Returning to the academy!
To return to the academy, I boarded a modest-looking (yet latest and highly efficient) carriage and left the estate behind.
As we passed through the noble district and entered the merchant district, food stalls began to appear along the roadside as we approached the lower town.
Watching merchants, traveling salesmen, and adventurers who skipped cooking on busy mornings and opted for food from the stalls, I noticed that the carriage was slowing down due to the crowds.
I had hoped that leaving early would allow me to make it in time for the morning classes, but at this rate, I might end up late, so attending from the afternoon seemed like a better plan.
I told the coachman not to rush and to prioritize safety while I watched the lively bustle outside.
Listening to the energetic voices of stall vendors and observing their interactions with customers, I saw merchants gulping down hearty soups, adventurers devouring skewers or stocking up on preserved foods, and so on. It was fascinating to watch.
According to Shin, a few stalls served soup with Lars, prepared in a porridge-like style.
It seems to be gaining popularity among commoners, especially merchants, as a dish that's great for breakfast and easy to eat even when feeling unwell, while still being filling.
I felt so proud that Lars, once dismissed as livestock feed, has now gained acceptance.
Even though Idika might face initial resistance in the Samonar, I believe it will eventually become a staple food, much like Lars.
In fact, it might spread more quickly than in the Doristan, where the aversion has already lessened. It could even explode in popularity when paired with spices.
Although adventurers might not take to it immediately, I think they deserve moments of warmth and comfort too, beyond gnawing on hard-baked bread and bacon.
Imagine them enjoying a hearty soup made of bacon, Lars, herbs, and spices.
As I pondered these thoughts, the carriage made a sharp turn onto a road leading to the academy, having finally navigated through the crowded streets of the merchant district.
The delay in passing through the district meant that the academy gates were already closed when we arrived.
The coachman presented a pass, issued to students using private carriages, to the gatekeeper, who opened the gates for us.
We were then granted permission to proceed to the special dormitory.
Upon reaching the dormitory, I noticed a few students who had just finished their classes and were returning to spend their free time in the salon or dormitory.
With most of our luggage stored in the inventory, we quickly entered the dormitory before drawing too much attention and sent the carriage back.
In my room, I took out the luggage stored in the inventory and asked Miria to organize it before heading to the dining hall.
In the kitchen, I stored polished Idika and spices, provided by the Head Chef, in the pantry. Just then, Byakko-sama entered the kitchen.
"Ou, welcome back, Ojou. Seems like you had a tough time, huh?"
"Ahaha… I got caught up in a bit of a mess."
"Sei and Miss Mariel were worried about you."
Oh no, I guess I did worry them.
"For now, I let Sei know through telepathy that you've returned, and it seems he'll be having lunch here."
"Well then, how about I prepare lunch to make up for worrying them?"
I took freshly baked round bread, provided by the ducal house, from the inventory, sliced it in half horizontally, and set it aside.
After washing a few lettuce leaves and tearing them into pieces, I sliced some tomatoes thickly.
I took hamburger patties, prepared in advance and stored in the inventory, and cooked them in a heated frying pan.
In another pan, I lightly toasted the bread and spread butter on it before layering lettuce, the patty, a thin layer of ketchup, tomato slices, more lettuce, and finally sandwiching it all with the bread.
I then cut washed potatoes into wedges, fried them in oil heated in a frying pan, and made French fries.
After asking Miria to prepare a strong iced tea, the hamburger set was complete.
I kept extra bread, patties, and other ingredients ready in the inventory for anyone who wanted seconds, letting them assemble their own.
Just as I finished plating the exact number of servings, Sei and Mariel-chan returned.
I could hear their lively voices coming from the entrance hall, so I left the kitchen to welcome them in the dining hall.
"Welcome back, everyone... Oh my, Alicia-sama is with you too?"
Sei, Mariel-chan, and Alicia-sama entered the dining hall together.
"Ah... Yes, I thought it might be a bother, but Mariel-san invited me."
Alicia-sama replied hesitantly, though with a slight "but only because I had no choice" attitude.
Oh no, Alicia-sama.
Mariel-chan is watching with a warm, amused look, thinking, "Ah, such a cute tsundere."
Indeed, a charming tsundere.
"Not at all! It's no bother at all. I was just preparing lunch, so please join us."
I quickly made a hamburger set for Alicia-sama as well.
What do you think about this chapter?
