EP.205

Isabel’s hair was wildly scattered by the wind. She stepped back quickly and extended her sword.

—Clang—!!

The sparks flying from their blades and the intense sound of collision felt slower than her sight. The moment she acknowledged the sound, the axe blade was already looming inches from her face.

Letting out a shriek, Isabel hurriedly pushed her sword forward.

“Acceleration is cheating! How can Taurus use that!”

“… It’s used from the White General onwards.”

“No—!!”

—Clang—!!

The axe blade hesitated as it was about to slash her face, momentarily distracted by her words. Seizing the opportunity, Isabel barely sprang out of the attack range and rolled on the ground.

Meanwhile, Ecdysis, who had already burrowed into Ivan’s side, swung her baton.

—Clang!!

As the baton struck the axe handle and came to a halt, Ecdysis grinned crookedly and extended one foot back.

“I got you!!”

Traditionally, batons are swung with one hand, and all conductors are masters of two-handed grip. This is because one hand conducts while the other hand gestures.

Thus, at this moment, the best gesture that Ecdysis could prepare was charged.

When declaring silence towards the orchestra, the conductor extends their hand and clenches their fist. Then, they must put strength into their stepping foot, maintaining tension against the ground—

“Vision—!! Killing the Mage!! My first spell!!”

With her left hand holding the baton raised, she assumes a guard position.

Her right hand, clenched into a fist behind her waist, twists her body to add force.

Punch—

—Kwaaaang—!!

“Silence spell—!!”

She did it. The sensation of the fist felt good. The shockwave was enough to make someone ‘not a person anymore’ come rushing toward her.

Sometimes, bards use magic. Excluding the fact that they utilize mana, their techniques are not related to formulas or spells but are simply acts of humming a song.

However, Ecdysis did not have the skills to use anything other than a few buffing spells from bard magic.

But, Ecdysis knew the shared counter between bards and wizards. Both are rendered powerless when they receive a silence spell.

Her silence spell even worked on knights. When she used it during sparring with the Knight Department, it silenced her opponent with a 100% success rate. Those who are unconscious cannot speak.

“I killed… me?!”

“Very well.”

“What?!!!”

Ecdysis cautiously raised her gaze. Above her, a monstrous figure with brightly shining eyes was looking down at her.

Swallowing hard under that cold stare, she opened her trembling voice.

“W-what… how…?”

“Do not attempt to strike back against Taurus. They have superior muscle density compared to humans and thicker fat layers, making them efficient at dissipating shock.”

“No, but uncle is a human, right?”

“Right now, I am Taurus.”

“What do you mean… does that even make sense?”

Ivan stepped forward toward Ecdysis, who was hesitating and stepping back.

“And if you retreat after failing the first attack in this street, there won’t be a second chance. When facing Taurus up close, you must charge in with the mindset of pushing forward. And—”

Ivan tilted his head to evade Isavel’s advancing sword and grabbed her by the collar, lifting her up.

“Ambushes are done from the rear. Taurus has superior lateral vision compared to humans. Flanking attacks are likely to fail.”

“Is that so?!”

Isavel let out a stifled gasp but still smiled.

“The Hero Party is all about successful techniques!!”

At her words, Ivan immediately threw Isavel. She thudded to the ground with a grunt and rolled over.

Without even glancing at her, Ivan quickly turned around, axe in hand.

The golden hair fluttered. From between the short strands, green luminescence surged like a blaze as it charged in.

-Kakakagak—!! Clang!!

The longsword struck the axe blade, sinking deep.

After bouncing off the recoil in his wrist, they clashed again. Two hits.

Twisting at the waist and exerting strength to push back, another three hits.

-Kaang!!

Oscar had already closed in beneath Ivan’s chin, glaring at him with sharp eyes. Spirit, timing for ambush, strength, and skill all at stake.

“Excellent.”

It was a pass.

A broad smile appeared on Ivan’s lips. After deflecting Oscar’s attack, he swept his gaze around.

Ecdysis had already regained her posture, gripping her command baton tightly with one hand while the other was clenched, stepping forward.

Isavel, rolling around on the floor in disarray, bit her lip hard and stood her sword straight.

In front of him, Oscar stood ready to leap at any moment, with a sharp edge like a drawn blade.

“This!! How does Taurus block this? Are you out of your mind?!”

