After spending some time with Seo-yul, I gathered my clothes and underwear and headed into the bathroom.
The exquisitely decorated interior of the bathroom, which I had now grown accustomed to. It resembled a hotel bathroom that required a bit of money to enjoy.
On the white and smooth floor, a brown carpet lay, and along one wall, a long mirror was mounted.
Below it was a well-maintained sink and a shelf neatly arranged with a robe and cosmetics.
I placed my change of clothes on the shelf and stripped off what I was wearing.
Having regained my body, I proceeded with physical training with my master.
Actually, today’s training was more like rehabilitation, so it wasn’t too intense, but since I hadn’t moved that much in a while, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my body was a little creaky.
Thanks to that, the casual outfit I wore rolled around on the floor and became a heap of rags.
Of course, the outfit itself had restoration and cleaning functions, and I had used purification magic, but since I had plenty of casual wear, I tossed it into the laundry basket without hesitation.
Immediately after, I entered the glass partition and carefully operated the device.
– Swaaa…
Warm water poured down from the ceiling-mounted shower head.
[Concern]
[Worry]
[Trauma]
I reached out to check the water’s condition, remaining tense.
It was a suitably warm temperature. Only then did I step into the water and let it flow over me.
– Puhuu…
My hair became thoroughly soaked, and the water streamed down my body, quickly filling the glass partition with fog.
Beneath the veil of steam, being pelted by the water, it felt as if the fatigue of the day began to wash away, even if only a little.
… Of course, even now, in a corner of my divided consciousness, fatigue accumulated…
In any case, I couldn’t just stand under the water endlessly, so I squeezed some shampoo into my palm.
Using the shampoo provided, I rubbed it into my hair, while lathering body wash all over my body.
– Uuuung…
It was time to rinse, but a blue light suddenly popped up beside me.
It was a water spirit. Its body flickered briefly. The stream pouring straight from the shower head moved freely, rinsing my body in every nook and cranny.
‘Oh…’
This feels really comfortable. Before I could even ask why it was there, I surrendered my body to its convenient assistance.
Thanks to that, rinsing off the bubbles was quickly finished.
The bathroom had a large bathtub and bath products, but since I didn’t feel like using it right now, I skipped that.
I thought about using the bathtub later with Seo-yul. Would he enjoy it if a yellow ducky floated around while we bathed together?
Having decided to save the bathtub for later, I stepped out of the partition.
I gently stroked the water spirit’s body as if to say, “Did I do well?” and picked up a long towel.
At the same time, a light sparkled again, just like before.
Green and red… the spirits of wind and fire.
With anticipation, I waited for a moment.
In response to my eagerness, a refreshing breeze and gentle warmth wrapped around my body and hair.
[Comfortable…]
I carefully set down the towel I had raised.
I finally understood why Professor Liana warned us to be careful with spirits in our daily lives.
Even while staying still, they washed me, dried me, and kept me warm, leaving me feeling no need to move myself.
Did Professor Liana feel this way too?
Now I understood why her room was always messy…
At this rate, I felt like I might become a hopeless human.
I consoled the other elemental spirits who sulked, saying they couldn’t help, and picked up the towel again.
—
“Sir, I’ll prepare dinner.”
After finishing my shower, while rummaging around the kitchen, Ariel, who had been next to Seo-yul, hurried over.
[Ah, thank you for the offer]
[But this time, I want to try making it myself]
“You’re going to cook for yourself…?”
[Yes]
[I know a little bit.]
Ariel blinked in surprise. She didn’t seem to doubt I would cook, but her reaction was filled with a small concern.
[If I happen to make any mistakes, could you point them out?]
[Because Yeon-hwa and Elia are coming over soon, I want to prepare something in advance.]
“Alright… I understand.”
Only after I added that I would need help did Ariel nod. She seemed eager to assist with sparkling eyes.
Having had over ten years of experience supporting Hong Yeon-hwa, Ariel probably thought that even if I messed up, her excellent cooking skills could save the day.
I trusted her and asked for her help.
In any case, after making the request, I neatly gathered the ingredients and tools.
The menu was pretty simple.
Just bacon fried rice and cream pasta… with a simple soup and bagels, that was all.
It didn’t seem like much, but with Seo-yul included, there were about 4.5 people, all of whom were superhumans.
In other words, the amount they consume is far greater than a regular person. Even Elia, being support-oriented, can easily finish a bowl of rice.
