Chapter 10: Subjugation Mission and Favorability
1645words
Anais was infected with the curse of this very magical beast.
Once the announcement was made, the atmosphere across the entire academy became tense. As a mentor, I must lead my students down the mountain to subjugate the magical beast. This is both an unavoidable responsibility and a great opportunity to earn credits and improve my mentor ranking. Arthur and Anais, who had just recovered and was filled with guilt and hatred, would naturally join as well. They are the main force for this mission.
I had absolutely no intention of bringing along Frederick, whose level was only LV.3, as a burden. Not only would he be of no help, but I would also have to divert a large portion of my attention to protecting him, which would undoubtedly greatly increase the risk of the mission.
However, when I tried to leave him at the academy, he brazenly acted like a scoundrel in front of all the students who were ready to depart. He clung to my arm and announced loudly in a sickeningly sweet voice: "If I don't go down the mountain with Instructor Winifred, then I'll stay at the academy and have a nice, thorough exchange of the latest prank magic techniques with all the students who are staying behind."
As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of all the students who weren't participating in this mission turned pale at once. They seemed to envision an apocalyptic scene: the academy submerged in all sorts of bizarre magical artifacts, with everyone wailing as they suffered from "nausea" or "temporary blindness" status effects.
The next second, without me having to say another word, that group of poor students erupted with unprecedented unity and efficiency. They scrambled over each other to pack up Frederick, this "walking disaster source"—helping him put on specially made protective leather armor, loading him with a small backpack full of snacks, and even thoughtfully putting goggles on him—then forcibly, adamantly shoved him into my team.
I looked at this little demon who had been "enthusiastically sent off" by his classmates, still wearing a victorious smile on his face, and helplessly let out a deep sigh.
"It's so exhausting taking care of this troublesome villain prince," I thought wearily. "I don't dare to really teach him a lesson for fear that when he levels up later, he'll have it written down in some little notebook and come back to take revenge on me twofold."
Our group marched grandly to the small town below the city. This was the last supply point for our extermination mission, and the atmosphere in town was both tense and full of energy.
Frederick left the high walls of the academy for the first time, arriving in this mundane world full of hustle and bustle, feeling an irrepressible curiosity toward everything. Like a bird just released from its cage, he excitedly looked around, at one moment shouting at a small candy figurine stand by the street, and the next moment hiding behind me, frightened by the flames spewed by a juggler, his blue eyes sparkling with unprecedented brilliance.
Looking at him in this state, a perfect plan suddenly popped into my mind.
"If the hard approach doesn't work, let's try the soft one. I should take this opportunity to really boost my likability. Money is the fastest way to close the distance between people, especially effective with children!"
So, I deliberately went to the town's bank, used Winifred's Crystal Card with its enormous balance to exchange for a large amount of heavy gold coins, and initiated the "Domineering Mentor Shopping Spree" mode. Whatever Frederick's curious eyes fell upon, no matter how childish or ridiculous the item was, I unhesitatingly took out my money pouch and paid generously.
[System Notification: You have purchased 'Magic Sugar Person' for NPC 'Frederick', a candy figure that changes expressions based on the consumer's mood. Favorability +2.]
[System Notification: You have purchased 'Glowing Spinning Top' for NPC 'Frederick', an alchemical toy that has no practical use but looks very cool. Favorability +1.]
[System Notification: You have purchased 'Singing Music Box' for NPC 'Frederick'... Favorability +3.]
……
Soon, I keenly observed that Frederick's gaze toward me was undergoing a subtle change. The scrutiny and caution were gradually fading away, replaced by an increasingly genuine and undisguised dependence and closeness. He no longer just tugged at my sleeve, but would actively and tightly hold my hand.
"Good, these are all my life-saving charms," I calculated in my mind while paying, "When he eventually turns dark and becomes a world-ending demon lord threatening the entire kingdom, considering today's sugar-coated artillery, he might at least spare my life before finishing me off, giving me a chance to explain myself."
