Chapter 135: It Was Non-Refundable

Chapter 135: It Was Non-Refundable

Welcome, Lyce du Soleil first year students, returning upperclassmen, faculty, and staff! Instructor Lange, the rosy-cheeked, gray-haired advisor for the baking club, stood up on a small stage in front of the administration building, facing the central courtyard. Thank you for joining us today for our first ever Orientation Bake-Off!

What the fuck is going on? Tori asked herself for what felt like the hundredth time since she agreed. She didnt pay any attention to the crowds around the courtyard, cheering.

We have twelve competitors representing some of our schools clubs. They have five hours to prepare, bake, and decorate their goods, which will then be judged by our panel of judges: Headmaster Laurent; our heads of our culinary niche departments, Madam Hawkins and Mr. van Beek; Lyces commons head chef, Mr. du Troit; and His Highness Prince Gideon du Soleil.

This is ridiculous, Tori muttered to herself. Gideon was a judge and as soon as he was introduced, a wave of energetic screams and yells filled the courtyard. He gave the crowd a wide smile and waved, as if he were some idol. This is the kind of bullshit youd see on a game side challenge - this is what this is, isnt it? Its a fucking game challenge. Dammit.

She wasnt exactly sure what she was expecting the baking challenge to be. As a single club organized it, she thought it was going to be two or three regular booths big with small stations for students to prepare and then a shared oven. Something modest.

She did not expect that the entire central courtyard had been transformed into a surreal fantasy high school version of The Great British Bake Off. All the dozen participants had modest tables as stations beneath a large, white canvas tent. There were no walls, but the courtyard around the tent had been roped off. Students could stand around the roped off area to watch the student bakers.

There were six rows of two stations and beside each station, just outside of the tent, was a familiar clay oven heated by carnelian and with a glass door. Lyce had ordered over a dozen of these carnelian clay ovens from Instructor Ignatius last year, and Tori had wondered what they were going to use them for.

All the stations had identical tools and basic ingredients. If they wanted to bring something else, they needed to have the ingredients checked by Instructor Lange.

Word of the baking competition reached the ears of almost all the students and, unexpectedly, many older students returned early just to watch the chaos.

Of the dozens of clubs and groups on campus, only twelve managed to find someone who could bake well. The challenge was open to all groups, with one person representing each. There was no skill level required, but who would want their club to lose so miserably in public?

Tori found herself three rows in, on the left, furthest away from the administration building, standing at a station and questioning her life choices that led to this moment.

In her original world, she made a goal to learn one new thing every year, and her early thirties were mainly food related. She had wanted to take a beginning baking class at a local community college. She hadnt realized that it was a year-long course mainly aimed at students who wanted to go into culinary fields.

However, shed already registered and paid the fee for the class. It was non-refundable, so she stuck with it. She wasnt a professional by any means and rather than artisanal breads, she preferred sweets and other pastries. Even then, her decorating skills left much to be desired, which is why she often asked Mama Js son for assistance.

If they were asking her to make bread, she could only produce the most basic bread she knew how to make by heart. It wasnt even a bread she learned to make in the class, it was one her cousin liked to make and taught Tori brioche, and it usually took her more than the time allotted because shed leave it overnight.

The only problem was she only had five hours to make it and most recipes called for allowing the dough to proof overnight.

As for pastries, she didnt want to deal with decorating a cake. She could make a pie or a tart. They would be quite easy to make, and she had ice calcite with her to facilitate with cooling.

The competition didnt really restrict them on what they could make. It just had to be baked. At first, she considered making cookies, but didnt think theyd be impressive. Her macarons always ended up somewhat deflated and she didnt want to rush order molds for madeleines.

Ideally, she would take into consideration the tastes of the judges, but aside from knowing that Headmaster Laurent also had a sweet tooth, she didnt know about the others. In fact, it was the first time shed seen the culinary department heads and she didnt care for Gideon.

Tori! You can do it! She heard Ilyana yelling off to the side and looked past the clay oven.

Her friends and whoever was free from the Sword Association had come to cheer her on and were taking up the space closest to her. When she looked over, they cheered. She smiled and then froze.

A large piece of canvas had her name on it, and they were holding it over the rope. Toris eyes crinkled up.

Why do you have a sign?

To cheer you on! Albert said before shaking the sign excitedly.

I got that, but when did you get it made? Between when she volunteered and today, there were only a few days in between.

When Ilyana called and told us you were competing, Sonia said.

