"Archpatissier," Melina muttered in disbelief. It was such a ridiculous name for a class.

"Is that your new class?" Ygdril asked in surprise. "I've never heard of a class like that before."

"It sounds amazing!' Roxie said excitedly.

"I… I need to speak with my grandfather for a bit," Melina said and hurried outside.

The old baker was lazily sweeping some fallen leaves off the garden path. There weren't that many leaves yet, but enough to notice the nearing of autumn.

"Did anything happen?" He asked, seeing Melina come his way.

"I finally unlocked my master class," she said.

"Congratulations! Why do you look so sour then?"

"It's just… It's called the Archpatissier," she said.

"Oh, I see. It's the Arch part that bothers you. I would be surprised if there wasn't some magical addition to your master class. You've been doing all the cooking with magic lately. You reap what you sow, girl," Gilbert said.

"Should I… Should I wait until I unlock another class?" Melina asked uncertainly.

"Whatever for? Just because it has Arch in the name? Go ahead and take it. This class is clearly focused on the baking aspect, not raw magical destruction. Don't be so stuck up in the past," Gilbert said.

Melina thought about it for a moment. Grandfather was right. She couldn't be afraid of the name "Arch", just because she wore [Archmage] title once. Besides being called a patissier certainly filled her with pride.

"I'll take it," Melina announced.

"Good. Do read the System description first, at least," Gilbert said.

Melina nodded, bringing up the description and then reading it out for him.

[Archpâtissier – You are the undisputed master of magical pastries. You imbue tasty treats with effects others wouldn't even dare to dream of and use magical ingredients to their maximum potential.]

Equip Archpatissier class.

[Are you sure you wish to equip this master class?]

[Warning: The process is irreversible, and your level will be reset to 1.]

Yes.

[Master class "Archpatissier" equipped.]

[New passive skill unlocked – Pastry Spell Layering]

[Pastry Spell Layering — Allows multiple spell effects to exist within a single pastry without diluting their effects. The higher the rank of this skill, the more effects can coexist.]

Melina explained the new skill she obtained to Gilbert, who nodded thoughtfully.

"You've already been doing some of that, but I suppose this skill will make it easier," Gilbert said.

"This will certainly help out the Guild. I'll be able to make an all-encompassing healing waffle," Melina said.

"Why don't you make one to focus purely on healing, some on healing with a mild additive effect, and an all-encompassing ailment healing waffle," Gilbert suggested.

"That sounds good! I'll have to rummage through the Monster Realm ingredient list and see which effects could be combined nicely."

"Why don't you deal with that ice-cream cake first, before you jump back into your experiments?"

"It's a bit painful seeing my level at 1 again," Melina admitted sheepishly.

"Think of all the stats you can gain now. Besides, with how many pastries you make a day, you'll be up to Level 20 within a week," Gilbert said dismissively.

Melina nodded. With how little experience was needed at the first levels, the level-up rate would undoubtedly be fast. Especially with her experimenting with something new, like an ice-cream cake.

Next week, Melina slowly mastered the various elements of the ice-cream cake while also operating the bakery in the morning. The business was booming, and with the increasing number of customers, Melina was thinking that they would need to expand soon.

The kitchen felt too cramped with three humanoids and two monsters bustling about. The shop was absolutely cramped, and there were often lines standing outside. For the time being, it was alright, since the weather wasn't so cold. But what would happen in case of heavy rains or winter cold?

It was yet another worry on Melina's mind, and she suspected that the only solution would be to move the bakery to a larger building and turn the current bakery into a more comfortable living space for Gilbert, Adrien, and Roxie. However, they would need to save some money for a while to be able to afford that.

For the time being, the ice-cream cake took precedence. She and Ygdril did their best to come up with a recipe that might have been close to what the Grand Oracle could have eaten in their youth, but there were so many variants.

The complexity lay in the fact that the ice-cream cake had so many various elements, and there was no way of knowing exactly which contained the leafshade chocolate and glassberries.

Melina and Ygdril both agreed that glassberries were too finicky to be used as anything other than a gel on top of a semifreddo layer. But which elements contained leafshade chocolate? Was it in the biscuit? Was the ice cream or semifreddo flavored with it? Or perhaps chocolate shavings on top?

There was no way of knowing. The chocolate could be in as little as a single element, or it might be in almost all of them. The fact that semifreddo had to be made differently from the ice cream also messed with Melina's perception of the dessert.

