Tiny Cup - Round 1 Judging

As the last jelly parfait was taken away, Marron let herself breathe.

Her hands trembled—not from fear, but from the sheer rush of it all. She hadn't competed in years, but now the adrenaline was roaring back like an old friend.

It's like I've returned to being a new chef again.

All around her, competitors were whispering and wiping sweat. Balen wiped his knife on a silk towel, smirking at her from the other side. Elka was already prepping herbs, methodical and calm. Luma offered her a small nod of respect.

+

The lead judge was a stoic-looking dwarf. His beard was braided with tiny cutlery charms, and he lifted a spoonful of Marron's parfait.

He examined it with furrowed brows, then took a bite.

His expression froze.

Then—his eyes widened. His pupils sparkled. He gave a choked sound, as if a lullaby had punched him in the throat.

"I'm standing in a dew-drenched orchard," he whispered. "The breeze… it's made of moonlight. This jelly has feelings."

Another judge, a dryad with vine-like hair, leaned over and took her bite.

Her petals fluttered.

"This dish is deceptive. Light but so layered! I can feel air and water balanced on my tongue. It feels like serenity in a cup."

The third judge was a lanky man with parchment skin and horn-rimmed glasses. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"Your presentation is lacking, but emotionally...resonant. Using dessert infused with memory is amazing. You're not just feeding us—you're telling a story."

Marron blinked, stunned. She blushed a deep red.

"Th-thank you."

Behind her, Mokko pumped a paw in the air. "Let's gooo!"

The crowd murmured in surprise. A few scattered cheers broke out.

Even the food critic in the stands cracked a smile.

The cheers settled into an ambient hum, but Marron barely heard it.

She looked around the arena. No flames. No fallen carts.

She'd even managed to have a dish judged without dying.

Now it was all about the food, laughter, and a place that somehow felt like it was starting to fit her.

Back on Earth, she'd cooked for survival. Here… she was cooking for something else.

She didn't know what yet.

But maybe that was okay.

The crowd buzzed, many still discussing the elegant jelly layers in Marron's parfait.

In the front row, an old farmer who sold her fruit stood on a bench and yelled, "THAT'S MY ORCHARD'S FRUIT IN THERE!"

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Marron ducked her head and grinned.

Then—

DING!

[System Notification]

Round 1 Complete – Exceptional Performance

Judges Favorability: +48

Public Favorability: +21

Bonus Objective Completed: Leave a Lasting Impression

EXP Gained: +360

Level Up!

Marron was stunned. "I never expected a reward in the first round!"

There was an additional pop-up window with a special message:

The more experience you get, the better your rewards! Of course, that also goes for losses too. Life's like a tray of eggs, Marron Louvel. You never know which ones are good or bad until you open them.

She chuckled. "I think you could've done without the last part, but whatever. I'll keep doing my best."

Marron took a few steps away from the prep area and stood beside a stone column draped in festival ribbons. Her heart was still hammering in her chest.

She'd done it.

She'd actually held her own.

Not just that—people liked her food.

I didn't just survive… I belonged.

For the first time, she wasn't just some burned-out chef clinging to memories.

She was somebody.

"Still breathing?" a voice asked gently.

It was Elka. The other chef handed her a bottle of floral water.

"Barely," Marron admitted, taking a sip. "You?"

"I live for this," Elka replied. "And your parfait was lovely. Reminded me of something my grandmother used to make, before the rains took her orchard."

Marron blinked. "Thank you."

They stood in silence together until the next announcement echoed over the field.

+

[User Profile: Marron Louvel]

Chef Rank: Novice I → Novice II

New Feature Unlocked: Flavor Pulse

Description: When focusing, you may now sense the emotional flavor profile of nearby ingredients and customers.

Bonus Skill: Quick Prep (Lv.1) – Reduces basic prep time by 20%.

Marron blinked. "Flavor Pulse?"

Her eyes fell on a crate of leftover ingredients. Whenever her fingers hovered over fruit, she saw a faint aura. Like small glimmers of sadness, curiosity, and joy.

"Whoa…"

She spotted an unattended ingredient crate by the judge's supply tent—overflow stock, maybe. Curious, she walked over and let her fingers hover.

The ingredients lit up in a soft aura only she could see:

A honeyfruit glowing with longing.

There were mushrooms ringed in muted grief.

Nearby, there was a bundle of herbs pulsing with excitement.

She blinked.

"So… ingredients have feelings now?" she whispered.

Lucy bounced up and let out a trill. Her slime body shone with a hopeful glint.

"Oh right," Marron smiled. "You're next on the taste-test list, huh?"

+

While she pondered her new skill, the competitors returned to their stations. Marron caught snippets of nervous chatter.

Elka leaned over. "Whatever they throw at us next… I hope it's not organ meat."

"Or explosive fruit," Luma added, shuddering. "Last year, someone lost their eyebrows."

Marron giggled. "I once cooked with something called banshee peppers. We had to wear gas masks."

Even Balen let out a quiet chuckle from his station.

Then Sweet Passion clapped her hands—and the moment was gone.

+

The succubus strutted across the stage, tail swishing like a metronome of drama.

"Well, well! That's how you make dessert sing, baby! But don't get too cozy—Round Two is where the spice hits the stew!"

She clapped her hands.

A ripple passed through the air.

Then, a spotlight shifted—landing on a cloaked figure in the VIP box. Their hood shimmered like oil on water.

A hush fell over the arena.

The hidden Rank B+ judge rose from their seat, their voice a low hum wrapped in power.

"Chefs. Your second challenge… will center around this."

They tossed a cloth bundle into the center of the stage.

It landed with a thud and unfurled.

Marron's breath caught.

Dark crimson meat with gold marbling. It even glowed with shadow-aether.

"Duskbeast," the hidden judge announced. "Harvested this morning. Use it… well."

A wave of shock swept through the competitors.

Luma paled.

Elka's jaw tightened.

But Marron?

She smiled.

This round's mine.

She remembered its searing flavor, its aether-rich fibers, and how it responded to dreambutter and heat.

Already, a dish was forming in her mind.

Warm and rich duskbeast loin dipped in flour and golden mana yolk. Covered with breadcrumbs, nice and crispy. Laid over fluffy white rice, and deliciously smoky sauce.

Simple.

Comforting.

Soulful.

"A duskbeast rice bowl…" she murmured. "Like gyukatsu. But elevated."

Sweet Passion winked.

"You've got 45 minutes! Give us something savory and sensational! Go!"

The burners flared back to life. All around her, Marron heard the confused chittering of contestants, wondering how to make Duskbeast meat delicious.

I'm so glad I didn't have to figure this out in the middle of a competition!

A cooking god was looking out for her, and she wasn't about to waste this chance.

+

Marron glanced at her ingredients, her new system menu, and the determined glint in Balen's eye.

Instead of feeling intimidated, she gave him a thumbs up.

She pulled her hair back into a tighter ponytail.

This time, I'm not just competing to prove I belong.

I'm here to win.

"All right. Let's cook."