I Became The Academy’s Narrow-Eyes - Chapter 40: Surviving in the Lebringer Mansion (2)

“Ah, so it’s cooked to level 4? I understand.”

That’s a lie.

Of course, I didn’t understand.

“What, do you think you’re in America?”

What’s with this cooking level?

Rare, medium, unique, well-done, legendary.

Why would you abandon intuitive and classy names and use ones only you know?

“Do you need anything else?”

Yena asked, adjusting her glasses as I stood still without starting to cook.

The light reflected off her lenses, adding a sparkle to her eyes.

She is undoubtedly a maid – an overseer.

“Huh? Oh, no. I was just impressed by the quality of the ingredients and the equipment.”

I approached the workstation, which had a structure similar to a modern kitchen.

Where there should have been a hearth or a gas range, there was a device with a structure very similar to a gas range.

The device functioned and was operated just like a gas range.

It seemed like a kind of magical stove made with magic engineering.

If it works with electricity, it’s an electric stove.

If it works with gas, it’s a gas stove.

So, that is-

‘A mana stove…!’

Surprisingly, the mana stove was a product of high technology, even able to adjust the flame.

I stared at the flame that could change freely according to my will.

Then, I placed a pan with a handle on the flame.

I put my hand over the pan, calculating the time it would take for the pan to heat up.

Then, I smelled the oil placed next to me, checked its viscosity with my hand, and poured it into the pan.

I shook the pan to check the flow of the oil.

A series of actions performed unconsciously formed an equation in my head, producing a single result.

It was the perfect way to grill that meat.

So, now I realized how to perfectly grill that meat under the given conditions.

‘Hehe.’

The talent close to a miracle that my ability brings.

Now, I’m not even surprised.

But I had a thought.

‘Can I use this in alchemy too?’

Well, I’ll satisfy my curiosity later when the opportunity arises.

For now, I focus on the task at hand.

Cooking level 4?

I still don’t know to what extent that refers to how well done it is.

But one thing’s for sure.

‘Now.’

Now is the time to put that meat on the pan, when it tastes the best.

Whether the cooking level is 1 or 100, isn’t it just a matter of taste?

That’s what I think.

Anyone who disagrees can come forward with better culinary skills.

-Chiik.

Adjusting the fire, flipping, letting it go, flipping.

It may not have looked like much, but a lot of concentration and detail went into this task.

-Thump.

Soon, I placed the meat, which was emitting a murderous color mixed with gold and brown, and a murderous smell, on the plate.

According to my trait, I should have rested the meat at this point, but considering the situation, I figured Yena would take that into account when evaluating.

“Hmm…”

Yena, who had somehow held the fork and knife in a stylish manner, observed the cross section of the meat with a brimming sense of decorum.

Then, the lenses of her sparkling glasses.

“Ceylon, I distinctly requested that the meat be cooked to level 4. However, this meat is cooked to level 6.”

She displayed the attitude of a taskmaster condemning the servant who had undoubtedly made a mistake.

But I had no reason to feel embarrassed if I was confident.

I scratched the back of my head and laughed awkwardly.

“Ah~ Originally, I wanted to cook the meat to level 4, as Yena said – but I thought it would be such a waste.”

“What do you mean, ‘a waste’?”

“I thought this meat would be more suitable to be cooked at level 6 rather than level 4. Cooking such good meat in the wrong way would be a tremendous waste, wouldn’t it?”

Yena’s scrutinous gaze seemed to waver.

She likely thought I was making excuses as best I could.

“Why did you make that judgement?”

I simply relayed the grounds on which my trait had made that judgement.

“…”

Upon hearing this, a look of surprise flitted across Yena’s face.

I seized the opportunity to continue my thought.

“Could you try it first, then make your judgement?”

“Hmm.”

Yena seemed displeased, but she brought a piece of meat to her mouth.

Perhaps this was what the nobility called etiquette.

There was nothing more than cutting the meat and chewing it, but it possessed a sense of decorum, dignity, and grace.

‘It’s fascinating.’

Above all, although she was clearly chewing, there was no sound and her jaw was not moving.

At this point, it was not etiquette, it was practically magic.

“…”

How long had it been since Yena started chewing the meat.

The pupil of her eye reflected in her glasses shook once.

Unlike when eating the legendary scorched rice soup which incited a dramatic reaction of ‘ohh? ooh…!? wow~’ it was just a few bites, but I thought it was sufficiently a positive signal.

