Chapter 51

Good children, don't try to imitate the method, okay?☆

※You can't.

"Mr. Al, can I borrow the alchemy cauldron again today?"

"Yeah, I'm not using it, so go ahead."

"Thank you. I'll borrow it then."

"……Can you even carry it?"

"I can, of course~"

Yuri smiled at Al's skeptical face and hugged the alchemy cauldron with both hands. Due to its size, he had to carry it with both hands and hold it close to his chest to move it. It wasn't particularly heavy, but its size was considerable, and given Yuri's small stature, it looked very precarious. However, since Yuri said he could carry it, Al thought it wouldn't be good to interfere too much and just watched the small back as it left.

However, when the apprentices saw Yuri walking down the corridor, carrying the alchemy cauldron and moving more slowly than usual, they couldn't just let it be. The women who offered to help were told, "I'm a guy, so I'm fine," with a smile, and even though they knew they were stronger, they couldn't force him. Similarly, the apprentices Mag, Camille, and Yak were refused help on the grounds that their body types were almost the same as Yuri's.

In this situation, the three apprentices decided to bring along Ulgs, who was seriously cleaning the entrance. Ulgs, brought along without understanding the situation, saw Yuri wobbling while carrying the alchemy cauldron and immediately took it from him without a word.

"Hey, Ulgs, what are you doing? I borrowed it from Mr. Al."

"I'm not taking it. Where are you taking it?"

"Huh?"

"It looks dangerous. Where are you taking it?"

"To the dining room."

"Got it."

Ulgs, who had the skill of strong arms, grabbed the alchemy cauldron that Yuri had been carrying with both hands and hoisted it onto his shoulder. He didn't feel particularly heavy. This was probably due to the skill effect and the regular training he did. ...As everyone can imagine, Yuri, who only did housework, was not physically trained at all.

Thus, Ulgs, carrying the alchemy cauldron, and Yuri walking beside him, headed to the dining room. The three apprentices, curious about what Yuri was going to do, followed them. Ulgs, following Yuri's instructions, carried the alchemy cauldron effortlessly and placed it on the dining table. After confirming this, Yuri ran to the refrigerator.

Yuri, heading to the refrigerator, threw the desired ingredients into a large bowl and returned to the group. Everyone tilted their heads at the materials Yuri brought back with a smile.

The bowl contained eggs, cucumbers, onions, various herbs, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, and sugar. The only one who asked out loud what Yuri was planning to do was Ulgs. Being close in age, Ulgs was relatively unreserved with Yuri. Also, although he denied it, he had a tendency to point out things, often seen criticizing Mag's actions.

"Just a test."

"A test?"

"I thought I'd try to see what I can make with the alchemy cauldron."

Yuri smiled, but everyone looked skeptical. They felt like asking, "What are you planning to do?" However, no one else except Yuri understood the structure of the alchemy cauldron. It was natural, as none of them had the alchemy skill.

Thus, with a slight unease, Yuri opened the lid of the alchemy cauldron and started throwing in the ingredients. He gently placed the eggs, fixed the cucumbers and onions around them to prevent the eggs from rolling, and scattered fresh herbs on top. He then sprinkled oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar in order. ...It was already a mystery what he was trying to do.

"Power on."

"..."

Yuri looked incredibly excited. He pressed the activation button of the alchemy cauldron with excitement. The alchemy cauldron started with a small clattering sound, and the apprentices watched with a mix of anticipation and fear as the red light of the activation lamp glowed. It was common for Yuri to do unexpected things, and they knew he had a different ability, appraisal, and that he had alchemy skills. However, it felt like he was trying something different from what they knew about alchemists.

...Probably not wrong.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the alchemy cauldron eventually stopped moving and opened the lid slightly. Yuri's face lit up, and the apprentices watched him with a mix of curiosity and fear. ...They were too curious to run away and miss this.

"Wow, it's done!"

"What is that?!"

The four of them couldn't help but shout when they saw the object Yuri took out of the alchemy cauldron. Even Mag, who rarely spoke, let out a surprised voice. Yuri, looking puzzled, held up the object, a white substance in a plastic tube, and announced its name. To him, it was very familiar.

"What? It's tartar sauce."

"No way! What did you make in the alchemy cauldron?!"

"Besides, what is that container made of?!"

"Yuri, how did you make this with those ingredients?!"

"Could it be... mayonnaise?"

"Whaaat?!"

