The Spreading Name
The clatter of glass bowls and cups being carefully set on the table echoed softly. Atop the glass bowls sat neatly arranged fried crackers. Inside the clear glass cups resting on coasters, a rich brown latte swirled gently.
“……”
The young ladies remained silent until every table was fully set. They simply stared wordlessly at the desserts before them. Just like last time, it seemed proper to wait for one another. Even Sofia, the student council president, had deliberately yielded her own portion to another seat. She insisted on serving Diora first today. It was clearly because of what happened yesterday. Sofia’s expression remained nearly blank, while Diora wore a satisfied smile.
—Zap! Zzzap…!
Then their eyes met. Sparks flew between them once again. An invisible current crackled between Sofia’s expressionless face and Diora’s sly gaze. No actual sparks flew like yesterday, but the atmosphere grew suffocating and tense. The other ladies, however, paid no attention to their silent standoff. Their focus was entirely on the desserts I had served, their faces showing complicated expressions.
“Everything is ready. Please enjoy your meal today as well.”
I bowed slightly, hoping to ease the dangerous tension. It felt as if the lounge might turn into ruins if things continued this way.
—Murmur, murmur……!
At the same time, reactions erupted.
—What’s this? More crackers again?
—There aren’t even any star candies this time?
—It looks really greasy…!
—What’s that on the outside? Sugar? Where did the star candies go……?!
—Is it the same dessert as yesterday? Why? Why on earth?
—Just when the cafeteria seemed to be improving, now the lounge is causing trouble?!
—What about the drink? Just a regular latte?
—I liked that misutgaru or whatever it was from yesterday more……
As expected, complaints filled the air. It was understandable. At first glance, it looked exactly like yesterday’s crackers.
‘No, the lack of star candies probably made it even more disappointing. Like a red bean bun without the filling?’
I needed to stop the dissatisfaction from spreading further.
“Ladies? Don’t be too disappointed. Please try a bite. These are crackers I fried myself.”
I emphasized that the key point was the frying.
—He fried biscuits baked in a hearth in oil?
—What’s the point of that……
—Still, Breeder wouldn’t do something pointless, right?
—Yeah. Let’s give it a try. We were unsure at first yesterday too, weren’t we?
—True, everything he’s made so far has tasted good.
—Well… compared to the previous guy, it’s on a completely different level.
—Hey, Breeder! Can you explain in more detail?
It was good that I added an explanation right away. Public opinion quickly turned positive. Perhaps it was thanks to the reputation I had built up. The ladies were gradually showing trust in me. Raylin’s words from yesterday came to mind. She said that after lunch, the fourth-years only talked about me. It didn’t seem like a lie.
“Of course. Yesterday’s were sweet crackers, but today the salt coating on the surface should stimulate your appetites.”
—Salt? Not sweet today?
—Oh! That might suit my taste better.
—As long as it’s not too salty, it should be fine.
“If you find it too salty, try the special honey latte served with it. The sweet honey gathered here on Valkyrie Island will balance the saltiness.”
—Salty dessert with a sweet drink? Sounds pretty good.
—Special honey… you mean the honey made by honey hornets that only live on Valkyrie Island?
—Now I’m curious about the drink too?
—Still, I preferred yesterday’s misutgaru……
“Ah, if you want misutgaru, I can bring out what’s left from yesterday. Just let me know anytime.”
Unlike yesterday’s exaggerated pitch, today I simply described the dessert as it was. I was confident because the power of the crackers had already been proven once.
—Really? I see……!
—Let’s eat already! I can’t wait anymore!
—How can something that was so sweet yesterday become salty?
Now that their guard was down, the ladies each picked up a cracker. A few showed displeasure at the grease on their hands, but it didn’t last long.
—Crunch, crunch……!!
—Crunch, crunch!
The moment they all put the crackers in their mouths and moved their jaws, an incredibly crisp sound filled the lounge. It was like an ASMR broadcast with the microphone volume turned all the way up. Even though they had been fried yesterday, the power of deep-frying was truly remarkable. It was good that I had left the bag open so they wouldn’t get soggy from the oil.
—Crunch, crunch……!!
