Chapter 75

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Good morning.

Today's weather is sunny.

After doing the usual warm-up exercises and vocal practice, I changed clothes and headed to the cafeteria.

I greeted Yegram, Diggley, and Su, and had breakfast.

"Ugh, the meat smells so rancid!"

At Diggley's shout, I quickly put up a soundproof barrier.

"Until yesterday morning, you were enjoying this, right?"

Yegram poked at the bacon he had only taken a bite of, his voice filled with sorrow.

"Once you've experienced luxury, you can never go back, they say."

Su said solemnly.

Arslhein and Shell ate silently, but their brows were furrowed.

"Yeah, that's how the fallen nobles pile up debt, you know."

While changing the subject, Diggley quickly finished his breakfast and headed to the classroom.

Before we knew it, the end of the first term was approaching after this week and the one-month break.

In other words, there were only five days left of attending the academy.

The practice-intensive routine was coming to an end, and from now on, the classes would focus more on lectures.

After a particularly uninteresting class ended, we walked to the cafeteria for lunch, and

"I think this is the first time I've felt so depressed about a meal."

"I understand. The thought of eating that hard and smelly meat again in the morning makes me feel..."

While complaining, Yegram even covered his mouth.

Seeing this, the young ladies let out screams.

But halfway down the corridor to the cafeteria, Shell stood with a big smile.

"What's up, did something happen?"

"Yes, regarding today's lunch, I've secured one of the cooking rooms."

At Shell's cheerful announcement, everyone tilted their heads in confusion.

"Yesterday, I rushed and asked the cafeteria cook to prepare the meal, but this morning, he kept asking about the source of the meat. I lied and said it came from the castle, but he was about to inquire further. So, I consulted the castle's head chef, who agreed to come to the academy urgently. In exchange, I promised to treat him with the meat. So, please follow me."

Led by Shell, we arrived at the cooking room.

It was a not-so-large room with an open kitchen.

Soon, Su joined us.

"Wow, there's a room like this?"

As Diggley muttered upon entering the room,

"This room is designed for those who don't like the cafeteria food or miss the taste of their hometown. They can cook themselves or call a chef to prepare the meal."

Shell explained.

The head chef from the castle was already waiting at the cooking station.

"Lord Keta, let's get the problematic meat out right away!"

I wondered what the problem was, but I handed it over for the delicious meal.

The head chef burned a piece of the meat to taste it, then opened his eyes wide and started cooking furiously.

We watched in amazement.

I made sure to secure my share, and we all said grace together!

"Ugh, this is so good! The meat is so tender, and the sauce the head chef made to go with it is amazing! This is the best thing I've ever eaten in my life!"

Diggley shouted, standing up, but everyone except me and Su nodded in agreement.

Yegram closed his eyes and chewed continuously, while Arslhein and Shell ate with blissful expressions, and the head chef was crying.

"Lord Keta, I've traveled the world to study cooking! But this is the first time I've tasted such tender and delicious meat! What's the difference between this meat and the one you taught me about before?"

The muscular chef asked, clinging to me with tears in his eyes.

He's scary!

"chi-nu-ki-shu-ryu-ji-kan? (Blood-letting time?)"

"Blood-letting time?"

"Head Chef, this meat was bled immediately after Lord Keta hunted it. That's why there's no blood smell, right?"

"Amazing! So, just by doing that, the meat's smell can change so much?"

"chi-ni-o-i-gai-ga-ni-kyu-ni-chu-ryu-ka-rya-ne! (The blood smell transfers to the meat!)"

Actually, it's because of the bacteria that grow in the blood, but since they don't know about bacteria, I'll just say it this way.

"The blood smell transfers to the meat. I see, so it's important to bleed the meat before the smell transfers!"

"But in the current situation, it's quite difficult to bleed the meat immediately after hunting, isn't it?"

Shell brought up the problem from last night's dinner to the head chef.

Even the experienced head chef looked troubled.

"Yes, it's difficult to ask hunters to bleed the meat on the spot just for the sake of the meat. I know a few people who would eagerly hunt for this meat, but it wouldn't be enough."

It seems the head chef has friends who would risk anything for delicious food.

"Let me consult with them. By the way, Lord Keta, is it okay to spread this cooking method?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Understood, then I'll do my best to help!"

With that, the head chef even made us boxed lunches for dinner before leaving.

It feels like we've gained a reliable ally!

The afternoon classes were boring.

The sword and magic tournaments are over, and the whole academy feels relaxed, but everyone in our class is taking the lessons seriously.

They're all very earnest.

