Cooking Swordmaster - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Worst Underachiever of Stanis Knight Training Academy (2)

Bubble bubble-

“Ah! The broth!”

What brought Köinzell Van Gstaad back to reality, as he was peeling potatoes, was the boiling chicken broth.

“I was so absorbed in peeling potatoes that time passed like this.”

Köinzell looked down at his creation with a satisfied expression.

On the countertop, peeled potatoes were piled up like a mountain.

It was the result of secretly bringing them from the storage and diligently peeling them for 1 hour.

The first ones he peeled had a rough and uneven shape.

But now, the ones that had just passed through Köinzell’s hands were smoothly peeled.

It was a skill that didn’t seem like it belonged to a beginner who hadn’t even been holding a kitchen knife for an hour ago.

“With this level of skill, it feels like what I’ve been wielding all this time was actually a kitchen knife.”

For three years, Köinzell had been swinging his sword relentlessly.

Although his Swordsmanship level hadn’t improved even a little bit.

His efforts were evident with the thick calluses on his palms.

“When I didn’t move my wrist and used my whole arm to move the knife, the potatoes peeled really well.”

Moreover, by utilizing the knife’s center of gravity, more delicate movements became possible.

“It felt as if the kitchen knife and I became one.”

Maybe that’s why.

Köinzell’s Swordsmanship level had risen to basic 3-star.

While he was lost in the task of peeling potatoes, it had increased by one more.

Even for someone like Vincent Von Sven, who was known to be a prodigy, such a growth rate was impossible.

It was as if it was compensating for the stagnation over the past three years.

He merely held a kitchen knife.

However, it was necessary to check what exactly caused this sudden growth.

Cooking and the kitchen knife.

Surely, one of the two must be the cause.

To confirm this, completing the chicken soup was the most certain method.

“It seems the broth is well-extracted. Let’s finish it up.”

Köinzell removed the chicken, shredded it finely, and strained the remaining broth through a sieve.

Then, simmering it with the prepared vegetables over low heat for about 30 minutes would complete it.

In the meantime, there was one more thing to check.

Would the Swordsmanship level gained with the kitchen knife apply to other swords as well?

Köinzell took out a practice sword placed in a corner of the kitchen.

Though it had no blade, it was made to be identical to a regular longsword.

Holding it, he tried the diagonal cut he had practiced thousands of times each day.

Swish-

The sword sliced cleanly through the spot Köinzell aimed for.

Although it wasn’t perfect, compared to how he used to stagger as if drunk, it was a tremendous improvement.

It was surprising how much things had changed just by his Swordsmanship level rising by two stages.

“Hoo…….”

Köinzell took a deep breath and placed the sword back in its original place.

This confirmed that the Swordsmanship level applied to other swords as well.

“Then, I’ll find out when the cooking is completed.”

If his level increased because he used the kitchen knife, then he would continue to train with it.

However, if his level increased because of cooking, things would get complicated.

While contemplating various thoughts, the chicken soup was completed.

Köinzell removed the Shoumakyou to check if there had been any changes.

……···.

…….

“Even after completing the dish, nothing has changed.”

He unknowingly smiled bitterly while saying that.

When he peeled the potatoes with a kitchen knife, his Swordsmanship level became 3-star.

However, his basic abilities, inferior to those of a child, remained the same.

Köinzell smacked his lips.

So, the answer was indeed the kitchen knife?

In that case, he would have to go to Instructor Ian and get permission to use a kitchen knife during training from now on.

It might present a somewhat ridiculous image, but he was used to being a subject of ridicule.

“But now my level is rising. And at an incredible speed, too.”

How many more levels could I raise before the Status Update in a month?

It was then that Köinzell heard someone’s footsteps walking into the kitchen.

“Huh, is someone in the kitchen?”

It was the voice of a middle-aged man, accompanied by a strong smell of alcohol.

From Köinzell’s perspective, who was secretly cooking, this was a situation he must not get caught in. Köinzell decided to grab only the practice sword and hide in the food storage room.

A moment later, a man exuding a stern atmosphere walked into the kitchen.

‘Isn’t that Chef Gordon Rambolton? Today was supposed to be his day off.’ (TL: Gordon Ramsay)

He didn’t seem to have come to cook. He was holding a cheap bottle of rum in his hand.

It seemed he came to find some food to go with his drink.

Gordon noticed the chicken soup on the counter and grinned broadly.

“Someone made a damned soup with chicken. Let’s see. Potatoes, onions, carrots… Surprisingly, the ingredients are well prepared. And this scent. Rosemary and basil?”

For a moment, Köinzell almost screamed.

Just by smelling the food, Gordon identified all the herbs used in it.

It was an amazing ability.

Chef Gordon Rambolton, who managed the kitchen of the training academy.

He was usually seen passed out drunk more often than cooking.

Who would have thought that Gordon was hiding such skills?

Gordon opened the pot and started examining the chicken soup Köinzell made.

Then he suddenly shouted.

“What kind of idiot peels potatoes like this! There’s more waste than edible parts! Oh? This one is cut properly. What’s going on, were they made by different people?”

Apparently, the difference in the potatoes’ quality arose because Köinzell’s Swordsmanship level was rising in real-time.

“I really want to see the mug of the person who made this. Hmm… But still, it’s good enough to sober me up.”

Saying that, Gordon started to ladle the soup into his mouth straight from the pot.

Then, as if he were a judge at a cooking competition, he began to give his evaluation.

“The broth is well-extracted. It’s a bit salty, but the flavor of the herbs is good. It’s a dish made by following the recipe without any shortcuts. Although it looks rough, the taste is decent. I’ll give it a cooking score of 4… no, 5.”

