Chapter 89

<088. Hyeja Reaction>

Rudika smiled.

"Rudika was feeling stifled because her perspective was narrow. The world is vast. People are, and this sea is vast too."

"Jefrin is vast. It's only painful to send someone with a narrow perspective."

I don't really understand why she's feeling so distressed.

That was a characteristic of the character Rudika Hotsan Shadow.

She can be a companion.

But even when Kelters enrolled, Rudika was already a third-year student.

After the fourth year, no matter which path she takes, she will graduate.

She's an assassin who can be ruthless if Kelters takes the wrong path early on.

And with her overwhelming stats, she can carry the game during the first and second years.

As I mentioned before, Rudika can even take down the mighty Yeb von Loen格林 with a single strike in a surprise attack. Of course, if given even a day to prepare for a surprise attack, Rudika would be the one to suffer.

Anyway, I could shout, "This is true love!" but she will definitely disappear by the third year.

There were quite a few people who said, "Professor, thank you for the bus ride!" I also took the bus a lot in the early stages.

But even if I pour all my efforts into Rudika, she will graduate and leave. The professor's absence will be too great.

For that reason, there were also many who revered Rudika, but officially, it was never revealed how Rudika Hotsan Shadow lived her life or what kind of person she was.

Even in the setting book, it only says, "An assassin from the Southern Hotsan Shadow family."

So I don't understand why she's feeling so distressed.

I also don't know what kind of life she will lead after graduation next year.

What I can say for sure is that for the next two years, she will be here in Jefrin.

"Let's make the next two years a time without regrets."

"···Yeah. We should."

Rudika and I watched the sea for a moment.

"·····Thank you, Wolfram."

"For what? It's good to offer advice to regular customers when they're having a hard time."

"Ahaha···."

After that, we didn't speak any further.

I clenched my fist and shivered slightly.

This is really like a青春 drama. No kidding.

I've lived a life far removed from青春, so I've always admired such things.

"Hyaaaaaahooooo!!"

There was a human dolphin swimming in the distance, making a 'Uaaaaah!' sound, but we didn't look in that direction. We didn't want to shatter the warm, slightly sentimental atmosphere of adolescence.

That Nefte, really.

Or is that also a part of青春?

***

Two hours later, when the sun was at its peak, Nefte walked out of the sea.

The kid, literally drenched in seawater, smiled broadly, his clothes sticking to him without any discomfort.

"I really enjoyed swimming!"

"Didn't you encounter any sea monsters?"

"I did, but I defeated them all!"

I see, all of them.

"Hmm. That's good. Well done."

"Yes!"

Then I noticed the bodies of Swordfish and Purple Octopuses behind Nefte.

"Indeed, a good battle swim!"

"Hmm."

Is that what battle swimming is?

"It's warm and nice!"

As Nefte dried his clothes by the bonfire, I finally thought of something to say.

"Nefte, do you have any spare school uniforms?"

"Yes, I have one set."

"Drying wet clothes by the bonfire can damage the fabric. Make sure to wash them as soon as you get back."

"Yes! Senior! But for now, I want to enjoy this warmth! It would be a shame to miss the moment just because of the clothes! Enjoying the sea, fighting sea creatures, and drying off—this is the most fun I've had!"

He said this while humming a little tune in front of the bonfire Patrash had lit.

He must be having a great time.

And the mindset of not letting worries about the future ruin the present is truly Nefte.

"So, are you going to apply for the special classes today?"

"Hmm. I plan to do something a bit different today."

"What is it?"

"This is where we gathered the ingredients and caught the beasts, and where Nefte defeated the sea creatures. There are also seasonings scattered on the ground."

"Ah, so we're eating here?"

"Hmm."

"It's a good idea. The scenery is beautiful, and the breeze is nice, making it perfect for a meal."

Rudika nodded as she said this.

Her reaction was more ordinary than I expected. But what if she says something different?

"And among the ingredients we obtained, there are some that are truly to Rudika's and my taste."

"What? You mean···."

"They can't compare to the Red Algae from the Sleeping Mountain Range."

