Chapter 81

<080. Qualifications of a Celebrity>

After a peculiar conversation, Ayla returned home, both delighted and occasionally angry, holding the brooch.

In any case, she left with it in good hands. Even as she said, “These magic options on three items... they could easily spark a war,” she still smiled and attached it to her chest.

After Ayla left, I turned on the party system again.

【What would you like to check?】

【You have selected the party bonus.】

【Would you like to receive the party bonus?】

This is the bonus given when you first form a party in Act 2.

It’s a reward that reminds you, “Remember, from now on, the party system will be active, and you need to strengthen the entire party, not just Kelthers!”

The bonus itself can only be received once, but as the party level increases, you can choose other options.

Additionally, as the party proficiency increases based on the party’s characteristics, you can also receive new traits or skills. In other words, to clear D/Z SAGA, it’s important to master the party system and effectively use party skills.

In Act 2, the bonuses I usually set are “Additional stat boosts based on party tier” or “Bonus skill: Shield of the Body!”

The former was to inflate the stats of Eve von Loen格林 and Isolde, commonly known as stat boosting. The latter was to tank by wrapping myself in immune items and throwing them, essentially to play as Kelten Tank.

However, I can’t use either of them now. I can’t boost stats, and if I try to tank, I’ll be killed by slimes in two seconds.

So, it’s wise to focus on crafting, creation, or buffs.

For Ayla’s enhancement and for Wolfram von Loen格林 himself.

So, the skill I chose is:

【I’m the Chef Today】

This is quite useful.

It’s good and usable.

【You have selected the party skill I’m the Chef Today.】

【Would you like to learn it?】

【Yes/No.】

“Hmm. Hmm. Chuck. Hoo...!”

【You have learned the party skill I’m the Chef Today.】

【You have learned the party skill Eye for Ingredients (Lowest Rank).】

【You have learned the party bonus Increased Cooking Success Rate Based on Party Talent.】

Right.

This can be canceled.

If you can use it, use it, and if you can get it, get it.

Why wouldn’t I use it?

Anyway,

Thank you for the three.

***

During the midterm exams.

After securing the top position in the grade in one subject, the treatment of Wolfram von Loen格林’s grades became quite lenient.

It’s similar to how professors don’t interfere when Nefte, who secured the top position, goes around looking for jobs.

There are some who look at him like trash, but such gazes are inevitable. When you stand out in a group, you’re bound to get noticed. Perhaps because D/Z SAGA is a Korean game, such dynamics are embedded in the world.

So, why am I saying this? It means that even if Wolfram von Loen格林 receives glances from others, he can generally skip classes without much impact on his credits.

In the magic department or the knight department, students attend classes diligently to build connections and catch the eye of other nobles, but Wolfram doesn’t need to do that, which is a significant advantage.

So, I used the remaining time to pick up a thin frying pan to utilize the newly acquired skill.

I should have used a heavy wok, but if I did, Wolfram might die from the weight.

Anyway,

‘I’m the Chef Today, activated.’

Instantly, my head buzzed. This skill, which consumes 2 mana at once, always comes with dizziness. Immediately after, recipes start to input into my mind. Shall I start cooking?

It’s a more challenging dish than I thought, but I’m confident I can do it.

It looks like it will be quite interesting.

Bread. Lettuce. Pickles. Onion. Breaded fish. Sauce made from beans.

Just as I reached out to the ingredients, the convenience store door swung open.

“S-Senpai, please help!”

“...I, I also need help.”

“A, hello. Senpai... Can I get some help?”

“...”

The freshmen who had just finished their classes rushed into the convenience store.

Tsk.

Can’t be helped.

“Sit down first. If you have any worries, I’ll listen.”

It’s a bit disappointing to use 2 mana, but listening to juniors’ concerns is also a virtue of a senior.

Vanilla and Yogurt looked at the frying pan in my hand with wide eyes.

“Senpai, were you cooking? If you finish cooking, you can help us!”

“...I agree. We trust Senpai’s cooking.”

