The Cooking Competition Is Over!

“The overall winner is—”

Lucien’s voice stretched out to a long pause over the amphitheater.

Under normal circumstances, I would have admired that perfectly timed pause, but not now.

Even my palms were damp with sweat as I sat at the judges’ table.

It would have been no surprise for any of them to win, and it would have been a shame for any of them to lose.

The Magic Tower’s crystal orb displayed the final scorecard.

Marco: 50 points in the final round.

104 points total.

Applause erupted from the audience.

Marco lowered his head...