Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 13: Alchemy Assignment
The Next Day, Alchemy Classroom
The moment Merlin stepped into the classroom, he immediately sensed a strange odor hanging in the air. It was an overpowering mixture of spices with a hint of stench—an odd concoction of fragrances that was bizarre in every sense, and absolutely not pleasant.
Merlin even considered making a mask before coming to class. Fighting back his discomfort, he placed the clump of soil he had wrapped up onto his desk and sat down.
Kris also placed the incense she had made on her desk, while Fitt, looking pained, set down his talcum powder.
“Damn it, I’ll never mix black pepper and mint in talcum powder again. My… rear still hurts,” Fitt groaned.
Merlin shuddered at Fitt’s words. Mint? Black pepper? An enema made from that… He couldn’t imagine how Fitt had the courage to try it on himself.
Kris glanced at the lump of soil on Merlin’s desk, puzzled. “Merlin, what is that? How did you end up with a mudball?”
“This is my alchemy assignment,” Merlin replied.
“Hahaha↑ hahaha↓ ha~”
A lewd laugh echoed from the side. Sigma the ratman and his group of sycophants were laughing at the mudball on Merlin’s desk.
Especially Sigma. “Merlin, you’re saying this is your alchemy assignment? A mudball? Don’t tell me you just mixed spices with dirt?”
“Wow, what a genius! Mud and spices—a combination of the lowliest mud and the noblest spices. Truly fascinating.”
Merlin rolled his eyes, ignoring the ridiculous man.
Sigma placed his own incense stick on the desk, a challenging glint in his eyes as he stared at Merlin. “Take a good look, Merlin. This is something you’ll never be able to make in your life.”
“Idiot,” Merlin muttered, still ignoring him. He couldn’t understand why this guy was always trying to pick a fight—was it really just because of his handsome face?
Sigma was about to retort when Professor Harrington walked in. Instantly, Sigma reverted to his usual sullen “rat” expression and fell silent.
This class was for checking students’ assignments, and Harrington didn’t say much. He instructed the students to display their works on their desks, then went around grading them personally.
As a high-level alchemist, Harrington’s skill in blending fragrances was exceptional. A single sniff could reveal the quality of the mixture. He would also ask students about their process and techniques.
The perfect score was naturally ten, but for students who had just started formal alchemy, even a seven was a significant achievement. Most scored around five or six.
Harrington approached Sigma, picked up his incense stick, crushed a bit, and smelled it. A smile appeared on his face. “Not bad. This stick is quite good. I’ll give you a score of seven.”
Sigma straightened his back immediately and shot a provocative glance at Merlin.
Harrington turned his attention to Merlin and froze slightly at the enormous lump of soil on his desk, skipping Kris to ask, “Merlin, what is this?”
“This is my spice assignment, Professor Harrington,” Merlin said, pointing to the mudball.
Harrington’s mouth twitched slightly. He carefully examined the large sphere before him, rubbing his forehead. “Merlin, while spices can indeed be used to make scented clay, it would never form a sphere this large. And I don’t see any trace of spices in this… Please explain what exactly this is.”
“Teacher, what else could it be? Merlin probably hid or sold the spices you gave him. After all, the Leo family is bankrupt now, and he must be desperate for money!” Sigma said with a sneering grin.
Harrington glanced at Merlin, wanting to hear his explanation.
Merlin said nothing. Instead, he tapped the mudball open, revealing lotus leaves inside.
Lotus leaves? Harrington hadn’t expected the mudball to hide anything.
Peeling away the last lotus leaf, a golden Beggar’s Chicken was revealed, instantly drawing every eye in the room.
A rich, savory aroma swept through the classroom, overpowering the previous unpleasant smells.
“This… what fragrance is this?”
“My mouth is watering!”
“God, it smells amazing… but it’s not the smell of spices…”
Gurgle… their stomachs grumbled loudly.
“How strange… why am I so hungry?”
“I want breakfast!”
The classroom erupted with rumbling stomachs as the students were instantly captivated by the Beggar’s Chicken Merlin had produced.
Harrington stared at the dish in astonishment. “Merlin, this… is your assignment?”
“Yes, Professor. I combined the spices with the ingredients—the chicken—to create this dish.”
“Food! So… it’s edible?” Kris asked in disbelief, her mouth watering at the sight of the chicken. Her stomach growled louder than anyone’s.
“Really… we can eat it?” Fitt echoed, stunned.
Merlin pulled out his small knife and sliced a piece of chicken, offering it to Harrington. “Professor, please try it.”
Harrington accepted the knife, swallowed hard, and placed the meat in his mouth.
Instantly, a burst of savory flavor exploded across his palate. The sweet, tender chicken blended perfectly with the spices, as if a culinary bomb had gone off in his mouth.
Harrington felt as though he were immersed in a fountain of golden chicken broth, his muscles shivering with delight. The rich aroma assaulted his senses, cleansing his spirit completely.
After savoring the bite, Harrington slowly opened his eyes, looking at the Beggar’s Chicken with approval. “This… is truly astonishing. Very innovative—the perfect fusion of ingredients and spices. This is a masterpiece of alchemy. Merlin, I am giving you a full ten. You’ve created an entirely new alchemical miracle.”
The students’ eyes widened and mouths dropped open at the teacher’s words. They could tell from his expression just how delicious the dish was.
Merlin stood, placed his hand over his chest, and bowed slightly to Professor Harrington. “Thank you for your praise, Professor.”
“Ten! Impossible! I don’t believe it!” Sigma screamed in disbelief, utterly flustered.
Harrington frowned at Sigma. “Sigma, do you have doubts about my evaluation?”