「Master, master. Can we come with you to the capital todayssu?」
「I do not mind, but… do you have business there?」
「Yeah. Something like that.」
「I apologize, but may we rely on you?」
「That is fine, but… Wendy and Shiro as well?」
「Yes. Please take care of us.」
「Hmm.」
Are Aina and the other two going on a quest?
That was my first thought, but if Wendy and Shiro are joining them… maybe they were invited by someone?
It will increase my MP consumption, but it is not much trouble so I do not mind.
「You are not going, Mizera?」
「No. I have work to do. If milord is working, I cannot be the one resting, can I?」
「You are as serious as ever… You can rest whenever you want, you know?」
I mean, if it were me, even if Reinrich was working, I would rest whenever I felt like it.
Being able to rest when you want is a wonderful thing!
「Requests from the Adventurer Guild are increasing. I have to work hard or I will not keep up. Ah, but do not tell me to reduce the amount, all right? Being relied on by everyone makes me very happy.」
「…Yes, yes. Understood.」
So she read my mind.
I was just about to tell her not to take on so much work that she cannot rest, but of course she anticipated that.
「Well then, I should get going.」
「Yes. Take care.」
After arriving in the capital together, we split up on the spot, and I headed toward the academy.
※
Perfume making was going smoothly.
Once the plan was set, they held many discussions and created several varieties that would become the base perfumes. Everyone poured plenty of time into trial and error as they worked to make something better.
「Uu… The scent of the perfume itself does not need to be strong, but that is exactly why the impression changes depending on a person’s natural smell…」
「We want a sense of unityyy… but everyone has different scents and different soap fragrances, so it is difficulttt…」
「I wanted Yuu-kun from the Knight Department to relax too, so I had him test it. After training, when the scent mixed with the smell of sweat, it became something impossible to describe…」
It seemed they had hit a wall, but things were still progressing well.
The issue was simple.
Since everyone has their own natural scent, the perfume would not always produce the intended effect.
With soap, if they based it on the common scent used by most people, the problem would be smaller.
They could even make their own soap to match the perfume.
That might be good. They would probably need permission from Riito-san though…..
Or maybe they could form a partnership.
Now then.
The problems were sweat, body odor, and as people age, the unpleasant odor that comes with it.
Perfume could use a strong scent to drown out foul smells, but the students were trying to create something that was not too strong and easy to accept.
But that much was expected. This was where the teacher would step in.
「Then use this water」
「Water?」
「Yeah. I think this will solve it」
「Is it special water?」
「Exactly. Look inside. There is a stone, right? This is water soaked with a Holy Stone」
The Holy Stone had purifying properties.
It was not as strong as Holy Water, but water infused with a Holy Stone still carried a purifying effect.
It could eliminate poison and foul smells.
But if the concentration was too strong it would erase the perfume’s scent as well, so adjustment was necessary.
「A Holy Stone is not allowed to be handled without special permissionn…」
「Hm? I already got permission from the Church’s saintess so it is fine」
The fully automatic cleansing bath I made for Meira last time counted as personal use, so I could not get official permission for that and had to accept the materials as things she personally gave me.
But this time I explained the situation to Teresa and received approval.
However, in exchange for permission, the Church wanted me to create one variety for them as well.
It seemed they wanted a perfume with a refreshing and clear scent.
The official reason was to use it for ceremonies.
But they had received complaints from soldiers saying the smell became unbearable during the Order’s zombie and skeleton extermination missions.
Since it would benefit the Church, the request also became a reason for them to part with the Holy Stone.
At the same time, it meant I could receive work from the Church in the future.
It was truly a proposal that struck two birds with one stone, so I agreed without hesitation.
「T to think you even have connections with Saintess-sama… sensei, what are you really…」
「I keep telling you I am just a humble alchemist」
「There is no way that is true… muu… I feel like you are hiding somethingg…」
I am not hiding anything.
…Ah… maybe just one thing.
The fact that I have a good relationship with the Earth Dragon, but that has nothing to do with being impressive or important. I cannot exactly explain that either.
――Riinggg.
「Oh, the bell rang. That means the morning class is over. It is lunchtime. Stop working and take a proper break and eat. Understand?」
「「「「Yes!」」」」
Alright, time for my meal too.
What should I do today… maybe I will just eat something I stored in my magic space here in the classroom.