Considering Yena’s personality, that is.

Just then, Yena went somewhere.

She returned holding a meat identical to the one we just had.

“Would you mind cooking the meat to the requested level once more?”

It looked as though she wanted to check whether my cooking skill was a fluke or true skill.

‘A while ago, the meat I cooked was level 6, right?’

I divided the cooking process I just went through into six steps in my head.

Perhaps the fourth step was the cooking level of 4.

I decided to push the boundaries of ambition a little further.

I cut the meat in half, planning to grill one portion to level 6 and the other to level 4 (estimated).

“…”

I subtly noticed Yena watching me do this.

The gaze directed at me held an emotion that was not seen before.

It was interest.

Just before, the finicky maid, who had been glaring at me through her glasses, was now looking at me, who was doing something unexpected, with a look of interest.

“Please.”

I first grilled the meat to level 6 and then to level 4.

Yena quietly tasted the meat, neither commenting nor looking at the cross-section.

“Certainly.”

That was the word that flowed from her lips after she finished tasting.

Yena stared at me.

“Have you ever learned cooking separately?”

It was the first time she had asked a question that seemed to be purely out of curiosity, rather than a needling remark.

In other words, Yena was showing curiosity toward me.

A kind of positive curiosity.

A positive curiosity soon leads to a positive interest.

This was a good sign.

And I knew how to draw out curiosity from the other person.

“That is-”

I held out my hand, with my index finger pointing up.

As I paused, a palpable tension pervaded the room.

Feeling her curiosity whipped up in the silence, I drew out my words,

“-it’s a secret.”

“…”

Yena’s face crumpled.

The trick of my cooking skills had no root, no foundation whatsoever.

Should I make up a rootless secret of my cooking skills and explain it in detail?

It was certain to instill not curiosity but suspicion in the finicky maid.

It was better to be vague here.

I now understood why those who harbor a secret, yet refuse to reveal it, tend to laugh off and brush it aside, saying “it’s a secret”.

It’s disgustingly convenient.

I decided to use it actively in the future.

Phew.

Yena let out a sigh, then spoke with a tired tone.

“Alright. If you want to keep it a secret, I won’t pry.”

“Haha, thank you for your consideration. By the way, how is it, Miss Yena? Do you think my skills have managed to gain your trust to a certain extent?”

Yena seemed lost in thought.

Soon, she took out a piece of paper from her bosom and handed it to me.

“What is this?”

“It’s the menu planned for tonight’s dinner. All the time-consuming and labor-intensive processes have already been completed, so all you need to do is finish up. These are all common dishes, so I believe you would know how to cook them. Feel free to add your own variation, but please bear in mind the wines we’ve prepared for tonight. Do you have any questions?”

It seemed like I had gotten past one hurdle.

All I needed to do now was to get the lady to say it was delicious, then it would be all clear.

I nodded my head at her in satisfaction.

“I have no questions.”

Upon my response, Yena nodded her head, then snapped her fingers twice.

Immediately, five maids, who had apparently been waiting nearby, lined up in the kitchen.

“These girls will assist you in your work. If you have any additional requests, call me anytime. Now, if you will excuse me.”

With that, Yena bowed and left the room.

“…”

The five maids left in the room were staring at me quietly.

Were they waiting for instructions?

“…”

First, I checked the notes.

As Yena said, the menu for today’s dinner, which she had asserted would be familiar to me, was written there.

“Hmm.”

I nodded my head.

Then, I showed the note to the maids, who were waiting for the chef’s instructions, and asked.

“Does anyone know how to make this dish?”

“””…”””

***

“Ceylon…! Did you really make this soup!?”

It was Drin who was exclaiming.

Knowing how fussy her tastes were,

It was hard enough to satisfy her with a meal,

And she had predicted before that she would never hear the response she wanted from her mouth no matter what.

But the moment she put a spoonful of the soup I made into her mouth, her eyes popped out.

“I don’t know if the taste will suit you.”

“…”

Miss Drin took another sip of the soup and savored it with her eyes closed.

Then she nodded.

“Oh my goodness. I can’t believe you have such talent…!”

“Haha, I’m glad you like it.”

Seeing Miss Drin eating deliciously, I suddenly saw her looking at me with disgruntled face.

“I admit defeat…!”

“Eh.”

Having started the bet on her own, and admitting defeat on her own, I checked the reactions of the other guests, leaving Miss Drin behind.

