Chapter 38

Well, what's next?

Since I've completed the dryer that uses wind magic, it's probably time for cooking magic, right?

There are no ingredients, so let's practice controlling the heat. Someone said that cooking is all about heat control.

Since fire magic is dangerous, I'll start by creating a ball of water and placing fire magic underneath to make it boil.

The first magic I learned was how to create a ball of something, so creating a regular flame is actually more difficult.

But with my knowledge from my previous life, it's easy for me.

Having grown up on a farm in the mountains, I'm well-versed in cooking on a stove, so it's a piece of cake for me.

I float a small flame in the palm of my hand.

At first, the flame was too big, and the water ball would evaporate with a hiss or the boiling water would splash, making it quite challenging. But by using barrier magic like a pot and controlling my magic power, I managed to make the fire magic smaller and successfully learned how to control the heat.

Now that I've learned how to control the heat, what should I make?

Honestly, what I want most right now is white rice and miso soup, but considering the food situation so far, the existence of rice itself is uncertain, so it's not possible right away.

What about something I can make with the ingredients from the meals I've had so far, something I haven't eaten in this world, and something I can make?

In the future, I can probably ask the chefs for more variety once I get along with them better. How about sweets? The sweets in this world don't suit my taste, so I think it would be good to improve them.

Something easy and new... cookies and cakes are too hard to eat, and they exist in this world, so I'll pass.

How about pudding? It only requires eggs, milk, and sugar, and if you pay attention to the temperature, it's less likely to fail.

I've made it countless times for my younger siblings since childhood, so I know the recipe by heart.

Once I've decided, I'll ask Shell.

I float over to Shell.

"Shell, I want eggs, milk, and sugar."

Shell immediately picks me up.

"Master Kaita, what's the sudden request? Are you hungry?"

"I'm going to cook with magic!"

"Magic cooking?"

"Yep."

"? I've never heard of such magic."

"I'll try it!"

"I see. By the way, Master Kaita, what is 'milk'?"

"? It's the white liquid in tea."

"Oh, milk, I see."

"Exactly!"

Why does 'milk' work when 'milk' doesn't? Is milk in this world not from cows?

"I have milk and sugar, so I'll go get the eggs. Please wait a moment."

"Thank you!"

Shell puts me down and leaves the training facility.

Before Shell returns, I'll practice the magic to stir the eggs.

I create a barrier in the shape of a bowl, fill it with about a third of water, and create a small tornado to stir the water.

The tornado stirs the water with a swishing sound.

It's all part of the charm when it splashes occasionally, so I continue without worrying.

The water turns white as it incorporates air, a success!

Next, I need to create a sieve-like barrier to strain the egg mixture, so I'm ready!

I imagine a fine sieve and create a barrier... failure.

I try again, imagining a sieve as fine as a tea strainer. The shape is there, but I'll test it with water.

The water flows smoothly, a success!

Shell has just returned.

"Master Kaita, I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

Shell hands me an egg the size of my face.

Is it an ostrich egg? A monster's egg? Oh well.

"Thank you!"

"Can I watch?"

"Sure."

Let's start!

First, I crack the egg into the bowl I made with a barrier, but it doesn't break, so I use wind magic to crack it and mix it well.

Next, I warm the sugar and milk and mix them.

I slowly add the milk mixture to the eggs.

I create a small tornado to stir it.

The key is to create the tornado inside the egg mixture to avoid creating bubbles!

I strain the egg mixture 2-3 times with the sieve-like barrier.

I put sugar and a small amount of water in a small bowl.

I heat the bowl from below with fire magic.

When it starts to bubble, I add a little water and turn off the heat.

The caramel is ready.

I spread a thin layer of caramel in a large, flat-bottomed, deep dish-like barrier.

I pour the egg mixture on top.

I place the egg mixture in a barrier with a mesh in the middle and cover it with another barrier.

I fill the bottom part with water.

I apply weak fire magic from below the barrier.

Steam fills the barrier.

The heat control and time are by feel! Or rather, by guess!

I gently shake the barrier to check the firmness. It's transparent, so it's easy to see.

It looks good, so I take it off the heat.

I turn off the steamer barrier and the water, and take out the deep dish-like barrier.

Strangely, the barrier that was just steamed can be touched by me without getting burned.

I don't know why, but I think it's the same as not being able to hurt myself with my own magic.

I use wind magic to cool it down.

The result looks great.

I made it to fit the egg, so it's abnormally large.

I borrow a spoon from Shell, scoop a bit from the edge, and it's the pudding from my previous life.

The firm pudding holds its shape when scooped with a spoon.

I take a bite.

Delicious! The sweetness is just right.

I feed a spoonful to Shell, who has been watching.

Since I ate first, she eats without hesitation.

After one bite, Shell covers her mouth and freezes.

"Is it sweet?"

In response to my question, she shakes her head vigorously without a word.

After slowly swallowing the pudding, Shell looks very serious.

"Master Kaita, what is this dish? I have never tasted such delicious sweets in my life!

The soft, melting texture, the gentle flavor of the eggs and milk, the not-too-sweet taste, and the slightly bitter flavor of the sauce underneath enhances the taste even more. Every aspect is something I've never experienced before, a wonderful taste! Even I, who am accustomed to the royal cuisine, have never tasted anything like this! This is a revolutionary sweet! I saw how you made it just now, but is it impossible to make without magic? Even if it requires magic, please teach me how to make it!"

Yeah, I'm glad you liked it, but your breathing is heavy! The pressure is intense!

While having this conversation in a corner of the training facility, Director Tails Miyah, who had been watching me occasionally, approached out of curiosity.

"What were you two doing just now?"

When asked, I answered with a smug look, showing off my cooking magic!

Director Tails Miyah had a blank look.

Since her mouth was open, I stuffed a spoonful of pudding in, and after a shock, she froze like Shell, her face melting with each taste!

Then, like Shell, she demanded that I teach her how to make it!

It seems that steamed dishes don't exist in this world, so they were very interested, but when I said it could be made in an oven, they were surprised.

The ovens in this world either use firewood or magic tools, and the cooking temperature varies, so a lot of adjustments are needed.

The two of them, with serious faces, took notes on how to make it and looked very eager to eat the remaining pudding, so I borrowed an extra spoon from Shell, and the three of us secretly finished it!

Despite being quite large, the pudding was completely eaten, even though I, being a child, didn't eat much.

They both really liked it.

After eating, they both had melted faces for a while, savoring the aftertaste.

Next time, I'll try making fluffy pancakes.

That's it for the morning.

We head to the cafeteria for lunch.

Shell~ Director Tails Miyah~ it's time to come back~

On the way to the cafeteria with the usual group, when asked what I was doing at the training facility, I talked about life magic with a smug look.

They didn't quite understand at first.

But as I explained in more detail, they became more and more interested, and I used the cleaning magic and dryer magic on Diggory, who was the most enthusiastic.

He was making a lot of noise, but after it was done, he was incredibly moved.

I was also asked by Alshain, Yograth, and Shell, so I did it for them too.

Everyone was so moved that I decided to teach them life magic in the afternoon.

But first, let's eat!

I enjoyed the usual children's meal!