Chapter: 31
Being taken by Marghetta because of my position as the Academy Inspector is exhausting, but unfortunately, I also hold the title of the Pastry Club’s advisor. In the morning, I need to review the exhibition budget with the Student Council, and in the afternoon, I have to supervise what the Pastry Club will be doing during the exhibition.
‘Concurrent positions are inhumane.’
Even the Empire’s administration, which treats public servants like dogs, avoids concurrent jobs as much as possible, so I never expected to experience this at the Academy. I just want the exhibition to start and end quickly.
Caught between a perfectly fine body and a weary mind, I sat blankly and always spotted the chatterbox club members. Wow, you all are bursting with energy! If only there were a spell that allowed you to transfer your energy to others. Maybe I overexerted myself during my teenage years, but it feels like my stamina has decreased now that I’m in my twenties.
However, regardless of how I felt, the six members busy preparing for the exhibition didn’t seem to notice my fatigue.
“We should have a variety of things. Just cookies seem a bit boring.”
Tannian said it gently, but I could roughly guess his intention. If we only offer cookies, we’d end up relying on Louise’s special cookies, so let’s make other snacks too! Poor Tannian awkwardly trying to beat around the bush is a bit sad to see.
“I can make cakes or bread too.”
“I’d prefer if Louise focused on cookies. We can handle the other stuff ourselves.”
Rutis quickly shut down Louise’s ambition to help with other snacks. Instead of leaving it to Louise’s hands, it seems they’d rather learn to make it themselves, as if they couldn’t trust her. Those punks, they’re probably just using cookies as a backup plan while they go for something else.
‘They’re not even considering their own tastes.’
They don’t realize their taste buds are extremely refined. However, considering that some of the Academy’s students or the outside nobles visiting will also likely have discerning tastes, I suppose it makes sense.
At first, I thought they must be picky because they were from noble families, but then that doesn’t explain why even Erich wouldn’t want to eat Louise’s cookies. Is the average noble’s palate that high-class? I wouldn’t know since I’m not an average noble myself.
Regardless, it looks like Louise accepted the six’s desperate intervention, as she nodded along. It’s definitely visually nicer if all the Pastry Club members make different snacks rather than having everything made by just the club head. Regardless of their true intentions, it looks like a beautiful collaboration on the surface.
With that, the baking hour, filled with the rich aroma of flour, has finally arrived.
But wait, it’s so strong that it feels like flour will go up my nose! Snorting flour would look very odd, so please don’t let the flour fly over here.
It’s a refreshing feeling to see other items in the club room that used to be filled only with cookies. Were these really the kids who couldn’t bake anything just recently? Their growth is astonishing! It would be great if their common sense would grow to this level too.
“It’s better than I expected! We can sell these at the exhibition without losing face.”
That was Erich’s reaction after tearing off a piece of bread. It seems like it suits his palate, after all. Maybe it’s a generous evaluation because he made it, but honestly, that doesn’t matter. Who would be bold enough to complain about snacks made by royalty or saint candidates?
In that sense, even if only Louise’s cookies get sold at the exhibition, it wouldn’t be a problem at all. Before anyone knows it, nobody can tell who baked what! Thinking about this makes it feel like these fellows are working hard for nothing.
So, I took a piece of cake with a fork. It’s not that different from Louise’s cookies, is it? Let’s just acknowledge the effort put into creating a variety menu.
“Oppa, how is it?”
Louise turned her attention to me as she tasted the new creations. After all, my approval is necessary to showcase these at the exhibition, being the advisor. I nodded in response. Well, it’s not bad.
“It’s okay. This should be fine for selling.”
“But you’ve only tasted the cake! You have to try the other things too!”
Rutis plopped a chunk of bread in front of me. Not that I’m thankful for your consideration. If you all are selling it, someone would still buy it even if you just sold flour and butter.
However, it would look odd to judge without tasting, so I tore off a bit and had a taste. It’s pretty decent, on par with cake level. Once again nodding, Rutis proceeded to put yet another snack in front of me.
‘Dammit.’
“…This is a bit much.”
At first glance, it didn’t seem like a big deal, but once I considered everything I had to taste, I realized there was a lot! Guys, I’m not a guinea pig to sample all your creations. I’m not here as a taste-testing advisor, you know!