“Miss Adryn, do you think it suits your taste?”

“Hmm!?”

Miss Adryn, who had a mouthful of food like a hamster, looked at me and nodded vehemently.

“Hmmmmm!!! Hmm!!”

“Hmm, I see. Hmm.”

Oh, Miss Adryn. You should keep your etiquette in the Lebringer mansion.

Fortunately, seeing Yena’s reaction, it didn’t seem like Adryn’s eating habits were a problem.

‘…Is that so?’

It was surprising as I thought Yena would have taken etiquette very seriously.

So complex, the world of nobility.

I next asked Miss Mizu.

“Miss Mizu, do you think it suits your taste?”

“…Does the Lebringer family usually eat like this?”

Miss Mizu tremblingly mumbled with a dish in her hand.

“In my next life… I will definitely be born as a Lebringer.”

Would I stay in the Lebringer family until Mizu’s reincarnation?

Leaving that question behind, I asked Adella next.

“So, how is it, Miss Adella? Do you think it suits your taste?”

“…”

At that, Adella looked at me with a face still unable to shake off the shock and said,

“Ceylon, do you happen to have any plans to work for our family?”

“Heh, I know it’s just a polite thing to say but that’s some high praise. Thank you.”

“Not a polite comment, but-”

Leaving the frustrated Adella behind, I approached the finicky maid standing in the corner of the hall.

“…”

Then I just stood by her side, leaning back and loitering in silence.

Soon, I heard a sigh.

“Ceylon?”

“Hm?”

When I turned around, Yena bowed to me.

“Thank you, Ceylon, for saving Miss Drin’s face today.”

Saving Miss Drin’s face.

Perhaps she was referring to how the dinner party hosted by Miss Drin was about to be cancelled.

And that I was the one who saved the nearly-cancelled dinner party, thereby preserving Miss Drin’s dignity.

“There’s nothing more meaningful than serving a meal to good people. I should be the one thanking for organizing this event, Miss Drin, and Miss Yena.”

Yena stared at me for a while before turning her gaze back to Miss Drin, who was still busy eating.

Although there wasn’t any explicit expression, I could clearly feel it at that moment.

The awkwardness in the scrutinizing maid’s gaze toward me had almost vanished entirely.

“Come to think of it, Miss Drin did mention it.”

“Pardon?”

“Ceylon achieved an exceptionally high score on the academy entrance exam, practically securing their admission.”

“Oh.”

When I smiled awkwardly, Yena asked directly.

“Just how well did you do for Miss Drin to say such a thing?”

Yena inquired as if a mother was asking about the grade of her daughter’s friend.

Seriously, is she the mother?

Regardless, in this situation,

It was a perfect opportunity to score points.

I brought out my finale to the operation to win over the fastidious maid.

I subtly implied that I had achieved first place in the second and third exams.

Then, the awkwardness in Yena’s gaze at me-

“…”

Huh?

Her gaze at me was filled with more awkwardness.

Although it was different from the negative feeling before-

What is it?

“So you’re saying that you’ve defeated Miss Drin and ranked first in the academy entrance exam?”

“Oh.”

Shoot.

It seemed like I had inadvertently touched upon the lady’s weak point.

“No, that’s not what I meant-”

It was at that moment when I was trying to figure out how to dismiss this situation.

“Hmm…! That makes sense.”

A strange voice that hadn’t been there before reached my ears.

It was probably the strange presence I had felt earlier.

Suddenly, a man I had never seen before took a seat at the dining table and began devouring the food.

And, his gaze was clearly directed at me.

“To defeat my sister and grab first place.”

These blue pupils, enough to be considered beautiful from an aesthetic point of view, but filled with an uncanny discomfort.

I knew the owner of these unique eyes that I would never forget upon seeing them once.

Redar Lebringer.

The eldest son of the Lebringer family.

A monster who could be considered one of the strongest in the world at the current moment, right after the end of the entrance exam.

And his most notable ability?

His eyes.

The omnipotent eyes that could see through the essence of the other person.

Ordinarily, at this point in time, he was someone I would never run into.

However, there he was, Redar Lebringer, sitting at the dining table, with a chicken leg in one hand and capturing me within his omnipotent vision.

Gulp.

After swallowing the food, Redar Lebringer paused briefly and spoke.

“You, who are you?”

Who are you?

Why are you here now?