Morning sunlight spilled through the kitchen windows, gleaming off pans and bowls stacked high. The sign outside still read:
> Closed for Royal Preparation – Do Not Disturb (Seriously).
Inside, Ethan gathered the team around the counter.
The golden Spoon of Hearth floated in the air before him, glowing faintly.
He said, "The system gave us a quest. We need to cook three dishes that reflect our bond — together."
Luna's eyes widened. "So… like friendship food?"
Bruno grinned. "Sounds easy. I'll grill some meat, and you all say it's tasty."
Maris crossed her arms. "You think everything can be solved with meat."
"Because it can."
Kiro raised a hand timidly. "Chef, what happens if we fail?"
Ethan looked at the floating spoon, now pulsing faintly gold. "We won't."
The glow intensified — as if agreeing.
---
They divided into teams.
Ethan paired Luna with Kiro.
Bruno and Mina formed the second group.
Maris, as always, declared herself "management," but Ethan only smiled. "You're with me."
Her sigh said everything.
---
The first to begin was Luna. She wore her apron like armor and brandished her knife dramatically. "Team Sunshine is ready to shine!"
Kiro whispered, "Why do we need a team name?"
"Because it boosts morale! Now chop those herbs with passion!"
Kiro obeyed, though his "passion" mostly looked like panic.
They decided on something simple — Crescent Omelets, but with a twist: Luna insisted on adding sugar to the eggs "for balance."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "That's… new."
"Trust me, Chef! My grandmother said sugar brings joy to anything!"
A few minutes later, the sweet omelet sizzled on the pan, golden and puffed. Luna plated it proudly, dusting it with fruit syrup.
Ethan took a bite.
The moment the flavor hit, the Spoon of Hearth glowed pink.
Luna gasped. "It changed color! That means it likes it!"
Ethan smiled. "Not just it. The Spirits can feel your joy in the dish."
Bruno tasted it and grinned. "Too sweet for me — but it feels… warm."
Maris muttered, "I'll stick to coffee."
Luna bowed. "One heart-flavored dish, complete!"
---
Next was Bruno and Mina.
Bruno rolled up his sleeves. "Let's show them how real cooking sounds."
He slammed a slab of spirit beef onto the grill — the sound roared through the kitchen. Flames burst upward like miniature fireworks.
Mina calmly sprinkled herbs over the fire. "Lower the heat by thirty percent."
Bruno grunted. "Trust the instinct, not the numbers."
Mina's eyebrow twitched. "Instinct burns the meat."
He grinned. "That's flavor."
Their back-and-forth drew laughter from everyone as they cooked — fire and precision, chaos and control.
When the meat hit the plate, Mina poured a thin sauce over it, smooth as silk.
Ethan tasted it — smoky, fierce, and yet refined.
The Spoon glowed crimson, then flickered with streaks of silver.
Bruno laughed. "See? Passion beats perfection!"
Mina smirked. "No. Balance wins."
Ethan chuckled. "You both win. The dish carries both your energies."
The Spoon vibrated softly, as if purring in approval.
---
Finally, Ethan and Maris stood side by side.
Maris adjusted her sleeves. "I don't cook."
Ethan handed her a knife. "Then you'll learn."
She sighed. "This is extortion."
He smiled. "Motivation."
They decided on something simple — a herb broth made from ingredients the others had already used.
Maris chopped awkwardly at first, nicking the herbs too roughly.
Ethan gently guided her hand. "Don't fight the knife. Let it move."
For a moment, their rhythm aligned — smooth, careful, and quiet.
The broth began to simmer.
A faint aroma spread — earthy, soothing, familiar.
When it was done, Ethan served it in a plain white bowl.
No flair, no garnish, just warmth.
He took a spoonful, then handed it to Maris.
The Spoon of Hearth glowed deep gold — brighter than before, humming softly.
Luna blinked. "Whoa… it's glowing like the stove!"
Ethan smiled. "Because this is the heart of our kitchen — calm, steady, real."
Maris sipped, surprised by her own expression softening. "…It tastes like home."
For a moment, the entire room felt lighter.
---
Then, the system's voice echoed through the air:
> [Quest Complete: Awaken the Spoon of Hearth]
[Reward: ???]
The spoon shot upward, spinning once before bursting into a wave of golden light.
When it settled, the spoon floated beside Ethan's hand — its glow softer, alive.
> [Spoon of Hearth – Awakened Form]
Ability Unlocked: Resonance Cooking
When cooking with companions, the dish absorbs the emotions of the entire team, amplifying flavor and Spirit response.
Luna jumped up. "That's amazing!"
Bruno whistled. "So teamwork actually makes the food stronger."
Mina smiled slightly. "It's the literal power of teamwork."
Maris shook her head. "This world gets stranger every day."
Ethan looked at the spoon, glowing faintly near his hand. "No. It's getting more alive."
---
The celebration didn't last long.
Just as Luna started pouring juice to toast their success, a sharp knock echoed from the front door.
Maris frowned. "We're closed. Who—?"
Ethan opened the door — and froze.
Outside stood a man in a black chef's coat trimmed with silver, his eyes cold and sharp as blades.
"I heard you're going to the Royal Banquet," the man said, voice smooth but heavy with challenge.
Ethan nodded slowly. "And you are?"
The stranger smirked. "Lucien Vale. Royal Culinary Champion for three years running."
Luna gasped. "That's the Lucien Vale? The guy who cooked with phoenix feathers?!"
Lucien's eyes glinted. "Enjoy your victory while you can, small-town chef. The banquet isn't a kitchen… it's war."
He turned and walked away, leaving behind the faint scent of burnt sugar and arrogance.
The team stood frozen for a moment.
Then Bruno cracked his knuckles. "I already don't like him."
Luna huffed. "Who does he think he is, insulting our chef like that?"
Ethan just smiled faintly. "Someone who's about to learn what food really means."
He turned back to the kitchen, the golden spoon glowing beside him like a loyal companion.
"Let's get back to work."
To be continued...