Fate: Emiya the Host

The kitchen was brightly lit.

It was currently 3:25 PM.

On the long, luxurious wooden table were placed eggs, fine granulated sugar, milk, and fresh cream.

Wearing an apron again, Sella listened to Shirou speaking fluently.

"Three egg yolks, twenty-five grams of fine granulated sugar, 160 grams of milk, 180 grams of fresh cream... Remember all that?"

"Mm," Sella took out a small notebook, writing while remembering, and nodded seriously, "Got it. But, will this really satisfy the young lady?"

She expressed doubt.

"Just follow my lead, Illya will like it," Shirou's tone was calm and composed.

He was currently directing Sella to make French caramel pudding, simply known as French pudding. It was one of Illya's preferred desserts.

As long as Sella followed his instructions strictly, during a cooking duel, she could barely put up a fight.

"Hmph! I'll trust you just this once," The egg fried rice earlier had given Sella decent patience.

"Okay, first, stir the egg yolks and sugar evenly," Shirou began instructing.

Sella acted with a blue-and-white porcelain bowl and silver chopsticks.

Originally, a whisk and mixer should be used here, but for this ancient family, too much couldn't be demanded.

Once Sella finished stirring, Shirou observed the mixture was fully blended, and then told her to heat the milk pot (milk's milk), the purpose being to heat the mixed milk and fresh cream.

This helped the sugar dissolve, and simultaneously brought the liquid to a suitable temperature to mix with the egg yolk mixture, allowing the yolks to fully emulsify.

Finally, a layer of filtration through a strainer ensured the baked pudding would have a delicate texture.

"This, this is what I made?"

After a complete procedure, looking at the fragrant, rich-colored liquid before her, which could be mistaken for a bestselling drink, Sella felt a rare moment of insecurity. Apparently, she had a certain awareness of her own culinary skills.

"As expected of me. French pudding, too simple!"

Becoming proud within a second, Shirou withdrew his previous words.

This girl knew nothing about cooking.

"Don't rush, the next steps are also important," Shirou reminded.

The baking method for French caramel pudding required a water bath. Before, he always used an oven. This place obviously didn't have one, but Sella told him not to worry.

"Watch," Sella removed her apron , "Let me show you the alchemy of the Einzbern family…"

"Let's skip that for now," Shirou poured cold water on her, "first pour the pudding into the molds."

"I know that even if you don't say it!", Sella glared at him with eyes as pretty as amber.

Ever since this Servant appeared, she started liking to glare at people, main target: Shirou, showing how hateful he was from the start.

Pouring the pudding mixture into vintage containers. To make this dessert, Sella had taken out the antiques from the Einzbern castle.

Shirou silently considered whether his projection magic training had progressed to the point where he could project items that wouldn't disappear.

Because these containers really looked valuable... just in case, he first registered a backup.

[Completed one "Projection Magic" registration, Projection Magic has improved, now upgraded to E.]

'Projection Magic, just need hands,' Even without formal practice, reaching E-rank already, Shirou felt his heart swelling.

After placing the pudding-filled vessels properly, Sella said she was going to fetch the baking tool and left Shirou alone in the kitchen.

Bored, Shirou glanced at the retro wall clock: 3:52.

For lunch, he had mashed potatoes and whole wheat bread, definitely not enough.

'Hunger truly is the greatest enemy.'

Before long, Sella returned carrying a special magical device.

Shirou took a glance.

It was bronze-colored overall, shaped like an octahedron, unknown if there was any special meaning. Height about 30–50 cm, diameter 20–30 cm, with four small metal supports at the bottom. Sella steadily placed it on the luxurious wooden table.

Shirou, out of habit, registered it for backup the moment he saw it.

Sella opened the round lid at the top of the magical device, with a crystal embedded in the center.

Shirou now understood what it was for. The core energy source, used to provide magical power.

Next, Sella carefully placed the pudding-filled vessels into the "Imperial Lead", which was the name of this magical device.

It had the naming style typical of the Three Great Families, then solemnly covered the lid and chanted a spell in a mystical tone.

"What are you doing?", Shirou asked curiously.

"Changing its operating mode," Sella replied, "Originally it was used to refine leylines' magical energy, now to make pudding, of course adjustments are needed."

"How do you do that exactly?", Shirou asked further.

"Using Einzbern's unique… Why are you asking?", Having finished the spell, Sella looked guarded. The following procedures involved high-level secrets of the Einzbern family.

"Curious," Shirou answered honestly.

"You, a commoner, what's there to be curious about," Sella wanted to push him away, then thought for a bit and let him stay close.

Mainly because Shirou hadn't moved since finishing the fried rice, 'Come to think of it, I myself have leaned closer... Should've put the Imperial Lead further aside.'

Following Shirou's instructions, Sella seriously and strictly baked it at 200°C for fifteen minutes, then took out the top.

"Now can I sprinkle the sugar?"

"Mm."

Shirou's breath brushed against Sella's ear, causing her body to tremble involuntarily. Her palms began to sweat slightly.

She didn't overreact. After sprinkling the fine sugar, she sealed the lid again and, as before, baked it at 200°C for fifteen minutes.

Only this time, during the waiting period, Sella couldn't help but be aware of the carbon dioxide Shirou exhaled.

His breath blew her hair against her ear, tickling slightly. She brushed all her hair behind her ear. In that position, her arm rubbed against Shirou's chest, his rolled-up sleeves revealing skin contacting rough fabric.

"Are you feeling hot? Your face is red," Shirou asked in confusion.

"It's nothing!", Sella said coldly, quickly lowered her arms, and placed both hands over her abdomen.

Shirou looked at her, completely puzzled.

'Women are hard to understand… Still, younger sisters are better, soft, fragrant, and cute.'

'Little sisters forever!'

Ding!

In reality, the Imperial Lead had no sound indicating completion, the "ding" came entirely from Sella's nervous imagination.

This was the first time she made food without a recipe, and did it with extreme seriousness.

Failure would hit her hard.

"Well, how is it, Berserker?", Sella looked at him expectantly.

The pudding taken out had wrinkles and a slightly burnt surface.

Which was normal for pudding, and should actually be called caramel color.

Shirou opened his mouth, "Let me taste."

Sella lifted the ramekin, holding the spoon, and skillfully scooped up the set pudding… smooth like jelly, delivering it to Shirou's mouth.

"How is it, how is it?", Sella couldn't wait to ask. She really enjoyed making food.

Shirou slowly nodded, "It's acceptable."

"See!"

Sella was overjoyed, "As the head maid of the Einzbern family, as long as I want to do it, there's nothing I can't. Mere pudding…"

She continued to feed all the remaining pudding to Shirou.

After finishing the first one in the ramekin, she was about to pick up the second when she was stopped.

"That's enough," Shirou said, "The remaining three, one for you, Liz, and Illya each."

"You're not replenishing magical energy?", Sella asked.

Shirou wanted to laugh, but the thought lasted only 0.1 seconds, and his expression returned to calm.

"This small amount isn't even enough to fill the gap between my teeth. And food is called a delicacy because it can be shared with the people who matter most to you, only in that moment does food become true delicacy… So you're still far from it."

A-rank cooking skill meant world-class cooking. EX didn't mean taste surpassed A-rank. It meant sharing.

If Shirou were to evaluate, the pudding Sella made was at best slightly below B-rank.

But if she shared it with Liz and Illya, then the experience would elevate the dish to A-rank.

That was the essence of cooking.

'System, did you learn that?'

The system replied:

[Learned to the bone.]

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