I let the grown-up Sora sleep on the bed, but I can't join the students for class now!

After the afternoon classes ended and after school,

Diggley was fidgeting,

"What do we do next? We can't eat those boxed lunches in the cafeteria, can we?"

"I understand you're excited, but it's still too early, isn't it?"

Yegram scolded him.

"Well, I just want to enjoy it without being disturbed, you know?"

"True, that's a valid point."

"In that case, I'm sure Shell has arranged something."

"Ah, that's a relief!"

Diggley looked relieved.

Just then,

"Lord Diggley Raver, a letter has arrived from your brother."

A servant who oversees the academy's miscellaneous tasks brought a letter.

Usually, letters are delivered to the dorm rooms, but in urgent cases, the servant brings them directly.

After reading the letter, Diggley put his hand on his forehead and said, "Oh no," while Yegram asked,

"Is something wrong?"

"Ugh, not exactly wrong, but my brother read the letter I wrote yesterday, went to Gajil's place, and ate the meat. He's waiting for me to explain at a café in the academy town."

"Now?"

"Yes, now. He wanted to come during lunch break, but he held back."

"True, the greatest merchant in the country doesn't miss an opportunity."

"Exactly, and even if I set the price of that meat ten times higher, it would still sell. So, I'm off!"

"Ah, I'll go with you."

"Eh, is it okay? I'd be grateful, but is your time okay?"

"Yes, I don't have any particular plans."

"Thank you!"

The café we arrived at was a stylish place with private rooms, the kind favored by nobles.

In the private room we were led to, there was a man I hadn't seen before, but he clearly looked like Diggley's family. He had a gentle demeanor but exuded a strong business sense.

He was momentarily taken aback by Arslhein's appearance but quickly recovered with a friendly smile,

"Prince Arslhein, I'm honored that you've come at my request! Thank you so much!"

He bowed deeply.

"Ah, this isn't a formal occasion, so please be at ease. Besides, we're involved in this matter as well."

"Thank you. I've heard the gist of the story from Gajil, but I never imagined such a difference could be made by the way the meat is handled! I've traveled the world and seen many things, but this was a first for me!"

"Brother, brother, I understand you're excited, but how long are you going to keep the prince standing? Let's sit down and talk!"

"Oh! I apologize. Please, have a seat."

Finally, we sat down, placed our orders, and took a sip of tea.

"So, brother, how can we get that meat regularly?"

"Actually, there's something I need to confirm with Prince Arslhein. Is it okay?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Thank you. The question is, is it really okay to spread that method? If we keep it secret and serve it only at royal parties, it could become a topic of conversation and increase the royal family's popularity."

"Ah, there seems to be a misunderstanding. That method is Keta's idea. We can't take it just because he's royalty. If Keta says it's okay to spread it, we have no reason to stop him."

Arslhein explained politely, but Diggley's brother just stared at me in shock.

"......When Gajil explained it to me, I couldn't believe it......So, this Keta..."

"Keta's knowledge goes beyond that."

Diggley praised me, and I put on a proud face again. Yegram clapped for me.

After a moment, Diggley's brother seemed to grasp the situation,

"So, this child..."

He looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Keta isn't just a child; he's a mutant fairy, the same age as my father. It's hard to believe, isn't it, given how cute he is."

I'd appreciate it if you stopped poking my cheeks.

"Ah, I see. That's why you have knowledge beyond a human! I'm truly impressed!"

It's a bit different, but I'll take it. Arslhein is smiling wryly, but it's fine.

"So, Keta, is it really okay to spread it?"

"Sure, go ahead."

After a brief nod, he took out a thick document,

"Then, can we sign a contract?"

"Huh?"

"It's a contract for the new meat processing method and its sale. Of course, we'll pay you royalties based on the number of sales."

Apparently, this world has something like patents.

Now that I think about it, I remember hearing something similar from Director Tailsmya when I made the magic bag.

I don't know how much I have in my savings, but Shell occasionally tries to replenish it, even though it barely decreases!

I signed as Diggley's brother instructed.

Diggley was checking the contract next to me, but I trusted him, so I signed without thinking.

Yegram praised my neat handwriting.

With that, the timing was just right, so we went to the private room Shell had arranged, enjoyed the delicious boxed lunches together, and then went back to our rooms to sleep.

By the way, in your feedback, you mentioned the Evil Eye and suggested that if I can use smelly magic, I should be able to create good smells too.

Yes, that's possible, but it will come up a bit later in the story.

However, for someone like Keta, good smells would be the fresh scent of the mountains where he grew up or the smell of grilled chicken.

You can't expect floral scents.