It might actually be not enough, so I planned to make a lot.
There wasn’t much time to spare. I washed my hands again and began cooking.
“…?”
Ariel, standing beside me, had a question mark floating above her head.
Her gaze was fixed on the sky’s wing feathers that split into many branches behind my back.
Watching her eyes widen as if she had seen something extraordinary, I manipulated the sky’s wing feathers.
The split sky feathers stretched out to grab the tools and ingredients.
In a swift cooking process, the nimble wing feathers washed and prepared the ingredients.
Some of the feathers placed a pot of water on the stove and brought it to a boil, while another dropped in the pasta just as it was about to boil.
Another feather coated a preheated frying pan with oil and sautéed the prepared vegetables.
The ingredients for the fried rice, as well as the onion and mushrooms for the mushroom soup, were all sautéed properly.
At one side, another worked to cut the bagel bread, thickly filling it up, and then covering it with the top.
Spirits also joined in on the process. Thanks to that, the cooking process became even more colorful and lively.
Since it seemed to have become quite a spectacle, Seo-yul approached me, eyes sparkling as he watched.
[Seo-yul, it’s dangerous to come too close.]
[Should we keep a bit of distance?]
“Yes.”
[That’s right, good boy.]
I gave a small warning to Seo-yul, who wanted to cling too closely, and continued cooking.
All of the above processes were conducted through observation and measured calculations.
Through my observations in the library and by catching snatches of the cooking process, I gathered information. With the skill of a Jack of All Trades, the process was somewhat okay.
Honestly, I believe that as long as you follow a recipe, you can produce something edible most of the time.
Based on that belief, I calculated the intensity of the fire, the dimensions of the ingredients and spices, and the cooking and boiling times accurately.
“…Do you need help?”
Ariel asked with a somewhat reluctant expression.
Her candid expression felt out of character for her, and I chuckled awkwardly.
—
“Wow… what is all this?”
Just as our group arrived at the dorm at the perfect timing, Yeon-hwa gaped at the dining table. Her eyes darted between the dishes in awe.
[How is it?]
My smile bloomed at her satisfying reaction.
As I moved closer, Hong Yeon-hwa abruptly turned to look at me, her gaze quickly checking the apron I wore.
“…Did Ha-yul make all this?”
“Yes, I wanted to help, but I turned out to be useless.”
Ariel said with a hint of frustration.
Noticing her unusually expressive emotions since a while ago, I saw tears welling up in Yeon-hwa’s eyes.
That much was evident in her gaze. A lovely aroma lingered in the air, easing the throbbing headache I had.
[Hehe]
I felt a sense of accomplishment swell inside me.
– I’m so glad I came back, huh? This is nice now. I loved being young, but… that felt so guilty. Let’s sleep together tonight.
Earlier, in the hallway, when Yeon-hwa rejoiced over my return to normal, she had pulled me into a tight embrace.
– It’s a bit disappointing, but you’re cute now!
Elia also congratulated me with some awkward words.
“Hey? You made bagels, too?”
[Yes]
[I heard that they eat bagels in England, so I followed a recipe and tried it.]
“Wow! I loved this so much; I ate it every time I visited!”
Elia chimed in, clapping her hands, already expressing her joy.
Even without tasting it yet, her enthusiasm was oddly pleasing.
[Hehe…]
The continuous compliments and admiration made me grin widely.
“Really, you’ve truly returned to normal! Congratulations!”
Another voice chimed in.
With her flowing, watery hair, Baek Ahrin entered, her eyes widening in surprise.
[Yes, I just made it.]
[But why did you come, Baek Ahrin?]
I cocked my head to ask, realizing I’d been wondering since earlier.
“Geez! Ha-yul’s words sound so blunt… Can’t we just drop by to hang out?”
Baek Ahrin retorted, her voice rising in mock distress.
Sobbing fake tears, she even dabbed her eyes.
Her expression made me chuckle involuntarily.
“Haha! Look at that face… Alright, I’ll stop teasing. Would it be rude to join in on the feasting?”
After her giggles subsided, Baek Ahrin suddenly asked. I briefly surveyed the dining table.
I had deliberately made enough food.
It wouldn’t be an issue if Baek Ahrin joined in.
[There’s plenty for everyone.]
[Let’s eat together.]
“Thank you! I’ll definitely repay you later!”
Baek Ahrin smiled brightly and took my hand.