The last one to mutter was Mag. The three apprentices looked down at Mag in shock. Mag, staring at the tartar sauce in Yuri's hand, muttered "mayonnaise" again. Now that he mentioned it, the contents did look a lot like their favorite mayonnaise, even though the container was unfamiliar. However, Yuri had called it tartar sauce. Confused by the four pairs of eyes, Yuri tilted his head and then smiled, explaining.

"Tartar sauce is a condiment made by adding pickled cucumbers, onions, and herbs to mayonnaise."

"Was it mayonnaise?!"

"Mag, you're scary!"

"Mag, you've become too sharp about food lately!"

"…Aim for a chef."

"Really?!"

"Joke."

"…Not funny!"

When such a statement came from Mag, who had recently developed a taste for umami and broth, it was believable. Also, since Mag rarely joked, everyone almost believed it for a moment. However, when he immediately denied it with his usual serious face, Ulgs poked Mag's head, Camille slapped his back, and Yak pulled his cheek in protest. Mag obediently let them do as they pleased. They were good friends.

While watching the apprentices, Yuri reached into the alchemy cauldron again. This time, he took out two more tubes of tartar sauce, the same size as the one he had just held. The apprentices didn't comment on the repetition. They hadn't seen it happen. ...And there was still more inside.

Thus, Yuri lined up a total of five tubes of tartar sauce on the dining table. He then wrote down in his notebook how much of each ingredient was used to make five tubes of tartar sauce. In a way, it was a recipe, and those who used the alchemy cauldron often experimented like this. ...Usually, they would alchemize healing potions or rare metals.

"Let's use this tartar sauce for fried fish today."

"Got it!"

The apprentices responded obediently.

20% of them thought it was pointless to criticize everything Yuri did. 80% were curious about what fried fish with a mayonnaise-based sauce would taste like, and their thoughts were dominated by the idea of having a meal. ...They were steadily being won over by their stomachs. Incidentally, all the trainees, instructors, and even the graduates who occasionally visited were also won over by Yuri's cooking. The world was coming to an end.

However, the story doesn't end there.

Curious about what Yuri had made with the alchemy cauldron, or simply thirsty and coming for water, Al eventually made his way to the dining room. By then, the mysterious tartar sauce in the mysterious container had been tasted with vegetable sticks, and the four apprentices were enjoying the vegetables. The taste was a notch above regular mayonnaise, which was tartar sauce.

Al didn't pay much attention to what they were eating, thinking Yuri had just given something to the underfed children. However, his eyes sharpened when he saw Mag drizzling tartar sauce on a carrot. The container was unfamiliar, and something white came out with a squish.

"Yuri! What have you done this time?!"

Al's angry voice echoed. The apprentices, startled, quickly secured their plates, which contained the tartar sauce and vegetable sticks. They slowly retreated to avoid the aftermath of Al's anger. Mag, while Al's attention was on Yuri, quietly returned the tartar sauce container to the table. The four of them moved to a corner of the dining room, listening while enjoying the vegetable sticks. ...They were ready to abandon Yuri.

"What? I just made tartar sauce..."

"…What is this 'tartar sauce'?"

"It's a mayonnaise-based condiment."

"Did you... make this in the alchemy cauldron?!"

"It hurts, it hurts! Mr. Al, it hurts!"

"Shut up! I'm hurting you, you idiot!"

While being squeezed by Al's Iron Claw, Yuri desperately shouted. Al was holding back, as he didn't want to seriously injure Yuri, who didn't undergo combat training. However, he was genuinely angry at Yuri for his thoughtless and carefree actions. Being a parent is tough.

Al realized the tartar sauce was made in the alchemy cauldron because of the unfamiliar container. If it had been in a familiar bottle, Al might not have thought it was made in the alchemy cauldron. ...However, if asked, Yuri would honestly say he made tartar sauce, so he would still get scolded.

"So, why did you make this?"

"Making tartar sauce is a lot of work."

"And?"

"It's hard to prepare enough for everyone, so I thought it would be convenient to make it in the alchemy cauldron."

"Why does your mind always go in such trivial directions?!"

"It hurts, Mr. Al, it really hurts!"

Another Iron Claw. Yuri, being nagged by Al while struggling, couldn't budge even when he wriggled or grabbed Al's hand. He kept saying it hurt, but he wouldn't be released until Al's anger subsided. ...However, Al was holding back enough for Yuri to still be able to speak.

In any case, the alchemy cauldron-made tartar sauce and fried fish were indeed delicious and satisfied everyone's stomachs.

Well, this is probably the development most readers expected, isn't it?

Of course, if you have such a convenient item, you'd use it for cooking.

Incidentally, Yuri, who has no ill intentions, is the type who makes things worse. ←

I look forward to your comments and feedback.