Chapter 13: Emiya's Home Economics
[The Home Economics test by Emiya is about to begin.]
[The winner will receive the Craft Essence "Rin's Pendant," worth 5000 QP.]
"As a Craft Essence, it's only three-star grade, offering only a small attack boost. But as Magecraft material, its standard isn't low—if resold to a Magecraft shop, you can get 5000 QP!"
"If you want this prize, put your all into cooking the most exquisite dish to impress the judges."
"Um, Emiya-sensei…"
Eikou raised his hand to ask:
"That must be very important to you, right? Isn't it bad to give it away so casually instead of keeping it?"
At this, Servant Emiya just gave a bitter smile.
"It's fine… for some reason, every time Chaldea Academy does a Servant Summoning, it always calls out a pile of meaningless Craft Essences. This is already the eighth pendant I've been given. Later I'll just fetch another one from the school warehouse."
"…I see."
Such a painfully realistic reason, almost enough to make all FGO players cry.
The school bell suddenly rang—meaning the exam had officially begun.
Eikou hurriedly put on his chef's hat, speaking to the boys beside him:
"Tristan, Oberon, our opponents this time are the army of King Arthur. So the three of us should become master chefs, researching the ultimate dish to serve the King!"
"Yeah!!"
The other two quickly donned their hats, raising their fists.
"We are… the three-man squad!!"
Gawain: "You're not including me?"
"No, your cooking is too special… to be precise, your mashed potatoes really aren't for human consumption," Eikou said frankly. "So let's feed them to Shinji-kun (trash can) instead."
Even the gluttonous Artorias couldn't swallow Gawain's mashed potatoes!
"No, no, no…"
Tristan shook his head, his expression suddenly very serious.
"This time I really want Sir Gawain to join in. It's rare for us all to cook together—aren't you curious what he might make besides mashed potatoes?"
Bang!
Eikou froze, as if struck by lightning.
Though he had a bad premonition, he truly did want to see what Gawain would cook besides mashed potatoes.
After all, Gawain was a diligent and meticulous student. If he abandoned that bizarre mashed potato obsession, maybe he could actually achieve something in the culinary arts.
"In that case, it can't be helped… this chance is rare, let's witness Gawain's true power."
Eikou said solemnly.
"Gawain, this is my lifelong request: I want you to cook something other than mashed potatoes!"
"You guys really don't want my mashed potatoes that badly?"
Gawain looked confused.
"But since you said it's your lifelong request, I'll break my life creed just this once and present you another recipe!"
Why the hell was your life creed mashed potatoes? What sacred place do they hold in your heart!?
As Gawain opened his cookbook,
Eikou and Oberon exchanged a look.
In that instant, the two poor men silently reached an understanding.
Entertaining the King, researching the ultimate dish—those were just excuses to placate the Round Table knights.
Their true motive had been clear from the start:
Money!!!
If they sold the prize, they'd get 5000 QP!
Enough to buy a laptop with an RTX 4060, or put toward summer vacation travel expenses.
"…Very well, then this is the dish."
At that moment, Gawain closed the cookbook, his green eyes bursting with a sharp gleam.
"For Our Kings, this time I'll try something new… Spring Chirashi Sushi!"
Everyone gasped in admiration.
So cool! Just hearing the name "Spring Chirashi Sushi" sounded classy—and had absolutely nothing to do with potatoes!
"Our Gawain has finally resolved to leave his comfort zone, and is researching real cuisine now!"
Eikou sighed like a stepfather watching his stepson grow up.
Gawain rolled up his sleeves, beginning to prepare the dish.
"First… wash the rice and let it drain."
The Knight of the Sun set the moist rice aside, then picked up a knife and several vegetables.
With skilled blade technique, he quickly chopped them neatly.
"Carrots, lotus root, bamboo shoots, and rehydrated shiitake mushrooms…"
"Next, soak the lotus root, then put all chopped ingredients with the rice into the cooker."
Watching Gawain concentrate, Eikou and Tristan rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
"Sir Gawain… such precise knife skills, such a rich mix of ingredients, such careful handling—he's really cooking? Is this still the potato gorilla I knew?"
Most importantly, this time there wasn't a single potato in sight.
Which meant, no risk of him suddenly adding one later.
"Tristan, perhaps this is his true strength, once freed of his shackles."
Eikou thought deeply, serious-faced.
Abandoning mashed potatoes, cooking diligently—he might already be equal to a Concept God!
Even Emiya-sensei, making his rounds, gave an approving glance toward Gawain's station.
Even Emiya-sensei recognized Gawain's cooking—didn't that mean… they could see the light of victory?
"Do your best, Gawain! Our prize money depends on you!"
Eikou shouted encouragement.
But Gawain remained intensely focused, working step by step:
"Add less water than usual, season with soy sauce, sake, mirin, mushroom soaking water…"
"Over there, beat eggs, season with salt and sugar, strain, and make omelet rolls…"
"Peas, carrots, lotus root for garnish, blanch quickly in salted water…"
Amazing, Gawain! His practiced techniques and balanced flavors promised success!
Eikou clenched his fists, inwardly cheering.
He could already smell the delicious aroma.
"Take out the cooked rice, mix with sushi vinegar, shape into neat blocks for slicing."
"Then form them into beautiful sushi shapes…"
The tempting fragrance made the three of them swallow hard.
They couldn't wait anymore.
Gawain's large hands firmly shaped the sushi roll.
"Finally, time to present the dish…"
And as he released it,
In the eager eyes of his teammates—
The next instant, the sushi collapsed into a mangled pile of mashed potatoes.
"Gawain's Special Mashed Potatoes, complete!"
Gawain announced proudly.
"Whyyyyyy!!"
Eikou clutched his head, screaming in despair.
Tristan fell to the ground in shock.
"Is this… the curse of mashed potatoes?"
He'd done so well before—why did it still become mashed potatoes in the end!?
This was at the level of Innocent Monster already!
...
(Note from wikia: Innocent Monster is an attribute possessed by Servants whose true history and existence have been distorted by the monstrous reputations and gossips they accrued across the course of their life and thereafter, without concern for the actual person's will or appearance. As a consequence, the Servant's abilities and appearance have been rendered to conform to the specifications of their legend. Incidentally, this Personal Skill cannot be removed.)