“Father, I’m back.” The sound of knocking and Amy’s voice were heard at the door.

  Mag opened the door and smiled at Amy, who was wearing a magician robe and carrying a school bag, and Daphne and Ignatsu standing next to her.

  “How do you do, Uncle.” Daphne and Ignatsu greeted Mag together.

  “Daphne and Ignatsu, come on in.” Mag stepped aside to let the three children come in.

  Amy skipped to the counter, removed her school bag, stood on her tiptoes, and tried to hang it on the hook on the wall. However, she was still 50 cm away from the hook even when she tiptoed.

  Mag smilingly went forward, took the school bag from Amy, and hung it on the hook.

  “Father, we would like to have strawberry ice cream, please?” Amy looked up at Mag expectantly.

  “Then, what flavors would my two little friends like to have?” Mag asked Daphne and Ignatsu.

  “I would like to have blueberry ice cream, please.” Daphne put up her hand.

  “I would like to have…… chocolate ice cream,” Ignatsu said after thinking for a moment.

  “Alright. You three, go wash your hands while I get them for you.” Mag nodded with a smile, and went into the kitchen.

  Meanwhile, Amy carried a stool, and brought her friends to the bathroom sink.

  “Then we’re going upstairs to play.” Amy took the ice cream, and brought Daphne and Ignatsu upstairs.

  “What nice dishes should I cook for the three little ones tonight?” Mag murmured to himself. Amy loved to invite her friends home to play, so Mag naturally supported her. After all, it was so cold out there in winter, and there were so many toys up there in the playroom, which was a children’s paradise.

  After they had their dinner, the doorbell rang.

  “Is it a customer who doesn’t know the rules?” Mag went to the door. It wasn’t time for service yet, so customers usually wouldn’t come knocking at this timing.

  Mag opened the door, and said to a strapping young man standing there, “We’re not open for service yet. If you’d like to have your meal, please line up from the end of the line.”


  “I’m not here to eat.” That young man shook his head as he took out a black and gold paper that was folded in half and passed it to Mag. “I am Chapman. My master, Harris, heard that you’re the most famous chef in Chaos City, so he would like to issue a culinary challenge to you. This is the letter of challenge. We hope you will accept our challenge.”


  “Harris?” Mag raised his eyebrow a little as he looked at the letter of challenge. It had been a while since someone issued him a challenge after he’d won against the Ducas Restaurant’s chef, and become the top chef in Chaos City. However, he had no idea who the other party was, and he didn’t wish to waste time on such meaningless endeavors.

  “Harris! Could he be that legendary chef who is always on the road, and has already challenged and defeated over 100 famous chefs, the Invincible God of Cookery, Harris?” someone in the line exclaimed.

  “Could it really be the Invincible God of Cookery? He actually came to Chaos City!”


  “Boss Mag vs the Invincible God of Cookery. That is equivalent to the clash of titans!

  A small commotion broke out amongst the customers lining up. Those customers who knew Harris were obviously a little agitated.

  Mag pondered after he heard his customers.

  Chapman didn’t become arrogant after hearing the customers. Instead, he explained to Mag, “Master respects each and every chef. He challenges them to polish his culinary skills as he hopes to gain insight and improvement from different chefs in the culinary duels.”


  Mag opened the letter of challenge right on the spot. The content was very simple. Only three words “letter of challenge” were written on it, and the time for the challenge was: tomorrow.

  “Interesting.” Mag cocked an eyebrow. This clean-cut style piqued his interest about that so-called Invincible God of Cookery. He kept the letter of challenge, and said to Chapman, “I accept this challenge, and the time will be set at 10 am tomorrow. The location will be at the entrance of Mamy Restaurant.”


  “Alright. I will relay your message to my master. We will be here on time tomorrow.” Chapman nodded, and then left.

  Mag returned to the restaurant with the letter of challenge, and closed the door.

  “Boss Mag has agreed! Looks like I’ll have to apply for leave tomorrow morning.”


  “The Invincible God of Cookery vs Boss Mag. I feel this is a duel that will be written into the chowhounds’ history books.”


  “Come to speak of it, Boss Mag has never lost before. So, who will be the eventual victor of this duel? This really makes me so curious.”


  The customers were talking among themselves excitedly.

  “Is that Harris very formidable?” Abraham asked the agitated Vanessa curiously.

  “Uncle, how dare you say you know everything about food? You don’t even know Master Harris. You’re not a qualified chowhound.” Vanessa rolled her eyes with disdain before she began, “Master Harris was born in our Roth Empire. He became famous very young because he was very good at cooking. The dwarven chief invited him to be the head chef at Issen Castle, where he had honed his craft for 30 years. Then, he began to travel around the Norland Continent, and issue challenges to those famous chefs.

  “During his 10-odd years of travel, he has defeated over 145 famous chefs from all the different species, which includes almost all the top chefs on the Norland Continent.

  “The most formidable thing about him is that his culinary skills have continued to elevate during his travels and challenges. Very few people are fortunate enough to taste his dishes, but those chefs who have lost to him are all very convinced.”


  “He’s that formidable?!” Abraham’s mouth was wide open. He thought for a moment, and then asked, “How does Boss Mag compare to him? Will he lose?”


  “Boss Mag is the most formidable chef that I have ever met, but I have never eaten the dishes made by Master Harris before, so I, too, have no idea what will be the outcome of their duel.” Vanessa shook her head, and then excitedly continued, “Anyway, no matter what the outcome will be, this has to be an unparalleled pinnacle showdown!”


  ***

  “Father, what are you holding in your hands?” Amy asked curiously.

  “A letter of challenge.” Mag went back to his seat with a smile, and showed the letter to everyone. “A chef has issued me a challenge, and I’ve accepted it.”


  “Uh-oh. Is another poor mister going to lose his shop?” Amy said with pity.

  “Perhaps he also has to lose a sum of money too,” Yabemiya said casually.

  “I heard the other party is a very formidable chef. Maybe this wouldn’t be that easy.” Mag chuckled as he kept the letter of challenge.