“Please make your position clear, Headmaster of Cosmos Academy.”
The voice that spat out the words with intense agitation belonged to Catharina Remiris, the vice-principal of the middle school section of the academy.
The woman, with her elegantly styled long black hair, was someone no student of the academy could possibly not know by name and presence.
This woman, who always covered her right eye, was, in some ways, an object of fear among the students.
“I always do my best, Vice-Principal Catharina.”
“Do you truly mean that? Did you not let Colette Bloodberry’s issue slide too easily?”
“That wasn’t letting it slide; it was steering it in a direction that satisfied everyone.”
“Perhaps you should try walking a tightrope. The scholarship foundations of various kingdoms don’t have eyes and ears to endlessly cooperate with us.”
“Well, perhaps it’s because Cosmos Academy is a bit special, hahaha.”
Unlike the visibly angry Catharina, the Headmaster of Cosmos Academy maintained a relaxed expression, merely shrugging her shoulders.
‘Elementary School Vice-Principal’
‘Middle School Vice-Principal’
‘High School Vice-Principal’
These positions, unseen in other academies, were essential for efficiently managing the vast Cosmos Academy.
Elementary, middle, and high school sections.
With subtly different curricula and even separate ‘halls’ and ‘dormitories,’ three vice-principals existed to bind them into one ‘academy.’
Their power and status were comparable to that of principals in other academies.
“I’ve already taken care of that part, so there’s no need to worry too much. Vice-Principal Catharina, just continue to do your best for the students as you have been.”
“It seems you’ve truly persuaded the Duchess of Crimsonbrand.”
“Crimson Nexus Commerce is merely donating to our academy out of goodwill. Isn’t that a good thing? With the money that came in, we might even be able to buy cute pajamas for each elementary school student.”
Catharina snorted.
She immediately realized that the Cosmos Headmaster had once again played a sly trick.
‘She says that, but in reality, she’s trying to counterbalance the growing influence of Astral Emporium Commerce. It’s actually a good investment opportunity.’
If it were the usual Catharina, she would have torn into even this small detail, but today was different.
“Enough with the jokes. Lunarin, which has never been permitted on the sacred hill of learning, is being smuggled in.”
“I’ve already confirmed that and am investigating.”
“I’ve also investigated, so take a look.”
Catharina placed another document envelope on top of the pile she had brought today.
The Cosmos Headmaster, with a pile of documents that could easily hide her body, pushed them to the edge of the desk with both hands.
“I’ll examine them carefully. However, since multiple commerce houses are involved, it might take some time to reach a conclusion.”
“Please make your position clear. Does it make sense for filthy scum to nest and live in Cosmos Academy, where heroes are to be selected?”
“The children of the New-Helheim Club are all precious students of the academy.”
“That can’t be.”
Knowing that further conversation was meaningless, Catharina stood up.
“Only when such trash disappears quickly can outstanding heroes be selected from our academy. That’s how Cosmos Academy becomes the most special, right?”
After venting her thoughts, Catharina walked out of the principal’s office.
“…She’s really noisy. I thought I’d shut her up for a while with some snacks.”
What kind of performance did Murmur show in the collaborative task?
Is she truly the flesh and blood of the Demon God?
The answers had already been well conveyed to the noisy nobles.
“Just as expected, it’s nothing but a piece of paper filled with prejudice.”
After examining the contents of the document envelope Catharina had handed over, the Cosmos Headmaster sighed.
Upon closer inspection, the contents were so blatant and crude that she genuinely felt her intelligence was being insulted.
“Sigh… Demons are dangerous and should be expelled from Cosmos Academy… ‘Black Magic Defense’ is fundamentally evil and students don’t need to learn it… Burning down the New-Helheim Clubhouse will bring noble patronage and new scholarship foundations… Nothing but nonsense.”
The Cosmos Headmaster clicked her tongue and pulled out the last remaining paper from the envelope.
“Hmm? This one seems to be a document written by Princess Nicasia…”
After examining the report Nicasia had diligently written, the Cosmos Headmaster sighed.
“Her gall is beyond belief… Even if Nicasia is a princess and not the crown princess, tampering with a report written by a royal family member…”
The Cosmos Headmaster reached into her pocket to pull out gloves but stopped.
She grabbed the paper with her bare hand and shook it up and down, and the report ‘ruined’ by Catharina instantly returned to its original form.
“…This can’t be a coincidence.”
After thoroughly examining the contents, the Cosmos Headmaster let out a long sigh.
“It took quite some time to realize that a magic circle was drawn here. As for the identity, I barely managed to figure it out with the help of the Demon Tower…”
After reading all the contents of the report, the Cosmos Headmaster felt a subtle sense of emptiness.
