The Bewitching Shaved Ice
The effect of the shaved ice activated instantly.
A shaved ice topped with special fruits found only on Valkyrie Island. The refreshing sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture are exquisite. The addition of red bean paste, a specialty from the eastern continent, deepens the sweetness even further.
Proper use of specialty ingredients raises the grade by ☆.
Dragon's Allure raises the grade by ☆: Those who consume it fall under the "Allure" status.
The proficiency of Gourmet Feeding has risen significantly!
A flood of system messages filled my vision the moment the Special Fruit Red Bean Shaved Ice was complete.
“Whoa……”
I couldn’t close my mouth. It wasn’t just surprise at the sudden messages—I was genuinely moved. Five whole stars was impressive enough, but the details were even more astonishing.
The first thing that stood out was the star correction. I’d expected some boost from packing in the specialty ingredients, but then……
‘Dragon’s Allure raised the rating? Does that mean……?’
Eros’s finishing touch must have affected the dessert. A clumsy little chant like “Make it delicious, yap-♡” actually infused the dessert with Dragon’s Allure……? It was so ridiculous I couldn’t even laugh.
And it hadn’t just raised the stars. Anyone who ate it would fall under Dragon’s Allure. I never expected it to grant an extra effect like that.
Good thing I only made two servings. I absolutely cannot let myself taste this. There’s no explanation about who the source of the Allure is, either. The cooldown on Light’s Purification is still a long way off. If I’m unlucky, I could end up ensnared by Eros’s Allure. If both of us get caught in it, there’d be no saving the situation.
—Tap tap tap……!
“Teacher? What are you doing standing there with that blank look on your face?”
“Ah, Eros?”
While I was muttering at the system messages, Eros poked me in the side and spoke up.
“That expression makes you look like an idiot♡ Anyway, we’re done now, right?”
“Yes. If it weren’t for you, Eros, I never could have made something this perfect.”
“Heh, hearing that makes me feel great! You can praise me a little more if you want~?!”
She planted both hands on her hips and puffed out her chest with obvious pride. Her shameless confidence was almost comical. I wondered if she’d really been under Allure earlier. Still, I had to admit it this time. Without Eros’s help, I wouldn’t have been able to make the red bean paste and would’ve ended up with nothing but plain fruit shaved ice. Even then, it probably would’ve been four stars or higher, but creating a genuine five-star dish for the first time felt special. And this one carried Dragon’s Allure. A demonic shaved ice that would charm anyone who ate it. I was curious what would happen.
Eros’s cocky tone and behavior hadn’t changed, but it was clear she was genuinely helpful in many ways.
‘That aside…… why hasn’t the Conditioned Rapport with Eros completed yet?’
A question occurred to me a moment too late. Finishing the shaved ice was great, but there was still an unresolved issue. I’d deliberately made dessert with her to complete the Conditioned Rapport quest, yet there was still no word about it no matter how long I waited.
“Um, by the way, Eros? Do you remember this shaved ice recipe properly?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah! You just put everything on top of the shaved ice, right? It was way easier than I thought.”
“That’s a relief. Then, Eros, do you remember asking me earlier today to teach you a dessert recipe?”
“Ah, that? I definitely did, didn’t I?”
“In that case, I’ll consider teaching you the recipe for this red bean shaved ice as fulfilling that request—”
“No! I’m not satisfied at all-!”
She suddenly shouted, cutting me off. Then she turned her chin away and avoided my gaze, clearly displeased.
‘What now? What’s the problem this time?’
I’d shown her exactly how to make it and even prepared it together, yet she still wasn’t satisfied for some reason. She’d looked so proud just moments ago.
She’d postponed the Conditioned Rapport on her own, and now the quest completion was apparently up to her whims too. I thought Dragon’s Allure had improved her mood, but maybe it had already worn off. For a second-year, she was far more difficult than most upperclassmen.
“Eros, what’s the reason?”
“The ingredients aren’t easy to get!”
“Pardon? These fruits can all be found on the academy island.”
“Not the fruit—the shaved ice itself!”
“What’s the issue with that? Snow is everywhere nearby……”
“Teacher, did you already forget? You saw it earlier. My body temperature is high enough to heat a pot!”
“Hmm? What does that have to do with anything? We just finished the shaved ice without any problems.”
“It worked because it’s cold outside right now, but what if the shaved ice melts once we go downstairs? Plus, my hands will definitely touch it.”
“Aha?”
