Kael awoke early, in a great mood he headed downstairs and prepared to make breakfast for his parents. Heading outside, then down into the cold cellar, he was happy to see his mom’s array at work. Unlike the rest of the village whose cold cellars could only hold meats for a day or two, theirs would last a week. His mom’s array sent out a 15-minute spray of frigidly cold air every 12 hours. With his modern day memories of fridges, freezers, and health risks, this made him feel much better about eating stored food.

Cutting off a 2 foot long, 6 inch wide, 3 inch thick, slice of bacon from the belly of a wild hog made him even happier. Since his rebirth, he had not had bacon. He always felt like a part of hell had followed him making him be born into a no bacon world. Since he had never heard of it being referenced by anyone, he was afraid to ask for it. Continuing to maul the pig, he cut off a large chunk from its rump to make diced ham from.

Carrying it upstairs he was soon back for more. Cutting chunks of a white and a yellow cheese, he looked around before grabbing a tomato, an onion, and a weird looking mushroom. Making another trip he grabbed three of the stonecock eggs before making his final trip for a jug of milk. Starting the charcoal up under their large stove he started to dice the vegetables, ham, and bacon. Taking out a huge wok he realized he forgot the butter. Running back for the butter he set everything else aside. Getting three plates and the cutlery out that he would need he thought he was finally prepared.

Loading up the wok with butter and melting it down, he started frying the diced ham. 2 minutes into that he added the chopped up bacon. When the bacon began to sizzle he cracked all three eggs into the wok, poured about a half cup of milk in, and started to whisk it. His hatred of doing dishes causing a small complication with the eggs. They were soon whipped up enough though. Taking the wok off the stove to lower the heat, so the eggs would slowly cook, he waited a minute before adding the layers of vegetables. About to put the wok back on the heat and ready the cheese he realized he did not grate it. Cursing, he used his abnormal strength and agility to super shred the cheese over the grater directly into the wok. Placing it on the heat he finally flipped half of the concoction onto the other half and let it cook.

Congratulation, you have created a new object: the Hog Wild Omelette. Mortal tier cooking production, total servings available for creation, 6.

Item creation, initial sustenance of 120. Bonus materials invalid, increasing taste by 50%.

No sustenance wastage, remaining sustenance of 120(+50% =180).

Base servings of 6, no waste of overall sustenance, 20(-50% due to talents =10) sustenance per serving.

Error, reduction in sustenance due to talents results in a penalty, reversing talent mechanic for the chef profession.

Talent functionality updated.

Base servings of 6, no waste of overall sustenance, 20(+50% due to talents =30) sustenance per serving.

Converting 180 sustenance, remaining 6 servings. Each serving value of 22.5 experience, soul granted 135 experience to the Chef profession.

That’s odd, the talents counter each other, resulting in the same number of servings. I wonder what actual effect sustenance does. Hey, at least it is more tasty!

Hearing the notification he knew he was done. Happy that he had a built-in cooking clock to ensure nothing was overcooked, he cut the omelette into 6 and moved two parts onto each of the three plates.

While Kael was running about getting bits ready for breakfast, Muta and Raen had already finished theirs. Raen got up to head to her room to get ready for the day but was stopped by Muta. “Hey little girl, slow down a moment, Kael dropped something off for you last night.”

Brightening up at Muta’s comment she asked, “Ohhh I get my present already? Hurry what is it!?”

“It’s not your new year's gift, I am sure he has something special in mind for you turning 10. He called it your pre-gift gift.”

Getting up and walking into his room, Muta returned shortly with a brown paper wrapped package. Handing it over to Raen, he said, “Open it and show it off to me, I did not even peek.” Excited, Raen tore the wrapping paper in half to see a deep purple garment folded up. Running her hand across it and feeling it smooth, cool texture she clapped in happiness. Picking it up though, the shirt she thought he gave her, never seemed to end. Finally, when held at shoulder length she could tell it was a dress. “What was he thinking!” she exclaimed, “I have never worn a dress in my entire life!”

Looking over at Raen, Muta sighed while shaking his head. “That is my fault girl. It’s fine to follow and do whatever you enjoy in life, but sometimes you have to suck it up and dress nice. I should have stuffed you into one of those a long time ago.”

“No way, no way at all am I putting this on. I mean, there are no pants! It is really pretty though, and it feels nice, I’ll just cut it in half and wear it like the shirt it was meant to be.”

Slapping his hands on the table in a rare bought of annoyance at her, Muta said, “You most certainly will not. Let’s not even discuss how mad that kid would be if you cut it up, or how disappointed he would be if you did not wear it. You are a lot like him and only see money, so let's talk about that. I can tell you right now, that is by far the most expensive thing you own.”

Feeling a bit guilty about wanting to chop up the gift, she still refused to believe it had a high monetary value. “That is simply not possible, my forging hammer was made from ore that cost me 12 gold. It took me two years of making all those terribly boring arrowheads for it. A dress cannot possibly cost more.”

