A Double Appointment and a Clear-Eyed Madwoman

Wow, I was going out of my mind. Seriously.

"This is... what, exactly?"

I was trembling, clutching the scroll in my hands.

"An official appointment letter bearing the Headmaster's personal seal," replied Hwangbo Seong, an administrative instructor from the Discipline Hall, looking at me with a deeply pleased expression.

"No, but what is up with this title...?"

Please, tell me this isn't a dream. Actually, if it is a dream, please wake me up right now. The reason I was clinging to this appointment letter so desperately was because of the words written at the bottom.

Is this an appointment letter? No, it's a slave contract. Officially appointing me as the Executive Chief Chef of the Inner Dining Hall meant they intended to grind me down so finely that I'd scatter in the wind. The Academy's dining halls would become the sacred bell, and I would be the sacrificial offering thrown into the molten bronze.

"You look somewhat less than thrilled," Hwangbo Seong remarked.

"This basically means I have to officially do double the work instead of just temporarily. If I were happy about that, would I even be human?"

"My, my. Anyone born into this world with noble ambitions should be grateful for the duties bestowed upon them. Besides, this appointment is as good as a direct testament to the Headmaster's trust in you, is it not?"

"Instructor Hwangbo, that might be true, but there has to be a work-life balance. At this rate, I'm going to die of overwork."

Thinking I was joking, Hwangbo Seong chuckled.

"A real man should dream of rising through the ranks and achieving high office... Don't you want to become the greatest chef in all of the Central Plains, Chef Yoon?"

"To be completely honest, my dream is to work a moderate amount, live with a wife who only has eyes for me, and keep my back warm and my belly full."

Yes, I was walking the path of culinary arts, but I had to be happy myself to enjoy the journey, right? That was my one and only wish.

At ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the mention of marriage, a bitter smile crossed Hwangbo Seong's face. I recognized that look. It was the exact expression worn by those older married guys back in my past life who, whenever the topic of marriage came up, would offer an incredibly awkward laugh and say bizarre things like, 'The ultimate completion of a bachelor's life is marriage.'

"Living as a bachelor for a while longer isn't a bad idea," Hwangbo Seong muttered. "There's really no benefit to marrying early."

"You sound exactly like all the older guys I know who married early."

"Married men are the same wherever you go."

Ah, that bittersweet look. Why do married men always look like that?

"Ahem. Anyway, do you have some time this afternoon?"

"Time? Well, I suppose I can squeeze some out if I really try."

"I heard the Student Council wants to hold an interview with you. Have you heard about it?"

"An interview... Ah."

He must mean the interview. Jegal Mu, the Southern Hall instructor, had mentioned it to me before.

"I did hear about that from Instructor Jegal of the Southern Hall a while ago. But the rumors surrounding the Student Council don't seem very pleasant."

After hearing about it from Jegal Mu, I had asked a few people about the Student Council. The moment the words 'Student Council' left my mouth, they had practically jumped out of their skins and run away. Some of them denied knowing anything about it three times like Saint Peter, so I could easily guess what kind of reputation they had.

At my words, Hwangbo Seong replied in a serious tone, "Be that as it may, aren't those students at least ten years younger than you, Chef Yoon? You mustn't let yourself be intimidated by them."

"...What on earth does the Student Council do that there's even a possibility of me being intimidated?"

"Ah, oops."

Oops my foot. Hwangbo Seong quickly shut his mouth, realizing he had slipped up. What did he mean, a staff member shouldn't be intimidated by the student council? Aren't the faculty and staff supposed to be the absolute authority figures in an academy?

"Ahem. Well, they aren't bad kids. The two leading the Student Council are both from the Great Sects and Clans. Just try to get along with them."

"Do you realize that saying that makes me feel even more uneasy?"

"Hahaha!"

Do martial artists have a habit of laughing heartily whenever they run out of things to say? Jegal Mu did it, and now Hwangbo Seong was doing the exact same thing. After promising to drop by for a meal sometime, Hwangbo Seong headed back to the main administration building, and I returned to the Outer Dining Hall.

"Congratulations, Executive Chief Chef of the Inner and Outer Dining Halls!"

"We all chipped in to buy this for you so you can work even harder!"

The moment I stepped into the Outer Dining Hall after a while, the female cooks greeted me with congratulations and handed me a small pouch. What was this?

"What is this?"

"Hohoho, open it up!"

"You have no idea how thoroughly Mrs. Na combed through the market to find that."

"We went through a lot of trouble to buy it, so make sure to put it to good use!"

I hesitated just as I was about to open the pouch. A faint aroma was seeping through the fabric. It was incredibly familiar. A distinct, bittersweet scent drifted gently into the air. This was a scent no Korean could ever mistake. Could it be...?

"It's ginseng, isn't it? Specifically, red ginseng that has been steamed and dried."

"Oh my, you knew without even looking inside the pouch?"