Tori sighed and looked towards Henrik, who was usually very sensible about these things. Whyd you let them make a sign? Its just a small baking contest. You all just being here is enough.

Its good advertising.

Tori stared at him for a moment. I miss Constantine....

No one else in the crowd had a sign. The sign brought a lot of attention to her and if she messed up, it would only make it worse. Not that she planned to.

Instructor Lange walked around the tent, holding up a small flag to keep everyones attention as she visited each station.

Speak loudly and introduce yourself and what youll be making! Instructor Lange said as she walked with her little flag to the first station, which, of course, was Alessas.

Hello! I am Alessa Hart, a third-year student representing the baking club. Today, I will be making soft, sweet bread rolls with a sweet cookie crust!

As the crowd clapped and cheered, Tori squinted with suspicion. Is she talking about melon pan? You know what, this is a Japanese game, lets just roll with it.

Instructor Lange went from station to station by row. When she reached Tori, she was as enthusiastic as she was when she started. Please introduce yourself to the students!

Tori gave her a nod and turned to face the crowd.

Good afternoon, my name is Victoria de Guevera, though many of you know me as Lady Tori or Senior Tori. Im here to represent the Sword Association of Lyce du Soleil! Where are my swordsmen? As she projected her voice into the crowd, she waved her arms out at the group closest to her and they let out a yell. The boisterous yell of the group made others jump, but Tori continued. Today, Im going to make a sort of cream puff!

She did not miss the sudden look of dismay on both JP and Henriks faces as she announced her entry. Perhaps cute and round cream puffs did not match how they saw her.

Instructor Lange looked intrigued. That is an interesting choice, Miss Guevera. Good luck to you!

Tori gave her a small nod and waved at the crowd. She listened to the rest of the introductions. Aside from Alessa and her melon pan, students were making bread with sweet glazes, sponge rolls, cookies, tarts, fruit pie, a meat pie, and a pretzel.

Oh, I forgot about pretzels. We should sell those at the delta.

If additional ingredients are needed, please see Mr. Carrillo at the side and let him know what is needed. With that said! Begin!

All around her, it seemed that everyone immediately began to pull out bowls and ingredients to start. They were allowed to bring some of their own tools, which were also inspected when they checked in.

Tori reached into her bag and took out a regular canvas apron that Ilyana had embroidered with a simple outline of a familiar gray cat. She then took out some crystals, a quartz plate, several prepared parchment paper piping bags with metal tips she had borrowed from Mama Js son. It was faster just to have them ready.

She took out a few more things, including a box of strawberries, oven gloves, and a scale. While she had the recipe memorized and already practiced it twice at Cafe Fortuna once her student guide hours were completed, she still preferred to weigh the ingredients.

The next few hours, it was a constant cycle of making batter, baking it into puffs, putting them on the quartz plate with the ice calcite to cool, all while making more batter and repeating the process until she began to fill one large bowl with the puffs.

As she had no experience with this particular oven, though shed worked with similar ones, she watched the first batch like a hawk. When the small batches began to rise and the tips began to take on a darker color than the rest, she took one out to test with some metal tongs. When she was satisfied that they didnt completely collapse on her, she took them out to cool, and repeated the cycle.

She had to prepare custard and whipped cream, which she hated making because she felt it took too long to do it by hand. She also cut up the strawberries into small pieces.

Tori had to zone out her friends. JP and Sonia had to go back to the equestrian training grounds shortly after she started, but they said theyd return before the end to watch Tori win.

No pressure, guys...thanks.

Once the calculated amount of cream puffs needed were finished, she used the remaining batter to make large cream puffs.

Obviously, it wasnt good to waste ingredients and there was no rule that said that what was baked had to be given to the judges. She was going to make some larger puffs for her friends. While it was baking, she began the assembly line of stuffing the puffs.

Each piece was roughly a bite and a half. She cut it in half horizontally, then put a small layer of custard on the bottom, a few pieces of strawberries, then a dollop of whipped cream before putting the top half back on. She set them aside in neat rows over another quartz plate with ice calcite.

Just as she finished her first row, a bell rang.

Contestants! You have one hour! Instructor Lange called out.

Tori could almost feel the tension in the tent rise. Outside, the thinned crowd that had been waiting began to stir once more.

White cloth suddenly tumbled to the ground in between the stations and the students let out a yell. Tori looked up and furrowed her brows. A sheet came down behind her and in front of her station, as well on the main walkway between the left and right stations. Someone appeared to stand by her oven, and she looked over and narrowed her eyes.