These guys, when I offer to help, they...

No, they’re already looking at it like they’re going to eat it?

“A, ahaha. Sorry, Senpai. ...But, you can help us after you finish cooking.”

...?

Milky, you too?

***

The dish I made was simple yet required meticulous work.

First, I made bread with Magical Sweets, cut off the corners, and carefully removed the bones from the fish, coated it in egg and breadcrumbs, and fried it.

Meanwhile, I soaked the onions in cold water to reduce their spiciness.

After that, I spread mayonnaise on the bread, added onions and lettuce, and topped it with tartar sauce made from beans and the fish cutlet. In my words, a fish cutlet sandwich, sprinkled with mustard, and covered with another slice of bread to finish.

【Fish Cutlet Sandwich Complete!】

【8T】

【This is a Fish Cutlet Sandwich. It has been enhanced by the I’m the Chef Today skill. It has a +11 proficiency bonus. When consumed by party members, it slightly increases water resistance and refreshment.】

Hmm. It turned out well.

This is the party skill I’m the Chef Today.

When activated, it allows you to enchant food.

Originally, you would need to level up to “Magical Chef,” which is compatible with “Magical Pastry Chef,” but the cooking function in the party is so useful that it was added as a special feature.

Anyway, as I nodded in approval of my own creation, the juniors started to buzz beside me.

“Wow...”

“Wow...”

The green and yellow chicks drooled as they watched my work.

“Hey, hey, Senpai looks tired. Right?”

Even though Pink Chick says that, she can’t take her eyes off the sandwich I made.

Hmm. The best thing to say in this situation is...

“...Do you want to eat it?”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

“...Yes.”

***

“Wow, this isn’t meat, but it’s really delicious! ...I, I could live on this alone!”

“...Yeah. This isn’t meat, so it suits the taste of forest-born elves. I agree. I could live on this alone.”

The green and yellow chicks started to cry as they ate the sandwich.

But it’s not meat, so it suits their taste?

Are elves vegetarians? This small detail piqued my interest as it wasn’t in the setting book.

“Yogurt, do forest-born elves only eat vegetables?”

“No? We just have a hard time digesting meat. It’s like our bodies don’t accept it. That’s why we settled in the forest, where it’s easier to get beans and tree fruits...”

It’s a genetic factor.

And settling in the forest was a choice for survival...

“Ah. I’ve heard that some city-born elves eat meat without hesitation.”

“I see.”

Regina Sierra is always invited to social gatherings and orders separate menus because her intestines are strong enough to eat meat. Another small mystery solved.

“Thank you for the answer. Have another one.”

“Wow! I didn’t even answer! I’ll enjoy it!”

“I’ll enjoy it. Vanilla, give me half of yours.”

As the two chicks eagerly ate, Milky slowly ate one and had a serious expression.

“Is, is it really this good? Can, can I cook as well as Senpai? No, I know. It’s a tough path. Let’s try our best. We agreed to catch up. Let’s try our best.”

What’s he talking about?

Anyway, after finishing the meal, we finally got to the main topic.

“So, what do you need help with?”

At my words, Vanilla seemed to remember something and quickly spoke.

“Ah, well, it’s like this. It’s a big deal. No, it’s really a big deal?”

“...Vanilla, be quiet. You’re making the listener uncomfortable.”

“What! That’s too harsh! It’s really a big deal, Senpai! And, Milky, don’t you think I can explain?”

“...”

“Why are you looking away! Don’t meet my gaze! That lukewarm, warm look! It’s like the village elders saying, ‘Our Vanilla can do anything.’ Don’t look at me like that!”

“...Tsk. Personal Silence.”

“Mmm!”

Yogurt snapped her fingers, silencing Vanilla’s mouth. Ignoring the dwarf with a forced silence, the elf chick adjusted her glasses and spoke seriously.

“A big incident happened in the first-year general department.”

“Big incident? What happened? Explain.”

“Yes. It happened the day before yesterday. The weather is warm, so many people eat lunch at the school cafeteria and take n