Chapter 79
“Seira! Fry six more pieces!”
“Got it!” (Shizuma)
“Seira! Send over one of the chopped ones for this side!”
“On it!” (Shizuma)
A huge hit. No, at this point it could only be described as a frenzy.
…It started off quietly.
A noble and their child had ordered the Da Ji Pai served on a plate, so we paired it with the vegetables used in the tortilla-style dish that other chefs had come up with, which they named Legumeler.
Seeing that, other customers asked for the same thing, and slowly, the seats in the cafeteria began to fill up.
But…the moment the first customer took a bite, it all began.
“Whhhhhhhaaaaaat is thiiiiiis!!?” An outrageously over-the-top scream.
Then, “I don’t know this!!! I’ve never tasted this before!!! But it’s delicious!!!” echoed with joy, and the voices of the surrounding customers began to rise as well.
Apparently, the one who caused the commotion was a well-known gourmet, someone who had previously made the Chef Guild dispatch many cooks only to burn them out with his relentless appetite for fine food.
Maybe because this person was famous, others followed suit and tried the dish, then praised it to the skies.
The unfamiliar five-spice blend, the crispy fried Da Ji Pai; they were enchanted.
Soon, all the seats in the school cafeteria were filled, and even nobles were ordering Da Ji Pai street-style, biting into it with one hand while sipping craft cola with the other.
Naturally, the meat was flying off the shelves with students also pouring in orders.
In addition, there was a new menu item, chopped Da Ji Pai wrapped into the Legumeler, which was also selling like crazy.
Apparently, they wanted a menu that let people get the best of both worlds.
“This is a battlefield. I never thought it would sell this well.” (Shizuma)
“Right!? But seriously, you’re amazing. Not a single piece overcooked or underdone. You’re frying this much at this pace and still managing it all?”
“It’s all practice. Alright, three more done! I’m chopping one, take the other two!” (Shizuma)
“Got it!”
I can feel it -her fighting spirit blazing in my head.
It’s Seira. No doubt about it, she’s fired up in this situation.
…As expected of a true chef. She once sold a mountain of dishes on the game’s market and multiplied her total assets tenfold in a single day.
…Thanks to that, I was able to raise my alts pretty easily too.
“Just two more hours and the crowd should start thinning. Let’s keep pushing, everyone!”
—————-
While Seira was hard at work in the cafeteria, the academy building had become eerily quiet, as almost everyone had moved to the dining hall.
In the rarely visited greenhouse behind the academy, Melt was there with a student.
“Amazing… It’s not just the color of the petals, the central pistil and stamens are categorized by variation too… To have created such detailed mutations and stabilized them as their own species…” (Melt)
“Right? And apparently, hardly any magic was used. They kept cross-breeding new strains with related species, tested soil differences, sorted and verified everything again and again; it took years, but they slowly increased the types this way.”
“Wow… That’s incredible. I could only manage variations in petal color… Having a closed environment and control over pollination makes such a difference, huh…” (Melt)
“Um, are you a scholar?”
“Nope, an adventurer. My grandma was a researcher. I used to help her out and copy what she did since I was a kid.” (Melt)
“An adventurer…! This is my first time talking to one.”
“Me too. It’s my first time speaking with a student.” (Melt)
They laughed together.
The student, wearing a hood, looked at Melt’s smiling face and felt faint admiration.
She’s free. Probably overflowing with talent.
Melt, on the other hand, felt something akin to envy.
How nice it must be to attend a school like this.
“This place is wonderful… A flower garden this beautiful could never happen in nature.” (Melt)
“Maybe so. But I think wildflowers blooming freely in nature are just as wonderful.”
“You’re right, I’m sure they are. Hey, I’m Melt. What’s your name?” (Melt)
“Ah, I’m…Verge. This is my third year… My final year here.”
Hearing the words “final year,” Melt understood there’s a limit to how long one can attend.
And then…
“Verge-chan, huh? What are you planning to do after you graduate?” (Melt)
“…I’ll go back to my hometown. I probably won’t become anything.” (Verge)
Melt didn’t realize her question struck a painful wound.
“Hmm… Really? You’re leaving? This city is so big, it has everything. I’m sure you could become something.” (Melt)
“! Even so… I…” (Verge)
Conflict, worry, personal struggles; darkness carried by individuals alone.
It was something Melt, still inexperienced, didn’t quite understand yet.
“Um… I have to go now. Melt-san, it’s almost lunch. You should get something to eat before the crowd rushes in.” (Verge)
“Oh, good idea! Verge-chan, want to come with me?” (Melt)
“No, I’ve got something to do. I’ll stay here a bit longer.” (Verge)
“Got it! See you then, Verge-chan! Thanks for teaching me all this!” (Melt)
With that, Melt cheerfully left the greenhouse.
