Chapter 36

035. Miss Troublesome

It just so happened that the next day was the first day of the weekend, so Miltia came over early in the morning.

"Come in."

"Excuse me."

Naturally, I had to close the convenience store temporarily and lock myself in to prepare the item for the Jefrin Student Competition.

"Have you had breakfast?"

"Ah, no."

"Good. You'll be eating a lot today, you know."

"Yes, yes! I'll work hard!"

I nodded, watching the pink chick clench her fists and nod her head.

"Before that, let's go over our clear goals and the current situation again."

"Yes, yes!"

First, let me explain.

The rent for this convenience store is too expensive, so I need to win the Jefrin Student Competition in the Magic Craft category, claim the prize of five million rin, and get the money.

And Miltia.

Although she was given a default loss due to suspension, she has a rematch with Kelters thanks to the professor's favor.

She must win the duel in two weeks.

And the method is this buffing snack I created.

I will use the Magic Pastry Chef skill to eat it before the match and secure victory!

"I have one question."

"Yes, yes!"

This chick, who isn't new to the convenience store, was wandering around and was startled when I called her.

"If you lose the duel, will you be expelled?"

"..., Well, I guess? I did well on the written part of the mini-test when I first enrolled..."

"I see. I understand."

Her fate has already changed.

Thinking about it, she probably couldn't take the written test properly after being hit by Kelters during the mini-test right after enrollment, and she likely scored well on the practical part.

So, as long as she doesn't lose this duel with Kelters too badly, she won't be expelled.

"But I want to win."

"Hmm?"

"Ah, no. I mean... wouldn't it be good to have the desire to win?"

"......"

That's true. No matter how strong the opponent is, if you accept defeat, it's over.

I also need to beat Regina Sierra, the top student in the third year.

"Alright. Let's give it a try."

"Yes, yes!"

***

The Magical Pastry Chef is an 8-tier skill.

Actually, 9-tier skills are more like hobbies or social skills, but 8-tier skills are different. They serve as milestones for the paths a person can take.

In other words, focusing on an 8-tier skill opens up a path for 'growth' and sets you on a route. Of course, there are skill proficiencies and unlockables.

So, if I focus on the Magical Pastry Chef, after mastering the 7-tier Shining Pastry Chef, I will get a quest to challenge the 6-tier Miracle Pastry Chef.

It means I might become a fluffy, sweet, and puffy Wolfram.

But it's not a bad skill. I tried the 6-tier Miracle, and it was definitely good as a buff item.

The cultivation method is simple: I can use it when I'm bored, learn the potion-throwing skill called Potion Pitcher, and throw snacks for fun.

Anyway, I'm telling this story because of the characteristics and cultivation methods of the Magical Pastry Chef.

【Make more snacks.】

【Make higher-quality snacks.】

【Make more magical snacks.】

【Make higher-quality magical snacks.】

The order of these determines the amount of practice. To cultivate the Magical Pastry Chef, I need to enchant the highest-quality snacks.

Donuts are considered the lowest-quality snacks, so using the Magical Pastry Chef on them yields little practice bonus.

So, it's more efficient to use it on the new snacks I've devised.

Moreover, the success rate of the Magical Pastry Chef is influenced by the 'dexterity' status, not 'magic power.'

This is a huge advantage for Wolfram. It's a skill that makes honey drip just thinking about it, but dexterity affects the success rate while consuming magic power.

It consumes 1 magic power per use, so with my magic power, I can only use it three times before needing a break.

Wolfram's magic power recovery rate is 1 per hour.

So, the maximum I can make in a day is twenty-four.

So, put your belief into each snack. I need to make the most of these three chances.

【Enchant the new snack with 'magic.'】

【The snack glows intensely red and then evaporates and disappears.】

Of course.

It's not guaranteed to succeed.

***

【Success in creation!】

【Proficiency in 8T Magical Pastry Chef increases!】

【Success in creation!】

【Proficiency in 8T Magical Pastry Chef increases!】

In the end, one failure and two successes.