Unlike ice cream, the semifreddo layer was even lighter and airier, and it didn't need to be fully frozen like ice cream, merely chilled. It could be made both with the chocolate and without it, although Melina and Ygdril agreed that a chocolate semifreddo was definitely better than a plain one. It also went well with the vanilla ice cream layer and created a beautiful contrast.

In the end, Melina and Ygdril settled on three main recipes that the Grand Oracle might have tasted. First one included a plain biscuit base with leafshade chocolate layer that would protect the biscuit from getting soggy from the following vanilla ice-cream layer. Then they added chocolate semifreddo, followed by a layer of glassberry gel on top.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

The second was the same thing but with a chocolate biscuit. The third one was a chocolate biscuit with plain semifreddo and chocolate shavings on top. They all looked nice and launched Melina's level straight to Level 10.

[Name: Melina Dufour]

[Level: 10]

[Class: Archpatissier]

[Familiar: Sienna — Hearthfire Wyvern Level 27; Mango — Ice Kitsune Level 12 (unique)]

[Intelligence: 35]

[Agility: 12]

[Strength: 10]

[Skill: 40]

[Charm: 15]

[Active Skills: 11]

[<Refined Edge – Rank B>, <Rhythmic Kneading – Rank B>, <Mask of Deceit – Rank B>, <Gilded Tongue – Rank D>, <Haste Bake – Rank B>, <Arcane Infusion – Rank B>, <Familiar Sense – Rank D>, <Ingredient Appraisal – Rank C>, <Preservation Glaze – Rank B>, <Arcane Panacea –

Rank C>, <Dish Assessment – Rank C]

[Passive Skills: 6]

[<Archmage's Shadow – Rank S>, <Chef's Intuition – Rank A>, <Food Manufacturing – Rank A>, <Teacher of Arcane Baking – Rank D>, <Speed Cooking – Rank D>; <Pastry Spell Layering – Rank E>]

However, despite the huge level jump and three variants of ice-cream cake, she still felt like something was missing. That wasn't exactly what the Grand Oracle wanted. She said as much to Ygdril, too, but the drow merely shrugged.

"I suspect you are likely right, but it is impossible for us to know without getting feedback from the Grand Oracle. The best we can do is provide these dishes to her and hope that one of them will strike her fancy," he said helplessly.

Melina couldn't help but nod in agreement. So after having made her three variants, she called Elowen and said that it was time to deliver the ice-cream cakes to the Monster Realm.

"You should come along as well," the elf insisted.

"Is that a good idea? I'm pretty sure Lord Eidranis doesn't want to see me," Melina said.

"No, but Grand Oracle will only give up the Codex to the one she deems worthy, so I suspect she'll only hand it to you, in case one of your cakes succeeds," he said.

That did make sense, so Melina nodded in agreement and decided to head to the Monster Realm the same evening, together with Elowen. Alistair also insisted on coming along after he sped through his daily work and left the easiest tasks to his assistants.

In the end, it was Melina on top of Sienna, Alistair atop Knight, and Elowen heading to the Monster Realm while Mango remained in Sunglow together with Leliana. Sunglowers followed them with curious gazes as they left beyond the wall, down the trail laid out by the adventurers.

Monsters weren't such a big issue anymore. It wasn't to say that there were no monsters. The Guild still had to remain vigilant. But with a drow guarding the passageway, there were far fewer monsters coming through, and those living in the Human Realm seemed to stay away from the trail, likely knowing that going near there would only bring their death.

Not that anyone could have gotten to them anyway. Sienna effortlessly flew over the treetops, absolutely delighted with her new ability to fly. Alistair and Knight could just slip into shadows if need be, and Elowen, with his elven agility and reflexes, could avoid anything if he put his mind to it.

So their trip to the Monster Lord's tower was short, and the drow greeted them in a friendly manner. Some even inquired whether Melina had brought some macarons. Sadly, the only thing she brought with her was the three cakes, which she kept carefully chilled with her magic. Although she wasn't sure whether she could keep a steady cold temperature for too long.

Ice wasn't her element, so perhaps next time it would be wiser to bring Mango along for this task. With the new skill that allowed her to control chilly temperatures, she was far more suited for it. That or Melina needed a portable refrigerator. A task for Milo, perhaps.

