Goodness… the weather is so fine today… is exactly the kind of greeting this absurd number of spectators deserves.
Wendy, Shiro, Aina, Sorte, and Renge are naturally seated in the back as observers, but on top of that the entire teaching staff is present.
The elderly gentleman with the impressively long and dignified beard must be the academy headmaster.
Why is the headmaster here? How is the headmaster here? I silently interrogate my past self that led to this situation, but this is definitely is not my fault.
…It should not be.
Furthermore, each student’s father and mother have come as well, and my spine straightens itself on pure reflex.
Every single one of them is a genuine noble.
Not pretend royalty or easygoing counts, but true aristocrats whose overwhelming, radiant aura is exactly like Sicilia-sama’s.
And of course, the demon instructor should be among them… yet… hmm? I do not see any shirtless, muscle-bound, one-eyed man with a cross-shaped scar on his cheek anywhere…
Could they actually be among all these perfectly refined gentlemen…?
Is it possible that “demon instructor” by noble standards only means “a little strict” by commoner ones…? May I hold on to that tiny dream?
Now, the reason so many people have gathered in such pomp is that today I am supposed to test the perfume the students finished yesterday.
…Please do not misunderstand. This is not a specially chosen day. It is just a normal lesson.
That is why no one sent advance notice or asked them to clear their schedules, yet for some reason it has turned into an excessively grandiose assembly.
「Fumu… Shall we begin soon?」
The one taking charge is, of course, Iris, who is very much present.
I thought this was her doing, but she swears on ice cream that she had nothing to do with it.
If she swears on ice cream, it must be true.
Iris has taken a seat beside the lectern wearing the most gleeful, villainous smile, clearly aware that I am stiff with tension.
In a way I am saved by the confusion that froze me in place.
But still? This is not a presentation or anything!
How am I supposed to teach in this atmosphere?
Is it really okay to show my usual self? I will get scolded!
「Sensei! Hurry, hurryy!」
「We want sensei to try it soonnn!」
The students pay no heed to my inner turmoil.
Of course, for them this is the long-awaited unveiling of their finished masterpiece, and the crowd of nobles in the back is probably an everyday sight. Still, I wish they would realize that for a commoner like me, this scene is utterly crushing.
But I already know there is nothing I can do about it anymore.
Fine! I don’t care anymore! Whatever happens, happens!
「Ah… Then let’s check the final product α. Iris, since this is meant for you to wear at high-society events, come confirm it with me.」
If I’m going down, I’m dragging her with me!
The moment I tossed the conversation to Iris, a ripple of murmurs rose from the noble section, only to die instantly, as if they realized it was improper.
I’m grateful no one scolded me with a 「Be silent」 but… yeah, of course.
Even a pretend commoner calling real royalty by name and 「you」 was too much…
「Fumu. I do not mind confirming it myself, but it is only proper that you go first. After all, you are both my most favored master alchemist and the instructor of these students.」
Why did she have to say “my most favored” and “master alchemist” out loud…
I’ll take it as her kindly explaining that we are on casual terms, and interpret it positively…
「Very well. If you truly wish to command me… I would not be entirely opposed to obeying? This is the academy. Bringing in or taking out any external authority is forbidden. I swear I shall carry nothing beyond these walls, so do as thou please.」
Nya…
Why did it turn into “I’ll obey your command” territory?
The murmurs are even louder now.
And she’s grinning like she’s enjoying every second of it.
「Haa… Fine, I understand. Then please excuse me for going first, Iris-sama.」
「Feel free to speak casually as always. Call me… Iris… kufu.」
Stop laughing at the end…
…I’ll make her cry later.
I’ll devour every last drop of her precious ice cream right in front of her…
「Haa… Then, final product α. This is the one meant to be worn by Iris and shown off in high society. Excuse me…」
I uncapped the test tube and first confirmed the scent rising from it.
The top note that bloomed upward was the vivid elegance of a rose, pure and unyielding.
Hints of citrus, pineapple, and berries mingled in, lending a sweetness that never overwhelmed, along with a touch of freshness. Yet the refined, noble rose remained undiminished.
If anything, the fruit notes seemed crafted to ensure the rose’s bold presence lingered smoothly through to the end, with a clean flow through the nose that invited you to breathe it all in.
「Iris. Take a whiff.」
「Umu. From the look on thy face, I can already guess the result…」
When I handed over the test tube, Ayame-san accepted it and passed it to Iris.
As she did, her cheeks softened ever so slightly, as if the mere brush of the scent had reached her.
「Yay! Sensei! Next is the one after a little time passess!」
Perfume changes with time.
