Volume 3, Extra 03: The Apprentice Girls Effort
[Laras Perspective]
Ojou-sama secludes herself in the library whenever she has spare time. Although she does show up at the greenhouse and laboratory, she earnestly researched in the library and her room.
I dont know why, but its boring.
Well, what can you do? Its Ojou-sama.
What is?
Ronnie said briefly, but I didnt understand what he meant by its Ojou-sama.
When she comes up with an idea, she gets really passionate about it. She probably wont listen to anything anyone says right now. In a way, shes stubborn. You know this too, dont you Lara?
I think its inappropriate for you to call Ojou-sama stubborn, even if its just a joke.
Hey! Youll get hurt if you dont concentrate.
I know!
Im learning defensive combat from Ronnie right now. Apparently Master instructed him to teach me. Ojou-sama is also learning defensive combat, but Im learning the real thing. I was excited to hear that But, Im worried that Ojou-sama has been acting indifferently lately.
I might become useful to Ojou-sama if I learn this, but theres a chance that she needs help right now.
In any case, I dont know what would happen even if you went and did something difficult.
I know that!
Ojou-sama would tell you if she wants you to do something, so you dont have to be hasty. In the meantime, you should work whether youd like to or not.
Ronnies seriously- I thought, but I knew that he wasnt making fun of me.
Lara. Master told me to teach you this, but is training so boring?
Its not boring but-
You just dont know it, but this is an amazing thing.
But, Ronnie seemed like he couldnt convey what was amazing and he pressed his right index finger on his forehead. I know its a privilege to be taught this, even if he didnt show me that gesture. I could guess that this was a great thing because Master had to give his approval.
But, this and that are different. If Ojou-sama is doing something, then I would like to help her
Say, Ronnie. Is there really nothing I could help Ojou-sama with?
First things first, Im teaching you this so that you can protect her if she finds herself in a dangerous situation.
If he was going to put it like that, then I cant complain anymore.
You have to concentrate and do what you can now.
I reluctantly spread my magic out according to Ronnies words.
Well, how about bringing some refreshments to Ojou-sama after were done?
I turned around when I heard Ronnie. I heard him say frantically, Ah, idiot! and then a small explosion occurred.
That was the moment when I experienced why he kept telling me to concentrate.
Fortunately, only the sound of the explosion was grand. It had only grazed our skins, and we didnt bleed.
Even though defensive combat involved condensing high concentrations of magic, it was a technique that specialises in defending, and there were a lot of tools in place so that the targets dont get hurt in case something were to happen Or so I reasoned, but Ronnie scolded me harshly.
He told me, It wouldnt be strange if something happens, no matter how many tools we have in place, since were compressing our magic. The lazy Ronnie was scolding me that much, and saying nothing but annoying things, so I think the techniques really dangerous if I make a single mistake.
Im going to think of what refreshments to bring Ojou-sama, since Ive already reflected properly. This way I wont lose my concentration.
Ojou-sama doesnt eat many sweets if Vernoux-sama doesnt come over, does she?
Now that you mention it, yeah she doesnt.
It wasnt like she didnt have any sweets at all, but she only had a little when she ate alone and, in rare cases, she would only have tea. Then shouldnt I bring her something sweet to eat? I thought, but I would only bring her what the chefs made. I didnt think I could be useful to her like that.
I wonder if I should try to make some.
Lara, youre going to make it?
Its not like I cant. But I dont think Ive made sweets before.
Nevertheless, cooking meant using the right measurements and instructions. I confidently said, Itll be fine! but Ronnie looked gloomy.
You dont believe in my skills?
No, thats not it. Youve never made them before, so you dont have any recipes either right?
Ah
That was stupid of me.
Like hed pointed out, I dont have any recipes for sweets. I thought of asking Emina, but shes on holiday at the request of Ojou-sama.
If you have something you want to make, then you could ask the Head Chef?
I cant. I could only make a degraded version of his.
I dont know if the Head Chef would teach me an original recipe, but the sweets the Head Chef makes would definitely be more delicious than something I make. It was a bit frustrating how convinced Ronnie was when he said, I guess so, but it couldnt be helped, since it was true.
So Ill visit downtown more and look for a recipe that Ojou-sama might like.
I see. Something that cant be eaten at this mansion would be nice.
Even if it fails, it could be viewed as a unique taste.
Ojou-sama seems very interested in food, so Im sure shell be happy with that. She recently asked the Head Chef to make her galette. Before that, she asked him to make tonkatsu.
Tonkatsu?
Its the pork coated in flour mixed with salt and pepper, then coated in egg, then bread crumbs and fried. Its juicier and more filling than I thought it would be Its been served for dinner a few times.
By chance, is that the deluxe fried food?
Yeah. Its probably that wonderful fried food.
I dont know the name, but I certainly remember a fried dish that Ive never eaten anywhere else but here. Ive eaten fried fish coated in flour outside before, but the coating was a little different. The crispy taste of that fried dish was really delicious.
Was that Ojou-samas invention?
Yeah. I didnt tell you that? Well, I didnt care enough. Whatever.
No Thats important information!
I, who was made to see that Ojou-sama might have a lot of appreciation for food, became extremely fired up to make something that she would like. My original purpose has changed somewhat, but I didnt care much about that.
Ronnie folded his arms in front of me while I was getting more and more fired up.
Ojou-sama likes all sweets.
