New chapter of Reincarnated Hero is out! (4/10 chapters)

 

 

Even Though I Look Like This, Cooking Is My Specialty

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“This is the Food and Drink Guild, huh.” (Leon)

As expected of Barbara, known as Gourmet Town, this was the guild that oversees all food and drink establishments. The building was bigger than even the Adventurer Guild. Leon came here to take the exam to obtain the right to participate in the cooking tournament. The dish to be served at the tournament had already been decided.

After having the twins, Meltera, the inn staff, and even guests try the prototype, all had high praise. Leon became confident that there was no mistake with this choice.

“Is that the counter?” (Leon)

Spotting what looked like the reception desk, Leon approached.

“Onee-chan, is this where you register for the cooking tournament?” (Leon)

“Yes, that’s right. …Um, are you going to participate?” (Receptionist)

“Yeah. Even though I look like this, cooking is my specialty.” (Leon)

“…I see. Then, you’re here to take the preliminary exam, correct?” (Receptionist)

Only two attempts were allowed to take the preliminary exam. However, there was only one remaining chance left before this tournament. In other words, Leon must pass on the first try.

“The pass rate for the exam is about twenty percent. That means one in five pass. It’s very difficult, but the tournament will continue in the future. There are cooks who only obtained participation rights after their tenth attempt, so don’t give up and keep trying as many times as you want.” (Receptionist)

They seemed to assume that a child like Leon could never pass on the first try, and they were trying to encourage him even before he took the exam.

“Y-yeah.” (Leon)

Leon nodded vaguely and finished the registration. The last preliminary exam would be held the day after tomorrow.

“There will be a huge crowd at the final preliminary exam, so it becomes very competitive every year. Even if you fail, there is no need to be discouraged.” (Receptionist)

 

—

 

Then, on the day after tomorrow, Leon returned to the Food and Drink Guild again. Together with other participants, he was guided into a large kitchen room where many cooking stations were lined up. They would actually cook here, and the judges would taste and select who passed. About 20 people were in this kitchen, but two other similar kitchens each had about the same number of people. The total participants would be about 60. All were older than Leon, some around 50 years old.

A tense atmosphere filled the room as the event coordinator announced the start.

“The time limit is one hour. Please complete three servings of the dish you plan to serve at the tournament for the judges. Once you finish, bring your dish forward for tasting. Now, begin cooking.” (Coordinator)

At that moment, all the participants moved at once. Some started cutting vegetables, some prepared fish, some heated frying pans. All skilled chefs worked quickly and skillfully. Yet among them, the youngest contestant showed an otherworldly cooking speed. Of course, that was Leon. With a knife faster than the eye could follow, he finished cutting the vegetables in an instant. Even the potato skins were peeled thoroughly.

(Huh? How did he cut those vegetables just now…?) (??)

A chef cooking right next to him watched in astonishment. Leon, then, started frying meat, vegetables, and mushrooms. After frying, he put the ingredients into a pot to simmer. Then, he added various spices he had prepared. The type and proportion of these spices determined the taste, so Leon kept researching and improving even after the prototype had been praised. The spice mix contained more than fifteen different kinds. Some were not usually used in common cooking. Spices taken from vicious plant-type monsters, which would never be in circulation…

“!!?” (Participants)

The other participants, absorbed in their cooking, suddenly stopped. The overwhelming aroma from Leon’s spices spread throughout the hall, strongly stimulating their senses.

“What is this delicious smell…?” (Participant 1)

“Who on earth is that…?” (Participant 2)

“I can’t win… There’s no way I can win…” (Participant 3)

Since various food aromas floated around, it was difficult to pinpoint the source. Still, Leon’s scent captivated everyone. Some participants felt the difference in skill and stopped cooking altogether. While simmering, Leon washed grains of white rice in water. Then, he put the rice to soak with a lid on and put it over the fire. After that, all he had to do was wait.

“All right, it’s done.” (Leon)

When Leon finished cooking, he sighed in relief that it was completed as he had envisioned. By then, only ten minutes remained. Since he had simmered carefully, he finished just in time. When Leon brought the dish forward, the judges had been eagerly waiting.

“Finally, it’s ready!” (Judge 1)

“L-let me eat it quickly!” (Judge 2)

“I love curry!” (Judge 3)

Yes, the dish Leon made was curry. However, unlike the curry commonly sold in Barbara, it was not meant to be eaten with bread.

“There is rice spread underneath the curry…?” (Judge 1)

“Yes, that’s right. I poured curry over rice.” (Leon)

Leon nodded.

“That kind of combination…” (Judge 2)

“But does it really go together…?” (Judge 3)

Leon firmly replied to the doubtful judges.

“Of course. Curry and rice definitely go well together.” (Leon)

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)