Naturally, even if the quantity was insufficient, I would’ve insisted we eat together anyway.
After all, I’ve received much from Baek Ahrin. Just a few days ago…
– [Ahrin, aren’t you feeling well?]
– It’ll come out later─
[Ugh…]
My head suddenly flooded with the recollection, and I cradled my head, bowing down. The surrounding people were startled and clustered around me.
All of them were partakers of that regretful memory.
[Shame]
[Intense Regret]
Amidst the flurry of responses around me, my heart felt like it was being gouged out…
—
A warm atmosphere enveloped the dinner table.
A variety show echoed in the living room on the television, while the clinking of cutlery filled the air at the dining table.
Glancing around, I could get a rough sense of everyone’s food preferences.
Yeon-hwa preferred the fried rice.
Though it was a simple fried rice with vegetables and bacon seasoned with spices, she ate it with delight.
Was the fried rice, aided by the fire spirit’s flames, distinctly different?
I was curious, but unfortunately, I couldn’t taste it myself.
Meanwhile, Elia primarily reached for the bagels.
I had made two types of bagels.
One type was cut in half, lathered with cream cheese, and filled with fresh salmon and tomatoes.
The other was filled with mustard-marinated beef… in total, two varieties.
The one with beef was said to be London-style, right? Not wanting to miss out, I prepared both, and thankfully, she was enjoying both immensely.
In fact, this dish didn’t require much cooking, merely slight adjustments to the seasonings and cheese.
That was how they commonly ate them in England, fitting Elia’s tastes perfectly.
As for Baek Ahrin and Ariel… they seemed to prefer the cream pasta.
The cream pasta wasn’t anything special. I had simply made it traditionally, generously adding bacon.
Ariel initially declined, saying she would eat separately, but after I insisted, we ended up dining together.
“Wow, this is amazing…”
“Seriously. It’s way better than what I had in London!”
[Hehe…]
Watching everyone enjoy the meal washed away the remnants of anxiety buried in my heart.
No matter what, I thought I couldn’t fail since I had the power of observation, and everything would be tastier thanks to the Jack of All Trades effect.
However, I no longer felt that anxiety. With my stomach feeling cleared, I mechanically moved my utensils, grinning.
“So, Ha-yul, are you starting your entrance exams now?”
In the middle of shoveling fried rice into my mouth.
Baek Ahrin, who had been watching me eat with a peculiar gaze, brought up the topic of entrance exams.
[Yes, I’ve received the information,]
[But first, I want to adapt to my restored body.]
The necklace answered in place of my busy mouth.
“Already getting into entrance exams? Wasn’t it starting next week?”
“Yeah, same as last semester, from Monday to Friday, for five days.”
The entrance exam timing was fast approaching. Because of that, Professor Liana and my master had become busier, unable to take the time to join us for dinner.
I still vividly remembered how my master seemed almost in tears and Professor Liana had looked quite regretful.
Curious, I peeked inside the refrigerator.
‘The ingredients are all here.’
Fortunately, there were enough supplies.
I should make some extras to share later.
Speaking of which, I’d received a sandwich from Professor Liana at the beginning of the semester.
So I thought I would repay her for that.
“Observation… Was it a duel against the manifested self? I guess there won’t be any other students chasing us like last time.”
“Instead, there will be other difficulties, so we have to prepare a lot.”
“But it’s odd how the trials become harder the more you prepare.”
From what I could overhear, everyone seemed to be preparing thoroughly for their entrance exams.
I was also working hard on my preparations.
Thanks to that, my head felt a bit weary, but where could I train while eating or sleeping?
[Seo-yul? Ah~]
“Ah…”
“……”
As I took care of Seo-yul while eating, Hong Yeon-hwa cast a sidelong glance at us.
She briefly looked between her own share of soup and Seo-yul, then slowly brought the spoon of soup close to Seo-yul’s mouth.
Her demeanor looked incredibly awkward.
Seo-yul scrunched his face and kept his mouth shut. Even though Hong Yeon-hwa was doing her best to fish for his favor, the inexplicable wall Seo-yul had towards her remained steadfast.
I suppressed a sigh that almost escaped.
At this rate, it was too far from her becoming a… uh, mother.
Even so, he seemed to follow Elia, Professor Liana, and others quite well…
And so, my worries deepened today again.
Ignoring the pain in my head, I blew on the soup and fed it to Seo-yul.
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