Tori felt her heart skip a beat. Yes! Trade time!

Lady Guevera, would you like to trade for a slice of my meat pie-

Yes. Tori had already taken out some plates and was neatly lining three puffs on them. Im going to bring the rest of the sword association, but I can trade three pieces for a slice.

Tori and half dozen other students carefully traded their pastries. Tori tried to hold back her excitement as she took out a wooden box where shed had the strawberries, lined it with remaining paper, and carefully piled her loot into it.

The exception was the meat pie slice, which she ate as the judges came out. Everyone looked quite pleased, except for the stiff, forced smile on Gideons face.

Gideons displeasure was a good sign.

Even if she didnt win, somehow seeing his face pained made her satisfied. She didnt know if Alessa won, but Senior Southards meat pie was delicious. Such a nice, rich flaky crust and moist, tender, savory minced meat. Tori wouldve voted for it if she could.

Contestants, todays winners have been selected, Instructor Lange said, instantly quieting the crowd once more. In third place, Miss Alessa Hart of our baking club!

Applause ran through the tent and the surrounding area. Tori nodded as she brought her hands together. She didnt know what it tasted like, but Alessa had to win something. Alessa walked to get a small certificate and smiled.

Thank you! We will be selling this bread during the Spring Festival! I hope you all come to support our baking club then! She waved at everyone as students clapped.

In second place, Miss Victoria de Guevera of the Sword Association!

Tori nodded once more, satisfied as she almost skipped towards the judges to accept her certificate.

Thank you very much! A version of my cream puffs will be sold starting in the winter at our Lions Gate Duel cafe in the fourth district! We will open just before winter break, so before you go home, please dont forget to drop by our grand opening! Grab some games to keep you occupied over the winter and if youre local, stop by and play. Ill see you all then! Tori lifted her certificate and cheerfully waved at the crowd, like she won a beauty pageant.

As she got back to her station, Henrik and Ilyana gave her pleased nods. Good advertising! she heard Henrik tell her.

In first place, the winner of this years Orientation Bake-Off, Miss Wilhelmina Southard of the agriculture and husbandry association for her amazing meat pie!

Whoo! Tori let out a yell and clapped her hands enthusiastically. Well deserved, Senior Southard! Well deserved! Maybe I can get another slice before I leave....

The tall, brown-haired young woman with freckles blushed a bit as she walked up to receive a certificate.

Thank you for voting for me, Senior Southard said with a warm smile. This is an old family recipe, and I am humbled that you all like it. Her eyes turned to Tori, who tilted her head. Senior Southard took a deep breath and her hands seemed to tighten around her certificate. And if Lady Guevera is interested, I would also like to sell it at her cafe.

An average family in Golden Fields, which is just outside of Kings Fields. Her oldest brother is set to inherit the family farm on her paternal side, her second oldest brother is on tour in the Anlar Fleet. Shes quite famous for her greenhouse produce that she entered various fairs and competitions in the area.

Tori was impressed. Both with Senior Southard and Aidens report. When she called Bridget to see if she could get a background check on a student, Bridget handed her over to Aiden, who was just starting his training as heir to the OTuagh March.

You found a lot in a few days, Tori said as she leaned back on a chair. Is there anything we should be concerned about?

Her family isnt in desperate need of money. Her family farm is doing quite well. As far as business relations, theyre on our approved list of suppliers for produce, Aiden replied over the comcry. They have standard business ties with local grocers and some restaurants. They dont seem to have the capacity to do more business outside of the area. Transport costs and the shelf-life of the produce just dont make it suitable.

And for familial or personal relations? Tori asked. She knew it was overstepping to pry into the private lives of other students, but at this point and time, she needed to mitigate risk, otherwise, Henrik and Ilyana would also be affected, not to mention her existing employees.

Nothing too disconcerting. Parents divorced when she was young and she and her second oldest brother lived with her mother at their familys farm, also in Golden Fields, for some time. She remarried recently, but all her children already lived away from home. The eldest with his father working on the farm; second son in the navy; and only daughter attending Lyce. Father never remarried, though her eldest brother is engaged.

Tori nodded to herself. That was enough information for her. Thanks, Aiden. Ill draw up a contract for the recipe.

Youre welcome-

Now let me talk to her! Avas excited voice came through the comcry.

No, shes busy. The call ended, and across from Tori, Ilyana winced.

Avas going to be mad at Aiden.

