Morning sunlight poured through the windows of Crescent Moon Inn, scattering golden light across the kitchen counters. The newly awakened Infernal Stove burned quietly, its flames now a steady, brilliant blue.
Ethan stood before it, sleeves rolled up, eyes fixed on the fire like he was facing an old rival and an old friend at the same time.
On the counter sat a few ingredients: the last of his Spirit Rice, some wild mushrooms, a small cut of boar meat, and a handful of herbs Luna had gathered that morning. Simple, but enough.
The System's message from the night before hovered faintly in his mind.
[Quest: Create Your First Spirit-Infused Dish.]
[Objective: Use the Infernal Stove to merge elemental flame with culinary essence.]
[Reward: Unknown.]
He cracked his neck and exhaled. "Alright then. Let's see what you can do."
He poured a drizzle of oil into the Iron Chef's Pan. The blue fire flickered in response, spreading under the pan like liquid silk. Unlike ordinary flames, this one didn't smoke or hiss—it hummed softly, alive and precise.
When he tossed in the chopped mushrooms, the scent that filled the air wasn't just pleasant—it was intoxicating. Warm, earthy, and somehow bright. The mushrooms glowed faintly gold at the edges.
Ethan blinked. "You're kidding me. Even basic ingredients react to this?"
[Infernal Flame Synchronization: 32%.]
He added the boar meat next, letting it sear in its own juices. The fat crackled, sending tiny bursts of blue sparks into the air. Each pop echoed like tiny heartbeats.
Luna, cleaning tables in the next room, paused. "Chef? What's that smell?"
"Breakfast," he called back. "Don't worry, I'm not burning the place down again."
"I'll believe that when I don't see smoke," she muttered.
He smirked and focused. The aroma deepened, layering over itself—the savory heat of the meat, the mellow sweetness of herbs, the faint sting of magic in the air. The blue flames began to swirl upward, dancing around the pan in small circles.
[Spirit Infusion: 65%.]
[Warning: Excess energy detected. Adjust flame or dish integrity may fail.]
He frowned. "Too much, huh? Alright, let's lower it a bit."
He raised his hand, feeling for that thin, invisible thread that connected him to the Infernal Stove. The flames obeyed. They shrank, tightening under the pan until they were no more than a whisper.
The balance returned.
When he plated the dish, it looked almost too perfect to touch. The rice shimmered faintly blue, steam rising in soft waves. The meat was golden and juicy, the herbs crisp and aromatic.
The System chimed once more.
[Spirit-Infused Dish Created: Emberheart Rice Bowl.]
[Effect: Restores minor stamina and increases fire resistance for 30 minutes.]
[Evaluation: C+ Rank – Excellent First Attempt.]
[New Title Unlocked: Spirit Chef (Novice).]
Ethan exhaled, smiling faintly. "Now that's something new."
He turned to call for Luna—but she was already standing by the doorway, eyes wide. "That… thing is glowing."
"It's supposed to," he said, motioning her over. "Try a bite."
She hesitated. "Is it safe?"
"Probably."
"That's not the answer I was looking for."
He handed her a spoon anyway. "Trust me."
Luna took a careful bite—and froze.
Her eyes went wide as the warmth spread through her body, not burning but enveloping, like sitting beside a fireplace on a snowy night. The flavor was layered, balanced, alive. She exhaled softly, steam curling from her breath like mist.
"That's…" she whispered. "That's the best thing I've ever tasted."
He grinned. "Guess we're on the right track."
But as she kept eating, something else happened. The faint scratches and bruises on her hands from carrying crates began to fade. She blinked down at them. "Wait. What—?"
Ethan blinked. "Healing effects?"
[Hidden Property Detected: Emberheart Residual Aura – Fire Purification.]
The dish wasn't just food. It was medicine.
And everyone in the inn could feel it. Even those sitting near the kitchen doorway felt a faint rush of warmth, like an invisible comfort spreading through the air.
Within minutes, the smell drew people in from outside. Merchants, adventurers, even a few children peered through the windows, sniffing the air.
"Chef Ethan's cooking again!" someone shouted.
He looked up, startled. "Already?"
Luna giggled. "Word travels fast. Especially when it smells like that."
By the time he served a few bowls, the crowd had filled half the room. Everyone who took a bite wore the same expression—wide-eyed wonder.
They didn't see the System's glowing panels floating in the air. To them, it looked like pure magic. Some even bowed slightly before eating, like the dish was a divine blessing.
"Chef," one traveler said, voice trembling. "This food… it's alive."
Ethan just smiled quietly. "No, it's just cooked right."
But as the day went on, whispers spread beyond the inn.
A merchant mentioned it to a noble.
A noble mentioned it to a church scholar.
By sundown, people were calling it The Miracle Meal of Blue Fire.
---
Later that evening, when the last customer left, Ethan sat at the counter, resting his head in his hands. The blue fire flickered behind him, steady and calm.
He could still taste the faint mana on his tongue—the way the flames had moved with his heartbeat.
It felt like the fire was teaching him.
"Spirit Chef," he said quietly, recalling the title the System had given him. "So that's what this is."
The System responded faintly in his mind.
[The title signifies harmony between chef and flame. As bond deepens, higher Spirits may recognize you.]
"Recognize me, huh? Sounds like trouble waiting to happen."
[Correction: Opportunity.]
He chuckled. "Same thing."
The door creaked open again. Luna peeked in, holding a broom. "You've got that look again."
"What look?"
"The one where you're planning something crazy."
He smiled faintly. "Just thinking. If this world runs on mana, then maybe food isn't just about taste here—it's about balance. Energy. Connection."
She shrugged. "You're the chef, philosopher."
He looked out the window. "Maybe. But if I'm right, then this inn could change everything."
The blue fire flared softly, as if agreeing.
---
Far away, in a grand hall filled with chandeliers and polished marble, three chefs in ornate robes stood before a massive crystal orb. Within it, the faint image of Ethan's glowing dish flickered like a memory.
"That light," one of them whispered. "The Flame of Origin."
The eldest chef leaned forward. "Impossible. That fire was lost centuries ago."
The one in the center spoke softly, eyes narrowing. "Not lost. Reborn."
He turned to his attendants. "Send word to all branches of the Spirit Guild. A new Spirit Chef has awakened—and he bears the Infernal Flame."
---
Back in his small inn, Ethan closed up the kitchen and watched the last of the blue fire fade into gentle warmth.
He didn't know that tonight, a dozen eyes across the kingdom were already fixed on him.
To them, he was no longer just a cook.
He was a sign.
A legend reignited.
To be continued...