Chapter 15: Jeanne Alter's Chocolate
"I'm not very good at cooking,"
Eikou admitted honestly.
"But there are always more solutions than problems. For example, we can imitate others' techniques, recreating identical dishes. If our true ability can't surpass them, at least we can narrow the gap."
"On top of that, we can pull some harmless pranks on other teams, use tricks to lower their scores. That way, we might stand out."
"Oooh~"
Oberon's eyes shone with admiration.
"What a perfect plan—first copy others' skills, then drag their scores down to elevate ours. The core idea is: 'We don't need to be great, just pull others down.' Truly genius!"
"Alright, alright, no need to flatter me right now!"
Eikou waved his hand.
"This plan sounds nice, but replicating something that can beat Barghest isn't realistic. At least, no one in our class has that ability. Wait, maybe I should check the France class next door."
French cuisine was famously delicious—maybe there was a prodigy who could rival Barghest?
"No need to trouble yourself."
Just then, a crisp, cold female voice came from the classroom doorway.
Eikou instantly recognized it.
The Queen of the Fairy Kingdom strode in confidently, her every step regal, hair fluttering, the morning sun shining on her jade-like skin, like sunlight gliding over a pristine iceberg.
She walked into the class as if it were her domain.
"Morgan, why are you here?"
Eikou thought, wasn't she an outsider? Why was she appearing in school so often lately?
"I'm a special guest for this Home Economics exam. Since your school is short-staffed, I won't refuse to lend my help."
Morgan explained seriously.
"I see," he nodded. "And your real reason?"
"…Artoria Lancer has been tutoring you often lately, which worries me. I came to protect your chastity, since that red dragon clearly has ulterior motives."
Feels more like you're the one with ulterior motives!
"Morgan, coming to school like this—aren't you afraid of running out of time? What about your corporation?"
"No problem. The Orkney Group is firmly under my control, it can run stably even if I take a long vacation. More importantly…"
She stepped closer, nearly pressing against him, and whispered only for him to hear:
"The Orkney Group won't betray me, because I have it firmly in my grasp. I hope you'll be the same. But you might be stolen away by that Wild Boar Artoria Lancer, so I must guard you closely."
Such possessiveness…
At the judges' table, Lion King Artoria suddenly stood, her sharp green eyes glaring at Morgan.
"Morgan, you again—haunting me like a ghost that won't fade…"
"Say what you like, Artoria. I'm here as an invited guest and a judge."
Morgan coughed softly, projecting queenly dignity, though her icy eyes secretly glanced at Eikou, betraying a childlike shyness.
"As a food judge, my score carries heavy weight. Forget Artoria—just focus on preparing me a dish. As long as it pleases me, you'll definitely place first in this exam."
"R-really…"
So confident—indeed, worthy of the Fairy Queen.
But it was very convenient.
"So what food do you like?"
"I don't have particular favorites," Morgan said lightly. "But I detest two things: overly greasy junk food, and insect-based dishes. Those are utterly repulsive—I absolutely refuse them."
Easy enough to avoid, especially insect dishes.
His cooking skill and taste couldn't handle such grotesque things anyway.
"Understood. I'll make the best dish I can for you."
Eikou replied firmly.
Morgan seemed pleased, smiling and nodding before taking an empty seat at the judges' table.
She elegantly crossed her long stocking-clad legs, silently waiting for his dish.
[For you, the path to victory in Home Economics has opened.]
[As long as you present a proper dish and win Morgan's heart, you have a chance to take first place.]
[This is good news for both you and Oberon.]
[But when you turned to share this joy with Oberon, he had vanished.]
[Maybe he went to the restroom, or maybe he was hiding from someone.]
[Anyway, don't mind the Pretender for now. Half the exam time has passed—you must hurry and start cooking.]
[You knew your Britain classmates too well. Relying on them to surpass Barghest was impossible. So you went straight to the Home Economics class of the France class next door.]
[There, the first thing you saw was a silver-haired tsundere girl with short hair, cold in appearance.]
[It was Jeanne Alter.]
[She seemed to have finished her exam, having made a beautifully crafted chocolate dessert.]
[What shocked you was the perfection of Jeanne Alter's chocolate. Though not a Servant of this type, she was about to perfectly pass the Home Economics exam.]
[It seemed she had truly kept her promise to you, working hard so she wouldn't fail again.]
"..."
Jeanne Alter stared at the dark chocolate she had just finished, lost in thought.
"This time, to avoid failing, I really did my best to make this."
She gazed at the heart-shaped chocolate in her hand.
"In flavor, color, shape, even its sweet aroma, this chocolate is first-class. Truly worthy of me!"
"The only imperfection is… I bought too few molds. Only the classic heart shape… this form is way too easily misunderstood!"