Even a single-note rose extract would hold great value, given how precious rose oil truly is.
But that seemed to be the standard in this world.
Currently, single notes dominated the market, often with overpowering scents to make them last.
To stand out, they had aimed for a challenging blend: top, middle, and base notes in three distinct phases, with a gentle persistence that endured for hours without growing too strong.
「Here, senseii!」
Raz extended one hand toward my face, so I steadied it with mine and leaned in close, as if to kiss the back of her hand.
The sharp rose from before had softened, now joined by another flower’s whisper, evoking the strong impression of a blooming flower field.
It felt natural and soft, a gentle fragrance with no harsh edges.
Yet at its heart lay the poise and allure of a single rose, reminiscent of a delicate yet captivating woman.
「Last one for the base noteee!」
This time Cran stepped forward and offered her arm just as Raz had.
Raz now stood before Iris, ready for her to sample the next phase.
「Then, excuse me…」
I took Cran’s arm and brought my nose near. The elegant, noble scent from before had calmed considerably, like the faint whisper of distant flowers.
It had lost none of its power as perfume, yet now it was a tender aroma.
It called to mind a mature, composed woman, alluring in an entirely different way from what came before.
The base note was deliberately tuned to be a subtle, quiet presence.
That way, when many people wore perfume at a party, the scents would not clash and overwhelm the room.
The students had discussed it thoroughly. A strong fragrance rising after the mood had settled would be unpleasant, so they agreed to keep it remaining natural and calm throughout.
This gentle finish was the fruit of countless earnest debates and refinements.
「…Yeah. It’s really good. You all did amazing.」
At my words, the students broke into radiant smiles, their joy plain to see.
The girls clasped hands with one another, trembling with happiness.
Yet when their gazes shifted to Iris, tension returned as they awaited her verdict.
「Hmph… Had you tried to pass off something mediocre simply because thy students made it, I would have refused to use it…」
「As if I would ever do that. If it was bad, I wouldn’t dream of letting it out into the world. But… I knew these girls could do it.」
I had watched every step of the process.
Even at points where I might have compromised, they talked it out, clashed opinions, and kept pushing for something better.
Every single one of them gave it their all.
That’s why I ended up with nothing to do toward the end.
Even this final fragrance was almost entirely new to me.
「Umu. A splendid scent. It is vastly different from the existing perfumes that rely on a single strong note to last. I never imagined such varied fragrances could emerge from one bottle. And you clearly crafted it with me in mind. I shall gladly wear it at every future social gathering. Not merely in the kingdom; I will spread it far and wide.」
「…You heard her. Good job, everyone. Since we’re at it, why don’t you let your parents try」
「「「「「「「「「「HOOORRRAAAYYYYYYY!!!」」」」」」」」」」
「Wha!?」
MWUGYUUU.
Ow, ow, ow!
I’m being crushed… I’m getting flattened…
The pressure… the density is insane again…!
Ever since coming to this academy, I feel like I’ve been getting mobbed way too often!
「Uuu… We did it! Iris-sama approved itt!!」
「All that hard work was worth it! Thank you, senseiii!!」
「Yeah, yeah. Great job. But we’re not donee」
「Uuu… I’ve never tried so hard in my lifee! Sensei, praise us tooo!」
「R-Right. Amazing work. You guys are incredible—」
「Headpats! Headpats! Not just Raz and Cran, us too!」
「Eh, headpats!? Umm, like this? 」
「Sensei, over here too!!」 「Me too!」
「Eh? Wai?」
I only have two arms!
There are at least ten heads bouncing around me. I can’t even tell whose is whose anymore!
More importantly, you girls are too focused on me to notice, but your parents are staring over here with utterly stunned faces!
「Quite the ladies’ man. Bold in front of their parents too.」
「If it looks like I’m doing anything, please throw away those unnecessary eyes…」
I am now locked in place so solidly that I can’t even sway, surrounded and grabbed from every side.
I stand like a salaryman on a packed train, both hands raised high to avoid any false groping accusations.
Still, I can’t exactly tear them off me.
Because…
「Hic… I worked so hard for the first time… and it paid off…」
「Yeah, yeah. We really did our best. More than ever before. Ahh… I’m so glad…」
「Uuu, thank you, senseii!!」
「It’s still just our first one and might be chick-level, but thank you so much!!」
「「「「Thank you, senseiiiii!!」」」」
Some of them are shaking and crying with joy.
So, I won’t do anything boorish to ruin the moment…
There will be many more to come, and things will get busy from now on… but this is their very first creation, after all.
…I know the parents are shocked, but please overlook the closeness and everything else, just this once.
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