Culinarians Chronicle [Cooking Progression Gamelit]

They forged him into a weapon. He escaped and became a chef. Leo was once Cavalry Captain Leonus – a living conduit of impossible magic, and a monstrous super-soldier. But even monsters have their limits. At Svordfjäll, a catastrophic order cost him his entire unit, and in the bloody aftermath, he vanished. Now, he’s just Leo, a quiet culinarian whose only ambition is to bake the perfect loaf of bread. His solitude is shattered when an experimental aether-craft—piloted by Rix, a brilliant artificer—crashes into his quiet valley. She carries secrets that drag Leo back into a world of corrupt empires, world-ending conspiracies, and the secret military program that created him. To protect this stranger—and the first real connection he's made in years—Leo must unleash the very power he swore to bury. But every time he draws on that monstrous magic, he risks losing another piece of himself. It’s a constant, uphill battle: can he save his future without being consumed by his past? What to Expect Food as Magic & Medicine: Leo is a Culinarian first, warrior second. The cooking isn't just filler; it's how he heals mana sickness, bridges cultural gaps, and grounds himself in a chaotic world. Expect detailed, sensory descriptions of meals ranging from rustic campfire stews to high-end gastronomy (Croque Monsieur, Tonkotsu Ramen, Ceviche). OPMC who just wants to cook: Leo is a retired legend (The Kentarch) trying to stay retired. When pushed, the apron comes off and the violence is precise, brutal, and professional. Mix of action and slice of life: The story balances cozy moments of cooking and crafting with high-stakes battles and political intrigue. Every Chapter comes with a recipe you can cook! (Written by an actual chef) Magitech & Deep Lore: The world expands rapidly from a quiet forest to a continent-spanning conflict involving magical dead zones, ancient Void entities, industrial cities with mag-lev trains, and complex leyline theory (Arcanum, Ignium, Lumina, etc.). Found Family Ensemble: It starts solo, but grows into a tight-knit crew of specialists. Their banter and loyalty are the heart of the story. Bocce: A 10-foot-tall terror bird who loves cabbages and is effectively a main character. He is best boy. Genre Shift: Starts as Cozy Fantasy/Slice-of-Life but naturally evolves into Epic Fantasy and Political Thriller as the stakes rise from "what's for dinner?" to "saving the world." Release schedule will settle into Monday Wednesday Friday 3k word average chapters 200k backlog What NOT to Expect Pure "Cozy" Fluff: While there are cozy moments, the world is at war. There are dark themes, including PTSD, experimentation, oppression, and morally grey alliances. It gets gritty. Hard LitRPG/Stat Sheets: Leo doesn't level up or distribute stat points. The magic system is "hard" (defined rules, costs, and consequences like mana sickness), but it's organic, not a video game interface. (I actually wrote a thesis on the magic system if anyone is interested in that type of nerdy meta-physics nonsense) A Passive Protagonist: Leo doesn't wait for the plot to happen to him. He is tactical, proactive, and willing to make hard choices (including leaving friends behind) to secure the mission. Instant Romance: While there is chemistry, relationships burn slow and are built on trust and shared survival, not instant infatuation. The "Chosen One" Trope: Leo isn't a prophesied saviour; he's a broken weapon trying to be a man. His power is a burden and a trauma response, not a divine gift. cover by Svaldyr*** Royal Road is the only place this story is posted, otherwise it has been pirated.***