Episode 9

The final battle for the title has come, the top three will meet at the main hall located on Chef Orb and start making their finest dish. Everyone has 60 minutes to make, who has the most beautiful dish and use high ranked special ingredients are the winner.

Xen walked in the hall meeting Ymir and the blue alien guy, he feels really nervous right now and he is trying to calm himself. The Final battle will be aired the whole galaxy and thousands of people come to the hall to watch them. He can hear their cheer through the waiting-room door, and this is the first time he cooks in front of crowded. Both Ymir and the blue alien looks very serious and he can feel their fighting to win spirit coming out, Xen goal is not to win, he just here to finish his journey.

The sound of the trumpet signal everyone in the room, it’s time to enter the hall. The top three reached the battle round, a square stage surrounded with benches. Each person has their own kitchen area and a fridge content food ingredient. Another trumpet sound with two notes mark the time then louder sound inform them it's time to begin.

Both Ymir and the blue alien jump right in making their dishes while Xen spending his time looking at the fridge. He seems to be lost in his thought, soon after collecting his ideas, he took a deep breath and start cooking.

45 minutes has passed, everyone has moved to the final stages of their dish. Xen has kneaded a dozen of dumplings; he hands moving fast and the number keep increasing. The sound of boiling water tells Xen it’s time to finish the dish, he then added 5 dumplings that put on a separate plate into the boiling pot and stir firmly. Some sesame oil in the water will make the dumpling smell divine and after 5 minutes, all the dumpling has floated on top the water it time to collect them. Xen then moving to making the sauce. It quite easy since most of the food sauce and dressing been make into bottle, he just uses the flavored soy sauce and add a few drops of vinegar. Decorate with a pinch of thyme and the dish is finish.

After submitted his dish, Xen still has 5 minutes left so he decided to make something to waste his time. The trumpet sound once again notices everyone that it’s time to stop and put their hands up. All the candidates now will stay in their place and wait for the announcement. The examiners will discuss about the dishes and release the score.

The waiting for the final score was quite long, most of the audience been complaint about smell of the food, it makes their mouth watered and wishing to taste the dish. Therefore, Xen opening the steamer and reveal load of steamed dumplings, he uses his last 5 minutes to steam the number of spare dumplings he made.

“I make a lot of Dumplings, please feel free to give it a try.” He said, holding a large bamboo basket contain the dumpling wrapped in paper and distribute to everyone in the hall.

He didn’t mind the surprise eyes on him and encouraging everyone to eat while it hot. He even gives it to Ymir and the blue alien guy.

“Delicious!” A female voice shouted; it was a pink mushroom alien. After one bite, the steam inside the dumpling spread out and her breath form a white circle. Combining the view of full moon on the sky, everyone soon compliments the view and enjoy their dumpling.

Xen knew it was full moon today, that why he decided to make the dumpling. It was a food that to eat with family and friends, also presented as wealthy and bringing good lucks. His Master used to make every full moon and they will enjoy it together as a family so Xen kind of want to serve it to the audience as well. He knows he was not allowed to do this, but he still wants to. Watching the audience eating with a happy face and laughing together make his heart swelled.

55 points and Xen ranked the last. The winner is Ymir with roasted pork. He won the third place and will receive a free ingredient that he likes. He was marked fail for not using special ingredients, the rules were told to use at least one. Even though he got full score at the technique, smell and  and a few examiners eat the dish give him full score but it’s still not enough for him to win. He not here to be the best, he here to be bring happiness.

“Why did you choose to lose?” Ymir asked “I saw you pick normal ingredients and start cooking. You can win, I know you’re better than me and now you choose to lose. Why?” Ymir asked angrily. It is happening again; his Master lose to W because he isn’t good enough and now, he won but he feels like he was the one that lose.

“Because I didn’t want to win. It doesn’t like I look down on you or anything, but this isn’t what I want. Every chef wants to become God of Cookery but not me. I already have what I want.” Xen stated firmly.

He known that at the beginning of the final battle, that his job is not to win but to serve everyone here. The God of Cookery title was very appealing, but it was never been his intentional. It does give them the wealthy and famous but becoming the God of Cookery means they have to stay at the Orb. Working as a five-star personal chef for whoever paid the highest price, until the contract expires. Xen’s Master use to said it not worth it and he was right. The Outro was built to serve the customer and the chefs in the Outro is just an ordinary person that provide the food. He remembers how happy his Master was when they first met and he praised his dish, or Xen first time making a dish and serving the first customer.

True, the tournament was quite a waste, but he has learned many valuable lessons about the special ingredients and having a chance to compete with other chefs beside his Master. But right now, watching the happiness spread across the hall he knew he has reached his goal.

**THE END **

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