My Dragon King System

Today, was day one of the Grand Guild Games.

Large canopies stretched across the city's open square, shading rows of seats filled with nobles, merchants, and other citizens eager to watch the games.

There was still a sort of demarcation ofcourse. Nobles and people of a certain high class sat in different canopies, away from the general crowd.

Banners representing each of the eight participating guilds hung from poles, and fluttered in the breeze.

At a certain corner was raised platform where King Oberon sat. Thamoryn sat to his right, and the captains alongside some other nobles sat nearby.

At the center of the square were the contestants standing in different guild groups.

In front of each group was a large iron pot set over a magical flame, ingredients laid out on tables nearby.

Representing Ravens Grave were Bernard, Laela, Elena, Oliver, and Rick. Bernard stood at the center, with a focused expression, already reviewing the ingredients in his mind.

This was probably the most serious he had ever been about anything.

The other guilds had their own teams. Some looked confident. Others looked nervous.

A herald stepped forward, and with his voice magically amplified by a certain supplementary spell, he began. "Welcome to the Grand Guild Games! Today marks the first event: the Culinary Contest!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

"Each guild will prepare a dish to be judged by His Majesty, King Oberon. You have one hour. The guild that presents the finest dish will be declared the winner of today's round!"

The herald raised his hand. "Begin!"

The teams exploded into motion.

Bernard immediately started barking orders. "Laela, prep the vegetables. Elena, get the stock boiling. Oliver, I need you handling the spices. Rick, meat prep. Move!"

The team scattered, each member taking their position.

Bernard moved between them like a conductor, checking progress, adjusting seasoning, tasting broths.

Everything was going smoothly.

Until it wasn't.

About halfway through, Bernard paused, staring down at the pot. His brow furrowed. He glanced at the remaining ingredients, then back at the pot.

His face went pale.

"No, no, no," he muttered under his breath.

Laela looked over. "What's wrong?"

"The mushroom extract," Bernard said, his voice tight. "I don't have enough. I thought i did but i really don't and Without it, the flavors won't blend properly. The dish's taste will be off."

Elena's eyes widened. "Can we substitute something?"

"Not without ruining it," Bernard said, running a hand through his hair. "We need the extract. There's no way around it."

The team exchanged worried glances, and worst of all they had only fifteen minutes left.

From the viewing canopy, Aiden watched the scene unfold. He saw Bernard's frustrated expression. Saw the way the man's hands trembled slightly as he checked the ingredients again.

Something was wrong.

Aiden then used a copied supplementary spell, that he had gained at some point during the war.

This was the Mind Link spell.

The one Mumbleton, Former Dragonhold's Grand Magus, use during the battle to link the minds of him and the other captains.

They were within his view when that spell was used and so his replication authority had automatically copied it then.

[Mind Link]

Normally it required a sort of preparation before hand, and consent of the other party who would willingly let you use the spell

But Aiden could directly replicate the spell without prior preparations of any kind. Given the astronomical difference between he and Bernard, he could easily force the link without consent.

With that Aiden created a connection linking his mind to Bernard's.

"Bernard…" Aiden's voice echoed in the boy's thoughts.

Bernard flinched, nearly dropping a spoon. He glanced around quickly, then whispered under his breath, "Aiden?"

"What's wrong?"

Bernard's thoughts were frantic. "Mushroom extract. I don't have enough to finish the dish. We need more, and there's no time."

Aiden's mind worked quickly. "Describe it. Tell me exactly what it looks like."

Bernard's thoughts steadied slightly. "I need this in particular, the Stonecap mushroom Extract. Dark brown liquid, comes in a small glass with a cork stopper. Smells like wet soil. Only gotten from herbalists in Xathia's market."

"I've got it," Aiden said. "Keep cooking. I'll be back."

Then he severed the connection between them.

Bernard exhaled shakily and turned back to the pot, with his hands stirring.

Aiden stood, stepping away from the crowd while trying not to draw attention.

He moved to a quiet corner behind one of the canopies and whispered, "Transport Magic."

Space warped, and in one instant he was in Xathia's Market District

Aiden appeared in the middle of the bustling market, startling a few nearby merchants. Thankfully he could easily recall the places he and Bernard arrived at, to get certain ingredients.

He didn't waste time.

"Stonecap Extract!" he called out. "Who has Stonecap Extract?"

An older woman, who was also a herbalist, looked up. "I've got some. How much do you need?"

"One vial. Now." Aiden called out again

She pulled a small vial from beneath her counter and held it up. "Two silver."

Aiden pulled out a gold coin and tossed it to her.

Her eyes widened. "But—"

Before she could say anything further, he clutched onto the tiny bottle, turned away and teleported out of sight .

Aiden reappeared in the same spot behind the canopy. Right now it was about, it five minutes left.

He moved quickly, until he reached the edge of the contestant area.

He caught Bernard's eye and held up the vial.

Bernard's face flooded with relief. He rushed over, taking the vial with trembling hands.

"You're a gods-damned miracle."

"Finish the dish," Aiden said.

Bernard nodded and ran back to the pot. He uncorked the vial and poured the extract in, stirring quickly, his movements precise despite the time pressure.

The herald's voice rang out. "One minute remaining!"

Bernard stirred faster, tasting, adjusting.

"Thirty seconds!"

He pulled the ladle out, tasted one last time, and nodded.

"Time!" the herald shouted. "Step away from your stations!"

Bernard stepped back, his chest heaving, sweat dripping down his face. However, he was smiling.

————

And now it was time to have the dishes Judged.

King Oberon rose from his seat and descended the platform, flanked by Thamoryn and two attendants.

He moved from station to station, sampling each dish.

He said nothing as he tasted, and his expression remained unreadable.

Some dishes he barely touched. Others he took multiple bites of.

When he reached Ravens Grave's station, Bernard straightened, his hands clasped behind his back.

Oberon took a spoonful of the stew, brought it to his lips, and tasted. Then paused for a second.

He took another spoonful. And another.

Finally, he set the spoon down and turned to Bernard. "This is exceptional. The depth of flavor, the balance… you've created something worthy of a king's table."

Bernard's face flushed with pride. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The others also had this happy grin on their faces.

Oberon took a look at their uniforms once again, then turned to address the crowd. "The winner of today's event is Ravens Grave!"

The crowds erupted, especially the ravens grave guild. Even Katherine yelled out from the Captain's area, totally disregarding any form of courtesy.

"That's my Bernard!!!"

Bernard's team rushed forward, embracing him, laughing and shouting in celebration.

From the viewing area, Aiden watched with a smile on his face.

As tradition dictated, each guild then shared their dishes with the crowd. Plates were passed around, and soon the square was filled with the sounds of eating, laughter, and celebration.

It was one of the favorite parts of the Grand Guild Games. People enjoying good food together.

————

Later on that evening at Ravens Grave guild, everyone looked happy being the winner of the first contest.

They were also awarded twenty thousand gold coins for achieving the first win.

Katherine walked towards Aiden. "Bernard told me what happened. You're a good man, Aiden."

And Aiden smiled back, and simply just nodded.