"······."

"These Crazy Hot Chili Peppers, which are five times spicier."

I smiled, and Rudika responded with a smile, taking my hand.

"···Please leave me out. I don't have the confidence to put such madness on top."

Nefte, who was drying his clothes, looked at us in shock.

He doesn't understand the taste.

***

The sauce made from the Crazy Hot Chili Peppers from the Heavenly Plateau received high praise from Rudika.

"It's spicy! Really spicy! Rudika likes it!"

"Hmm."

By my standards, it's slightly lacking, but Rudika seems satisfied with this.

It's not at the level of spicy chicken, but more like the well-spiced pork belly stir-fry from a good restaurant. Slightly disappointing.

Still, the meal proceeded quite enjoyably. The cooking method was simple: just wash the ingredients thoroughly, let a little salt soak in, and grill them as they are.

It was essentially a beachside barbecue, but meals with close friends are always enjoyable.

"By the way, Senior Rudika, can you really only feel spicy flavors?"

"Due to training, most of my senses other than pain are lost. To be precise, they are sealed."

"Sealed?"

"Hmm. All Shadows train to seal their senses one by one. It's not just me; Cecil and everyone else do it too. ···This is the secret technique of the Hotsan Shadow family. It's difficult to explain to others. Understand."

"Ah, I apologize. It was a purely out of curiosity. Please forget it."

"It's fine. Aren't Rudika and Nefte friends!"

"Ahaha, that's right!"

Oh, there's such a setting. I should note it down.

The concept is that the senses are sealed, not deleted?

Since Rudika's background is brief, it's fun to gradually uncover more about her.

Rudika stared at the seasoning for a moment and then nodded.

It seemed she had made a decision, as if shaking off something.

"Wolfram, can you pack a little of this spicy sauce for me? A bit more, if possible?"

"That's an easy request."

"Thank you."

After finishing the meal, we returned as if nothing had happened.

We encountered a few monsters on the way back, but nothing serious.

However, Nefte said something peculiar.

"Senior, I've decided."

"Decided what?"

"About the Royal Guard."

"Ah, that."

"Yes. To be honest, I'm not sure if I want to be a Royal Guard or become the chief of the Gluco village security force. But···."

"But?"

"I heard that if you aim for the Royal Guard, the Knight Department will offer special classes. They also teach etiquette suitable for the royal guard."

"Ah, yes. I remember there were such classes. There was also a scholarship."

"Yes! ···The scholarship isn't the most important thing, but it is important. Anyway."

It was a required course in the Yeb route. Still, it helped improve one's credentials, so it didn't feel like a loss.

"To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm a good fit for the Royal Guard, but after seeing the sea and swimming today, and experiencing many new things, I realized something."

"Realized what?"

"There's no need to hesitate to learn something new. I don't want to miss the opportunity to explore a new world."

"I see."

"And if I really want to walk the path of the Royal Guard, then, Senior, at that time···."

Nefte hesitated and looked at me.

If he wants to walk the path of the Royal Guard? Hmm?

Ah, I see.

"The recommendation is still open. And you are still the top candidate."

"·····Ah. I'm still the top candidate···. Hehe."

"But I have no intention of recommending someone who isn't up to the task."

"Yes! I will work hard to learn!"

Working hard to learn.

It's a strange but truly Nefte-like statement.

"Then I'll go register for the classes! Oh, before that, I'll wash my school uniform!"

Nefte said this and immediately ran towards the academy side as soon as we left the portal.

His face seemed oddly flushed.

"Nefte is amazing. That spirit of challenge and improvement is perhaps the most shining quality of that child."

"Hmm."

The word choice is getting difficult again, Rudika.

"Rudika also needs to learn a bit more."

"Learn what?"

"I'm not sure. First, I'll ask my sister to have lunch with me tomorrow. She'll probably agree to that much."

Rudika said this with a determined look and left.

I'm not sure, but it seems everyone's worries have been resolved.

Now, there won't be a gloomy atmosphere in the convenience store.

"Let's go back. Patrash."