Left alone, Verge touched her hood-covered face and pressed a hand to her eyes.
“…People who can become adventurers are lucky. I could’ve too…if only…” (Verge)
A mutter filled with resentment, envy, and sorrow.
Not directed at Melt. Just a small, bitter hatred toward herself and the world.
—————-
Bursting out of the greenhouse, Melt relied on her sharp nose and dashed toward the food stalls and cafeteria.
Along the way, she passed a stall selling oddly-shaped fruits, likely the result of magical experiments, and bought them impulsively.
She bit into an apple with bizarre patterns of circles and triangles, scanning the area as she walked.
“Hmm… This apple’s not very tasty!” (Melt)
Her grumble was met with a reply from an unfamiliar voice.
“I agree, young lady. It’s not very juicy.”
Melt turned around to find a man in a long coat and silk hat-looking every bit the gentleman, if a bit shady.
“You think so too, mister? What is this thing?” (Melt)
“Probably decorative. It certainly catches the eye.”
“I see… I bet it’d taste good in a dish! My friend is an amazing cook!” (Melt)
“How delightful. Sounds like you have a wonderful friend.”
“Totally! She’s cooking at the cafeteria today! The food is soooo good. You have to try it!” (Melt)
“Ah, you’ve piqued my interest. Thank you, young lady.”
“You’re welcome!” (Melt)
The man headed off toward the cafeteria.
Melt also hurried off to the kitchen, but curiously, she never passed the man again.
—————-
“How rare… So Silver Foxkins still exist on this continent. If she’s harmless, I’ll leave her be… And she seems harmless enough. Plus, I learned something useful.”
The man looked down at Melt from the academy’s rooftop.
Not with suspicion, but with interest.
Then he took a huge bite of Da Ji Pai.
“…This is delicious… Come to think of it, Lord Alheus also bought a bunch earlier… Maybe for those jesters as souvenirs. Fitting enough.”
The man disappeared after one last satisfying crunch, leaving only the scent of five spice behind.
—————-
“Finally… The crowd’s dying down.”
“Yeah, mostly just cola orders now.”
“Man, I wish we planned for snacks that pair with cola. Got any ideas, Seira?”
“Well…not sweets exactly, but thick-salted fries would pair great. Thin cut or sliced thin.” (Shizuma)
Apparently, Seira is now trying to introduce the divine combo of “fries and cola” to this world.
I’m exhausted. Seriously, I don’t want to hear oil sizzling again anytime soon.
But I’ve definitely cooked more than enough dishes today.
This might be… the end of my and Seira’s role.
“One Da Ji Pai, please! And one of the veggie-wrapped ones too!”
Just then, a familiar and cheerful voice called out an order.
“Oh hey, Melt-chan! Smart move coming when it’s less crowded.”
“Want a cola too?”
“Yes, please!” (Melt)
The cooks, now on familiar terms with her, quickly prepared her meal.
I picked a slightly larger cut of meat and prepared her Da Ji Pai myself.
“Seira, you should take a break. You’ve been standing by the fryer nonstop. Melt’s here too. Go sit and eat.”
“Really? Then I’ll take you up on that, Chief.” (Shizuma)
After five hours on my feet frying nonstop, I was beginning to get tired.
Thank god… The number of orders has dropped, and the festival itself is slowly winding down.
In two more hours, it’ll be over.
I changed out of my chef’s coat and brought my own food over to sit next to Melt.
“Hey, Seira! Great work!” (Melt)
“Yeah, I’m dead tired. Having fun at the festival?” (Shizuma)
“It’s been wonderful! I got to see some really interesting texts, and the greenhouse was amazing! There were so many rare Flores Orchids: from blue to white, red to yellow. And get this, there was even one almost green! Can you believe that? Green! Not leaves, actual flowers!” (Melt)
“That’s amazing! I can’t even imagine a green flower.” (Shizuma)
Melt excitedly shared all the things she saw.
I’m really glad I brought her along.
…But what if Melt said she wanted to attend the academy?
Could I make that happen?
For her curiosity, for her growth, if she truly wished for it, could I find a way?
“Melt, have you ever thought about attending school?” (Shizuma)
“Hmm… I’d have less free time, right? I’m not sure how I feel about that yet.” (Melt)
“I see. That was a weird question. Anyway, the festival’s almost over. I’m gonna go clean up the kitchen. What about you?” (Shizuma)
“Can I wait here? Let’s go home together!” (Melt)
“Sounds good.” (Shizuma)
Yeah, Melt still needs time to be free.
And I want to go on more adventures with her too.
Her free time is precious.
