The meat sizzled in the pan, releasing a cloud of steam and an aroma so savory it made my mouth water. I planned to save the rendered juices for the sauce—maybe a demi-glace would hit the spot today.
『Is it... is it ready yet?! Is it done?!』
"Ahaha, not yet. It needs to cook a little longer."
Shiroru clung to my leg, practically vibrating with impatience. I didn't mind the company, but...
"Whoa, Shiroru! You’re getting drool everywhere."
『I can’t help it! The smell alone is a feast!』
He wasn't wrong. The aroma filling the room was nothing short of intoxicating, but having him wipe his soggy muzzle all over me was a problem. My pants were already soaked through. Honestly, it was probably past the point of no return anyway.
"I’ve still got several other dishes to prep, so it’s going to be a while. If you’re that restless, go give Lowell and Granny Pearl a hand in the garden."
『Muu... I suppose I shall.』
Shiroru trotted out of the kitchen, looking thoroughly reluctant.
Granny Pearl’s yard boasted a sprawling medicinal herb garden that required constant weeding and tending to maintain its quality. Since we were staying under her roof, we made it a point to volunteer our help whenever we had a spare moment.
Today was a feast to celebrate our success in the cooking contest. At Shiroru's request, the Dragon Meat Halfa and the others had won was being transformed into hamburger patties. Along with the dragon meat, I’d mixed in some Storrane root—a plant typically used in Power-up Potions to temporarily boost strength. In other words, I was preparing these as medicinal cuisine.
The Medicinal Cuisine Skill offered a surprising amount of freedom. As long as I used the Medicine Making Skill to properly process the ingredients first, the actual cooking felt almost like any other recipe. Using Storrane allowed me to create dishes that bolstered physical strength, while other herbs could provide entirely different benefits.
The main difference between the food and a potion lay in the potency and duration. Compared to a concentrated potion, medicinal cuisine offered a more subtle buff, but the effects tended to last much longer. Of course, the results were heavily influenced by the creator's skill level.
The most fascinating part was how the buff’s effectiveness scaled with the eater's satisfaction. Factors like how hungry they were, their personal tastes, and the actual flavor of the food played a huge role.
For example, Storrane has a bit of a bitter quirk to it, so some people might find it unappealing. If they didn't enjoy the meal, the resulting buff would be weaker. It was a true test of a cook’s ability—making the medicine taste like a treat.
Ultimately, the creator's culinary technique and intuition were the deciding factors. The Medicinal Cuisine Skill itself didn't have a level; its quality was determined by the synergy between one's Medicine Making Skill and Cooking Skill.
"Wow, Tort, you plated that so beautifully!"
"Ehehe, you think so?"
Over at the dining table, Halfa and Spira were chatting as they tossed a side salad. They were happy to help with the simpler tasks. I didn't find cooking for everyone a burden, but prepping such a large spread took time, so I appreciated the extra hands.
While we were talking, the patties reached perfection. The outside was seared crisp, and the inside felt tender and juicy. I moved them to a plate and tucked them into my Storage Ring; it was incredibly handy for keeping food piping hot until the moment of service. Now, I just had to finish the sauce and whip up a few more side dishes.
"To Halfa and Spira's victory—cheers!"
"Cheers!"
『Let's eat!』
The dinner party began with my toast. Shiroru was already tearing into his patty with gusto. Usually, he was quite refined, using Telekinesis to wield a knife and fork, but his patience had clearly hit its limit. He went in face-first.
『Hot! So hot!』
Apparently, he should have waited a bit longer.
Shiroru’s eyes grew teary as he stuck his tongue out, huffing and puffing. I sighed and cast First Aid on him.
"Geez, I told you it was still hot."
『I... I just couldn't wait! This time, I shall eat like a gentleman!』
He finally slowed down, carefully cutting the meat with his utensils and blowing on each bite before popping it into his mouth.
『Delicious!』
His tail began wagging at a speed I’d never seen before. He definitely approved. I decided it was time to try some myself.
The moment I took a bite, an explosion of savory flavor washed over my tongue. Calling it "rich" didn't even come close. The meat had an incredible presence; each chew released a surge of intense umami. I’d made a sauce, but the quality was so high it might have been even better with just a pinch of salt.
Almost immediately, I felt a rush of vitality surging from deep within me. It was the medicinal effect. Using a high-grade material like Dragon Meat had clearly supercharged the buff. It felt almost like a waste to consume something this potent as a casual meal, but I shook the thought away. This was a celebration, after all.
"Ho... even for a dish using Dragon Meat, this is quite the effect."
Granny Pearl seemed impressed, though her praise was focused more on the medicinal efficacy than the flavor. Still, coming from my mentor, it was a huge relief. One of the goals for this dinner was to show her how much my medicinal cooking had improved. Now that the contest was behind us, it was time to leave the Royal Capital. I’d already broken the news to her, and while this wasn't an official certification exam, she’d told me to prove what I'd learned before we hit the road.
"Well, I've taught you the essential recipes. All that's left is for you to hone your instincts. I know it’s not your main profession, but make sure you use your Medicine Making Skill regularly. Don't let your hands get rusty."
"I will!"
It looked like I’d earned a passing grade. Now, I could set off on our next journey without any lingering worries.