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Ms. Telkia ran her tongue over her teeth as he finished, before taking another bite of the square he hadn’t used his Talent on.
She didn’t frown, but she did pull out a bottle of water and took a large swig before nibbling on the other square once more.
Seeing she enjoyed the effect of his Talent, he enhanced the rest of the bar and slid it to her with a grin.
“Everything is properly licensed, and I have the certifications verifying my Talent is an alchemy talent, not a mental one. It’s an actual, physical change that works similarly to an innate [Enhance Reagent] or [Enhance Reaction] skill, but more efficient at a lower mana cost, though more specialized. It only works on food, for example. I’m not an alchemist, just a cook, ma’am.”
Ms. Telkia opened her eyes after finishing off the single square, waving away the rest of the bar.
“That is a useful Talent, Mr. Alexander.” She turned to the side, and Matt followed her gaze to see Chef Jacque walking out of the kitchen.
“Ahh it is good to see you, Ms. Telkia. It has been too long since I have seen you with the length of your last delve. How have you been.”
For the first time, Ms. Telkia dropped some of her business persona and seemed genuinely happy to see Chef Jacque.
“I’m good. Better than good, now that I’ve met our newest employee. I saw business was up seven percent, but even his little demonstration with a bar of chocolate has me sold.”
Chef Jacque laughed and patted Matt on the shoulder before sliding into the chair next to him, forming a triangle with Matt and Ms. Telkia.
Ms. Telkia looked to Chef Jacque and said, “I hadn’t intended to eat in tonight, but after that demonstration, I simply must. Can you fit me in?”
Chef Jacque laughed. “I already told Alison to prepare for your party when I heard you were out. We have the private room set aside for you, and we can easily work a dozen extra tickets in.”
“Wonderful news Jacque, wonderful news.” As Ms. Telkia said that, she looked to Matt. “When is the next Young Chef tournament being held?”
Chef Jacque waved his hand. “Matt has outgrown them. I’m instead thinking we send him to represent us in the Tier 15 competition that the duke holds every decade.”
Matt was startled, as that was the first he had heard of it, but Ms. Telkia nodded as if it made perfect sense.
“That’s a good idea. It gives us more prep time, and we can abuse his Talent more.”
She looked to Matt as she explained, “The Tier 15 competition is different. While you cook there, you can bring your own ingredients. If I’m right, Jacque plans to use your Talent on growing every ingredient you would use to maximize its use.” She paused. “It will be expensive, but worth it if you can do well.”
As if out of nowhere, she changed the topic and asked, “Are your parents still alive?”
It took Matt a moment to register the sudden shift in conversation, but he nodded. “Yes, they are Tier 14. Mom has her Concept, but hasn’t advanced, as she’s waiting for Dad. I have a little sister, Aster, who is a successful artist-mage and got them carried to Tier 14.” Wanting to show off his sister a little he added. “She writes for a Tier 40 children’s channel on King Rusty’s capital.”
Ms. Telkia nodded as if what he said was within her expectations.
“If you win the competition or even do well, there is a Shard of Reality in the duke’s personal vault. You said your father doesn’t have a Concept yet, and this can solve that problem. Are you interested?”
Matt’s mouth went dry, but he swallowed and nodded. “Very. But it seems expensive. I can’t afford the cost to do what you said about growing the crops and such.”
Ms. Telkia waved her hand. “You wear my logo on your uniform when you compete, and that’s all the compensation I need. At my level of business, that kind of publicity is worth its weight in Tier 50 mana stones.”
After hashing out a few more details, they shook on it, and Matt walked back into the kitchen to finish prepping the food the kitchen would use that night.
Right as he was about to enter the swinging door, Ms. Telkia called out, “Also, I heard a rumor that Helen of Helen’s Hearth will be there, if you need another reason to try for first.”
Hearing that, Matt froze as the world tilted on its side.
He had…he had met Helen. He should be calling her Aunt Helen. But that didn’t make sense, she was a legend. He’d never met her before. But…
He hadn’t experienced that since he was a child, but this time, he wasn’t a child, and knew this was something to explore. His Concept was still nascent, but he’d been taught the exercises. His Willpower flooded out from him, powerful and… Endless.
The world around him didn’t seem to notice, but Matt the chef was no more. Or perhaps, Matt the chef was far more, far more than he’d ever dreamed of, and had given way to Matt the Ascender.
His body didn’t seem to notice, though, and carried on talking and preparing food, unaware of the Folded Reflection-reality it was inhabiting.
Matt pushed himself into the controlling seat of the body, and using the AI, sent a message to his parents about how much he loved them and wished they would be at the competition he would take part in.
Then, before he could dwell on them being alive any more than he was, he let himself drift back into the Folded Reflection life. Now that he had broken free, there was no risk of him losing his Concept, but he wanted to live his life as far as Minkalla would allow him.
Five years later, he went to the competition and won using his Talent and skills, and as Ms. Telkia had theorized, received the attention of the duke. After a long ceremony, he was handed the Shard of Reality, which Matt was able to utilize to give his father a Concept.
Seeing his parents in person while he was in control felt…it felt like everything.
- Writer