「「Sensei」i!」
「Gah!」
A side attack landed and a shock ran through my ribs.
Four arms immediately wrapped around me and held me tightly.
It was a charging technique that paired perfectly with Origol’s front head attack, and I still had no way to defend against it.
「We were thinking of taking sensei to the dining halll」
「…The dining hall?」
The dining hall… I was curious about the school cafeteria in another world.
I was curious, but…
「Iris-sama said we will see something interesting today, so let’s gooo」
Yeah. That is exactly why I am scared to go.
Iris said it would be interesting. What kind of outrageous thing is waiting there…
「Come on come on. It is an invitation from your cute students, so accepting it is what a teacher should dooo」
「We are all going to eat togetherr」
「Hey, do not push. And stop clinging. Hm? All of you are going? Is there even a table for ten people? Hey, you over there, do not start creeping closer too. Fine, I will go. I will go so stop surrounding me. If someone trips it will be dangerous」
When we left the classroom, the other departments were also heading out for lunch, so there were many students in the hallway.
Those students turned to look at us, wondering what was going on.
When they saw me sticking out a head taller than everyone else, their attention focused on me.
Then they noticed that the students around me were all beautiful noble girls, and their expressions turned into something impossible to describe.
…No, I understand their feelings all too well, but I want them to look at my face too.
How does it look? My face is probably troubled…
If I were handsome, it might look like I was thinking something like I am troubled because I am too popular, but when I do it, it can only look like I am genuinely troubled.
So please do not mutter curses at me…
「Aaah…」
「Sensei, I do not think it is good to look so unexcited when you are surrounded by such beautiful girlss」
「I am tired… Even if they are beautiful girls, walking while two cling to me and someone keeps pushing my back is exhausting…」
My status is still too low.
If I were some cheat-powered warrior who could sweep everything aside, even if two girls clung to me and the rest formed a ring around me, I might be able to say something like 『HAHAHAー! How much meat shall I devour for lunch, ahahn? 』 with confidence.
Unfortunately, I am still weak.
I am the kind of guy who throws a jab at an adventurer only to make him apologize to me.
「Oh, so you are saying we are heavyy? You must not say that to girlss」
「Come on come on, everyone will bring sensei’s food, so sit down and wait quietlyyy!」
「Yeah yeah. Thanks」
I worried about finding a seat for all ten of us, but the dining hall was very spacious.
The tables were divided by department and there were long benches, so it seemed we would not have trouble finding seats.
However, as expected, the place was crowded and the serving area was as busy as if there were a huge sale… in one particular spot for some reason.
「What is that? Is there a popular menu item?」
「Hmm? The menu is fixed for each day, so the serving spot should not make a differencee?」
「Hmm. Then maybe an especially cute girl is serving there?」
A closer look showed nearly all of them were men.
My guess was probably correct.
The dining hall’s madonna, so to speak.
「Ahh, did sensei want to go get food there toooo?」
「I do not have the energy… I will pick the place where I can get my food the fastest」
「Here, this is yours, sensei」
「Ah. My bad, thanks」
「Not at all. But that line really is incredible. Well, if someone that pretty is serving, I suppose it cannot be helped…?」
「Ohh, so she really is beautiful」
I want to see… I do, but I can check later.
It is crowded and I am hungry.
For now, food comes first.
The menu was soup and bread.
There was also a meat dish, salad and a bit of fruit…
Simple, but it seemed designed so young students could feel satisfied, and bread refills were free.
The meat dish looked like a stew.
The pieces were not too big or too small, and they were clearly simmered for a long time.
The flavor had soaked in deeply and the texture looked tender even before touching it.
Anyone could tell a great deal of time had been spent preparing it.
「There is never a bad meat dish heree! The melting texture is irresistiblee!」
「Yeah. It looks amazing. Alright, let’s dig in」
I whispered my thanks in my heart and scooped up a piece of meat so soft the spoon cut through it, taking it together with the soup.
The rich soup was filled with the flavor of vegetables and meat like a thick stew, and the tender meat fell apart gently, melting in my mouth.
Bay leaves had been simmered with it so there was no odor at all.
It was the perfect dish to go with bread… but…
「Hmmmm! Today’s is especially deliciouss!」
「It might be the best one everr! Hm? Sensei, what is wronggg?」
「Did it not suit your tastee?」
「No, it is incredibly good. It is just… the seasoning tastes familiar somehow…」
It felt like something I ate all the time.
