Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: 7: Grinding Recipes. Picking Up a Schoolgirl -1
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“Uahaha! Exam cheat sheets? If you want them, go find them. I left everything I had there!”
Those were the last words of someone whose graduation was confirmed, before they left.
The young ones who heard that scrambled through the academy in search of those cheat sheets.
It was the academy's opening season.
The school year starts.
Come to think of it, how long had it been since I'd faced the new semester like this? I sipped my coffee and gazed out the window.
People passed under the cherry blossoms in full bloom, reveling in their youth. They were the freshmen.
The kids were soaking in the academy life.
I got it.
A new world. The first taste of independence, away from home.
Hearts would race.
Even though this academy could kill you if you weren't careful, the thrill of something new was irresistible.
“Whew.”
I only had a moment to relax.
Soon, I changed into my uniform.
Healing Academy—as the name suggests—was all about the academy setting.
But it didn't delve deep into classes. They didn't want players stuck in school grinding instead of healing.
But that's just the game.
Today was the first class day at the academy.
What would unfold? The thought breathed life into my weary soul.
But first, things to do.
I headed to the clubroom before class started.
By now, the girl I'd hired for today's gig should be dressed and ready.
Knock knock.
“Mind if I come in?”
A gruff voice replied.
“Do whatever.”
I entered as told. There stood a single maid.
The maid looked embarrassed as she spoke to me.
“Do I really have to wear this?”
“Yeah. Be careful with it—you're just borrowing it. I don't want to pay for damages.”
“Haa... Flirting in this outfit...”
“Want me to take back club privileges?”
“Really?”
“Of course not.”
“Then why ask?!”
Melissa had called me in for one task.
To promote our cafe to freshmen and returning students.
We weren't open yet, but we'd decided on free tastings to build buzz.
The “Refreshing Red Lemonade” I'd agonized over all weekend would draw crowds.
And a cute maid was the bonus.
Maids alone were killer, but cat ears too?
Who could resist?
There was a slight risk, though.
“Did I bite off too much...”
“Who was it begging to repay that massage favor?”
“Sh-shut it!”
“Free massages anytime, in exchange for one favor.”
“I didn't expect this.”
“It's fine. They'll think you're adorable.”
“Adorable...”
“Yeah. Cat maid. Super cute.”
Melissa shook her head at my words.
“You say that so easily.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind. Probably no deeper meaning. Anyway, I'll head out. Don't worry—I'll do my best since I owe you.”
She grabbed the ice box and left. I waved her off.
“Be careful. I'll cover with the professors.”
“Don't bother. I skip class anyway.”
“You're impossible.”
“Not from the guy making me wear this.”
We traded barbs and parted ways.
Her to work, me to class.
First period was starting soon. What would Winchester Academy classes be like?
.
.
.
.
.
Where was third-year Ethan Woodgate's classroom?
“Coming through.”
The academy teemed with people, freshmen or not.
The crowded hallway bulletin listed names, student numbers, and class assignments.
Voices erupted everywhere.
Reunions full of joy, partings tinged with regret.
This is it.
This school vibe—you only got it during student days.
Never thought I'd feel it again.
Same class as Melissa.
Scanning the board, I spotted we were together.
Anyone else I knew?
...Ah.
I found a familiar name.
Agnes Catastra.
One of the game's heroines, alongside Ophelia and Melissa.
She was in our class too.
What cosmic joke was this?
All possible same-class heroines, together.
Ophelia was second-year, one freshman left.
Should I meet her?
Ophelia: overwork and stress.
Melissa: corruption and insomnia.
Now I was curious about Agnes's issues.
With that anticipation, I entered the classroom.
The spacious room buzzed with energy, fitting the academy.
Desks in a circle. I headed to the back. From there, the front was visible over the height difference.
Easy to spot if she's here.
Agnes's look screamed for attention. Hard to miss.
Especially with dragon wings on her back.
But no sign of her.
Skipping day one, huh.
Free-spirited academy, I guess.
I should attend properly. Maybe skill points for good listening.
...Or so I thought.
“...”
Halfway through, I dozed off without realizing.
Classes sucked everywhere.
...No, blame the professor for class on day one.
.
.
.
.
.
Class—more like nap time—ended.
I headed where Melissa was working.
“Come one, come all~ Cafe opens soon, but try a free sample before you go~”
Oh, despite my worries...
“Selling well, I see.”
“Ah, Assistant.”
“Glad to hear it. Was a bit worried.”
“What do you take me for?”
I trusted Melissa.
But...
“Your reputation had me concerned.”
“My reputation?”
Freshmen might not know, but returners did.
Melissa's exploits.
That human firefly incident Ophelia mentioned.
Shocking, honestly.
So...
“Sis! Free samples! Let's try some!”
“Little sis, the academy's dangerous. Watch out for that mint-haired cat-eared girl especially.”
“Why?”
“There was that incident...”
Reactions like that weren't surprising.
Still, sales were decent.
As if reading my mind, Melissa nodded and spoke.
“This happened about an hour ago.”
“Come one~ Free samples~ Try before you go~”
Melissa pushed the lemonade, urging tastings.
But things don't always go as planned.
“Maybe later.”
“...Anything weird in it?”
“Who'd trust her?”
Some drank, many passed.
Melissa's rep as a troublemaker hurt.
Not bad, though. Could be worse.
More success would be nice.
Melissa hustled. Then a girl approached.
“...Um.”
“Yes~ Try some.”
“Ah, sure.”
Dragon wings on her back—unique.
Melissa handed over lemonade.
“Here you go.”
“Thanks.”
The dragon girl gulped it down.
"So... good..."
Onlookers swallowed hard.
She drained the big glass without pause.
Stared at the empty cup, then...
“More.”
“Pardon?”
“No, wait. Ahem. Can you offer more to this dragon lady?”
Odd speech, but no issue.
Crowd's gathering.
Just from her drinking.
“Of course. One more.”
“Grateful.”
Promo effect doubled.
“Me too!”
“I want one!”
“Line up, line up!”
Lemonade flew off the shelves.
“Wow, that happened.”
“And now the result.”
Melissa showed the empty ice box.
“Just two bottles left.”
“Incredible.”
Fifteen made, thirteen sold. Better than expected.
Dragon wings.
Definitely Agnes.
Skipped class for this?
Would've liked to meet her.
“Got it. Give away the rest as samples and call it a day, Melissa.”
“Roger. What about you?”
“Making tomorrow's batch.”
“Good luck.”
“You too.”
We parted. Back to the clubroom.
Tomorrow: not drinks, soup.
Day one hype would fade. Academy was still chilly.
When sweat cooled or cold snaps hit, hot soup would hit the spot.
“Alright.”
I hit <Cooking> and stirred the soup.
Water over ingredients in the pot, extract broth, simmer deep flavor.
Keep stirring to avoid burning—
Bang!
Bang?
Bang bang!
Loud noise from the window.
Checked: what hit it?
“...”
“...”
Third heroine: Agnes.
Her reptilian green eyes sparkled at my pot.
Tracked the food smell?
Lemonade earlier, soup now?
Dragon or fly?
Why were all these heroines like this?
One fragile stomach, one sleepless.
Now chasing scents to third-floor windows?
...Not one normal.
I'm losing it.