Chapter 16: Academic Theft
[You meet Jeanne Alter in the France class.]
[She is diligently taking the home economics exam, making an excellent chocolate bar.]
[Considering the chocolate-making process, this isn't something that can be completed in a single period… It seems she really kept her promise to you: seriously taking the exam, preparing the dish in advance, determined not to fail because of a low score.]
Jeanne Alter carefully looked at that heart-shaped chocolate.
This time, because she only brought one mold, the chocolate was naturally poured into a heart shape.
At first she didn't care much, thinking that a heart-shaped mold was no big deal, the chocolate she made didn't mean anything, it was purely to finish the exam.
But when the finished product was placed right in front of her, she realized how serious the problem was.
"This shape… way too awful…!"
Looking at the heart shape before her, Jeanne Alter ruffled her white hair in frustration,
"It totally looks like chocolate meant for a lover, if I present this to the judges it's over, they'll absolutely misunderstand!"
"Aha," Eikou smiled in greeting, "Jeanne Alter, your chocolate is quite good, but Valentine's isn't here yet, you know."
"!"
She whipped around to look at him and quickly hid the heart-shaped chocolate.
"You… what are you doing here?!"
Jeanne Alter asked, blushing.
"Why so nervous, there's nothing to be embarrassed about…" he said, "I just came to observe the France class's home economics, to see what you girls are making. Your chocolate is pretty good, together with Artoria Mysterious Heroine X Alter you'll probably get a high score, that's nice."
"Hmph… who cares about a high score, I just made it randomly." Jeanne Alter turned her face away with contempt.
Eikou laughed: "I think your serious look is very beautiful, I'm really jealous of whoever gets to eat your chocolate."
"What?!"
Jeanne Alter reacted like she was shocked by electricity, her golden eyes widening at him.
In just a few short seconds, her cheeks were flushed pink, her delicate skin turned bright red, her ears almost steaming.
"You…"
She stomped hard on the floor, scolding in embarrassment,
"Don't say weird things like that to me! Don't say another word!"
"What did I say?" Eikou looked thoughtful, stroking his chin, "Is it because I complimented you that you feel embarrassed?"
"I'll kill you!"
Jeanne Alter roared, her face red as blood.
Ahaha, teasing the tsundere Dragon Witch is always fun as ever!
"Alright, alright, calm down…"
Eikou gently smiled to comfort the tsundere girl, then glanced around the France class to take in the situation.
Except for team Queen of France who had submitted their dish, Eikou didn't see anyone with the potential to be a top chef here.
Over there, Gilles de Rais summoned a bunch of sea monster, mixing and stewing them messily, a traditional Outer Gods dish;
Mephistopheles was making some clown-shaped cake that looked very strange, faint crackling sounds coming from inside;
Even the main force of France — the Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne — weren't serious: Astolfo and Roland were using some strangely colored powders as seasoning.
Though people may have a good impression of French cuisine, unfortunately that stereotype doesn't apply to these heroic spirits.
Don't even mention winning first place, being able to swallow these things would already be lucky.
Eikou silently lit a stick of incense for the Artorias sitting on the judges' seats.
"Jeanne Alter, can you tell me who in your class cooks the best?"
"What are you planning to do?" she asked suspiciously.
"No… nothing, I just want to know what dishes my opponents plan to make so I can prepare in my mind."
"Then say the name of the dish you plan to make within three seconds, if you can't, I'll assume you came here to steal cooking ideas."
Before Eikou could think carefully, Jeanne Alter had already started counting down.
"Three, two, one…"
"Ah, mother gave birth!"
He blurted out in panic.
"'Mother gave birth' what the heck, at least say the name of a dish, idiot!" she scolded, "If you can't even answer the dish you want to cook, that proves you came to my class to copy ideas."
Hmph, Jeanne Alter sure is suddenly smart today.
Eikou had no words to refute.
"But if you want to watch then go ahead, my class is full of idiots, even if you try to pick up something from these idiots you won't get anything!"
"Jeanne, don't belittle your classmates like that," Eikou said seriously, "even an ant is given some strengths by heaven."
"Sounds like you're defending them, but it's practically blatant insult…"
Jeanne Alter suddenly grabbed the hem of his shirt, making him turn his attention back to her.
That cold yet captivating face was right in front of him.
"What's wrong…?"
Eikou wondered.
"…"
Jeanne clenched her teeth, but she didn't hesitate long before speaking:
"…Compared to you sneaking around to steal their cooking skills, it's better to stay with me to learn, at least I can guarantee you'll pass. I still have leftover ingredients to make chocolate, we can make another piece before class ends. How about it? If you don't want to then forget it."
"What…?"
Eikou was surprised, not expecting her to say that.
He let out a relieved breath and replied emotionally: "Thank you, Jeanne Alter, I will definitely repay this favor!"
"No need for you to repay anything… On the contrary, have you really forgotten the previous stuff? You really are too kind of a person!"
[Under the impatient, slightly mocking guidance of Jeanne Alter, you begin learning how to make chocolate.]
[You roughly understand the method of making chocolate.]
[You want to make chocolate in which way…]
[1. Reheat the melted chocolate Jeanne already made and just pour it into your own mold to be done]
[2. Follow Jeanne's method exactly, make it seriously]
[3. Add personal creativity, create a completely different chocolate bar!]
The first choice is ridiculous, even if it matches the simple thought of making chocolate it's basically like saying I'd be burned to ashes literally!
Eikou decided to choose option two, making chocolate seriously according to Jeanne Alter's method.
With Morgan's support, he didn't need any troublesome tricks to make an excellent dish. It was better to ensure a normal edible result than to risk pushing it to a new level.
[You choose option two: make chocolate seriously.]
[Please perform a Mana check.]
Damn it, even this part needs a dice roll?!