“Little girl, sometimes you can be truly naive. Not considering the custom purple to blue, hourglass style, coloring scheme; nor the custom design of the actual dress. The material it is made from is Darkfern Spider Thread. That thread not only will keep you comfortable in the heat, but it is fireproof for most mortal rank fires. Also, it has some crazy durability. It is as tough as a rank 5 magic beast hide. The material alone cost at least 50 gold. If I am not mistaken the design, color, and cut of the dress were all cooked up by that brat too.

Don’t tell me you are going to ruin a dress that is not only unique but also worth about 75 gold. Not only that but would you really ruin a gift from your only real friend? If so I must have made a serious mistake raising you!”

Raen was a little shocked. This was the first time she had seen her Pa really mad at her since she tried smelting ore using nothing but a bucket of his forge lighting powder. When she did that she nearly killed herself. Thinking about the things he said, she admitted to herself that she was being a bit rash. When she finally figured out what was bothering her she said, “I am sorry Pa, it’s just I’m the only person Kael talks to and he is my only friend. What if he decides he doesn’t like me if I act like a typical girl?”

“Oh child, you are so silly. If he wasn’t going to be your friend because you acted like a traditional girl then he wouldn’t be worth being friends in the first place. In the second place, who bought you the dress? You are worried over nothing. I can tell you, you are overthinking it. Boys are simple. He just wanted to get you a nice gift, and since you never wear dresses he probably thought it would be unique." Hugging Raen, Muta was thinking, Heavens, this why they say teenage girls are impossible, and she is not even that old yet. I need to keep her in the forge more often.

“Go get dressed, we will head over there now to say thank you.” Watching Raen run off Muta shook his head. “I am way too old for this,” he mumbled while sitting back down at the table. About ten minutes later, a clean and beautifully dressed Raen came out. Looking over at her it reminded the old man of his real daughter, Raen’s mother. Thanks for the gift Kael, it is as much for me as it is for her, you just don’t know it.

Looking at the shy adorable girl with her head lowered, Muta got up and hugged her. “You look beautiful, I am sure you will cheer up anyone you pass by just by them looking at you."

Blushing Raen mumbled, “let's go before I lose my courage.” Heading across the village that was just starting to wake up, they arrived at the Darksteel home.

“Pa, what smells so good? I could eat again if it tastes the way it smells.”

Smiling at his child he said, “Let's barge in and find out.” Opening the door and walking in Muta shouted, “Iradin, you lazy dog, get out of bed and come get some of your wife's cooking, it smells amazing.”

Hearing Muta’s shout Kael added to the fun, “Yeah mom, come downstairs and taste your cooking.” Walking out of the kitchen with three plates he put them on the table before saying, “One minute I will go get you guys some.” before running off. Returning with another 2 sets of dining wear he moved a piece of omelette off his and his mothers plate onto the two new ones.

“Well sit down, those two will be down eventually.”

Muta took a seat while Raen glared at him. “What nothing to say?” she said. Kael looked over at her with a smirk, “What am I supposed to say? You look beautiful today? Because you always look pretty. Or should I tell you not to burn your new dress in the forge?”

Stomping her feet she took a seat and angrily took a bite out of the omelette. “Oh my, what is this, it is SO GOOD!” Completely forgetting her anger she began to devour the piece of omelette in front of her.

“It’s called the wild hog omelette, my new creation, glad you like it!” After saying that, Kael took his first bite of the omelette and almost died of happiness. For his first bite into bacon in 8 years to be boosted by a 50% flavor bonus literally had him fighting back tears. Shouting out, “Nevermind mom, dad, don’t come down, I am eating everything.” He reached over and speared the second piece of omelette off his dad’s plate and moved it to his. “Muta, if you don’t try it soon, Raen is going to eat yours.

After a couple of minutes of the three attacking their breakfast, Iradin and Alavarah finally came down. Alavarah seeing Raen in the dress shouted out, “Oh my heavens Raen, what happened to you, hurry home it’s not safe outside with you dressed like that.”

Alarmed and confused Raen asked, “Why, what’s wrong?”

Smiling Alavarah said, “Because each person who sees you today is going to try to engage you to their son!”

Laughing at Raen blush and stuttered reply that she couldn’t understand, Alavarah took a seat to try her sons cooking for the first time. Biting into she was suddenly sad she did not come down at her normal time to steal Iradin’s piece. “Honey sit down and try what Kael made, it is amazing. From today on, he can’t do alchemy anymore, he has to practice cooking for his future restaurant.” Trying the food, Iradin would have agreed if thought a chef could make more money than an alchemist.

After they were done eating, Raen finally remembered why they came. “Kael, thanks for the 10th birthday gift.”

“No problem Raen, and it’s not your new year's gift, that is still coming. Also, why does everyone celebrate their age on the new years? Is everyone just too lazy to remember when they were born or what?”

Raen gave him a stern look and said, “Kael, sometimes you are a genius, and sometimes you are totally lacking in common sense. In small villages like ours, it is too expensive to have celebrations for each person, so we do them on the new years.”

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t know, I just thought everyone was lazy,” Kael replied.

