"An ancient dessert?" Hana was confused. What would be considered an ancient dessert?
Elder Lan sighed. "As expected, you do not know as well." His gaze turned heavy as he looked out the window. "Ancient desserts are delicacies from the era when our ancestors dwelled upon the Earth.
Over the centuries, many of these recipes were lost. The few recipes that still exist are have either been altered slightly from the original, or doesn't match its ancient descriptions.
Of course, I do not expect you to create a perfect replica. However, the test is for you to create something similar."
"That's fine, but what exactly should I make?" Hana asked. The term was so vague. Dessert could range anything sweet. Moreover, what kind should it be? French? Japanese? Chinese?
Hana did not consider herself a good baker. Despite her talents in chemistry, she only learned to replicate food from her favorite anime. She would need an ingredient list to make anything complicated or new.
"You may reference the book there. Everything within this room is for your use." Elder Lan did not have high expectations of her anyway.
Teenagers these days only wanted to scour dungeons and play around with their abilities. It was rare to meet a girl that would cook, moreover be able to recreate historical desserts.
Hana opened the book, expecting to see recipes. Nope. She deadpanned as she read through the first page about cake.
'The delicacy known as cake has unknown origins. It's texture can range from light and flurry, to rich and dense. There are a multiple of flavors (see list on next page). It is often covered in various colorful pastes to enhance sweetness and provide different textures. Pastes may include whipped cream, buttercream, icing . . . '
Hana shut the book. She definitely didn't need that.
"Is ability usage allowed?" At the elder's nod, Hana began her work.
"Gardevoir, come on out!"
The psychic Pokemon appeared elegantly. It's red eyes swept around the room curiously, before turning to Hana.
"You'll help me cook today again." Hana said. Her gaze sharpened as she turned toward the fridge. "Use Telekinesis to clear everything into the sink."
Gardevoir eye's glowed. The messy countertops instantly became clean as trays, pans, and goop floated up and paraded to the sink.
Hana moved quickly as she riffed through the cupboards and fridge. Eggs, milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, cream. She stacked ingredients onto the counter rapidly.
Pulling out the trays and whisks, she quickly formulated a plan in her head.
Desserts were so versatile and appealing. However, to the older generation, they tended to prefer shy away from such sweet flavors. Although Elder Lan wanted her to make sweets, he didn't seem like the type to eat them.
Hana decided to create something that was obviously as dessert, but would probably pair well with mature tastes. It was fast to make and easy as well. It was also a dessert she had made hundreds of times purely for the cute looks.
Akanegakubo Momo's rolled cake with soy sauce whipped cream from Food Wars!
Of course, she wouldn't make an entire castle of cake like the purple-haired fourth seat, but a simple roll would suffice.
Hana whisked the heavy cream, vanilla, sugar, and soy sauce quickly as she directed Gardevoir to prepare the cake and colored decoration batters. She smoothly finished the cream and popped it into the fridge before piping out various cute animal decorations.
Into the oven for 3 minutes. Then pour the cake batter over and bake again.
Gardevoir's psychic abilities sped up the process as it was like having multiple assistants helping her. The elegant Pokemon stared at the baking cake curiously. It's palm rested on the oven door as Hana began to brew coffee to make a cappuccino.
Cappuccino was something she thought would pair well with the cake. It was slightly bitter to offset the sweet and salty taste of the cake. It was also rich compared to the light and fluffy cake.
Elder Lan watched the flowing movements of the two in disguised shock. He had never seen such a unique summon before. It actually had telekinetic abilities! The green and white creature vaguely resembled a human, and acted like one too? Could it be some new dungeon creature?
More importantly, the girl looked like she knew what she was doing!
All the previous brats had faltered around, hesitating with an item, or read the book he provided before adding some random ingredient.
This girl had barely scanned the first page before choosing a large selection of ingredients.
He was surprised. Did she know how to create ancient desserts beforehand? Perhaps her family had a recipe as an heirloom. She barely look half an hour and looked almost done.
His eyes filled with a heartfelt emotion. Perhaps, she could be the one he needed.
He watched as the girl spread the white paste — no cream, she made into the golden baked cake. She rolled it up smoothly before refrigerating it once more. She poured out the coffee and top it with some milk. He noted that her hand seemed to oscillate as she poured it. Interesting.
Hana carefully cut a thick slice and plated it. The perfect swirls of cake and cream contrasted each other perfectly. She put it on a wooden tray along with a winged art cappuccino.
"Done." Hana placed the tray before the elder and waited for his response.