Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 31: The Launch of Something New
Merlin reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, elegantly crafted gem-encrusted pouch. Inside, among a few gold and silver coins, rested an ordinary Magic Crystal Card.
“The transaction is complete. Take a look.”
The two cards connected seamlessly. Dahl, barely able to contain his excitement, quickly entered his password and snatched the lotus-leaf-wrapped Beggar’s Chicken that belonged to him from Merlin’s hand.
His chubby, slightly greasy fingers didn’t care at all about the mud on the chicken. He brushed away the dirt as he shuffled over to Fitt, squatting down beside him. Peeling back the lotus leaf, Dahl’s eyes lit up like a lovesick fool as he glimpsed the golden, fragrant chicken beneath.
Crrackling sounds filled the air—
Dahl ignored the dirt clinging to his hands, wiped the drool from the corners of his mouth, and immediately grabbed the chicken to take a hearty bite.
The rich aroma of the Beggar’s Chicken spread through the courtyard, igniting an impatient excitement among the alchemy students. Clutching their own Magic Crystal Cards, they shouted eagerly, demanding to purchase the lotus-leaf chicken.
The Beggar’s Chicken sold like wildfire. Its distinctive fragrance drew a crowd of curious students, all eager to discover what could possibly smell so irresistible.
“Give me one! I want one!”
“Me too! I want one!”
“Swipe your card! Swipe it!”
“Wait in line! Don’t cut!”
Jean watched in stunned disbelief as the students scrambled for the lotus-leaf chicken. He hadn’t expected it to be so wildly popular. Each piece sold for five gold coins—yet the noble-born students weren’t fazed. Money spoke louder than reason.
The sound of students sucking clean chicken bones echoed across the courtyard. Merlin frowned slightly as he noticed many students dropping bones and mud carelessly onto the nearby grass.
“Students enjoying the lotus-leaf Beggar’s Chicken, please dispose of your bones, lotus leaves, and any leftover dirt properly in the trash cans. Do not litter!”
Merlin didn’t want the academy to reprimand him over environmental concerns.
Some students glanced awkwardly at the debris beneath their feet. Being noble-born, they had some sense of decorum and quickly picked up the discarded bones, wrapping them along with leaves and mud before tossing them in the trash.
Of course, a few others ignored Merlin entirely, continuing to eat without a care.
“This is incredible! The aroma, the taste… it’s perfect! But one chicken isn’t enough—I’m still craving more!”
Many students, having finished their lotus-leaf chicken, skipped the dining hall entirely. After tasting something this exquisite, going to the cafeteria felt like leaving a royal banquet only to eat with pigs.
Merlin had only brought two hundred chickens, which sold out almost immediately. Students who didn’t get any began to complain loudly, questioning why he hadn’t prepared more. Even those who managed to snag a single chicken felt it wasn’t enough.
Seeing the empty boxes, Merlin retrieved other prepared items from his cart and laid them out.
“Don’t worry! Besides the lotus-leaf chicken, I’ve got a whole new set of delicacies. Come take a look—I promise they’re just as delicious!”
At his words, Fitt and Kris sprang from the grass like two eager puppies, staring at him with hopeful, expectant eyes.
“Merlin, what else do you have to eat?” Dahl dashed to the stall, having already decided that from now on, all his meals would come from Merlin. As for the dining hall? Not a chance—he wouldn’t step foot there again.
Merlin gestured toward the iron trays in front of him. “Here. Take a look for yourself.”
Students who missed out on the lotus-leaf chicken quickly swarmed around. Those who hadn’t fully satisfied their appetites pushed forward, eager to see what else Merlin had.
On the small cart, roasted chicken heads, braised chicken necks, thighs, hearts, and livers were neatly arranged. On the other side, Merlin displayed his meticulously prepared Spicy-Sour Lemon-Passionfruit Chicken Feet.
The students froze, their eyes wide in disbelief. Chicken legs and necks were one thing, but innards and heads? Who would actually eat that?
“Merlin… why would you display chicken livers and hearts, not to mention the head? It looks terrifying! Nobody’s going to eat this, right?” Dahl, despite being a foodie, couldn’t bring himself to touch the brains and internal organs.
Others murmured their agreement. Merlin wasn’t surprised—after all, this world’s people simply weren’t accustomed to eating innards.
Dahl eyed the chicken heads, livers, and hearts nervously, then pointed at the chicken legs. “Merlin, how much for the legs and necks?”
“Braised chicken thighs: two gold coins each. Chicken necks: one gold coin each.”
Dahl didn’t hesitate. The aroma of the braised meat was irresistible. He swallowed hard and said, “I’ll take two chicken thighs and three necks.”
“Seven gold coins in total.”
Grabbing the chicken thighs, Dahl eagerly took his first bite. Earlier, when he’d eaten the lotus-leaf chicken, there hadn’t been any thighs or necks. Now, these had been turned into a completely new delicacy.
Other students, seeing the price, quickly followed suit, purchasing legs and necks for themselves.
One cute girl, drawn to the golden Spicy-Sour Lemon-Passionfruit Chicken Feet, stepped forward. The tantalizing mix of fruit aroma, sourness, and spiciness pulled at her senses.
“Merlin, how much for these?” she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.
“You’ve got good taste! These Spicy-Sour Lemon-Passionfruit Chicken Feet are one of a kind. Each foot has been deboned, leaving a cool, spicy-sour sensation that will make you crave more. Just one coin per foot.”
Merlin picked two chicken feet from the tray, glistening under the sun with spicy-sour juice, the scent of passionfruit and lemon mingling with the heat of chili. The aroma assaulted the girl’s senses, almost overwhelming her rational mind with sheer temptation.
“I’ll… I’ll take two… no, five!” Her cheeks flushed crimson. She couldn’t resist any longer, and with the added allure of Merlin’s recommendation—he was handsome, after all—her self-control crumbled.
Merlin collected five gold coins, carefully selecting five chicken feet, placing them on a broad leaf, and handed them to her with a charming smile.
The girl’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of his smile, nearly melting at the touch of his hand. She almost collapsed to the ground, but sheer willpower and mental strength kept her upright.