"I remember eating it a few times when I was young."

Opening the pouch to check, I saw that I was indeed correct. A thick, sturdy root of red ginseng was neatly wrapped in paper. For Koreans, red ginseng—whether in the form of candies, extracts, or slices—is something practically inseparable from older generations. I, too, had been quite scrawny and prone to getting sick when I was a kid. As a result, I had been fed every kind of herbal medicine imaginable, and red ginseng was naturally among them. I used to eat honeyed red ginseng slices like candy, so I could never forget its unique aroma.

"I will accept this gratefully, despite my lack of shame. Thank you so much for the congratulations, ladies."

I clasped my hands in a respectful martial bow to express my gratitude. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Imported red ginseng was ridiculously expensive. It was traded practically gram-for-gram with silver, making it a luxury item where the seller could name their price. The ladies giggled and waved their hands dismissively. I could only feel overwhelming gratitude toward these wonderful women who always looked out for me and kept the kitchen running smoothly whenever I was away!

"Oh, and this is the newly hired Mrs. Lee. Apparently, the administration handpicked her after a very careful search."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, hohoho," Mrs. Lee greeted.

With her arrival, the Outer Dining Hall now had a four-woman team of cooks to cover for me. They were Mrs. Geum, Mrs. Na, Mrs. Park, and Mrs. Lee. Seeing them all gathered together, I got the distinct feeling they could probably form a killer vocal group. While I was explaining the rules and precautions of the Outer Dining Hall to the newcomer, Mrs. Lee, a loud voice echoed from outside.

"Is the Executive Chief Chef inside?!"

"You really don't have to shout so loudly..."

"How else is the Executive Chief Chef supposed to hear me?!"

"The entire academic hall will hear you..."

"Even better!"

A sharp, ringing female voice clashed with the flustered, pleading voice of an Outer Dining Hall servant. Wondering what on earth was going on, I stepped outside. Standing in front of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the dining hall was a female student who practically radiated a hyperactive personality, accompanied by a male student who maintained a stubborn silence.

The female student was exceptionally tall, nearly matching my own height. She possessed a striking, boyish charm that suited her tall frame perfectly. On their right arms, instead of the usual four-colored armbands indicating their respective academic halls, they wore bright yellow armbands. They certainly weren't on duty as emergency military commanders, so I figured they must be the students from the Student Council I had heard so much about... right? First, I signaled the flustered servant to make a quick escape and stepped forward myself.

"I am Yoon Gomyung, the Head of the Dining Hall. How can I help you?"

"It is an absolute honor to meet the legendary Chef Yoon whom I have heard so much about!"

Wow, my ears. When I heard her from inside the kitchen, I just thought she had good vocal projection, but hearing her right in front of me felt like my eardrums were about to rupture.

"Please lower your voice. Let's speak in my office."

"Understood!"

In stark contrast to the ear-splitting voice of the girl, the boy beside her followed me in absolute silence. It was fascinating how two people on such opposite ends of the spectrum could hang out together. In any case, once we entered my office, I asked a servant to bring three cups of tea and gestured for them to take a seat.

"It's clear you're from the Student Council, but I haven't had the pleasure of an introduction yet. May I ask your names?"

"Forgive my late introduction! I am Yang Seoran, the President of the 17th Student Council!"

"Ah, Lady Yang... the Young Sword Queen?"

"That is correct!"

In the Zhejiang region, there is a sect called the Bota Sect. While not a member of the Great Sects and Clans that form the pillars of the orthodox factions, it is highly famous because it produces the 'Sword Queen,' the premier female master revered by all female martial artists. Just as the leader of the Demon Cult is the Heavenly Demon and the head of the Murim Alliance is the Alliance Leader, the master of the Sword Pavilion—the martial arm of the Bota Sect—is referred to as the Sword Queen. And the girl standing before me, Yang Seoran, was the successor to that title: the Young Sword Queen.

"It is an honor to meet the Young Sword Queen."

"Not at all! The honor is entirely mine, Chef Yoon!"

She was certainly cheerful. Even though my ears felt like they were going to burst, her bright personality and refreshing smile made her quite likable.

"...Seoran, quiet down indoors," the boy beside her muttered.

"My apologies! I shall keep it down from now on!" Yang Seoran replied readily. Uh, but her volume didn't decrease in the slightest. What exactly was she planning to keep down?

"...I am Namgung Mun, the Vice President," the slightly smaller boy finally spoke. Well, it was mostly because Yang Seoran was exceptionally tall; Namgung Mun was actually close to average height. But hearing the surname Namgung immediately brought a certain someone to mind.

"By any chance, what is your relationship to Young Master Namgung Geuk?"

"...That idiot is my brother."