—Haaah? Wh-what is this? This doesn’t taste like dessert at all!
—Doesn’t it feel like preserved rations? The taste is completely different though……
—It’s so crispy because it’s fried, right?
—This tastes like it would go great with alcohol!
—Huuuuh…? Everyone, try the drink too! It washes the grease away perfectly!
—Gulp, gulp!
Before long, all the ladies had let go of their reservations and were devouring the desserts and drinks.
‘Heh heh~ It was worth all the effort.’
There was no more satisfying sight than dragons abandoning their dignity and frantically stuffing themselves with dessert.
Everyone is satisfied with your feed!
Effect:Gourmet Feeding proficiency increases! (Current: B Rank)
Note:Rank up is approaching!
Anyway, it was a relief. Today was another success. The fact that a rank-up was near was satisfying too. At this rate, I would reach S Rank just as quickly as with Beast Taming.
‘I knew it was the right call to make the drink separately.’
The sweet-salty-sweet-salty combination was simple and intuitive, so there was little chance of strong dislikes.
—Slurp, sip……!
—Nibble, nibble……!
“Hm?”
Yet even in the midst of this, there were two ladies who were particularly passive about tasting the crackers and drinks. They were none other than Sofia and Diora. They were still engaged in their silent battle of nerves, deliberately holding back from the crackers. They were probably saving room for the special dessert they would receive later.
2.
The academy’s lunch period. A free time granted to all students. Free time was equal and merciful. Both lunch and free periods were moments every student eagerly awaited. Normally, this time should have been filled with energy. But lately, the liveliness had noticeably faded. Dissatisfaction among many students had surged right after the semester began. The cause was the rapidly declining quality of the cafeteria food.
‘How could the academic atmosphere deteriorate over something as trivial as meals? At this rate, how are we supposed to prepare for the invasion of the Demon Dragons……’
—Slice, slice……!
Vice Principal Benetric, seated in the student cafeteria, used her fork and knife to cut the fried whole chicken into bite-sized pieces. She had come here under the pretense of an inspection and meal only because of the repeated student complaints. Normally, she would have gone out to the continent with other professors for an outside meal.
“Hmm. It’s modest, but it doesn’t look too bad.”
Benetric sprinkled salt on the leg meat of the golden-brown fried chicken and brought it to her mouth.
—Chew, chew……
She silently savored the taste. The more she chewed the chicken, the more her brows furrowed. It was proof that she was concentrating all her senses on her palate.
‘It’s true that the food quality has dropped compared to fifty years ago, or even last semester. Still, it’s not completely inedible.’
That was Benetric’s honest assessment. It wasn’t to her liking, but it was far better than the rumors she had heard.
“Tsk. They’re already fourth-years, yet they can’t even endure this much……”
Vice Principal Benetric set down her fork and knife immediately after finishing her evaluation. She had only tasted the chicken leg. That was it. She was done eating. It was almost laughable how quickly she had declared it “not bad.” She had said it wasn’t bad, but it was far from meeting her standards. Continuing the meal any further would have been too much for her. After all, she prided herself on being something of a gourmet.
“I’ll have to say something during tomorrow’s class. Complaining about something this minor—”
—Ooooooh……?!
‘What’s that sudden noise? Who dares make such an uncouth racket in a place that should be solemn?’
An exclamation cut off Benetric’s words. When she turned her head toward the source, she saw students at one table continuing their meal.
—Today’s actually pretty good, isn’t it?!
—Right? I told you! It’s all thanks to that mutt who stopped by yesterday!
—You can look forward to dinner even more—?!
—Raylin? Can you be a little quieter while eating?
—Ah, sis! How can you act so calm? If it weren’t for that mutt yesterday, the kitchen staff would be in the afterlife by now!
—Raylin, how long are you going to keep calling the dorm supervisor a mutt? I don’t accept that nickname.
The chatter of the third-years reached Benetric’s ears.
‘Hmm? Dorm supervisor? The General Affairs and Management Department heads reported something to me the other day……?’
Benetric’s eyes gleamed. It seemed there was more to investigate. Her deep blue eyes, which had remained indifferent even to the freshly fried chicken, now sparkled with interest. All because of a single human.