In an elegantly decorated dessert shop, we took a brief rest. Frederick was holding a large piece of freshly baked toffee pastry that gave off a rich milky aroma. Instead of eating it himself, he broke off a large piece, and with his short little legs, ran over to Arthur who was sitting at the neighboring table, and held it up to him.
Arthur was quietly discussing something with Anais when he saw Frederick offering him the pastry, which clearly surprised him. He probably thought this was just an innocent gesture from a child, so he showed a gentle smile, said thank you, and reached out to take it, taking a big bite.
I noticed that fleeting, suspicious, fox-like smile on Frederick's face, and immediately had a bad feeling about this.
Sure enough, the next moment, Arthur's handsome face showed an indescribable, twisted expression as if he had swallowed a hundred flies. He wanted to vomit, but constrained by his knightly dignity and manners, he dared not lose composure in front of everyone, causing his face to turn completely red from holding back.
[System notification: NPC 'Arthur' has consumed 'Salted Toffee', entering 'Taste Confusion' and 'Severe Nausea' states, lasting for thirty minutes.]
Frederick blinked his innocent big eyes and said in a naive, guileless tone: "Captain Arthur, I forgot to tell you. Because I really love sweets, I added a teensy bit of salt to it. I heard from the chef that this makes the sweetness stand out more."
I struggled to hold back my laughter, lifting my teacup to drink and hide my smile that was nearly stretching to my ears, almost injuring myself from suppressing it. That wasn't just "a little salt" he added - he must have ground an entire rock salt block into powder and stuffed it in there!
Watching Arthur desperately gulping down tea beside us, his face turning blue in distress, Frederick turned around with satisfaction and ran back to me.
"Instructor Winifred, would you like to try one?" He presented another pastry that looked completely normal and was still steaming hot, holding it before me with his clean little hands.
Just as I was about to refuse, his lips immediately drooped, and his eyes visibly reddened, clearly preparing to deploy his infallible "watery puppy eyes attack."
"Does Instructor dislike me?" His voice carried a trembling note of grievance.
【System prompt: NPC 'Frederick' has issued a 'Favor Test' to you. If you refuse to eat the food he personally offers, some of the favor points accumulated so far will be reset to zero, and you may be judged as 'Untrustworthy'.】
He's threatening me with favor points again! This little demon!
I can only accept my fate. I forced a smile worse than crying and said reluctantly: "How could I not? How could your mentor refuse something you've given? It looks delicious."
I trembled as I took the pastry, mentally recited "Shennong tasting a hundred herbs" three times, then resigned myself to my fate, closed my eyes, and carefully took a small bite.
Huh?
Surprisingly, what entered my mouth wasn't a deathly salty taste. Instead, it was a rich milky flavor mixed with the crispy texture of roasted almonds, sweet but not cloying, with excellent mouthfeel. It was my favorite flavor.
I opened my eyes in surprise.
Frederick's eyebrows carried a smile, his eyes full of triumphant light. He leaned close to me and said in a slightly smug voice that only the two of us could hear:
"How could I possibly bully my mentor when they're so good to me? That was specially prepared for him."
Like hell I believe you. You just haven't found a better opportunity to bully me yet.
But I immediately put on a deeply touched expression. I reached out and gently patted his head, saying with the utmost sincerity: "Frederick is such a good child. After this mission is complete, when we return to the academy, your mentor will make you water lily soup to eat, how does that sound?"
Water lily soup is the only dessert that I, as a "modern person," can proudly offer—something that both fits this world's style and exceeds the culinary standards of this era. Last time I casually made it in the dormitory, and after he tasted it, he couldn't stop thinking about it. But I found processing lotus seeds too troublesome and kept making various excuses to avoid making it again. Now, I'm making grand promises first, to earn enough goodwill before deciding what to do next.
Upon hearing the words "water lily soup," Frederick's eyes instantly lit up, like stars being illuminated. His smile became even more radiant and unrestrained. He happily grabbed my hand, swinging it back and forth, and declared loudly.
"Master, I'll remember this! No going back on your word!"
