Chapter 33

032. The Three Chickens

That way, I fell asleep with the glittering sign.

The next day, with my stamina surprisingly recovered, I went out for my usual early morning business.

"It's been a while."

"Zolp."

"Yes. I caused a lot of trouble last time."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it."

"…Thank you, Wolfram-sama."

"More importantly, how are you doing now?"

"Well…"

I heard that Zolp is still continuing his research in Professor Babel Grace's lab.

"…Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

No matter how I thought about it, it seemed that being marked by the professor would greatly affect his future lab life, but Zolp's expression was at ease.

"If it doesn't work out, I can get a job."

"……"

Was that a joke, or was he serious? I tilted my head, but Zolp laughed it off.

"Just kidding. Lab life is getting a bit easier."

"What do you mean?"

"Well…"

Zolp explained.

Eve von Loen格林 had submitted a petition to the royal court for the improvement of graduate student rights, and the Ministry of Justice had partially approved it, with the rest under review.

After investigating why such a petition was submitted,

Professor Babel Grace's name and the reality of the graduate lab had reached the ears of the higher-ups.

As a result, an audit was conducted in Professor Babel's lab, and the professor was on the defensive. In the midst of unexpectedly taking care of the graduate students, if Zolp, a representative victim of this incident, were to quit his Ph.D. and get a job, Professor Babel would be in a difficult position.

"But there's a time limit."

"Yes, that's right. Once the audit period is over, the lab will likely return to its original state. But during that time, I can live in peace. I'll be guaranteed six hours of sleep a day."

"Is that so?"

"Moreover, now that it's public, the professor will likely want to save face and help me graduate quickly. He said he would give me the first revision of my graduation thesis, which I submitted last year, by the end of this week."

"……Is that so?"

It seems I was really taken advantage of.

Zolp bowed deeply to me in gratitude.

"Thank you, Student Council President Wolfram."

"…I'm not the student council president. I'm just a regular student. And you should thank Eve."

"No, I genuinely feel grateful to regular student Wolfram-sama. When I was hoping for a degree and a graduation ring in the pitch-black darkness, the words you said to me will be etched in my heart."

"……Tsk. You're making too much of it. Go back to the lab."

"Yes, I'll go in."

With that, Zolp left.

Before leaving, Zolp left one last word.

"Wolfram-sama, this might be the first and last advice I can give you."

"Go on."

"Don't go to graduate school, even if you graduate from undergraduate next year. Absolutely, don't go."

"……"

"You have to protect your own rights."

Indeed.

How convincing.

***

Tier 8 skill: Magical Pastry Chef.

To be honest, I've actually used this skill as a main support skill after obtaining it from Kelthers.

The way to increase Eve's affection in the magic department is to prepare simple food, so I made good cookies to give her as a gift.

The efficiency of this skill in the game is… quite peculiar.

Is it good or bad? It could be useful as a utility skill, but the biggest problem is the 'inventory limit.'

The more cookies you make, the fuller your inventory gets, and by the mid-game, you'll have items you won't use.

When other dishes and ingredients start mixing in, your inventory will overflow, and you'll stop making cookies.

But since I've obtained a high-tier skill, I should try to use it.

If my inventory is about to overflow, I can find someone to handle it.

I thought about giving them to Nephthys, but even Nephthys has her limits, and I wouldn't give them to Eve because she's annoying.

So, I ended up here.

In front of the first-year dormitory.

"Wow, it's Senior Donut."

"Today you're doing business!"

"Hello…"

The three freshmen who often visit my cart.

Thanks to their chatter, I was able to figure out when the 1-1 semester starts, so I started preparing donuts right there.

"Here you go."

"Uh, we didn't order anything. Did you fry them just in case we came too often…?"

"Umm… Did I come that often? Is that so?"

When I see a regular customer, I fry the hot dog and wait, just like the hot dog stand owner.

"Thank you, but it's complicated, Senior!"