The punk Namgung Geuk—who had insulted the twice-cooked pork I worked so hard to prepare and almost got beaten like a dog by Seonwoo Seol—and this Namgung Mun were brothers? He seemed deeply embarrassed by his punk of a brother, as he subtly ground his teeth the moment Geuk's name was mentioned. I'd better be careful not to bring up Namgung Geuk again.

"I heard from others that the Student Council has a lot of questions for me."

Slam!

"Indeed we do, Chef Yoon!" Yang Seoran slammed her hand down on my innocent table, speaking with intense fervor. "According to our internal investigation, we have discovered that the meals provided by the Outer Dining Hall are not merely delicious, but are actually formulated to aid in martial arts training and academic study!"

"Well, studying is all about the energy you get from food. Skipping meals for students is directly equivalent to a loss of combat capability, after all."

"Loss of combat capability! What a magnificent phrase! Mun, write that down immediately!"

"...Understood."

Uh, he's actually writing that down? Namgung Mun pulled out a palm-sized notebook and a small writing brush, immediately jotting down my words. For some reason, he reminded me of the royal historians who were the bane of King Taejong's existence back in the Joseon Dynasty. Still, since I had to speak, I began to share the thoughts I had always held regarding food and cooking.

"A meal is not merely an act of filling one's stomach. It is the act of absorbing what will become your blood, your flesh, and the very source of your internal energy..."

"Write that down!"

"Fasting pills are convenient, but if you eat them every day, your brain won't function properly. Only by consuming a balanced diet of vegetables, meats, rice, noodles, and bread can one truly become a great martial artist..."

"Write that down!"

"There is a saying in the Gyeonghaengrok from the Song Dynasty: 'If food is light, the spirit becomes clear; if the mind is clear, sleep becomes peaceful.' If you only consume excessively salty and sweet foods..."

"WRITE IT DOOOOWN!"

I found it impossible to resist the burning intensity in Yang Seoran's eyes. Driven by her gaze, I began digging up every self-help book and quote collection I had read during my military service, spouting whatever came to mind. I poured out my soul, gulping down the cold tea the servant brought over, while Yang Seoran looked on with an expression of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠pure, unadulterated awe.

"Chef Yoon, you are truly magnificent! You have completely shaken this young maiden's heart with your sweet words!"

Yang Seoran suddenly grabbed my hands and shook them vigorously. For someone who wielded a sword, her hands were surprisingly soft. They actually felt nicer than mine, and I was a chef. Having never held a woman's hand since I started working at the Academy, my face flushed. Ah, I couldn't help but blush.

"Pardon? Oh, it's nothing, really. It's only because you listened so attentively, Lady Yang."

"What joy! Mun! Have you written it all down? You must not miss a single word of Chef Yoon's golden wisdom!"

"...Almost done," Namgung Mun replied, his face as expressionless as ever as he scribbled my words into his notebook.

But seriously, why were the people at the Academy so terrified of the friendly Yang Seoran and Namgung Mun? As if reading my mind, Yang Seoran chose that exact moment to flash me a brilliant smile.

"Chef Yoon! Are you free tomorrow as well?!"

"Pardon? Ah, you plan on coming back tomorrow?"

"Of course!"

Slam!

Yang Seoran struck my poor table once again.

"Do you not possess a burning, passionate heart for the students, Chef Yoon?! To understand that devotion to my very bones, and to spread your philosophy to every student in this Academy, I am willing to come here for a week—no, for an entire month!"

"Excuse me? A whole month?"

Isn't that a bit much?

"Initially, I planned to investigate your every move for just a week!"

Slam!

She hit the table yet again.

"But a week will not be enough! For someone with such profound depth of mind, even following you around for an entire month would barely scratch the surface!"

"Wait, hold on a second."

Ah. I get it now. I finally understand why everyone is so terrified of the Student Council.

"I, the Young Sword Queen Yang Seoran, have been deeply moved by your ocean-like magnanimity, Chef Yoon Gomyung! As the President of the 17th Student Council, I wish to explore every single facet of your being!"

Until now, I had thought Yang Seoran was just a cheerful, refreshing person. I was wrong. This was madness. Just look at her eyes. Those were the eyes of a true, clear-eyed madwoman.

"Please grant me your permission, Chef Yoon!"

Those eyes, gleaming with madness! Those eyes! Tekeli-li! Since there were no steamships in the Central Plains, I had no choice. I had to resort to my ultimate technique.

"Is anyone outside?!"

The moment the words left my mouth, the servants rushed into the office.

"Yes, Executive Chief Chef."

There was only one thing I could say to a person like her.

"Lady Yang Seoran is leaving."

"No! Chef Yoooon! Are you truly casting this maiden aside?!"

Casting you aside? Don't make it sound so weird! Anyone listening would think I was a deadbeat husband abandoning his devoted wife!

"No. I'm not changing my mind. Go home."

"Chef Yoooon!"

Realizing the situation, the female servants grabbed Yang Seoran by both arms and dragged her away. Obsessive martial artists... are absolutely terrifying.