Yeah. Ive never heard her say she doesnt like something.
Discussion finished.
Im troubled over what my goal has become, but the only thing Ive heard Ojou-sama hates is ghost stories. She often eats cakes and chocolates, but I couldnt think of anything to make with those. There are a lot of different types of chocolate sweets, but this mansion served a lot of them.
While I was sunk in my sea of thoughts, Ronnie murmured.
Ojou-sama likes honey, doesnt she?
I rushed to the kitchen after I heard his answer. Even though I was getting ingredients, the food here is managed, so I had to purchase it. Luckily, I could get an invoice, so I didnt need to pay for it now. Sometimes, people ask for little things like fruit, so theyre flexible.
Its usually impossible to get fruit if you dont request it beforehand, but they should have plenty of stock for the ingredients I want right now. The chef immediately gave me the ingredients.
I carried the basket with the ingredients and a milk bottle to the laboratory and Ronnie was already there.
Then, lets make it.
He said, as he took out a pot.
The quantity is written here, so lets put it all in. Use this scale.
Okay. I just have to stir it?
Yeah. You just have to keep stirring.
What should I do if it turns out bad? I worried, but Ronnie uttered while looking at the milk, You can still make it many times even if you fail, so I was secretly relieved. It seems like itll be fine even if I fail.
I turned on the fire and stirred it, so the milk doesnt burn. I mixed it around in a circle. I didnt do anything but stir.
Its still watery, even though youre stirring this much. Doesnt it seem burnt?
I dont know. I dont want to fail. Itll be fine if I stir.
But your arm hurts, dont they?
Its a gift for Ojou-sama. Im fine.
I dont know what to do with the failed product if it does get burnt. I was afraid of that and kept on stirring, while being nervous, and Ronnie laughed in amusement.
Ojou-sama will be happy.
I hope so.
But I wonder if I should do something, since youre trying so hard.
Ronnie said, as he took some almonds from the cupboard. Then he chopped them up with his magic.
Whatre you doing? Isnt that Ojou-samas?
Its fine, she said we could eat it. I think itll be delicious if you add this into the second batch.
It does certainly seem like it would be tasty because of the texture changes. Well, if Ojou-sama said it was fine, then its probably alright. Either way, Ill put the almonds into the next batch. For now, all I could do was pray for the success of the first batch.
Then, silence reigned for a while and then Ronnie spoke.
How were the travel journals?
Huh? They were interesting. It made me want to travel someday.
I hadnt expected Ronnies question, and I got a bit excited when I remembered the journals. I have a lot of money because I saved it, so I should have a lot of funds for travelling, and I should be able to take time off.
Experiencing a lot of different things in the first place I go to is very enticing.
I want to travel, but I dont want to leave Ojou-samas side for a long time.
Then should I tell Ojou-sama? Ill ask her, why dont you bring Lara with you the next time you go to Ertiga?
Eh? Thats so brazen! Even Emina doesnt go with her!
I turned back in a panic, and Ronnie laughed.
Then you can come up with an excuse. You can say youre guarding her after youve learnt defensive combat.
Apparently, he was just enticing me. But I didnt have any reason to refuse Ronnies suggestion. Honestly, I was kind of looking forward to it.
But, that feeling didnt last long. There must be a reason for why Master instructed Ronnie to teach Ojou-sama defensive combat as well, and not just me. I finally realised that.
But Ronnie hadnt said anything, so he was probably just preparing me for now. Even though I had caused an explosion today, I wont be useful if I dont get to a combat level.
Ill study properly next time!
Hey, dont swing the spatula around!
If I knew that a little earlier, then I might have been more focused today! I could only make excuses.
Ill do it properly next time. But right now, I have to make the perfect caramel. While I thought that, the milk started to condense.
Apparently You scoop it with the spatula until you can see the bottom and then let it cool.
Like this?
I was certainly scooping it, but I felt like it could get harder. But is it no good if its too hard? But theres nothing else written about it in the book.
Even if you fail, its become caramel sauce. Isnt it fine to eat it by dipping food in?
Yo-youre right!
Im a little nervous, but I poured them into square moulds. The surface of the moulds was coated with magic, so its easy to peel the caramels off once its cooled. But the moulds will become iron again if I dont apply magic to it after I use it.
After theyd cooled down, I put the moulds into a mini refrigerator.
I wonder if itll be done once it cools completely.
Ronnie said as he scooped the leftover caramel in the pot with his finger and put it in his mouth.
Yup, itll probably be delicious.
What do you mean probably?
Well, I just thought itll be delicious if it cools a bit more.
I shrugged at Ronnie. Judging from how Ronnie was acting, Ive made something that Ojou-sama will be happy to eat.
Say, Ronnie. You have time while we wait for it to cool right?
Yeah?
Defensive combat. Teach it to me.
We can do that tomorrow, right?
Argh! Whyre you like this?!
Even though Im motivated!
I was going to protest, but Ronnie sighed as if he was giving up.
Im joking. I thought you wouldnt ask, and I dont want you to cause any explosions.
I wont!
I know. I know.
Do you really know? But it was no use questioning him any further.
Because were wasting time!
Well wrap it up when the caramels finished.
I know! I want Ojou-sama to say, Its delicious to the first sweets Ive ever made!
I decided that Ronnie had to try the finished product because he had said it was probably delicious earlier.
Translator: Blushy
Editor: SenjiQ