CUBE WIZARD OF MIDDLE - EARTH

Chapter 2: Cooking

"Baggins?"

"Bilbo Baggins?"

Levi paused in the doorway, his mind racing.

Was this truly a coincidence?

The name rang with a peculiar familiarity, tickling the edges of his memory. It was only moments ago, while solving the puzzle, that he had felt an odd sense of recognition.

Could it be?

He glanced once more at the wooden chest he had carried into the Shire, his suspicions growing stronger.

Wasn't this his mother's glory box?

A soft hiss escaped his lips as the realization dawned.

Levi's sharp gaze shifted back to the hobbit standing before him, his curiosity piqued. Poor Bilbo had no idea what the future held—not just for himself, but for his family and his cherished belongings.

Unaware of Levi's musings, Bilbo stood in his cozy entryway, looking ever the gracious host.

Levi straightened, offering a polite bow. "Levi, at your service," he said, his voice smooth and steady.

Bilbo, caught slightly off guard by the formal gesture, quickly adjusted his jacket and returned the greeting. "Bilbo Baggins, at your service."

The exchange was brief but cordial, setting the tone for what would be an unexpectedly delightful encounter.

With a courteous gesture, Bilbo stepped aside to let Levi enter. The hobbit-hole was everything Levi had imagined—warm, inviting, and impeccably tidy. The earthy aroma of wood and fresh herbs filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of baked goods.

Levi's sharp eyes swept across the room, noting the abundance of provisions tucked into every corner. There were loaves of freshly baked bread, jars of preserves, and wheels of cheese stacked neatly on shelves.

"This hobbit certainly knows how to live," Levi thought with a faint smirk.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," Bilbo said, motioning toward a cozy armchair. "Afternoon tea is usually at four, but I wouldn't mind starting a bit early. Tell me, what do you fancy? Perhaps some fried sausages with fresh bread?"

Despite Levi's unexpected arrival, Bilbo's hospitality was unwavering.

Levi inclined his head. "That would be most kind of you, Mr. Baggins. I'll leave the menu to your expertise."

Bilbo beamed at the compliment. "Excellent choice! I'll have it ready in no time."

The hobbit bustled into the kitchen, his movements brisk and efficient. Levi followed at a respectful distance, curious to see the renowned hobbit culinary skills in action.

"This pan," Bilbo said, lifting a well-worn skillet with obvious pride, "has been in my family for generations. It's seasoned to perfection."

Levi watched as Bilbo retrieved a bundle of sausages from the pantry, their casings glistening with freshness. With practiced ease, the hobbit set the pan over the fire and added a dollop of butter, which melted almost instantly, filling the room with a rich, savory aroma.

Hiss—

The sausages hit the pan with a satisfying sizzle, and the sound was music to Levi's ears.

"I must admit," Bilbo began, turning the sausages deftly, "cooking is something of a passion of mine. My mother taught me everything I know—roasting, frying, baking… you name it."

Levi nodded, his respect for the hobbit growing.

The sausages were soon golden brown, their enticing aroma making Levi's stomach grumble audibly. He cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed, but Bilbo only chuckled.

"It seems I've timed this perfectly," Bilbo said, sliding the sausages onto a plate and adding a few slices of fresh bread. "Here you are, Mr. Levi. I hope it meets your expectations."

Levi accepted the plate with a nod of thanks. The first bite was heavenly. The sausages were crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned with just the right amount of salt and pepper.

"You have a remarkable talent, Mr. Baggins," Levi said, his praise genuine. "This is, without a doubt, one of the finest meals I've ever had."

Bilbo's cheeks flushed with pride. "You're too kind, Mr. Levi. But I'm delighted you enjoyed it."

As Levi finished the last bite, he set his plate aside and asked, "Would you mind if I gave cooking a try? Watching you has inspired me."

Bilbo blinked, caught off guard by the request. "Oh, um… yes, of course! The kitchen is yours."

Levi stepped forward, gripping the handle of the skillet. As he did, a strange, translucent prompt appeared before him:

[Cooking Steps: Select recipe → Prepare ingredients → Lock tools → Start cooking.]

He frowned slightly, intrigued by the instructions but determined to follow them.

"Let's see…" he murmured, placing a fresh batch of sausages into the pan.

Zila—

The sausages began to sizzle, and Levi moved with a precision that belied his lack of experience. He tilted the pan just so, flipping the sausages at the perfect moment.

Bilbo watched in astonishment. This man handles a pan like a professional chef!

In no time, the sausages were ready, plated, and garnished with a light sprinkle of crushed salt. Levi handed the plate to Bilbo with a faint smile.

"Thank you for waiting," he said.

Bilbo hesitated for a moment before taking a bite. His eyes widened almost immediately.

"This is… remarkable!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder. "Mr. Levi, you must have been modest earlier. Your cooking is extraordinary!"

Levi raised an eyebrow, amused by the hobbit's enthusiasm. "I'm glad it suits your taste."

Curious to see what the fuss was about, Levi prepared another plate for himself.

The first bite left him stunned.

This is… incredible.

Though he kept a calm exterior, the corners of his mouth twitched in satisfaction. For the first time, Levi found himself wondering if perhaps he had a hidden talent for cooking—or if something far stranger was at play.