“I wanted a recipe for a dessert that’s simpler to make! You dummy♡”
Eros stuck her tongue out at me with a playful “Meh—♡” expression. Even under Dragon’s Allure, her personality remained completely intact. Otherwise she wouldn’t keep provoking me like this.
‘So there was actually a detailed reason……’
I honestly hadn’t expected her to be this picky. She should have said so from the beginning. I’d assumed any dessert would do.
“……So you want a simple dessert made with common ingredients that’s easy to prepare anytime?”
“Yes! And if possible, something warm! Snow or ice melts too quickly and is too much trouble.”
Eros nodded vigorously now that she’d finally explained herself. I couldn’t leave it like this. I’d have to call her aside later. It would be better to teach her in the lounge another day. Postponing the date was annoying, but making something else right now would be difficult. Besides, she’d said simple was fine, hadn’t she? A dessert like that shouldn’t be hard to prepare later.
“Phew, I understand for now. Shall we head over to Sonya? I’m worried we’ve kept her waiting too long.”
“Ah, right-! Let’s go quickly, Teacher! It’ll be bad if Sonya’s barrier comes undone……!”
—Grab, patter patter……!
The moment she finished speaking, Eros snatched up the shaved ice and dashed inside. Her movements were far too light and casual for a dragon.
“Eros-?! Be careful not to spill it!”
“Hmph-♬ What do you take me for? Just hurry up and follow me-!”
*
“Sonya? How are you feeling? Why don’t you sit up and try this?”
“Wake up, sleepyhead-! Teacher and I made something delicious together~?!”
After finishing the Special Fruit Red Bean Shaved Ice, we returned straight to the lounge area. Sonya was lying quietly on the bed there.
“Haaah……?”
Sonya was still lying on her side. Her eyelids fluttered. She must have been fighting off sleep to maintain the barrier. She’d used a lot of stamina today—back-to-back battles, continuous high-altitude flight, and keeping the barrier active without rest. Even as the second-year representative, it must have been exhausting. Beads of sweat had formed on her forehead. Her complexion was noticeably paler than before.
“……W-what is all this?”
Stirring at the sound of our voices, Sonya sat up and opened her eyes wide. Her gaze locked immediately onto the shaved ice.
“It’s a shaved ice made with the fruits we gathered earlier.”
“S-shaved ice? How did you know I like cold desserts……?”
Sonya’s eyes sparkled with emotion as she looked at me. Her pink irises shimmered as though she might cry at any moment. How did I know she liked cold things? She was an Ice Dragon—it was only common sense, wasn’t it? I just hoped this would restore her energy so she could keep going a little longer.
“Actually, Eros put the toppings on this herself for you, Sonya.”
“Eek……? Eros? Is that true?”
“Hehe-♪ That’s right! So eat it quickly with a grateful heart, okay?”
“Yes, please eat it while it’s still cold. You should try some too, Eros. I think you’ll like it.”
—Clatter……!
I pulled a small table over to the bed and set the shaved ice on top.
“Huuuung? I don’t like it when my teeth get cold……”
“Breeder Teacher? And Eros? Thank you for the meal……! Haap-!”
While Eros hesitated slightly, Sonya opened her mouth with a word of thanks. She scooped up ice and dango fruit together on her spoon and swallowed it in one go. She already knew exactly how to eat shaved ice without being told.
—Gulp!
“Haaah……? I-it’s so cool and sweet?! I usually like eating frozen fruit, but…… this feels completely different, doesn’t it?”
—Crunch crunch crunch……!
After letting out that single exclamation of delight, Sonya began scooping up the shaved ice with gusto, as though she were mining it. Watching her move the spoon so eagerly filled me with satisfaction. Just as expected, it suited Sonya’s tastes perfectly.
“Kuuuht-! I-I can’t lose either! This dessert was made by Teacher himself, after all……!”
—Clink……!
Stirred by Sonya’s intense reaction, Eros grabbed a spoon and dove into the shaved ice as well.
—Crunch, crunch……!
—Nom nom nom nom!
While the two of them were busily devouring the shaved ice, a chime rang out.
—Ding!
Dragon’s Allure has activated on the targets (stacked).
◆ Conditioned Rapport Targets ◆
[Sonya (Lv.350 / Ice) — Worship Stage]
[Eros (Lv.350 / Love) — Worship Stage]
Both targets have already reached maximum favorability.
Due to the stacked effect of Dragon’s Allure, these targets can no longer defy you (provided the Worship-stage favorability is maintained).
These targets would even offer you their entire Dragon Hearts if it were for your sake.