Aiden stood with confidence, a broad smile gracing his face, reflecting his satisfaction with what he had accomplished.
He then gestured with his hand toward the royal table and declared with enthusiasm: “Please…
taste everything I have crafted with my own hands.” Before anyone could begin tasting, he caught sight of his master, the Great Mage Elandor, standing at the kitchen entrance, observing the scene in silence.
Aiden smiled at him and said respectfully: “Good morning, Master Elandor!
Please, join us in tasting as well.
I promise you all, you will become addicted to these pastries.” Aiden advanced with calm steps and arranged the seats around the table for three individuals: the Great Mage Elandor, the stern head butler, and the servant who had brought word of the trial’s completion.
He began by serving the “Golden Mandarin Tarts.” The moment the three took their very first bite, their eyes widened in admiration, and astonishment was plainly visible upon their faces.
Next, he presented the second dish, the “Wild Herb and Cheese Rolls.” With every bite, words of praise flowed without pause, for the flavor surpassed all their expectations, and it had never crossed any of their minds that this human youth could be capable of crafting pastries with such skill and precision.
Finally, he placed before them the last of the pastry varieties, the “Spiced Meat Pies in Ether Sauce.” The three tasted them in silence, then exchanged glances before nodding their heads in complete accord.
It was then that the head butler declared his judgment with certainty, while Elandor and the servant concurred without the slightest objection—Aiden had earned a perfect score in the pastry division.