***

We returned to the convenience store.

The next day, as expected, I had muscle soreness.

Ah, really.

A bit.

***

The next day, my body condition was better than expected.

So I decided to start working right away.

I took out the fruits and ingredients like flour, butter, and milk from the refrigerator, and also got out the measuring tools.

The ingredients from the Heavenly Plateau are extremely fresh.

They are not store-bought ingredients but farming-type ingredients, and the fact that this map was not designed for early-game exploration also contributes to their quality.

This is a route where Emilie Hymelody flies into space, but even so, it's one of the regular routes, and the special map it opens isn't necessarily for the very early game.

Of course, the place we farmed has the disadvantage of being on the outskirts of the Heavenly Plateau.

Still, the ingredients can be considered on par with those from the mid-fourth act.

If we go to the central part of the island, the ingredients will be almost at the level of the ninth act. I must farm there eventually.

Anyway, with these ingredients, I activated the Magical Pastry Chef.

"Wow. Are you making pastries, Senior?"

"Oh, Wolfram. Are you making pastries after so long?"

At that moment, Milteau, who was consulting with Ayla about how to change her title from "Tekken" to something like "Magical Puncher," returned.

Naturally, Ayla was with her.

"Hmm. I thought I'd level up my skills a bit."

I said this while washing the fruits and making the dough, reflecting on what was needed for the mastery of Magical Pastry Chef.

In short:

[Make more pastries]

[Make higher-quality pastries]

[Make more magical pastries]

[Make higher-quality magical pastries]

The higher you go, the faster your proficiency increases, and high-quality magical pastries require good ingredients.

So I decided to aim for the top today.

It's not enough to make easy pastries with good ingredients; I need to make something truly challenging.

Let's see. How about adding strawberry chips on top of a shortcake? What should I use for decoration?

【Activating Magical Pastry Chef.】

【MI X WEET!】

【Sunlight Great Success!】

【The blessing of the goddess of pastries rests upon this!】

【Two powerful protective spells are bestowed upon the pastries!】

When I activated Mix Wit by combining pastries, a different phrase appeared.

Normally, it would be "Dreamlight Great Success," but it was "Sunlight" this time.

And "Sunlight" is not part of the Magical Pastry Chef's dialogue.

In other words.

It's finally here.

【Your skill has leveled up due to mastery!】

【8T Magical Pastry Chef evolves to 7T Shining Pastry Chef!】

【Up to 6-tier buffs can be bestowed upon sweets!】

The Magical Pastry Chef has finally evolved to the 7T Shining Pastry Chef, surpassing the limits of proficiency.

I trembled with a light sense of omnipotence.

There's a feeling of development and progress, filling my chest.

"Would you like to try it?"

At my suggestion, the two of them simply nodded quietly.

I cut a piece of the shortcake, the first completed work of the Shining Pastry Chef, and handed it to them. They took the forks and cut small pieces of the cake, putting them in their mouths simultaneously.

"This, this flavor! The light cream wraps around the soft sponge, and the not-too-sweet cream brings out the strawberry flavor on top!"

"It's not a flavor I can describe well, but it's warm. Simple yet deep, and affectionate. It's a flavor that fills my heart."

"Truly a rebellious flavor!"

"A flavor that makes me want to be with you."

What is this?

Why are they reacting like judges in a cooking show?

Reaction?

Ah, I see.

"I remember there was such a setting."

From the Shining Pastry Chef onwards, tasting the pastries triggers reactions.

This is a feature that exists in the official game.

"I see. This is Wolfram's sincere effort. Truly excellent. This sweet. It can certainly achieve a rebellion."

"I may not have tasted the most of Senior's sweets, but the most I've tasted are Senior's. So I can say with certainty. ···Senior has spread her wings and flown further than I knew."

So,

Does this mean I will always receive such praise when I make desserts in the future?

"······I just worked hard."

Why do I have to experience such embarrassment?

I glanced at the shortcake, the result of my efforts.

It felt like the shortcake, infused with sunlight, was smiling brightly at me.