As if whoever made it knew my preferences very well…
I enjoyed eating out too, but this was not the kind of flavor from a restaurant.
It tasted more like the food Wendy or Mizera made at home… ah.
「Ufufufu. As expected of Master」
「…Why are you here, Wendy」
Standing in front of me with a smile was Wendy, dressed in a server’s uniform.
It was different from the maid outfit she wore in front of Sicilia-sama.
This time the hem was long, the navy outfit paired with a white apron, and it suited her very well.
Maybe because she had been in the kitchen earlier, her hair was tied up, which was GOOD.
She looked like a graceful and capable waitress.
But even without looking closely, Wendy was beautiful and generously endowed, and I was certain her master would end up teasing her without fail.
And since I was that master, I wanted her to wear that outfit later so I could tease her.
「Iris-sama invited me, saying would you like to go see how Master works? But since they were short on serving staff, I was told to help a little as the reason for entering the academy…」
「Ahh, so that is why… but you could have told me this morning」
「I apologize. But… Iris-sama said a surprise would be better to confirm your love… and Master recognized my cooking…」
Wendy pressed her cheeks with both hands, blushing shyly.
She seemed so happy that I recognized her cooking, glancing at me again and again while her cheeks softened every time.
「S-sensei! Could this person bee!?」
「Yeah… she is my precious lover」
「Ooooohh! Amazingg! So glamorouss! Super beautifulll!!」
It was not only the Second Alchemy Department that fell into shock.
Everyone in the cafeteria froze in surprise.
The line from earlier was probably formed because Wendy had been serving food…
The entire crowd turned toward us as one, showing devastated expressions… which I could not bring myself to look at.
「Nice to meet you, everyone. I am Master’s slave and… l-lover as well. My name is Wendy. Please treat me well from now on」
Voices of admiration and despair rose at her greeting, which carried elegance, modesty and sweetness.
The former were likely from the girls, the latter from the boys.
To think she already had fans in such a short time… Wendy, my lover, is a terrifying girl…
「She is lovelyyy… and her chest is even bigger than Raz’sss!」
「D-don’t compare my chestt! But Wendy-san being so in love with sensei is what’s really amazingg!」
「Sensei, how did you win over such a beauty……!」
「Hmm. Shiro loves Master too」
「「There’s suddenly another onee!」e」
Without me noticing, Shiro had quietly sat right beside me, looking up as if asking with her eyes whether she could eat some bread, so I nodded.
…Well, I expected her to be here.
Her stealth was too good, and I did not realize she was next to me until she sat down.
「C-could this child also bee!?」
「…Yeah. She’s someone precious to me too」
「N-no, sensei, this one is not allowedd! This is a crimeee!」
「She is cute but this age difference is no goodd!」
「I am not doing anything to her…」
「Hmm. Lord will not do anything… Shiro is always ready…」
Shiro munched on bread, and when I offered her soup and meat with an open-mouthed gesture, she happily took a bite and chewed.
Of course I loved Shiro dearly, and if she reached a proper age someday and wanted that kind of relationship… well.
「Hwaaa… she’s so cutee……」
「I understand why someone would want to take her homeee……」
Watching Shiro eat is just as popular with the women of the capital as it was at the church.
Well, seeing her eat with such a delicious, healing aura, it’s only natural, I suppose.
「Hmm. By the way, the three of them are here too.」
「…Seriously?」
「Seriously.」
「Yes. Aina-san and the other two have come as guest lecturers for the Adventurer Department.」
I see… So, the three of them are here too…
「Masteeer!」
「Now, Renge… The other students are here, so don’t get too carried away.」
「But I saw you, masterss! Right, Sorte… Ah! When did Sorte already get next to master!?」
「My lord. May I sit next to you?」
「Is that… okay? The bench does have space, but…」
When I checked with the other students, they all gestured “please, please”, making room.
Then, including Wendy, they all started sitting around me, and the students, sensing the mood, also began sitting closer and starting their meals.
The Second Alchemy Department… or rather, the cafeteria became very quiet, almost as if they were listening in on our conversation.
I see… So the “interesting thing” Iris mentioned was me, in this situation of being on pins and needles.
The students’ gazes didn’t even try to hide their interest, clearly showing that was the case.
Leave a Reply