"…Is that so?"

…It's similar.

"No, since you come often, it's a service."

"Wow! As expected, Senior!"

"…T, thank you."

With that, the two of them started eating like hungry gods. The appetite of first-year students is scary.

The freshmen looked at each other and tilted their heads, and I didn't say anything.

Actually, I know these freshmen.

To be precise, I have memories of playing with them as companions in the game.

"I'll have one more sugar donut!"

"…Is it okay to eat that much?"

"It's fine! I'll do some hammering later!"

The name of the bright and energetic dwarf girl who often orders sugar donuts is Vanilla.

"Then I'll have one more strawberry donut."

The name of the quiet elf girl who often orders strawberry donuts is Yogurt. Together, they are the Vanilla Yogurt Duo.

How can someone's name be Vanilla Yogurt?

But that's the quality of D/Z SAGA.

It pays attention to details in strange places and inserts Easter eggs or quirky memes and preferences in other areas.

Anyway, Vanilla, the dwarf, can be developed as a front-liner or a blacksmith. Yogurt can be developed as an archer, spirit mage, or spirit archer.

They are good first-year students, both in the game and in the future. They can reach tier 3 if developed. They are quite nostalgic characters.

If I feed them for free now, they might help Wolfram once when he's in danger. That's the dark intention behind it… but anyway.

I asked the remaining freshman, who looked very shy and innocent.

She has a face that says, "I'm very shy and innocent."

I can't quite remember her. I don't have a memory of raising her, but I think I've seen her somewhere…

Who is she?

"What do you want to eat?"

"…Ah, well… I'm not sure."

"Is that so? Then I'll make one for you."

"Y-Yes?"

Ignoring the third chicken's response, I skillfully made a donut and squeezed cream into it. The safest options are chocolate or white cream, but since it's free, a new menu item might be good.

"Here you go."

"But, I don't have money…"

"It's a test for a new menu. Don't worry, just eat it."

"Y-Yes…!"

The third chicken took the donut, smiled shyly, took a bite, and opened her eyes wide.

"What is this taste…? I've never had it before!"

"It's green tea cream. What do you think of it?"

"…Well, it has a very deep and refreshing flavor. It's a bit bitter, but I like it."

That's a pretty good review. Nephthys would probably say, "It's delicious. If you give me more, I'll be grateful," but this is better.

But I still can't remember her. I should remember, but I can't…

"Senior, we want to eat it too!"

"…You only ate milk and honey."

The two gluttons were drooling at the green tea cream donut when a flash of lightning struck in my mind.

"Milk and honey?"

"Yes? Yes. My name is Milmayu von Sabre…"

"I'm Vanilla!"

"…I'm Yogurt."

You know.

"Is that so. …I understand. Please taste the test menu."

"Yes!"

"…Yes."

"I'll eat it gratefully."

The three of them bowed to me and started their next meal.

Yogurt ate enthusiastically, Vanilla ate quietly but quickly, and Milmayu ate normally.

"It's delicious!"

"…It's sweet."

"Hmm. This is chocolate. The deep flavor lingers in the mouth, which is nice."

Now I remember who this girl is.

Milmayu von Sabre.

A classmate of Kelthers who was expelled in 1-3.

***

After finishing my business and returning to the convenience store, I fell into thought.

Milmayu von Sabre.

If you ask why I couldn't remember this character, there's a reason for it.

To begin with, Milmayu is not a character you can make a companion.

You know, it's common in stories for certain characters to inevitably leave the stage.

That's exactly what Milmayu is.

To put it simply, 1-3 is the midterm exam part.

It's divided into three major parts: written, survival, and sparring. In the story, Kelthers spars with Milmayu.

Kelthers easily beats Milmayu, and Milmayu, who barely passed, is expelled.

She's a character who teaches the harshness of Jefrin again and serves as an extra character to build the protagonist's beliefs.

That's Milmay