Episode 62: The Self-Feeding Dragon Bowl—Because Even Dragons Are Picky Eaters

The shop bell chimed, and a towering figure ducked through the doorway. Clad in a heavy cloak and smelling faintly of charred meat, the visitor pulled back their hood to reveal...

"A dragonborn?" Zira whispered to Felix.

The dragonborn warrior—scales shimmering dark blue, eyes sharp as a blade—strode to the counter and crossed his arms. "I require an enchanted feeding bowl for my dragon, Smoke Fang."

Felix nodded. "Alright. Standard self-refilling enchantment?"

The dragonborn huffed. "Yes. But there is… a problem."

Zira leaned in. "Oh, we love problems."

The warrior sighed. "Smoke Fang refuses to eat anything less than gourmet cuisine. If the meal isn't prepared by the finest chefs, he glares at it and knocks the bowl over."

Felix frowned. "So you need a bowl that constantly refills itself… with high-end dragon cuisine?"

The warrior cleared his throat. "No. I need a bowl that refills itself with gourmet meals but makes them appear unappetizing."

Zira blinked. "Wait… you want to trick your dragon into eating five-star meals by making them look gross?"

The warrior nodded solemnly. "Yes. He only eats charred rat meat and burnt cabbage. Anything else? Too refined for his taste."

Felix and Zira exchanged looks.

Zira muttered, "This might be our dumbest commission yet."

Felix smirked. "Oh, we're definitely doing it."

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The Crafting: Michelin Star or Mystery Slop?

Felix gathered materials:

✔ A self-refilling enchantment

✔ A food-illusion rune

✔ A "perceived downgrade" spell

Zira hovered over his shoulder. "Okay, so the bowl refills with gourmet dishes, but the dragon sees them as 'charred rat and burnt cabbage'?"

Felix grinned. "Exactly. And just for fun, we'll make it smell the part too."

Zira gagged. "You're evil."

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The Test Run: Fooling a Dragon

Felix handed the enchanted bowl to the dragonborn warrior. "Alright. Try it."

The warrior placed the bowl on the floor and stepped back. Smoke Fang—a massive, sleek black dragon—stalked over, sniffed the bowl, and narrowed his eyes.

Inside? A beautifully plated meal of grilled wyvern steak, seared mushrooms, and aged thundercheese.

But to Smoke Fang? It looked and smelled like a burnt sewer rat sitting on a pile of sad cabbage.

The dragon licked his lips. Then, with a satisfied crunch, he devoured the entire meal in one bite.

Felix whispered, "I cannot believe this is working."

The warrior smirked. "Finally. No more complaints about 'fancy food' from him."

Zira crossed her arms. "You do realize we've just created reverse fine dining for a dragon?"

Felix nodded. "And I have zero regrets."

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The Aftermath: Five-Star Garbage Cuisine Approved

As the warrior left with his enchanted bowl, Smoke Fang let out a happy burp—followed by a small, accidental fireball.

Felix barely dodged it. "Okay. Maybe we should sell enchanted fireproof tablecloths next."

Zira laughed. "Or a cookbook titled 'How to Trick Your Picky Dragon'."

Felix grinned. "I'd buy that."