Chapter 279 - Were They About To Run 40 Km? It’s Been 5 Hours!

Episode 272- Were they about to run 40 km? It's been 5 hours!

"It is alright sister! I am here! I can learn to cook for you. Sister can do other things!" Aernest smiled when Eugene turned to him with a questioning look as if she did not trust him. 

Of course, Aernest did not like the look in Eugene's eyes and he immediately became competitive. "What sister? Do you not believe me?" He suddenly slammed his fist on his chest in a declaration pose and said, "If I learn a bit, I swear my cooking can sell and I can even start my own business!" That was how confident he is in menial tasks. 

"... I didn't say anything," Eugene muttered softly and looked away. Though her voice sounded gentle, the look in her eyes was unwilling to admit his statement. At this moment Aernest step forward and pushed Eugene to sit down on a chair. 

"Sit sister. I will fix you something and you will be my witness to my words!" Aernest pulled his sleeves up and began washing his hands. Hygiene is the most important thing in this world, especially when touching things people might be eating!

Aernest has been watching Watt, Ppa, and Camille cooking so much these days that some of the cooking recipes have been engraved in his brain. He decided to cook the simplest dish which is fried rice. 

Aernest started off by cutting vegetables such as carrot, onion, and spring onion before moving on to heating the pan. When the pan was well heated, he added carrot and onions to cook before scrambling eggs into the pan. After that, he added in cold rice, some seasoning, and finally, spring onion as garnish. 

He presented the dish after he cleaned the side and handed it to Eugene along with a spoon, "Try it dearest sister. My first creation."

Eugene's face scrunched into disbelief, "First creation?" No matter how much she thinks about it, it is impossible for this to be his first dish! If Eugene has cooked 20 dishes until now and all have failed, it should mean that this is Aernest's 21st dish! She was unwilling! Very unwilling!

However, Aernest denied, "It is my first dish. After many days of visualizing how to cook, it is my first attempt at creating." And of course, Aernest was proud! Why wouldn't he be? Look at how sparkling, golden, and shiny his dish looks!

It cannot not be good!

Eugene tried the first bite and all she had was but a blank expression. When Aernest saw this his confidence level went from a hundred to a twenty real quick.

"Why? What's wrong?" His voice was panicked as he asked.

Watt, Ppa, and Camille also tried a bite after seeing Eugene's reaction when all of a sudden, like a typhoon they were blown away by how… how… amazing this dish tasted! Really quickly, Aernest's fried rice was gone in an instant. Not even a grain of rice grain could be found. 

Aernest did not care about other people's reactions and he only focused on Eugene, "What's wrong sister? Is it not to your taste?" There was a hint of sadness and disappointment in his voice as he asked her. 

Eugene shook her head, "It's so good that I could cry." For real. The taste of the rice, spring onion, carrots and the seasonings were so well blended with each other that it makes one wonder if this was really a simple dish known as fried rice.

Aernest froze in his spot. There was an unknown feeling he was feeling in his heart but it was mostly of positive emotions. Most probably because this was the first time Eugene had complimented him, he felt incredibly moved. 

Eugene was very moved by the fried rice when suddenly a thought came to mind. A way to not be bored! Eugene immediately raised her head, her eyes twinkled for a moment and she stared straight into Aernest's eyes, 

"Let's open up a business!" 

Watt and Ppa turned their heads so fast that a crack could be heard, "What?!" Their voices were raised as they didn't know if what they heard was right or not. Business? 

"Let's start a catering business!" Eugene straightened up her back as two of her fists lay on the table. 

"... What business?" Camille tilted her head and asked. 

Eugene's lips slightly curved. Most probably because it was Watt, Ppa, and Camille's first time seeing Eugene this excited, but they found themselves being unable to question or refuse Eugene's suggestions. 

"Catering business! We will sell 4 of your talents!" Eugene's response was one of enthusiasm, one that no one but Aernest has seen before. But Aernest caught on to why Eugene was weirdly enthusiastic and that was because for the past few days, she had been complaining of how bored she was and this was most likely something that will keep her occupied. 

Unlike everyone who was enthusiastic about the idea, Aernest was full of questions, "How will we sell food?"

Eugene moved her hands up to Aernest's face, "Leave everything that doesn't involve food to me." She raised her palms and slapped her chest twice, "Trust me."

After that, Eugene told Aernest, Watt, Ppa, and Camille to come up with recipes or recreate recipes they were most confident in. Of course, Eugene knew that the food wouldn't be popular with the aristocrats so Eugene told them to redesign them to look fancy. This way they can target both Nobles and commoners. 

After that Eugene went around scouting for information. She headed to the principal's office to ask for permission as well as to register for business. The reason why she was sure she could register her business is that she had seen many upperclassmen advertising their business on the school board. That was also when she learned that the academy encourages business students to start their business here with the investment of the school in order to make the students gain good experiences in school!

After Eugene successfully invaded the principal's office, she acquired a small amount of start-up investment, the right to start the business at the abandoned kitchen, and of course last but not least, permission to even begin a business. The principal did not stop Eugene but actually further encouraged Eugene on her business which made Eugene even more excited. 

Who knows? Everyone might become millionaires by the end of their academic year?

After that, Eugene went to the art students and asked them to design a sophisticated logo on an iron plank as well as mass producing posters advertising the new opening of the restaurant. 

What was next is sourcing the ingredients, and making sure the grocery market will sell it to her for cheap as well as secure an extra amount for her each day. 

Everything after that was buying decorations and getting plates which she was originally going to personally pick out when she thought that it might be better to ask the art students. That was because her aesthetic sense wasn't too great and it was better to be left at the hands of other people. 

It was dark after Eugene's long day of trying to begin a business however her day still did not end as she needed to go to training. Swordsmanship training was every day, and today the training begins at night hence there was no time for Eugene to take a big break. Her small break consisted of her going back to her dorm, showering, stuffing fruit down her throat and then leaving for training. 

The moon was already up high as Eugene and everyone waited for the instructor to come. This would be their first time truly training at night time and Eugene was slightly excited for it. She had never been able to train during the night and was always sent home before the sun went down. Of course, she had heard the horrors of training at night, such as bugs biting you or accidentally stepping on a snake, but nevertheless, she still wanted to try it. 

The instructor soon came. But he did not come alone. He came with 2 assistants who were each holding bundles of ropes. Naturally, everyone would begin questioning. Ropes? Whatever were they for? 

"Follow my assistance. We will have to head to a different place for this training." Though subtle, Eugene could hear a hint of positive evilness in his voice. But what could she do even if she had a slightly off feeling about the training. Hence, like the other students, Eugene began to run. 

Of course, Eugene wasn't about to complain, however… Were they about to run 40 km? It's been 5 hours! Just when Eugene complained that in her heart, the instructor and the assistant stopped and turned back to them. 

It was dark and the students couldn't see when suddenly a huge bang could be heard followed by a groan!

"Ouch!" 

Eugene's eyes couldn't really see the situation but her ears followed the sound where the groan was.