‘This report is like the answer key to a problem set, clearly explaining the mysteries we were investigating.’
What caused the sudden anomaly in the academy’s ley lines?
What is the identity of the hidden magic circle drawn with Lunarin-infused paint?
Who is ultimately smuggling Lunarin into the academy?
“And this… all of this… was told by Murmur.”
Clicking her tongue, the Cosmos Headmaster rubbed her forehead with the back of her hand.
“This is… too perfect. It can’t just be luck.”
In her right hand was the report diligently written by Nicasia.
In her left hand were reports written by Sylvia and other faculty members.
Alternating between the two, the Cosmos Headmaster closed her eyes tightly as she looked at the inscribed magic circle.
“The flesh and blood of the Demon God… a magic circle capable of summoning the gatekeeper demon Gabriel…”
The more she examined the report, the more complicated the Headmaster’s thoughts became.
“This can’t be a coincidence. Knowing where the Demon God was sealed must have been for this reason…”
A bitter taste began to fill the Cosmos Headmaster’s mouth, and she finally let out a sigh.
“Selen… did you tell me to raise this child because she’s soft and cute, and it would be rewarding?”
* * *
“Pfft!!!”
A cloud of white flour caused an involuntary cough to burst out.
“Good job, Murmur! You didn’t have to carry the flour yourself, but thank you for your hard work.”
“No, Murmur wanted to help too. Tomorrow is an important day, after all.”
Fortunately, the ‘dessert-making’ plan to thwart Lady Jepar’s evil scheme is proceeding as I thought.
Lady Jepar didn’t refuse our proposal, and about 100 children are expected to gather at Piglet House and its front yard to excitedly make desserts.
Thanks to that, I had to do the menial task of moving various ingredients brought from Citrine’s commerce house.
“Murmur must have had a particularly hard time, but you did well!”
Esme hugged me from behind and ruffled my hair.
Indeed, perhaps due to Murmur’s stats, even carrying a single bag of flour, which looked incredibly light, was difficult.
“It seems you’ve finished moving the flour? Good job, everyone! We’ve also moved all the fruits and other ingredients.”
Nicasia, who always handles physical tasks with ease, approached us with a bright smile.
“When I first heard Murmur’s plan, I wasn’t sure if it was possible, but I’m glad Lady Jepar accepted it.”
“Yeah, Murmur is really glad too.”
“But Murmur, have you thought about what dessert you’ll make for tomorrow’s event?”
Of course, I have.
There’s essentially only one reward for thwarting Lady Jepar’s scheme in the most peaceful way possible.
Still, this reward is quite substantial.
【Cooking Skill】
This one, Cooking Skill, is surprisingly versatile.
It can create powerful buffed doping items, craft items to increase favorability, and even unlock special dialogue options, so it’s good to have if possible.
“Yeah, Murmur has thought about it.”
“Haha, let me guess. You’re planning to make a super cute dessert, right?”
“Ah! Murmur, you must be thinking of a cake, right? You love cakes~!”
What kind of child do Nicasia and Esme think I am in their heads…
“Surprises are nice, but making a pie with me would also be nice.”
I plan to help Nicasia, Esme, and Citrine with their dessert-making to the best of my ability, as I’m determined to get the Cooking Skill.
“Murmur is planning to make cookies.”
“Cookies? Animal-shaped cookies would be super cute.”
“No, just regular cookies.”
Nicasia smiled brightly and ruffled my hair.
“But Murmur, do you know how to make cookies?”
“No? Murmur doesn’t know how to make cookies. But it looks the easiest, so I’ll try.”
“Hee… Baking is indeed difficult without experience. I couldn’t do it before Pearl taught me, you know?”
As Esme nodded, Citrine clung to me.
“Then, Murmur, do you know any recipes? Trying a dessert with a similar recipe might be good.”
“Murmur doesn’t know any.”
“…Huh?”
“Murmur has never learned how to cook. Murmur learned magic instead.”
Isn’t it more unusual for a fifth-grade demon child to know how to cook?
And of course, focusing on martial arts or magic classes is normal, right?
I was just stating the obvious, but the expressions of the three looking at me were strangely intense.
“Oh my… I foolishly forgot. Murmur was the kid who spent weekends reading books in her room. Cooking would have been a luxury. Asking to use the kitchen would have drawn a lot of attention!!!”
“Ugh, we talked about cooking so casually! How could Murmur have ever cooked!?”
“Murmur! I’ll teach you how to make delicious cookies tomorrow! And not just cookies!! Fruit parfaits! Cupcakes! Peanut butter sandwiches! I’ll teach you everything!!”
“Okay? Thanks. Murmur will work hard to learn.
At this point, I still didn’t know.
That making a bunch of desserts wasn’t as soft and easy as I thought!!!