Avas always mad at Aiden, Tori said as she closed her comcry. Well, everything matches up. Aidens background check, JPs investigations, and Senior Southards own explanation for wanting to sell her family recipe.

There were two reasons her senior wanted to sell the recipe. First, while the Southards werent in need of money, and neither was her mothers side, Senior Southard didnt have her own land to farm, nor was she inheriting any land. Farming was her passion, so this was a difficult thing to face.

She would need to either find employment with her family, with another farm, or buy her own land. Her family on her mothers side was already saturated with extended family working; she didnt believe she could continue her greenhouse produce farming. Her fathers side was dominated by her brother, he wanted to focus on wheat, which was their familys main product. Senior Southard understood.

The next option was to go out and look for a job, like many children who werent inheriting. Senior Southard knew it would be difficult to be able to continue her greenhouse production on someone elses farm. Few farmers would take such a risk on a young woman.

Buying land was Senior Southards goal. Then she could focus on growing what she wanted. She needed to find a job after she graduated from Lyce at the end of the school year to save money, and knew, like nearly everyone else on campus, that Tori was developing the Cosora Delta.

So, she offered the recipe from her paternal grandmother in hopes of starting a relationship with Tori to try to get a job. The only person who knew the recipe was her, as her paternal grandmother had died, and she was the only descendent who bothered to learn it.

The second reason was that Senior Southard did not have a good relationship with her future sister-in-law. Senior Southard didnt get into the details, but apparently, her future sister-in-law picked on her in primary school. Senior had been against her brothers relationship - after all, how could her own brother date her bully, but her eldest brother didnt care, so Senior had her greenhouse demolished, moved her registry to her maternal grandfathers farm, and decided she would find work near Horizon, never to return.

Tori would be lying if she said she didnt think it was kind of badass.

I think Senior Southard picked the right person to go to, Sonia said as she sipped on an iced coffee.

Henrik chuckled. If anyone can appreciate her pettiness, its Tori.

First of all, if my brother was engaged to someone who bullied me for years, I would no longer have a brother, Tori said. Although, it was easy for her to say. In her original world, she was an only child. In this world, Sebastian and Kasen wouldnt dare.

Around the table, everyone seemed to nod in agreement. Henrik looked over the recipe sales contract, which was to purchase the recipe and give a portion of profits from the meat pie to Senior Southard for five years. He handed it to Tori.

Please review.

Tori picked it up to read it. As she carefully read the contract, which was based on one of the templates she got from Kasen, the door to their room above Cafe Fortuna opened and JP walked in.

I have news about Guthry, he said as soon as he entered. He closed the door behind him and walked in.

Tori glanced up from the document and raised a brow. They had already started regular classes, and Tori had seen Dimitri in their homeroom class, but, as per usual, they didnt make contact. She and Ilyana ignored him, and he ignored them. You look excited.

It is exciting news. Aside from his house arrest, Guthry had his comcry confiscated and could only make approved calls in front of his parents, JP said as he quickly took a seat. He didnt get his comcry back until school started. He wasnt allowed to call Hart during his house arrest.

Makes sense. Continue.

Guthry apologized for his negligence, but says that his craftsmen are prepared to begin building the classroom for the orphanage for Harts project this month.

All right, we already knew that, Henrik said.

Guthrys project is considered almost complete, Ilyana added. Although, I havent heard of him seeking out the guilds to assess the craftsmen in the training school he started.

JP almost couldnt contain his smile. And thats where it gets interesting. A lot of those new craftsmen have started taking jobs for cheap over the summer and there have been more than a handful of complaints.

The table seemed to lean in closer. Complaints? Sonia narrowed her eyes. What kind?

Faulty workmanship, general poor-quality builds. Someones porch collapsed. Luckily, no one was injured, JP said. People complained to the guilds, but the guilds cant do anything for those victimized by unaffiliated craftsmen. So, people have complained to their village and district leaders, and now Guthrys vocational school is being investigated.

Its being investigated, and he still wants to have people build a classroom? Tori slammed her hands on the table. Is he insane? What if something happens to those kids?

Wait, theres more, JP said, holding out his hands. To try to get more qualified people to train the new craftsmen, Prime Minister Guthry gave his son a store under his name when Guthry started his project. A set amount of the profit was to be used to pay for qualified craftsmen to teach. Well, Guthry wasnt paying attention to where the money was used and some of it was embezzled to pay off local leaders around Fosse. Those craftsmen claimed they were working under the Prime Minister. Now Prime Minister Guthry is being investigated for corruption.