THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

"What sorcery is this?" Seraphina demanded, her eyes wide with astonishment. The chocolate, a revelation of taste, had left her craving more.

Luna, ever the curious creature, nudged the remaining piece of chocolate. "Can I have some?" she asked, her voice a soft purr.

David chuckled. "Of course," he replied, breaking off a piece. Luna's reaction was swift and decisive. She took a single bite, then promptly spat it out. "Bleh," she declared, her face scrunched in distaste.

David patted her head consolingly. "Looks like you're not a fan of sweets," he said, amusement in his voice.

Seraphina was still reeling from the experience. "Where did you get this?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

"He made it from scratch," the waitress interrupted excitedly.

The tavern owner, his eyes fixed on the remaining chocolate, interrupted. "Please, young man, sell me the recipe," he pleaded, his voice laced with desperation.

The waitress, ever the opportunist, chimed in. "We'll make you a star, a culinary legend," she promised, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

David raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Let's calm down," he said, his voice steady. "We haven't even had breakfast."

The owner, realizing the absurdity of the situation, slapped his forehead. "Of course," he muttered, his voice filled with regret. "Michelle, prepare a table for our guests."

Michelle, ever the efficient hostess, bowed and led the way. The owner's eyes followed David, a mixture of greed and admiration in his gaze. The chocolate had ignited a fire within him, a desire for culinary domination.

****

Earlier that day...

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David stood before the holographic display, a digital marketplace teeming with possibilities. His search yielded fruit in the form of two items: fresh and fermented cocoa beans. Each bag, containing fifty seeds, was priced at a thousand dimension coins. A surge of satisfaction coursed through him as he claimed them using his gift voucher.

With a burst of digital magic, two linen pouches materialized in his hands.

The morning sun was yet to paint the sky with hues of gold and pink when David tiptoed out of the room. Seraphina and Luna were lost in the embrace of slumber, their peaceful forms a stark contrast to the chaos brewing within him.

He made his way downstairs, heading towards the tavern's kitchen. Reaching the ground floor, Michelle, the ever-present waitress setting the chairs, was the first to spot him. "Sir, you're up early," she said, her voice laced with surprise.

He returned her gaze, a playful glint in his eyes. "The same could be said for you," David replied, approaching her slowly. Michelle backed up until the wall stopped her escape. Their proximity was electric, a silent conversation of unspoken desires. Her face flushed.

"I... I was just preparing for the day," she explained, her voice barely a whisper.

"Oh," David realized. "May I ask you for a favour?" He placed one hand on the wall and gently lifted her chin with the other. Michelle's heart pounded furiously. Is he trying to ask me out? It's a bit forward, but he's my type, she thought.

"If I can handle it," she giggled.

"I need to use your kitchen," he said, his tone direct. The request was met with a visible deflation of her hopes. He sensed her disappointment but pressed on. "I promise, it will be worth it," he added, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"Sure, follow me." With a resigned sigh, she led the way. The stage was set, the ingredients gathered. It was time to begin his culinary experiment.

The kitchen was a symphony of light and shadow, a space where the magic of transformation occurred. Sunlight, filtering through the arched windows, painted the room in warm hues. The aroma of herbs and roasting meat filled the air, a tantalizing prelude to the culinary delights to come. The brick oven, a heart of stone and fire, pulsed with life, its heat a tangible presence.

Rows of shelves, laden with the bounty of the earth, offered a visual feast. The kitchen was more than just a room; it was a living entity, a place where dreams took shape.

The owner, a man of ruddy complexion and weathered hands, emerged from the depths of the kitchen. His eyes narrowed as he took in the unusual sight of David and Michelle. "What do you think you're doing?" he demanded, his voice a gruff counterpoint to the kitchen's warmth.

Michelle, ever the diplomat, stepped forward. "He needs to use the kitchen boss, he's one of our VIPs," she explained, her voice carrying a hint of defiance. The word "VIP" hung in the air, a silent declaration of David's importance.

The owner, a man not easily impressed, seemed to reconsider. "What do you need?" he asked, his tone softening.