Raen was in an arguing mood so she said, “No it’s because you're a fancy pants alchemist who doesn’t know the woes of the little people.”

A little bit hurt by her words Kael told her, “No, I honestly thought people just did not care enough. I’ve never thought of myself as different from the people in the village, and last week is the first time I even have had the chance to spend the money I earned. Sorry, you think I am a little white-faced boy.”

Muta knowing that Raen was just awkward from wearing a dress and did not mean, or even think, of what she was saying quickly inserted himself into their conversation. “Now children, Raen was just joking, there is no reason to be upset. Raen that was really rude though, in the future, you should think over what you are going to say first. The Darksteels have never treated anyone beneath them. They are more like your old man than you know, so if you think poorly of them you will also be thinking poorly of me.”

“Sorry, I am just not comfortable wearing a dress for the first time so I am a bit snappy. Sorry, Kael.”

Alavarah jumped in also saying, “It’s ok Raen, everyone says things they don’t mean at some point or another. The amount of mean jokes Kael thinks he slips past us under the veneer of an innocent child are uncountable. The thing you should be saying instead of sorry is, where is my real gift, jerk.”

After Alavarah’s comment, the awkward air in the room cleared up. Raen sent Kael off to go get her gift. When he was leaving Iradin reminded him to bring down the ore for Muta to take a look at. Once Kael was out of the room his mom said, “Raen honey if you really don’t like Kael’s gift you can give it to me. I will resize it so I can wear it and get you something new.”

“Varah! Don’t you dare try to swindle your way into that jacket, I already said I would get one made for you based on Kael’s design."

Raen had no idea what was going on, but she did not have a chance to reply as Kael came back downstairs saying, “Mom if I knew my fashion sense was so amazing I would have made you one as well.” If I didn't know better I would think I reincarnated from a gay guy. I did take part in a bunch of the pride parades, maybe some fashion sense rubbed off on me. If I ever reincarnate back onto earth I will have to thank all those fabulous people down in West Hollywood.

Getting back to the table, he handed the small pack over to Muta while keeping the large package out of Raen’s reach. Ignoring her glare he said, “Muta, this is something I believe is called Night’s Ton. I snatched it from a clueless vendor, what do you think, any good, and what’s it worth?”

Taking the large chunk of ore Muta sized it up with his seasoned eyes. “Normally a fist size chunk of this stuff is refined and used as part of the core of heavy weapons to increase their weight. It is not incredibly rare for an earth rank ore, but not something you would generally find outside of a silver ranked city. A fist-sized chunk that has been refined goes for about 100 gold. This is 5 times the weight, so if you can refine it well, it is worth 500 gold. The difficulty in the ore, however, is exactly with its refinement. Since you gave Raen such a nice gift, let me know when you figure out what you want to be done with it and I will refine it for you.”

“You can refine this? Thanks a million, you are way more awesome than I thought!”

Snorting at the child's comment he said, “Don’t get too happy yet, you still have to find out what you want done with it, and how much to use.”

“Oh, I already know what I want. I want the entire thing forged into the core of a hammer. Not a forging hammer, a Maul! Weird people calling 2 balls on a chain, a meteor hammer pisses me off. So I want to forge a maul that is shaped like a meteor, and call it my meteor hammer.

If you could refine that and shape it like a T section, with the bottom of the T having threads for a handle like a spearhead does, that would be perfect. Then in the future when I need a heavier hammer I can simply break the outside of my current hammer and reuse the 1,000-pound core.”

“Kael, your rambling again, shut up and give me my gift already,” Raen demanded. Realizing that he really was rambling he took her advice, shut up, and handed her the package. Untying the bundle she was greeted with a lot of blue. Taking out the boots and feeling how soft they were, she set them aside with a smile. Taking out the black pants and carefully examining them she was pleasantly surprised by the reinforced areas. Finally taking out the large dark jacket she was a little stumped. She had never seen anything like it before. Looking at the deep blue color, with the dark purple straps, matched with silver buckles, she really liked the look. But its shape was strange.

“Mom, help her put it on so we can see,” Kael said.

Alavarah took the coat from Raen. Moving behind her she helped guide it on. Moving around to the front she held the internal breast piece across Raen’s chest while showing her how it hooked into the inside of the outside breast piece. Hooking it up, she moved the outside piece into place and used the buckles to secure it. Giving a little tug at the bottom of the jacket to remove the wrinkles, Alavarah took a step back to look at Raen.

“Oh Kael, why did you not make your mom one, it looks amazing!” Taking a hand mirror out of her pouch, she held it up so Raen could see herself.

“It does look really nice, did you really design this Kael?” Raen asked.

Happy with the compliments on his work, Kael said, “Of course I did. I know you like things that are more functional so I designed something that would be pretty, stylish, and functional. The pants are reinforced in areas that may take an impact while fighting. The jacket has reinforced arms, the majority of the back is reinforced too. With the double breast design, the front is protected as well. The material is from a rank 7 magical beast, so it is really durable. You could totally beat someone up in this and do it with flair.”

Running over to give Kael a hug she said, “Thanks, I love it! The dress is nice too.”