“Well, since we’re the ones who made it, it’s hard to offer an objective assessment. It would be best if you could evaluate it for us.”
“That’s fair.”
I couldn’t really disagree with Lather’s straightforward reasoning. But asking me to eat all these goodies made by the six of you is a bit too much, don’t you think? Even at a tasting booth, this amount would fill me up!
But faced with their six pairs of silent eyes, I quietly moved my hands. It seems like I wouldn’t even need to eat dinner today.
“Thinking about it, isn’t once not enough?”
While I was eating, the devilish Rutis opened his mouth again.
You bastard, what are you going to say now?
“What isn’t enough?”
“If it’s cookies, that’s one thing, but as for the other stuff, it’s our first time making it. Although it seems okay now, we won’t know how it’ll turn out during the exhibition, right?”
“That’s true.”
“So let’s keep making them! Once we get used to it, we’ll be able to make them well anytime!”
With that, Rutis and Lather’s stares turned to me. Behind them, Ainter chuckled and continued.
“I suppose we’ll be relying on the advisor a lot.”
And just like that, the club members started churning out baked goods like machines. Stop, please, just stop…
“How about this?”
“It’s fine.”
“And this?”
“Not bad.”
“What about this?”
“Yeah.”
Even though the supply side was six people, the demand came from just one place. The Gold Duke would probably have a meltdown if he saw this madness unfolding. This much food could kill me!
Watching me pile food into my mouth, the club members whispered amongst themselves.
“Since he says everything is good, I’m really unsure now.”
“Now that I think about it, my brother eats anything well.”
“Hmm, did we pick the wrong person for a taste test?”
You little bastards.
After feeding me like this, are you really going to talk like that now? Burning with rage, I glared at the club members, but I couldn’t exactly use force against them, so I just smoldered inside. No, I can probably use force against Erich and get away with it.
Finally swallowing the bread I had in my mouth, I banged my hand on the table to get their attention. Enough of this crap, you miserable rascals!
“This is plenty. We’re not making everything in one day, we’ll continue tomorrow.”
Got it? Now scram!
As I waved my hand dismissively, only then did the tightly gathered club members start leaving, one by one. Except for Louise.
“Louise?”
What’s going on?
Louise had never been the last one in the club room. The other five always wait for her whenever she’s a bit late. Now that I think of it, I saw her whispering something to the others earlier. Was she telling them to go ahead?
As I shot her a curious look, Louise pulled a small container out of her bag and held it out to me with a shy smile while twirling her hair with her fingers.
“Um… I’ve seen you looking tired lately, so I brought you some tea that’s good for fatigue.”
“Oh.”
I felt a bit moved. Among these club members oblivious to my struggles, it’s nice to see such a beautiful conscience blooming amid chaos.
‘If the others were only half as considerate as she is.’
Just living here in the Academy is exhausting, plus being dragged around by Marghetta adds fuel to my fatigue. I hadn’t shown it too much, but she picked up on it. As expected, Louise is the pure and flawless child. The ones with faults are the other five.
“Thank you. I’ll drink it well.”
As I replied with a smile, Louise beamed back at me.
“Hey, Oppa.”
“Yes?”
As I got up to place the tea near my cookie container, I heard Louise call out from behind me.
“If something happens, please let me know anytime! I’ll help you with anything for Oppa!”
With that, she bowed her head and rushed out of the clubroom. I couldn’t help but chuckle at her sudden declaration.
‘Did I really look that exhausted?’
To be receiving such encouragement from a kid who just became an adult makes me feel a bit disgusting. Was I really that out of it? No way, that can’t be right.
For a moment, I stared blankly at the door Louise had just exited before shifting my gaze away. It’s hard to believe, but it’s true that Louise sees through my internal struggles. More importantly, I need to prepare for the visitor who’s about to arrive. He’s the one who can help me deal with the staggering mountain of snacks!
And just as that thought crossed my mind, a knock on the door interrupted me.
– Knock, knock.
“Yes, come in.”
A man opened the door, bowed, and stepped inside.
“Have you been well, Inspector?”
“Of course. And you, Sir Villar?”
Ah, here comes my daily victim.
I welcomed Villar with the warmest smile possible.
“By the way, among these treats, there are things made by your Prince, so you must eat them too. Isn’t that the right thing to do?”
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