Cooking Swordmaster

Chapter 1: Prologue Chicken Soup for the Soul

Köinzell, lying in the hospital room, heard mocking laughter.

“Do you know who that person admitted there is?”

“The plaque says ‘Köinzell.'”

“Wait. Lower your voice. You might wake him. He was knocked unconscious until just a while ago. It was not even a serious injury.”

“More importantly, who exactly is this Köinzell that you’re talking about, sunbae?”

“The king of the infirmary.”

“The king?”

“He’s a regular. And this time, he got injured trying to catch goblins that appeared nearby.”

“Pfft, puhup! He got beaten by goblins? He must be a freshman.”

“He’s already in his third year.”

“And he got injured by goblins? Oh my…”

“No wonder he’s called the greatest underachiever in the history of Stanis Knight Training Academy. I heard Instructor Billy say that it would be better to give a sword to a seven-year-old kid. Seriously, he’d probably lose to you in a fight.”

“Hey, no matter what, he’s still a trainee knight. He can’t be that bad.”

“No, it’s quite possible. Last time, while swinging a wooden sword…”

‘Damn, I can’t listen to this anymore.’

Köinzell pulled the blanket over his head.

The gossips around him, telling him the harsh reality, hurt more than the injuries on his body.

It was just as the nursing officers had said.

Köinzell Van Gstaad.

He was once from a reputable noble family from the frontier.

But after a certain incident, the family’s fortunes continued to decline, and now he had nothing left but his body.

So he decided to become a knight.

If he could achieve that, he could receive treatment equivalent to that of a Baron.

If he reached a higher level, he could obtain titles, honor, and wealth befitting that status.

Köinzell, who had run through deep forests to make ends meet, was confident in his stamina. Moreover, the Gstaad family had produced a Swordmaster, a pinnacle of martial prowess, a hundred years ago.

If he had even a fraction of that talent left within him…….

But it seemed that it wasn’t just the family’s fortunes that had withered away.

Köinzell stared at the ceiling with heavy, sunken eyes.

‘The stamina I was confident in is only average here. And my Swordsmanship…….’

Even after three years of training, he couldn’t take down a single goblin.

At this rate, not just becoming a knight, but passing the promotion test in half a year was a problem.

In fact, it had been like that from the beginning, 3 years ago.

He had never passed even once.

Just when it seemed to get quiet, the voices of the nursing officers were heard again.

“So, what happens if someone keeps failing to get promoted like that?”

“Stanis Training Academy doesn’t expel even the worst achievers. That’s why we have someone as great as Köinzell here. However.”

“However?”

“If you don’t get promoted, you continue training with the rookies. No matter how many years pass. So most of the Training Knights in the academy have trained with Köinzell at some point.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, it’s a real record. Usually, people leave on their own before it gets this bad, but it seems Köinzell lacks the honor or pride of a knight. That’s why he’s still holding on like this.”

“Ahahaha! If this continues, maybe some father and son can might both be Köinzell’s classmates in succession!”

“If that happens, he’ll become a legend of the academy. Maybe I should get his autograph in advance.”

Damn.

Damn it…….

Where did it all go wrong?

When his first promotion failure was decided, Köinzell thought it was because of his lack of effort.

So he cut back on sleep and swung his sword day and night. His fingernails cracked and bled, and he ended up in the infirmary every other day.

Yet nothing changed.

When his second promotion failure was decided, he got even more determined and cut back his already scarce sleep. He trained harder than anyone else.

But the result was the same.

Thinking that gaining experience in monster hunting would make a difference, he volunteered for subjugation training.

And when Köinzell blocked the goblin’s stone axe and lost his grip on his sword, it was then that he realized.

He had not even a shred of talent.

Three years.

It took too long to realize that simple fact.

“……If I fail the promotion again this time…… maybe, I should just leave.”

The boy who dreamed of becoming a knight to revive his family.

He was now discouraged by his lack of talent, worn down by reality, and had become the laughingstock of the academy.

At that moment, the firmly closed door opened and someone entered.

“Here’s some chicken soup. Please get up and eat.”

It seemed to be a staff member who brought the meal.

But it was an unfamiliar face. Was there someone like this in the infirmary?

‘Must be new. After all, many people come and go in this place.’

“It’s very delicious. Enjoy.”

The staff member set the plate and spoon on the table beside the bed with a smile.

“……Thank you.”

“Just leave the plate to the side after you’re done.”

Köinzell looked at the plate of still-warm soup. His mouth was dry. How long had he been unconscious?

He thought he should thank them properly later.

But he couldn’t remember the face of the staff member who was just here a few minutes ago. He clearly remembered the outfit, but why?

Wait a second. ….It was definitely a person, right?

Thinking that, Köinzell shook his head.

Surely a ghost wouldn’t have brought him food. It must just be because his body wasn’t in good condition after being unconscious for so long.

Gurgle.

‘I’m hungry even in this situation.’

Unknowingly, he let out a small laugh.

To heal his injuries, he needed to eat the food brought by the people who had mocked him.

He picked up the spoon and brought the bowl of chicken soup closer.

‘What is this, it smells amazing.’

The scent rising from the bowl was a blend of chicken, various vegetables, and spices.

Gulp…….

His mouth watered.

In the end, he couldn’t resist and took a big spoonful to his mouth.

Then, the rich flavor of the soup spread throughout his mouth.

An unknown herb amplified the flavors of the chicken and vegetables.

“…It’s delicious.”

As the taste filled his empty stomach, an exclamation naturally flowed out.

It was the first time he had ever eaten such delicious soup.

The well-seasoned chicken was tender enough to melt in his mouth. The well-cooked orange and white vegetables, soaked in the soup, proudly presented themselves.

Köinzell quickly finished the plate full of chicken soup.

And as if it wasn’t enough, he scraped the bowl with his spoon.

It felt as if he had returned to his childhood.

“Haa…”

Staring at the empty plate, Köinzell sat there blankly for a while.

The despair that had tormented him until just now had vanished. He felt like rushing out to the training grounds with his sword right away.

It was as if a single bowl of chicken soup had healed his soul.

It was the first time he had such an experience.

Suddenly, a strange thought popped into Köinzell’s mind.

―――I want to make a dish like this.

In the end, Köinzell, whose mind was occupied with the chicken soup, failed to notice the pocket watch around his neck vibrating.

After three years of no change, a strange message had appeared on it.

[You have tasted ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’.]

[You have come to long for cooking after eating someone else’s dish.]

[A Gourmet Level has been created.]