes for beef. This is the first time I've seen anyone use it on fish," Larkin remarked, watching Perry's technique with curiosity.

Rufus, unable to resist teasing, chimed in, "Hey, Perry, are you sure you're not secretly a chef? The way you're handling that fish doesn't seem like something a regular adventurer would know."

Perry gave a faint smile, silently cursing that all of this attention had come from simply trying to complete his task. Casually, he replied, "To be honest, if I weren't an adventurer, maybe I would've considered becoming a chef."

"What?!" All three of them looked at him in surprise.

"Wait, isn't Perry supposed to be a magic apprentice?" Toto asked in confusion, recalling what his mother had once said about Perry's background.

Perry flipped the fish over, responding nonchalantly, "Well, maybe I'm thinking about a career change."

Larkin gave him a look of respect. "Becoming a chef is no small feat, you know."

"Exactly, and the chef's exam is really tough," Rufus added, scratching his head. "Are you sure you want to pursue it? You've got the talent, no doubt, but becoming a real chef is no easy road. If you're just into flavors and ingredients, maybe you should consider becoming a flavorist."

"A flavorist? What's that?" Perry asked curiously, though his attention remained on the fish.

Rufus chuckled and explained, "A flavorist is someone who specializes in using spices and seasonings to make regular ingredients taste delicious. The best part? You don't need a chef's license to do it. But if you want to be a chef, you'd have to pass the official exam."

Perry paused for a moment, surprised. "I didn't know being a flavorist was even a thing…" He glanced at the fish cooking on the rack, silently thankful that he hadn't broken any culinary laws.

Larkin couldn't resist joking, "Good thing Lanla grass doesn't have any illegal properties, or you might've gotten in trouble there!"

Toto nodded in agreement. "Yeah, the punishments for unauthorized cooking in this country are really harsh. The worst-case scenario could even mean jail time."

"Jail time? Really?" Perry turned to Toto in shock.

Toto continued, "Especially for cooking complicated dishes without a chef's license. If you seriously want to become a chef, you'd have to pass the cooking exam. It's held every three years, and the next one's in three months."

"A cooking exam? What's it like?" Perry momentarily forgot about the fish, only for Toto to quickly remind him. Snapping back to focus, Perry turned his attention back to the fish, which was now perfectly cooked, with crispy skin and tender, juicy flesh.

He served the fish to everyone, taking a bite himself. The delicate blend of the Lanla grass's fresh, pine-like aroma with a hint of spiciness perfectly complemented the rich flavor of the fish, leaving a lingering taste on the palate.

"This is such a unique flavor," Toto marveled.

Larkin nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that hint of spice combined with the fragrance of Lanla grass works so well with the fish. It's a pleasant surprise."

Seeing everyone enjoy the meal, Perry felt a small sense of satisfaction. After they finished eating, his curiosity piqued again, and he asked more about the chef's exam and certification.

Rufus answered, "The cooking exam is meant to discover hidden culinary talents among the public, so anyone can enter. But it's really tough. Three top-tier food critics are the judges, and usually, only three participants pass. Those who succeed are sent to culinary academies for further training."

"Do you know what's included in the exam?" Perry asked, intrigued.

"None of us know for sure, since we've never taken it, nor do we know anyone who has," Larkin shrugged. "Becoming a chef is lucrative but comes with its own set of restrictions. Most chefs end up under contract, working for nobles or high-ranking officials."

"Yeah, it's a high-risk career," Rufus agreed, "which is why we suggested the flavorist path."

Perry smiled gratefully. "Thanks for the advice. I'll think about it." Yet deep inside, he had already made up his mind—he had to become a chef to complete his mission.

Just then, a familiar notification echoed in his mind:

[New Task Available

Task 4: Prepare 10 Satisfactory Simple Dishes [0/10]

Reward: Ingredient Journal (Item)

Deadline: One Week

Failure Penalty: Wanted Notice Issued]

Perry frowned slightly, muttering to himself, "This is going to be tricky…"

He turned to Larkin, asking, "So, if I really wanted to become a chef, is there an easier way to avoid getting arrested?"

Larkin thought for a moment before answering, "If you're serious about learning, the best way is to apprentice under a master chef."

"Any other options?" Perry asked, still hopeful for a simpler solution.