4-24: Before the Storm…? (2/4)

4-24: Before the Storm...? (2/4)

When the two hands of the clock had passed the summit, and the students were catching their breath after finishing their afternoon exams, the students gathered at the point designated by the examiner to give their report.

Haa Haa

Haa Haa

Everyones shoulders heaved up and down as they tried to catch their breath, their gait unsteady like the living dead.

Raybeasts had rained from the sky, and C Rank raybeasts ran rampant throughout the area.

But not only did they have to stay vigilant for any raybeasts, they also had to keep an eye out for their fellow humans.

That whittled away at their mind and body, sapping them of their strength.

Even 1 D with the resistance that they built up yesterday could not come out unscathed.

In fact, they appeared much more mentally fatigued than the second years, who were experiencing Shinichis exam for the first time.

Uu, aa, ku Huh, what, is, that?

Shut up. Dont talk to me Isnt that exactly how it looks?

The students were so tired that they didnt even want to talk to each other anymore, but the sight before them drew their attention.

Their examiner(Shinichi) had a huge grin plastered onto his face, while their assistant examiner(Tomoe) flared up at him.

But what drew their attention wasnt the examiner and his assistants antics, but that giant object beside Shinichi.

Thats a pot, right? A student asked.

Is this a soup kitchen? Another student said.

I dont think youd see something like that even in those places. Im pretty sure Ive only seen a pot that big in some special events, a third student pointed out.

The message they were sent told them to gather here. It also mentioned that they didnt need to look for food since it would be prepared for them.

As realization dawned upon them upon seeing that giant black pot, a different kind of shock appeared on their faces, albeit it claimed only half of their face.

So thats what he meant by that. Your masters way of doing things is so messed up I cant keep up at all, Ryou said.

Kyu kyu kyu, the fox said.

But of course, is what the fox seemed to say, seemingly proud of her master for some reason.

With a height of over 2 meters and a diameter of about 6 meters, the black pot radiated a bizarre presence.

The contents of the pot could not be seen from the ground, but it was easy to guess from the aromatic steam wafting from it.

It was a strange sight either way given that this colossal pot was right in the middle of this vast space of nature.

Haa haa haa, is this normally something youd make a tired person do!? I-I cant believe I was so stupid to actually sympathize with you, you demon! Tomoe said.

Ahaha, but you managed to do it properly, though, no? Shinichi said.

Yeah, thats right! I did it exactly as you asked!! Tomoe said.

Tomoe stood on a protruding boulder and mixed the contents of the giant pot from above. She complained at Shinichi below her, but the latter didnt care.

Seeing her like that was enough for the students to realize her plight.

Ahh, this girl is also a slave, they thought.

E-Examiner. As youve ordered, 1 D has gathered. All students are present. These are all the crystals weve gathered, totaling 92 crystals all in all. Please confirm them Said the representative of 1 D.

If this guy werent the examiner, I wouldve knocked him out already, seriously.

She didnt say it out loud, so it looked like she was joking, but Tomoe was seriously starting to wonder if the Shinichi under her was really the same Shinichi that was apologizing to her a while ago.

In the first place the types of ingredients you picked aside based off the condition and amount you were able to gather, youre clearly not a beginner! So why would you ask someone whos so tired to cook everything? Tomoe said.

Because you said you could? Shinichi said.

Uh, thats Thats because you swindled me! Tomoe said.

Unfortunately, if it doesnt involve money, then you havent been swindled, Shinichi pointed out.

When she says one thing, he says another.

Tomoe groaned.

If one were to give a quick summary of how she ended up cooking

After accepting Shinichis apology, she used a recovery skill to help her recover her strength, but it wasnt enough to support her running for an extended duration.

She could move if she had to, but she was still so tired to the point that just standing made her listless.

It was then that Shinichi nonchalantly asked this.

Can you cook?

Perhaps because he asked that question so suddenly after shed just caught her breath that she failed to realize his intentions quick enough, and then Shinichi just had to pour oil into the flames.

Ah, my bad. Of course, you cant. What was I thinking?

W-What was that!? Of course, I can cook!

When it seemed as though it was a matter-of-fact that she couldnt cook, Tomoe couldnt help but retort.

Alright, in that case, Ill leave the cooking to you, and Ill go gather the ingredients.

Sure, just leave it to me Wait, what!?

If you want to call it clich, well, it is.

Like taking candy from a baby, Tomoe was baited just like that.

And, unable to take back her words, she found herself stuck with the job of cooking the ridiculous number of ingredients despite her exhausted condition.

Theres a limit to how much you can drive your workers, you know, Tomoe said.

I agree, but I dont think you have the right to say that, Ryou said.

What do you want to say, Ryou? Tomoe asked.

Why dont you listen to your heart, you bully, Ryou said.

When Ryou remembered those bitter memories since his childhood, he couldnt help but become dejected.

But his words just cast a shade on Tomoe when she looked down at her chest, for what greeted her then was a vast plain with no hills or mountains in sight.

Oh? Is that a declaration of war to this maiden who hasnt grown any!? Are you insinuating that that part is the only modesty of the Japanese that I inherited!?

You have a persecution complex, woman! Seriously, fix your damn complex with your lineage already! In the first place, what would I ever know about how your chest has grown!?

Hmm Its not that big of a deal, I think. Those still have plenty of room to grow, right?

While the two childhood friends were arguing, someone was brazenly staring at her chest and muttering to himself. Alas, only the students near him could hear his mutterings.