The Ember Disciple badge pinned to Kai's jacket wasn't just for show—it was a gateway.
Two days after his return from Emberpine, Kai was summoned to the Inner Kiln, a restricted wing of the Guild Hall reserved for elite elemental chefs. Few ever entered. Fewer still returned unchanged.
When he stepped through the threshold, heat hit him like a hammer.
But not wild heat—trained heat. Every breath carried discipline. Rows of fire-based chefs stirred lava-heated pots, flame-threaded knives sizzling through flesh and fat with pinpoint precision.
Waiting for him was a tall, broad-shouldered woman with glowing copper eyes and a crimson streak through her silver braid.
"Ember Disciple Kai Elgren," she said, voice smooth as melting butter. "I am Instructor Havia. You've been selected for the Emberflame Trials."
Kai straightened. "Trials?"
She gestured to the fiery hall behind her. "The Emberflame School trains chefs who command fire like an extension of their soul. To ascend further, you must prove three things: control, efficiency, and innovation."
A glowing sigil lit up behind her.
[Quest Alert: Emberflame Trials]
Objective 1: Control – Simmer 5 volatile ingredients without explosive reaction
Objective 2: Efficiency – Cook three dishes using less than 25 total Mana
Objective 3: Innovation – Create a new recipe using Tier 2+ ingredients
Rewards: +100 XP, Skill Advancement Token x1, Access to Emberflame Techniques
Failure Penalty: Temporary ban from Inner Kiln (7 days)
Kai's eyes gleamed.
"I accept."
Trial One: Control
The first station was lined with sealed containers, each marked with a sigil warning of volatile reactions.
Havia's assistant handed him a pair of fireproof gloves.
"These ingredients are fire-reactive. One wrong flick of heat and they'll either explode—or curdle into poison."
Kai opened the first: Ashvine Root, a Tier 2 ingredient known for releasing hallucinogenic spores if overheated.
He inhaled. Focused.
[Activate: Heat Control II]
[Heat Cloak I reduces Mana Cost: -2 MP]
Mana: 10 → 7
He stabilized the flame like threading a needle through a furnace.
One down.
Next was Boilbloom Petals, then Charcoal Marrow, each needing a different type of flame rhythm—some short bursts, others constant flow.
When the fifth ingredient, Seared Bonecap Mushroom, gave off only a soft hum and not a single spark—
[Trial Objective 1 Complete: Control]
+30 XP
Trial Two: Efficiency
The second station was less dangerous, but no less demanding.
Kai had to make three complete dishes—all fire-based—and use no more than 25 total Mana.
The key? Creativity and timing.
First: a Seared Emberboar Skillet. He used normal flame for most of it, only applying Flame Artistry I in quick, shortened bursts to torch the fat layer. Total MP used: 7.
Second: a Smokebark Broth, using the passive effects of Ember Savor I and Heat Cloak to deepen flavors with minimal skill usage. MP used: 6.
Third: a daring new twist—Firekissed Milkroot Custard, a dish he invented on the spot. A splash of heat at exactly 67°C to caramelize the milkroot sugars.
Mana Remaining: 10 – 7 – 6 – 6 = 0
He nearly collapsed as the last Mana drained from him—but it was done.
[Trial Objective 2 Complete: Efficiency]
+30 XP
Trial Three: Innovation
This one was open-ended.
"Innovation," Havia said, "is the soul of the Emberflame."
Kai stepped into a private kitchen chamber with one rule: Create something we've never seen using Tier 2 ingredients.
His mind spun. He had only a few Tier 2 ingredients in his pouch—Smokebark Resin, Ashvine Extract, and a preserved Emberleaf he'd managed to save.
He began.
Base: A risotto infused with Smokebark, giving it a woody aroma.Flavor lift: Boiled Emberleaf reduced into a glaze.Surprise element: A foam created using Ashvine Extract, delicately whipped over flame to neutralize its hallucinogenic compounds and produce a herbal mist.
He plated it.
Havia sampled the dish slowly. Then her eyes closed—and her lips curved.
"You took ingredients born of fire, and you made them... elegant."
A soft ding echoed from the System.
[Trial Objective 3 Complete: Innovation]
+40 XP
[Quest Complete: Emberflame Trials]
+100 XP
Reward: Skill Advancement Token x1
New Title Acquired: Flamewright
XP: 230 + 100 = 330 / 400
Kai received a black coin engraved with flickering runes.
[Item Acquired: Skill Advancement Token]
Use to enhance one existing skill by one Tier.
He held it tightly.
Kai Elgren
Level: 5
XP: 330 / 400
Titles: Pan Warden, Fire-Touched, Soulkindle Cook, Ember Disciple, Flamewright (NEW)
Reputation: 115
Mana: 0 / 10
Skills:
Basic Knife Mastery (Passive)
Flavor Sense I (Passive)
Ingredient Recognition I (Passive)
Heat Control II (Active, 3 MP)
Flame Artistry I (Active, 13 MP)
Ember Savor I (Passive)
Heat Cloak I (Passive)
New Item:
Skill Advancement Token x1