“Melt, today marks the end of ‘my role.’ Next up… I’ll bring along my friend who’s good with music.” (Shizuma)
“! Finally! That means… Seira’s food is on pause for a while…” (Melt)
“Haha… They should be able to cook the basics, so they will try to keep you happy.” (Shizuma)
Come to think of it, Shire wasn’t good at cooking for some reason.
…Even if characters inherit the same skills, there really is a personal difference.
—————-
After cleaning up the kitchen and hearing the official “Festival Over” announcement, the Chef Guild members began heading back to their guild, but I said my goodbyes then and there.
Even the guildmaster looked sad to see me go, and I almost teared up.
But honestly, their farewell sounded more like, “There goes a valuable worker.”
“I won’t be too far away, so I’ll probably come back if needed. And I’m sure you’ll start getting requests from nobles to serve today’s menu at banquets and such. Hang in there, everyone.” (Shizuma)
“Damn it! Talking like it is none of your business…! If you come back, make sure to show your face, Seira.”
“Yes, and when you do, teach us more new things. If possible… maybe something about sweets next time. I’m a confectioner by trade.”
“My specialty’s seafood. I’m getting assigned to a port town soon.”
Everyone wants knowledge in their specialty.
I was honored to be welcomed into that circle of professionals.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Thank you, everyone. Great work.” (Shizuma)
Then I went to pick up Melt, who has been killing time in the cafeteria, and we began the walk home.
…By the way, Melt’s idea of killing time is grooming her tail.
It’s weirdly cute. And the fact she always carries a brush is just funny.
Let’s go home, Melt.
—————-
“Alright, I’m going to switch back to Shizuma now.” (Shizuma)
“Okay. Oh, did you lock the house properly?” (Melt)
“All good. No one was around either.” (Shizuma)
“Alright! Then…just in case you collapse again, let’s go to the couch?” (Melt)
“Good point.” (Shizuma)
Melt sat on the couch and, for some reason, patted her own lap.
“You can lie down here if you want!” (Melt)
“I’m fine.” (Shizuma)
“Awwww.” (Melt)
Too embarrassing!
“Okay, logging out now. Back to Shizuma.” (Shizuma)
I chose logout on the menu screen.
For a moment, my consciousness cuts out.
…But it’s fine. I was fine when I came back from Shilent too…
…
See? I’m fine this time too.
Probably because I only cooked, and Seira’s thoughts and personality were basically still mine.
“You okay? Head doesn’t hurt? You can rest your head here, you know?” (Melt)
“I’m fine, really. No problem.” (Shizuma)
“Awwww…” (Melt)
Why do you sound so disappointed!? I’m not a little kid!
Anyway, first I check my status as Shizuma.
—————-
Vitality: 120
Strength: 120
Magic: 70
Willpower: 90
Agility: 70
[Growth Rate: Highest – Full Reflection]
[Blessing of the Silver Fox]
[Appraisal Eye]
[Basic Enchant]
[Survival Instinct]
[High-Speed Movement]
[Throwing]
[Gourmet] ← NEW
[Cooking Lv4] ← Rank Up
[Crafting Lv1]
[Sewing Lv1]
[Swordsmanship Lv3]
[Archery Lv1]
[Hunter Knowledge Lv1]
[Scholar Knowledge Lv1]
[Thief’s Knowledge Lv1]
[Swordsman Knowledge Lv1]
[Warrior Knowledge Lv1]
[Mercenary Knowledge Lv2]
—————-
Alright, I’ve successfully inherited [Gourmet].
Now I’ve got a foundation to build up my Shizuma self.
Just eating a little keeps me from running out of stamina for five hours.
But there’s still one last thing to do. A final adjustment.
To expose my former classmates, and to gain an advantage in battle.
“Alright, mission accomplished.” (Shizuma)
“So this is…something for Shizuma to get stronger, right? It’s not something dangerous or you will turn evil, is it?” (Melt)
Melt asked, looking worried, probably remembering something I said before.
“It’s okay. I’m only drawing power from forms where I can stay true to myself, like Seira. Looks like I inherited some of her skills. My cooking’s gotten a bit better, too.” (Shizuma)
“Hmm… maybe I should learn to cook too…?” (Melt)
“Let’s start with the easy stuff, nice and slow. I think I can teach you.” (Shizuma)
“Really? Then… the Da Ji Pai I had today… that’s probably too hard, right?” (Melt)
“Frying food is tricky, yeah… But the veggie-wrapped one should be doable.” (Shizuma)
“Really!? Then teach me next time! I loved the pumpkin that was in it!” (Melt)
“Yeah, that was really good. Alright, time for me to switch to the long-awaited musician form!” (Shizuma)
“Ooh! The piano is finally going to show its true power!” (Melt)
Alright…time to switch to Hash, one of my most unique characters and in a way a joke character. Half crafter, half frontliner…
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