Saphy woke early the next day. After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she styled her hair and changed into fresh clothes. Today was a special day. The potatoes she had ordered had finally arrived yesterday, and she could barely contain her excitement. She hurried straight to the kitchen, only to find the maids and the cook in the midst of preparing breakfast. They were all startled by her sudden, unexpected appearance.
"Miss, do you need something? You didn't need to come here. You could have just called"
Saphy didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point,
"I'm gonna make something."
That sentence frightened them. Is she unsatisfied with their cooking? They all thought.
"Miss, it's dangerous for you to cook. You might get burnt."
"It's ok, I can handle it. I want to make something new."
"If that's what you want, then at least let us assist."
Saphy had to compromise.
"Ok, then can someone bring the potatoes, I mean the earth fruits I bought yesterday?"
"Right away."
Within moments, a servant brought the potatoes. Following Saphy's instructions, they were thoroughly washed to remove all dirt and grime. She then asked the chef to peel the potatoes and slice them thinly. It took the chef a few tries to achieve the perfect thickness according to Saphy's exacting standards. Next, they soaked the sliced potatoes in cold water to remove the excess starch. After repeating this process two more times, she instructed them to boil the slices. Saphy oversaw the pot to ensure the potatoes did not become overcooked. Once they were perfect, she asked for them to be taken out and drained.
This world lacked paper towels, but it had magic. She carefully laid each slice on a tray and used a combination of Wind and Ice Magic to produce a stream of cold air, drying any remaining moisture from the potato slices.
"Roff, can you heat a pot of cooking oil? Fill it about halfway," she instructed.
Chef Roff was confused. He had never seen such an unconventional cooking method. He had always known that only commoners ate earth fruits. And they ate it by roasting it over a fire.
But he did follow instructions. As soon as Saphy saw the oil had reached the right temperature, she tried to get closer to oversee the frying, but the maids quickly intervened.
"Miss, it's much too dangerous to get close to the heated oil," one of them cautioned.
"But I need to see the cooking process," Saphy insisted. "The stove is so high, I can't see a thing from here."
"Then how about this?" proposed another maid. "One of us will hold you at a safe distance, and you can direct us as you did before."
Though still feeling a little embarrassed at the idea of being held, Saphy agreed to the compromise. A maid lifted her, holding her steady—close enough to observe the pot clearly, but safely out of range of any splattering oil.
Then, following her instructions, the chef carefully began to add the potato slices to the oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot as the young miss instructed. The moment they touched the surface, the oil bubbled and steamed vigorously. Yet, despite this being his first time deep-frying, Chef Roff remained perfectly calm, handling the process with a steady composure. When the potatoes were halfway cooked and had just begun to take on a pale color, Saphy instructed him to remove them and lay them out on a wire rack. Once again, she used a gust of cold air to rapidly cool them, a trick to ensure they would become extra crispy. She could have let them cool naturally, but her craving for potato chips refused to wait.
After the potatoes had cooled, she directed the chef to increase the oil temperature. When it reached around 190°C, she had him fry the slices a second time. As soon as they turned a perfect golden hue, she signaled for them to be removed, knowing the residual heat would continue cooking them. This time, the chef allowed her to take over. She placed the hot chips into a bowl and immediately seasoned them with fine sea salt while their surfaces were still glossy with oil, ensuring the salt would adhere perfectly before it had a chance to dry.
Saphy looked at the perfectly fried chips in her hand. Without any formalities, she took a bite.
CRUNCH !!!!!!
The crunch is a shocking explosion in the silent vessel. The sudden noise of the brittle starburst shatters the oppressive quiet, causing the characters to flinch. It is the sound of an ecosystem of flavor collapsing inside the mouth.
She savors the salty, umami flavor with each bite, while the crisp crackle of every chip seems to echo in the quiet. It's more than a snack; it's a direct line to memories of Earth, a taste of nostalgia itself.
Rather than enjoy it alone, she graciously offered a taste to the maids and the cook.
Looking at their Young Miss's expression, they had very high expectations. They were also aware that she often neglects food.
"Pardon us,"
They murmured before each taking a tentative bite. The effect was instantaneous—a burst of flavor that utterly overwhelmed their taste buds. How could a commoner's vegetable be so sublime? The dish was deceptively simple, seasoned with nothing but salt, yet it possessed a complex and satisfying richness. The texture was perfect, the flavor profound; it was, without a doubt, the most delicious snack they had ever tasted. The entire staff now gazed at Saphy with newfound awe. Not only was she a magical prodigy, but her culinary insight was also in a league of its own.
After they all had their fill, the whole group started to make more. Saphy wanted to give her family a big surprise. Saphy also taught them how to make it without using magic, like drying the potatoes with a clean cloth and more. But she soon found out that cutting the potatoes by hand is very time-consuming and tedious. She definitely needs a mandolin. And with that, the group op People started to make chips with vigor.
__________
When Charles came to the breakfast table, he was surprised to see that his daughter, who never came until called upon, was the first person at the breakfast table.
"Saphy, it's unusual for you to arrive without being called."
Saphy blushes but brushes it off.
"Because, father, I have a big surprise for all of you."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Soon her mother and brother came to the table and were equally shocked. Saphy gave them the same answer but didn't elaborate.
The family ate their breakfast, the air thick with curiosity as they tried in vain to pry the secret from Saphy. Just as the last plate was cleared and they began to rise from their seats, Saphy's voice rang out.
"A moment, please! Roff,"
she said, her eyes sparkling,
"Bring the special dish."
Then they saw a maid bring something that they had never seen in a basket. They are round and have a golden hue. Charles couldn't keep his curiosity, so he asked.
"What is this special thing you made.''
Instead of Saphy, the maid answered,
"My Lord," the maid explained, "the young miss came to us very early this morning. She oversaw the entire process and guided us in making them."
Now burning with curiosity, Charles was eager to sample his daughter's creation. The servants swiftly presented the potato chips on medium-sized plates. Charles selected one, examining its delicate form before taking a bite.
CRUNCH!!!!
A flavor and texture unlike anything he had ever experienced exploded in his mouth. With each subsequent bite, his taste buds danced anew, and his face melted into an expression of pure bliss. Watching his reaction, the others quickly tried their own. The result was instantaneous—a chorus of delighted crunches and shared wonder.
With a shaky voice, Charles asked, "What is this made from?"
"It is made from earth fruits, my lord—the same vegetable that commoners eat. The Young Miss has turned it into something marvelous," a servant replied.
"And is it a very difficult process?" Charles inquired.
"No, my lord. The process itself is simple, but a bit laborious."
Before Charles could ask more, his son William excitedly shouted to a maid, "Rise, is there any more? Bring me some more!"
"Most certainly, Young Lord," the maid said with a slight bow before heading to the kitchen.
Charles decided to hold his tongue. His questions could wait; for now, he would simply enjoy the meal. He, too, asked Butler Sebastian to bring him another portion.
Amidst the commotion, Saphy announced that she and the cooks had made more than enough for everyone to enjoy to their heart's content.
And so, the potato chip made its triumphant debut in this magical world.