Once they arrived at the Monster Lord's Tower, the owner himself waited at the entrance, likely having been warned by his drow of their arrival. His narrowed stare was fixed on Melina, and she did her best to ignore, instead opting to slightly hide behind Alistair.

It was rather difficult to look in the eyes of someone you killed once, even if they were alive and well. It wasn't something that could just be forgotten or forgiven. Them working together towards the same goal and him tolerating Melina was already pushing the boundaries of Lord Eidranis's understanding.

"Sir Elowen, Lord Sinclair, and… Archmage, what a pleasure to see you all here," Lord Eidranis greeted them.

"Pleasure is all ours," Elowen replied, while Melina decided to remain silent. She didn't want to send the Monster Lord in another fit of rage.

Unfortunately for her, he was looking straight at her. "Archmage, I trust that you've brought what I asked."

She peeked her head out ever so slightly. Just enough not to appear rude. "I did. Ygdril and I worked together on an ice-cream cake recipe, but we are unsure whether these are the right ones."

"These?" He arched an eyebrow.

"We made three variants, although we're not sure which one is the right one. Or whether even one of them is right. There are just too many variables in the recipe," Melina said.

"Three cakes certainly won't make the same impression as just one made right, but I suppose it is worth a shot. Hand them over. I'll take them to my mother after I've made sure that they are safe to eat," Lord Eidranis said.

Melina wanted to object that she would never poison the food she made for others to enjoy, but given the glare Lord Eidranis was giving her, she quickly shut her mouth and dove behind Alistair's back again.

"Feel free to rest in the guest room. I shall inform you of the results later on," Lord Eidranis said and, after Melina handed the chilled bag with the cakes to the drow servants, left.

"You seem rather nervous around him, Melina," Alistair noted, gently taking her head.

"It's not that I'm nervous, but more like…"

"...guilty," Elowen finished.

"Yes. Each time I look at him, I can't help but imagine the moment when he drew his last breath. Thinking that I'd been the one to take his life… I don't think it's anything I could ever forget or forgive myself for," Melina admitted.

Alistair gave her a gentle squeeze. "The past doesn't matter. What matters is what we're going to do moving forward. Currently, we're doing everything we can so that the horrible past doesn't repeat itself. So keep your chin up."

Melina nodded. "You're right. I just hope that the Grand Oracle enjoys the ice-cream cake."

"I think all of us are praying for that. To think that the fate of the world would be left in the hands of ice-cream," Elowen scoffed.

"I don't think it's that," Melina objected. "I'm sure that Lord Eidranis could demand that his mother give up the Codex of Origin. But he doesn't want to resort to brute force and would much rather that she give it up willingly. If there's a possibility to solve things peacefully, without souring the relationship with your family, I think anyone would choose that first."

Alistair nodded. "Yes, I believe all of us would feel better if the Codex were given willingly, not taken by force. After all, we don't want to be like the Church, forcing our own agenda. We want to show people a way to solve things peacefully, even if the path to get there is more difficult."

"I suppose you two are right," Elowen said with a sigh. "I do suspect that it'll also be a great addition to the bakery."

"Oh, this has got to be Melina's best creation yet. I ate a whole ice-cream cake myself just yesterday," Alistair admitted.

"I'm surprised you didn't catch a cold with how quickly you ate it," Melina laughed.

"It's okay. With you around, it's constantly so hot that a bit of ice cream isn't enough to cool me down," he said with a sly smile.

Melina couldn't help but blush as she remembered exactly what Alistair had done after eating his ice cream cake.

Elowen rolled his eyes. "As Leliana would say—please, get a room, you two!"

About an hour later, Lord Eidranis returned, his expression as unreadable as always.

"How did it go, My Lord? Were you able to convince your mother to give up the Codex?" Elowen asked.

"I'm afraid not. But you are on the right path, Archmage. My mother said that some of the flavors were similar, but there was still a chocolate glaze missing and the glassberry gel was between the ice-cream and semifreddo layers," he said.

"Chocolate glaze! Of course!" Melina said, hurriedly taking out the notebook and writing it down. "Which one of the cakes did she like? Plain biscuit? Chocolate semifreddo?"

"It was the one with a chocolate biscuit and chocolate semifreddo. But there's… another matter," he said, looking rather uncomfortable.

"What is it?"

"She requested that next time you serve it to her personally."