David, unfazed by the initial hostility, made his request. "A pan and the use of the stove," he said, his voice carrying a quiet confidence. The owner, intrigued by this mysterious stranger, tossed a pan in his direction. "Help yourself," he said, his curiosity piqued.

The kitchen transformed into David's culinary laboratory. With Michelle's help, he ignited the stove, a canvas of flame upon which his creation would take shape. The linen pouch, filled with the promise of transformation, was unfurled. The beans, raw and unassuming, were subjected to the intense heat of the stove.

A rich, intoxicating aroma filled the air, a symphony of scents that danced on the senses.

Michelle, her curiosity piqued, leaned in closer. "What are those?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

"Cocoa beans," David replied, a hint of pride in his voice. Her eyebrows raised in question. "Never heard of them?" he asked.

She shook her head, her expression a mixture of confusion and intrigue.

The beans, roasted to perfection, were transformed into a coarse powder with the aid of a pestle and mortar. Sugar, a sweet counterpoint to the bitterness of the cocoa, was added to the mixture. The transformation was almost complete. But one final ingredient was needed.

"Do you have any oil?" David asked, his voice carrying a note of urgency.

Michelle's mind raced. "Rendered animal fat, perhaps?" she suggested.

"No, it will ruin the flavour," David protested. He mentally opened the system mart and, after a moment, purchased butter. Blue motes of light formed, and a block of butter appeared in his hands.

Michelle's eyes widened in astonishment. "How did you do that?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.

David, choosing to keep the secrets of the system mart to himself, simply smiled. "A little magic," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of mystery. He melted the butter and mixed it with the cocoa dust and sugar, forming a smooth paste. David then asked for a bread mold, which Michelle handed to him. He spread the paste evenly in the tin, preparing it for the next step.

"Now, how to freeze this?" David mused aloud, tapping his chin thoughtfully.

"The boss is a first-class mage; I think he can help," Michelle suggested, her eyes bright with excitement.

"That would be great," David accepted eagerly. Michelle rushed off, returning shortly with the owner in tow, who looked mildly irritated but curious.

"Alright, stop your fussing, I'm coming," the owner grumbled, his gaze shifting to David. "What do you need, kid?"

"Can you use magic to slowly freeze this?" David inquired, gesturing to the tin mold filled with the chocolate mixture.

The owner picked up the tin mold, his expression thoughtful. "I can try," he replied. He began chanting, a faint glow emanating from his hands as the tin mold grew cold to the touch. The first attempt didn't quite work, leaving the mixture still semi-liquid. David, undeterred, created several more batches, adjusting the mixture slightly each time. Finally, on the fifth try, they succeeded.

The owner, now sweating profusely, had nearly depleted his mana reserves.

"So, what's this mud-like rock?" Michelle asked, peering at the now-solid chocolate with a mix of scepticism and curiosity.

David smiled, cutting the creation into neat pieces. "Try some," he offered, handing a piece to both the owner and Michelle.

With a mix of hesitation and curiosity, they placed the pieces on their lips, feeling the cold, smooth sensation against their tongues. As they took a bite, an explosion of flavours assaulted their taste buds. The rich, velvety chocolate melted in their mouths, a symphony of deep, complex, and utterly enchanting flavours.

The owner's eyes widened in astonishment. "This... this is incredible!" he exclaimed, savouring each bite as if it were a divine delicacy.

Michelle's reaction was no less enthusiastic. Her eyes shimmered with delight, and she closed them momentarily, letting the chocolate dissolve slowly on her tongue. "It's like tasting pure magic," she whispered, a soft gasp escaping her lips.

David watched them with a satisfied grin. "I'm glad you like it. This is just the beginning. Imagine the possibilities."

The owner, his mind racing with ideas, looked at David with newfound respect. "Kid, you have something extraordinary here. This could change everything."

Michelle, still savouring the lingering taste, nodded in agreement. "You've created something truly special."

David's smile widened. "Thank you. Now, let's see what other wonders we can create."

As they stood in the warm, bustling kitchen, the sun streaming through the arched windows, David felt a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. The world of confections was vast and unexplored, and with his newfound skills and determination, he was ready to take it by storm.

***

A/N: That's when Luna comes in....

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