Awakening a Magic System

A stout young man walked out from a mansion whose stone brick entrance was decorated with tall rose bushes. His every move brought about the motion of his whole body; his fat would sway every time he took a step forward. His stomach sagged over his tight sash that tied around his waist. His appearance wasn't very pleasant to the eye - except perhaps for his clothes.

Although it was slightly chilly, the young master did not have on as much as the peasants. His fat protected him from the cold. Donning a scarlet robe made from cotton, a size that no normal human could wear, a simple jade pendant hung at his waist, barely visible. His shoulder length of black hair was tied back with a silk ribbon.

The guards glanced at him briefly before returning to their usual stoic positions. The City Lord's son was quite the glutton and unworthy of their time. Skipping along, he soon left the guards' view. They sighed, although being fat signified wealth, they pitied their powerful Lord who had fought in the war for conceiving such a useless son.

The morning sun was not bright, but the light glanced off of the dew that gathered on the trees throughout the city. He ambled down an avenue of stores, lined with food stalls in the dim morning. As he walked down the busy street, the faces of the food vendors' would brighten up and they would start to shout louder, hoping to get his attention.

"Hot cross buns! One a copper!"

"Buy some youtiao! Soy milk if you buy four!"

Withdrawing some silver coins from a pouch, he grinned.

He emerged out from the end of the street as he drained the two cups of soy milk and chewed the dough as he walked.

There were children who were playing on the streets when their parents ushered them away, whispering in their ears. Everyone knew the City Lord's son; although he was not an arrogant young master nor a debauchee, he did not have many accomplishments either. They did not wish for their children to end up so useless, only knowing how to eat. Bacon did not mind their gazes, he had long become immune to their criticism and comments.

Soon his lumbering body approached a gate of another manor, of almost equal extravagance to his own home. This was the residence of Chef Xia, an expert of the Mystic realm and a grandmaster in the culinary arts.

Bacon, being the foodie he was, was delighted when he heard the chef was visiting. He had frequented the chef's residence yesterday, hoping to get a taste of his dishes. His cooking skill surpassed those of mortal chefs, allowing him to bring the ingredients to their utmost potential and flavor. The fragrance of one of his simple dishes could easily intoxicate the entire city.

A doorman appeared at the gates. His face scrunched up, this young fellow kept on visiting without rest! How resilient can you be when you keep getting denied!? Thankfully the Chef was a patient person and he simply kept denying him.

He hurried to the kitchen, where his master was experimenting with new ingredients.

"Sir, the City Lord's son is back again."

"Let him in - he might be able to help me breakthrough on my research."

"Yes, sir."

Bacon's body soon appeared in the kitchen doorway.

"Chef Xia! Teach me, please!"

"I'm not accepting disciples, I'm on vacation!"

The chef did not look away from his work. His hands moved quickly as he pushed some sort of plant that looked like a green carrot underneath his knife. Thin slices of the root fell to its side onto the cutting board. A faint aroma seeped out alongside red juices.

Bacon looked in awe. He did not cook himself, but he knew about the various techniques of crafting a masterful piece.

"Hey, kid. Mind keeping your mouth closed?" the chef joked.

Drool had already started to fall from Bacon's mouth although the dish wasn't even ready yet. Gulping, he closed his mouth shut, "Can I have a taste?"

"Sure, tell me how it's like."

Chef Xia tossed the circles, each of them landing successfully in the frying pan. Grabbing a bottle, he drenched the vegetable in some sort of sauce. Finally, he turned off the heat and put the root slices on a plate. Wiping his hands on his apron, he took it off. The smell wafting from the plate was slightly sweet.

Grabbing two forks, he handed one to Bacon, "Here, try some."

Bacon couldn't wait. His hand already snatched the fork and stabbed one, immediately stuffing it into his mouth.

"Ahhhhh! Why is it so sour!?"

He looked at the skinny chef with tears in his eyes. His tongue had dried and it drooped out of his mouth.

The chef laughed as he chewed. He took another one and put it into his mouth as he said, "Trial and error, my young friend. Now, now, go home."

Bacon ran out, feeling betrayed. Finally taking a clue, he decided that maybe this was the chef trying to get him to shun him away!

He waved his hand as he left for his bedroom to take a break. Taking a sip of water, he laughed again at the child's reaction. The truth of the matter was, he actually couldn't taste the dish at all! His mouth had dried, but he still could not taste a single thing! All of his success actually came from family recipes and forcing his siblings to try his dishes.

Who would've thought the best chef in the Swiftwind Province actually lacked a sense of taste?

Now that he had such a willing person to try his dishes, why wouldn't he give him a chance?

Bacon, however, did not know any of this. He slowed down as he left the mansion - maybe this was meant to be a test! Truly, being thickskinned he had no shame. He decided he would definitely come back tomorrow.