“Time.”

“…Huh?”

“Of the 57 people participating in this class, 43 have not yet completed their practice. The remaining time is 1 hour and 43 minutes. Therefore, I can’t give all my time to you.”

As a citizen of the Republic providing universal education welfare, it’s impossible to provide educational services to only specific students. The opportunity for education should equally go to everyone.

It’s a bit regrettable. I wanted to teach these guys a bit more.

Well, if it’s impossible during class, they can always take supplementary lessons.

Didn’t I make a promise? Isavel’s bet. If I defeat this one, she will have to undergo ‘training camp’. It’s a win-win situation. (Debatable.)

“From now on, assume you’re facing the Taurus Legion Commander and charge at me.”

Tual-Galion. Commander of the 3rd Legion under Tumor of the Mountain. One of the only three warlords of Taurus. Remembering the only Taurus commander he had faced, Ivan slowly took his stance.

At that time, Tual-Galion was a general who had painted half of a nation in despair. It was a time when people still lived beyond the eastern front. When the war with the magical beasts was raging.

Ivan had faced him alongside a hero party dispatched to deal with Tumor. He was a tough opponent, but he was not one that required the entire hero party to confront.

Thus, this combination is just right. If it were one-on-one, these guys would be unable to handle it, but in a situation of many against one… if they “try,” they would be able to win.

“Is he really insane?!”

“Uncle, I think this is a bit embarrassing…”

“I’m fine with it.”

Since Ivan was a rational person, he did not entertain the grumbling of the trainees. He exhaled deeply and infused his muscles with mana.

*

“Did you enjoy yourselves?”

“It was okay.”

Ivan answered as he handed the practical assessment report to Enrique.

Enrique, grinning, looked around at the students. There were hardly any standing on two legs. Although none were seriously injured, it seemed that all the students had suffered some mental trauma.

“Umm, umm, umm, umm…”

“Eeeeeek—.”

“This is Taurus; no matter how much you hit, it has stamina that doesn’t get hurt and defense that doesn’t get scratched by a sword, charging and breaking through obstacles, while followed by the knife, it comes dashing in and headbutts me— ugggh—”

The sound of panicking students echoed through the area. Fortunately, in a world without student rights ordinances, ‘somewhat’ bold teaching methods did not stir up societal controversy.

Enrique chuckled and looked at Ivan. Ivan also looked like a mess, covered in wooden bits and dust. However, his spirit was still positive, prompting her to smile pleasantly.

Her shoulders felt much lighter, and her subtly relaxed face was satisfying. Having known him for over ten years, she could now recognize differences even in the same expressions.

It was clear that Ivan was in a much better mood than usual. Enrique nodded thoughtfully.

“If you promise to tone it down a little, I’ll invite you to be the teaching assistant again for the next lesson.”

“Am I the one who should be making the proposal?”

“Of course. I’m the mentor. You’re the disciple now.”

“Huh.”

Without saying much, Ivan stepped back. Due to Enrique’s dreadful announcement, the students had to contemplate canceling their enrollment. Naturally, the enrollment adjustment period had ended, so they would have to face failing grades.

Because Enrique was a historical hero not at risk of being dismissed even with low class evaluations, she clapped her hands lightly and spoke.

“All right, based on the practical assessment report, we’ll reflect it in the next lesson. Since it’s a relative evaluation, don’t worry too much; those who fall short won’t face any disadvantages. Just pay a bit more attention in class, and it will be fine.”

“Class… attention…?”

A student mumbled blankly as they looked at Ivan. Ivan silently nodded. The students’ faces turned pale.

“Everyone worked hard! See you next week!”

“I’ll see you after, sir. My teeth are really grinding, so my jaw really hurts.”

“Oh dear.”

“Really!! This–!! It hurts!!”

Isabel left the party, making a face that suggested her outfit was all messed up. Enrique, who had been chuckling at the sight, suddenly asked.

“Our disciple. When are you going to the court?”

“Tonight.”

“Aren’t you having dinner with Elize?”

“She’s busy.”

“Ah. Well, she’s been away from official duties for quite a while. Since you might get busy soon too, get plenty of rest now. See you again, disciple.”

“Um.”

Ivan quietly nodded and left the scene.

*

There’s a saying that alchemy begins in the kitchen. It’s true that cooking, which involves an oven, pots, various spices, and herbs, sometimes even minerals, has many similarities with alchemy.