Gordon must have been hungry, as he emptied the entire pot of soup.

He didn’t leave a single piece of vegetable behind, eating everything cleanly.

Köinzell unconsciously lifted one corner of his mouth. A strange sense of satisfaction washed over him.

To think someone enjoyed the food he made this much.

‘Cooking is quite worthwhile. Maybe I’ll try it occasionally when I’m bored…’

Ding-

At that moment, the Shoumakyou, which had been silent for a while, started vibrating again.

It signaled a change in the status window.

‘No way!’

[The guest is satisfied with your cooking.]

[A Cooking Level has been created!]

[Experience points have increased significantly due to the evaluation from a chef with a high Gourmet Level.]

[Your Cooking Level has increased!]

“…!”

Köinzell had to cover his mouth to stifle the scream that threatened to burst out.

The Shoumakyou was only supposed to show the owner’s martial prowess.

But a Cooking Level…?

He had never heard of such a thing existing.

The surprises didn’t end there. The Shoumakyou kept displaying notifications as if it had gone haywire.

[You have completed a dish using fire!]

[Fire Resistance has slightly increased (+0.1%)]

…….

···.

[You have completed a dish using herbs!]

[Poison Resistance has slightly increased (+0.1%)]

“Wait, resistance!?”

This time it was a term Köinzell was familiar with.

Resistance meant immunity or tolerance to something.

But it was an ability that couldn’t be obtained through ordinary means.

A very special ability that can only be acquired by being born with it or by the blessing of a spirit.

According to Köinzell’s memory, among the more than 100 knight cadets, Vincent was the only one with any kind of resistance.

He bragged so much about having ‘cutting resistance’ befitting a family that had wielded swords for generations.

But to obtain such resistance through cooking?

Moreover, Fire Resistance and Poison Resistance were typically exclusive to other races like Dwarves or Elves.

Although it only increased by 0.1%, if this effect accumulated with each cooking session…

Köinzell felt a chill run down his spine.

He would become immune to attacks using fire and poison.

“But why didn’t the status change when I completed the dish…?”

He had merely listened to Chef Gordon’s evaluation after he ate the food Köinzell made.

“…Ah!”

Köinzell nodded with a look of realization.

Cooking isn’t complete when you just make the food.

It only becomes a proper “dish” when someone eats it.

[You have realized the mindset of a cook.]

[Your Cooking Level has increased!]

That’s how Köinzell obtained the mindset of a cook.

The bonus was his Cooking Level reaching 3 stars.

@

“But in the end, I made chicken soup and didn’t get to eat a single bite.”

How close did he get to making ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’?

According to Chef Gordon’s evaluation, it seemed he was still far off.

Köinzell had no choice but to eat dinner at the dormitory cafeteria.

The menu was fish and chips with salad, which was served every other day.

It was instant food made by frying sliced potatoes and battered fish.

Under normal circumstances, it would have been a meal he enjoyed.

But after tasting ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’, Köinzell found himself unable to be satisfied with such food.

He glared at the fish and chips with half-open eyes.

Was it because his Cooking Level had increased?

He began to notice the problems with this dish.

“The batter was put on so carelessly that the flesh has all leaked out. And how did they fry it for this part to be completely uncooked? Have I been eating this kind of food all this time?”

Thinking about it, it indeed seemed strange.

Chef Gordon’s skill in evaluating food was astounding.

Was this really the level of food produced by the kitchen he managed?

“If they had mixed some ale into the batter, the flavor would have been better. And how long have they been using this oil? The color of the fried food is pitch black.”

Even from Köinzell’s perspective, who had only cooked one dish, he could see several problems.

“Hmmm…”

A very plausible idea popped into Köinzell’s head.

He could increase his Swordsmanship Level and resistance by cooking.

And he had also become curious about Chef Gordon.

There was one way to solve all these issues.

“…Volunteering for kitchen duty.”

@

“You want to volunteer for kitchen duty?”

“Yes.”

Instructor Ian furrowed his brow at Köinzell’s words.

Kitchen duty meant doing menial work in the kitchen. A few chefs alone couldn’t prepare meals for hundreds.

So soldiers had to handle simple tasks like preparing ingredients and making soup.

“I’ve never heard of a knight cadet volunteering for kitchen duty.”

“Before becoming a knight, I should be treated the same as a regular soldier.”

It was a kind of privilege for cadets to be exempt from kitchen support.

Who would have thought someone would refuse that privilege?

Instructor Ian let out a deep sigh.

“Hoo… You’ve been in the Rookie Class for too long. Sometimes it feels like you know more about this place than I do. I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but if you’re looking down on it just because it’s serving food, I’d like you to reconsider. It’s harder than you think.”

“I understand.”

“You’ll have to wake up at dawn to work in the kitchen and still undergo the same training as other trainees. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

“Yes, I’m fine with it.”

He already woke up at dawn to train his stamina alone. The only change would be doing chores in the kitchen instead.

Moreover, working in the kitchen could help him raise the level that hadn’t changed at all in three years.

Seeing the strong determination in Köinzell’s eyes, Instructor Ian finally granted permission for kitchen duty.

“Thank you. I will do my best.”

“Alright. I hope this opportunity will help you grow even a little.”

“It will.”

“What did you just say?”

Köinzell responded with a bright smile.

One month left until the next Status Update.

Anticipating the upheaval that would occur then,

Köinzell, the worst underachiever of the Stanis Knight Training Academy, saluted Instructor Ian vigorously.