Since I made them myself, I can read the descriptions. Here's what the result says:

【A high-quality snack enchanted with magical effects.】

Yes, that's the problem.

The exact buff effects are not indicated.

This is a limitation of the 8-tier skill. The 7-tier Shining Pastry Chef will show precise values.

While there are no bad effects, it's a bit annoying.

And that's why I brought only the pink chick out of the chicks.

It's like asking a chick to appraise a snack, but what's the harm?

"Go ahead and eat it."

"Yes, yes!"

The chick eats it, holding it in both hands and munching.

"What effect does it have?"

"Well, that... That... How should I describe it?"

"How would I know?"

"Right? So, I guess... I feel like I can withstand heat better now."

"Ah, fire resistance. Then try this one."

"Yes, yes! Oh, this... I guess... I feel like I can dodge arrows now...?"

"Physical projectile resistance? Or evasion?"

Anyway, being sensitive to magic power is a good trait.

Feeling the buffs on oneself like this helps me understand where my proficiency stands.

"Two consecutive resistances and evasion. You're at the beginner level."

"Yes, yes?"

"No, no. Let's try the next one."

"Yes, yes!"

【Insufficient user magic power.】

【Creation attempt failed!】

"Let's take a break for about an hour."

"..., Yes, yes."

Damn.

***

The Jefrin Student Competition registration desk was incredibly busy.

The competition, which accepts up to 400 participants per category, has an entry fee of 50,000 rin.

Students can stretch a bit to get a chance to participate, and the first prize is 5 million rin.

"Yes, Miss Ayla Tristar. Your entry for the Magic Competition has been confirmed. I've checked the entry fee."

"Thinking about it, it's a profitable business. With the system in place, a lot of money must go to the guilds and departments, aside from the hourly wages."

"Haha..."

The registrar laughed bitterly, and Ayla shrugged. This person is just a part-timer earning 3,000 rin per hour. Complaining won't change anything.

The reason I'm feeling sharp right now is probably because of Wolfram.

Unlike Ayla Tristar, rebellion should be secretive and deadly. Showing emotions openly isn't like me.

"Ah! Miss Tristar!"

"......"

And from a distance, the other person who stirs my emotions approached with a smile.

"Miss Sierra. It's been a while."

"Yes! Miss Tristar is also participating in the competition. Which category?"

"Magic Competition."

"Magic Competition! Wow... I'm not good at fighting, so it's really scary!"

"I see."

Regina Sierra.

Title: Magic Merchant.

And the top student in the third-year Magic Department.

Ayla has always found this woman annoying.

She has long blonde hair and a seemingly innocent expression, but beneath the surface, there's a monster.

"Since you're here, Miss Sierra, are you also participating in the competition?"

"Yes!"

"Category... Magic Craft, right?"

"Yes."

"Are you aiming for a victory without losing this time?"

"I was lucky enough to win until last year, but I really don't know about this year."

She covers her mouth with her hand and laughs softly.

"Even if you don't know, the materials polished by your subordinates are of such high quality that even the Jefrin, or the royal family, would recognize them. Who could beat Miss Sierra?"

"Oh, then it would seem like I'm cheating. According to the rules, if I combine them, they are my entries, right?"

"......"

That's true.

That's Regina Sierra.

She reads the rules thoroughly and finds the parts she can play with within those rules, then exploits them.

'Only fight battles you can win' is the philosophy and aesthetics of a merchant.

The difference between the Sierra family and the Tristar family, leading noble merchant families, lies there.

The Tristars would challenge and experience failure, while the Sierras wouldn't challenge at all.

'That's why I don't like it. It lacks romance.'

A person standing at the top should show boldness and challenge to inspire dreams in others.

"Yes. It will be a solo performance again this year."

"Hehe. That's flattering. But who knows, someone might come along to make my heart race?"

"Is that so."

"Yes. It would be nice if there were such a person. Hehe."

Hmph.

Look. After Regina Sierra's participation was confirmed, the number of students registering for Magic Craft dropped sharply.

She'll probably win again this year.

It's a boring conclusion.

"I'm here to register."

"Yes, yes!"

Immediately after, a single