Alchemy has a close connection with modern chemistry and materials engineering. Therefore, it’s safe to consider that cooking and chemistry are essentially two sides of the same coin.

Dark-Isabel, who has transitioned into a Dark Chef, really likes this story.

“Hehehe…”

All medicine is poison. It depends on how it’s administered and the dosage, leading to toxicity.

A well-prepared meal is a tonic. A person’s vitality starts with food.

Thus, according to syllogism, all well-prepared meals are poison. When applying simultaneous equations, the formula of food = tonic = poison holds true.

Just as the leader of the Dark Chefs perfected vision poison dishes through Pama Paljin, Dark-Isabel also completed the forbidden great spell.

A deadly temptation that could even capture the heart of the missing uncle…

“Everyone, listen closely.”

“It’s finally…!!”

“The day has come when I can see this for real…!!”

“I only knew the principles roughly, but I never thought I could actually make it.”

Yujin and Yuri held up their spoons in awe. The meat, marinated in a shiny, bright red seasoning, had a delightful bounce to it.

In the large pot that Isabel brought, there was a meat soup floating with red oil. It was a stew that had been reduced a bit more than traditional ones, with the ingredients cooked down to the point of nearly disintegrating.

“Really, completing this…”

Yujin swallowed hard and gazed at Isabel with admiration. She had only explained the principle and concept, yet after weeks of researching something alone, she unexpectedly brought back a finished product.

During vacation, thinking about a hero who researches cooking is certainly a matter to ponder, but in any case, isn’t the result what matters?

“Chili paste…!!”

Malt, which is a major ingredient for beer, is made from malted rice. Naturally, beer and whiskey exist in this world as well, so the ingredients can be obtained.

Using wheat flour instead of glutinous rice is similar. In fact, chili paste can be made with flour. The only other ingredient was chili powder.

Therefore, as long as there is enough time, effort, and trial and error with the mixing method, creating chili paste is an easy task for a national alchemist.

And at the moment the gochujang was completed, the cooking category underwent an astonishing transformation. With dishes like stir-fried pork and gochujang stew made available, countless Korean foods were unlocked.

Eugene swallowed hard and turned his gaze to Ivan. Ivan was staring intently at the stir-fried pork with a dark expression for a long time.

“…What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”

“No.”

At Isabelle’s cautious question, Ivan shook his head. The effort and time put into this dish were visibly clear, so without saying much, he picked up a piece of meat.

It was food he had always wanted to eat. It was one of the dishes listed on the top line of the first page in the notebook hidden inside the safe in his office.

He couldn’t resent it, let alone be ungrateful. He slowly brought the meat to his mouth.

“How… is the taste?”

“It’s good. Well made.”

“Right? Right?! Hehehe—”

Isabelle puffed out her chest with a relaxed expression, as if she was never nervous.

“Do you know how long it took to make this? Oh my goodness, I really had the worst of times. I poured so much money to speed up the fermentation process with a time acceleration spell!”

“Hm.”

“Really. You’re so bland! If you’re happy, you can just cry and let it all out, like last time!”

“Hm.”

Ivan nodded and chewed. Even though he spoke like that, it felt rewarding to see him eating so earnestly.

Yes, this is what makes feeding someone enjoyable.

As Isabelle smiled contentedly, the students clamored over the food. Eugene and Yuri stuffed their mouths with meat until their cheeks were full, while Ecdysis happily chatted as he filled his bowl with food.

Having watched this scene with a frown for some time, Elpheira finally spoke.

“Ivan.”

“Hm.”

“Ah.”

“…Hmm.”

She opened her mouth next to Ivan.

Ecdysis, moving his spoon, and Isabelle, serving the meat into the bowl, froze up.

“Ah. Hurry. Am I starving? Will Dad be sad? Aaaah—.”

“…Got it. Quiet.”

Ecdysis suddenly spilled his stew on the floor.

“Hmm. What? It’s edible.”

Elpheira swallowed the meat Ivan fed her almost without chewing and then smiled slyly while looking at Isabelle.

Isabelle’s eyes began to tremble.

*

Author’s Note (Afterword)*

Has there ever been a day as faithful to the tags as these days?

It’s fun. Let’s keep it going.

*

See you in the .